My 2010-2011 Philippine Vacation Rant and Rave
Picture borrowed from the web
After working abroad for so long I was looking forward for some much needed me time. The girly girl in me was desperately craving for a good makeover and back massage. The good thing about the Philippines is that compared to most US prices for Spa’s and salons, we get the most bang for our buck even in the most luxurious establishments.
Caution though to the wise and seeking, it’s a hit and miss for most. And these are my Rants and Raves of my R and R experiences
THE RAVE: Studio FIX by Alex Carbonell ( Green Belt 5)
I normally get my haircuts and mani-pedis at the Fix Bench salon franchise. My favorite and most trusted branch would be the one located in Glorieta Makati right next to the Cinema. My hair was already near waist length and after an unfortunate accident with an escalator, I decided that my untamed mane needed some serious hairscaping. The Fix Bench salon in Glorieta was able to fix the dryness, remove the split-ends and give my bangs a softer look. However my friends noticed that there was very little change to my hairstyle. It got a trim bit shorter but lacked flair or style.
My friend GM Mikou recommended me to go to Rever salon located inside the Pacific Star Building in Makati. Her stylist gave her an awesome K-Pop ish like hair do. Unfortunately, it rained that day and I decided to stay put in Green Belt rather than braving a Taxi ride to my old workplace.
Two days prior, I was walking around Green Belt 5 and stumbled along the Studio Fix salon owned by famed hairstylist Alex Carbonell. The salon is also part of the Fix bench salon franchise but this was more personally owned/managed by Alex.
I have to admit that my knowledge of the latest fashion trends and who’s are scarce and had to google his name to find out who he was. But even before I did my research I decided to take a leap of faith and put my locks under the guiding care of their senior stylists. Being I was walk in setting up an appointment with the master cutter would take days or weeks at most. Unfortunately I was closing in my fly back date to the US and Japan and had to settle with one of their senior stylist.
My experience with Studio Fix was absolutely STELLAR. Let me walk you through my first ten minutes. The location is on the 5th level of GB 5. It’s a bit hidden, but I trust me that people do come and line up. The facility is clean and has a crisp feel. There are a few salons, even the posh ones ( except if they are collaborated with a Spa) that offers you a drink with a selection of water, juice and ice tea. The staff was cheery and extraordinarily helpful. What struck me most was their attentiveness. It was non verbal and on cue. Like how they knew when my glass was a quarter finished, that they would offer for a refill, or move it to the coaster. I was then fitted into a robe as I was led to my shampoo area
My shampoo-ist was absolutely, hypnotically amazing. She tended to my mane with her gentle fingers and massage my scalped so good that I was fighting not to doze off. This went on for a good 10-15 minutes for pure bliss for me.
The stylist who was assigned to me was Romeo Torente, he was a handsome man with a lean built and gentle fingers that I barely felt as he ran them through my hair while listening to my styling request. I wanted my hair to have more flair and to frame my face. He worked meticulously on my tresses for a good 30-45 minutes. My hair was trimmed a bit shorter and a fitting layered cut was added. He personally blow dried my hair ( on other salons, another person will be assigned to that task) snipping on areas that needed work. He spoke very little and had a warm smile. He would nod at his assistants every now and then as if giving them nonverbal commands . When he was done I thanked him as he proudly showed me his work. I was giggling in satisfaction and joy and he was quickly ushered off to his next client. I remembered to award him graciously for his services, praising the salon as I left.
The cut was soft and had a slight flair that was wash and wear yet can be styled to either rocker chic or classic polish. I was happy and told them I would HIGHLY recommend them to my friends.
The Rant: Wensha Spa ( located near Boom na Boom)
I should have just listened to my guts and not my wallet when I promised GM Sumire that I would treat her to a Spa massage and scrub. I normally go only to The Spa ( either the Alabang or Green Belt branches) however their prices have skyrocketed massively .
We heard about Wensha Spa a 24 hour spa located near the boom the boom and CCP complex . I’ve read only one web review from them a costly mistake that I learned later on. The prices are good and the website description was attractive, especially the steam room and sauna and a free buffet.
We headed there on a Saturday after weighing our options. Going to QC was a no-no given it was the feast of the Black Nazarene and we would have been stuck in traffic for 2-3 hours at least for 5-10 mile drive.
Upon entering the large Thai like facility, the first thing I noticed was the crowd and noise. There was a lot of human traffic on the place that immediately killed the ambiance. They offered us slippers that were laid out on the greeting area, something not very appealing to me. We were then lead to the locker rooms which served as a changing room.
There were about 20+ women on the locker area, undressing before us. I’m a private person when it comes to my body and though I have shared a nudity or two at The Spa, I felt I was walking at a nudist camp. People just undressing everywhere. The staff or rather only girl in the locker area seemed cross when I asked for towels.
The wet area for me was absolutely HORRIBLE. If not for me paying upon entrance I would have backed out already. The Hot pool was crowded with women, the water smelled strong of bleach and chlorine.
I have worked in the Hospitality industry for almost 2 years now and worked with the pool maintenance crew at my company, I knew exactly when a Jacuzzi/pool water is bad. Upon dipping my feet at the hot tub, the water had a thick and nearly itchy consistency.
The shower area was ICKY and smelly, with barely any hot water. I wore my slippers all the time due to the stench on the floors. The only thing I liked was the steam room, which I wailed out my Gripe to Sumire about how I wish their service would offset the sucky facility. There were others who agreed to my silent disgust, as a group of Spanish patron entered with a “WTF” look on their faces upon entering the wet area.
After washing up, we went to the eating area, the meal was shabu-shabu and some buffet. However if you leave a piece of food on your plate, you would need to pay up to P600.00 in fines. The meat was scarce and at one point had to fight for a plate against a foreigner.
We both had body scrubs in which we were ushered to this clinic like area which the lying table was loosely covered with a towel. NOT SANITARY for my standards.
I was right though on one thing, the staff did an ok job with the scrub but there was no ambient music to relax us and we could hear the loud chatter from below. After a second shower we were led to our “massage” area.
If i were to describe the place, it is a closest to that of a horse barn stall, you know with dividers and such. There was NO Music, and again the bed was just covered with a towel. I was glad I was wearing shorts when I lied down.
The massage was awesome. And the lady was able to find mines and Sumire’s kinks. However there was a LOUD guest from across the room, yapping loudly for a good 15 minutes. Noen of the staff asked her to observe silence, however the guest must have heard me later on, as I loudly quipped how it was unrelaxing to hear ones unnecessary chatter.
When we left the area, I cursed to my hearts content in the car and apologized profusely to Sumire. It was a horrible experience if not only for the above average massage we received. Sumire noted that that may be the only thing besides the rate that makes people come back to Wensha.
Unfortunately, I would not recommend this spa to anyone and would never return, I have been to more affordable spas with average and cleaner facilities than Wensha. And will suggest to do a lot of homework and ocular inspection first before going to one. Or perhaps save up to slightly expensive but more fulfilling experience. After all your body's care and relaxation is worth a few hundred pesos more.
So there you go, my gripes and raves on my two pampering highlights so far. I hope for the Google searchers that this would be helpful and would discover the greatness of Studio Fix and be wise when having your body taken care of wellness clinics by doing your homework first and scanning reviews such as mine.
