An afternoon delight

I’ve been quite busy in addition to feeling a bit under the weather lately. Because I was out of the country with family for almost two weeks, there were a lot of things left for me to do when we got back. Nothing major really, just the usual routine but I felt sluggish just the same.

Yesterday, I taped a segment for All About You – one that required me to be at the location by 8 a.m. Being a night person, that’s really early considering that I normally sleep at around 1:30 to 2 a.m. I was all set to crawl back to bed as soon as I was done with work but Mae, the executive producer of the show had a better idea. Why not hie-off to Shangri-la Mall and have ourselves pampered at Urban Spa? Yeah, indeed why not?

I didn’t need much pushing. The thought alone already started to relax my tired muscles. Because it was almost lunch, we decided to have a quick bite at Cibo because we didn’t want to be stricken with hunger pangs in the middle of our massage. And as always, Cibo was a delight – it’s one of those restaurants that serve food that really comforts. I haven’t tried anything there that isn’t delicious and my aim really is to get to try everything on their menu. But at the rate I’m going, I think that’s close to impossible. Each time I’m there I find myself ordering either one or two of three items, depending on how hungry I am – the Penne Al Telefono (which is what I had then), the Roast Beef with Garlic together with their Mushroom Rice (wonderful beyond words), and their Liver Pate’ on slipper bread. I order these all the time that the waiters there don’t even list down what I want anymore. I guess it’s spelled out on my face. Anyway, I think Gaita Fores, the woman behind Cibo, is a genius. I hope she opens even more strings of restaurants.

Satiated and happy, we were all set for the next treat. Tucked discreetly on the fifth floor was Urban Spa where we were met by one of the owners, Irene Ibañez. She aptly gave us a rundown of all the products and services they had to offer and although I was all set to have an aromatherapy massage (triggered perhaps by the pleasant scent that was evident a few feet before the entrance), I settled for the Ladies’ Luxury Polish instead which, in a nutshell, is a full body scrub. Before that though, Irene graciously showed us the spa’s facilities.

The modestly-sized receiving area belies the approximately 200 sq. m. floor area that stretches deep inside. I was pleasantly surprised to find a spacious waiting area in addition to 10 very private rooms, two of which are couple’s rooms so you can actually bring your spouse along and de-stress together. How much better can that get? And as Irene explained further, it was very evident that they really prioritize a client’s comfort. First off, the spa is located very near one of the entrances of the parking area so you can directly be dropped and/or picked up conveniently. Also, there’s absolutely no excuse not to try what they have to offer because they’ve also arranged tie-ups with Sacred Heart and Struan and Tang’s – a daycare center and teahouse, respectively also located at the mall. So while you de-stress, your little one can stay happy and busy and if you need a bite before or after your treatment, you won’t have to make another side trip. The interiors, designed by Tessa Prieto-Valdes, took its inspiration from the seaside spas of France. It’s delightful in the sense that the place maintains its spa-like ambience even with the unexpected use of color that in fact, just seems to make it more homey. I especially liked the mural done in the restroom wall by the waiting area of a man and a woman happily wrapped in an embrace. Irene referred to it as "The Kiss" and since then, I’ve been looking around the house for a wall space where I can have a similar one done. No luck so far.

Finally, I was led to the room assigned to me. It was cozy, very clean and had subdued lighting. Perfect for sleeping, I happily thought. I also noticed that the room had its own shower. The therapist made me choose between a lavender or orange scent and because I was nursing a cold, I chose the latter, thinking that the citrus whiff would really refresh and relax me. Well, I wasn’t wrong. The therapist, also named Mae, told me to lie face down first on a massage table. I nestled comfortably in my private space and was once more pleasantly surprised to see a bowl of water brimming with fresh rose petals staring up at me through the hole. That, plus the scented candles and the soothing music were little touches that were more than enough to set me in the mood for the afternoon delight I know I was going to have. And to think Mae hardly even started yet.

I felt the sea salt and the orange-scented oil being scrubbed thoroughly onto my skin, starting from my legs all the way up. I must have dozed-off midway because the next thing I knew, Mae was already telling me to turn over so she could do the front. Once done I rinsed off in the shower and after lining the bed again with fresh sheets, Mae massaged and covered my whole body with honey. I rinsed off yet one more time, put on my clothes and went home with unbelievably soft, smooth skin.

I highly recommend this treatment to women – it feels wonderful. The scrub refreshes while the honey massage relaxes. It’s one of those Dove moments, if I may say so.

Want to know how much I really enjoyed my Urban Spa experience? I had not even left the premises yet but I was already planning my next visit back. Their tagline says that they put the aaahh in spa. They couldn’t have said it better.