Ever since I went to Bali, I've been looking for a spa that offers Balinese-style massage. Unfortunately, the spas that I frequently go to and those near where I live do not offer this amazing type of therapy. In case you haven't tried it, the Balinese style is all about firm presses, skin rolling, and long, super slow strokes—the last is so gentle but so effective in relieving the body off its stresses and stimulating blood and energy flow. I first had it in Liyer Spirit House in Ubud and I’ve never forgotten it—yes, Liyer as in Ketut Liyer, the famous medicine man from Eat, Pray, Love.
As it turns out, I haven’t been looking hard enough. In my recent trip to Tomas Morato (which is approximately 15 minutes from my place), I discovered that Soneva Spa offers a Balinese Herbal Detox Massage! My brain exploded with excitement, LOL. I have actually been to Soneva Spa before, but I haven’t been for quite some time and I was surprised—and happy!—that they’re still operating! Actually, they are the official spa of Philippines Earth since 2006. I love their signature Soneva Jade Stone Massage (read about it here), and I was really looking forward to trying their Balinese style.
Soneva Spa is hidden inside a somewhat discreet building along Tomas Morato, in the same space as Music 21—right beside Mesa Filipino restaurant. If you were driving or walking really fast, you would surely miss it. Which is a shame because their therapists are sooooo good. It’s great though that they have a lot of regulars, including Chinese folks who come back for their foot reflexology treatments. The spa aesthetics is a little outdated, I must say, but it’s the quality of their service that keeps customers coming back. Oldie but goodie!
The spa was just as I had remembered it. The elevator door, once it opens in the 4th floor, hurls you into an entirely different space—starting with the lovely aroma that greets you at the door. There’s a small reception area, a lounge area with several circular tables where guests can enjoy tea (their ginger tea is so good!), and 5 or 6 treatment rooms. Shelves showcase their all-organic products, including Epsom salts that I was keen on buying for my feet.
The receptionist checked our booking, and then we were off to the treatment room. Shortly after I changed to my robe and shorts, Arrjane, my therapist, asked me to lie face down so she can start the massage. Unlike the usual therapy which starts with the legs, their Balinese Herbal Detox Massage began with my back and shoulders. After a nice warm-up, deep, firm presses on my muscles and joints—acupuncture style—signaled the start of the treatment. I just had a shoulder workout the day before, but it felt really good.
Next came those long, slow strokes that I was really looking forward to. No, let me rephrase that: that I was really hungry for. Haha! Somehow, I’ve never had this kind of sensation from other types of massages. Is it because the Balinese are such gentle people, that it even reflects in their massage? Maybe, but I don’t really care. All I could think of was how good Arrjane was in making me doze off to dreamland, LOL.
This treatment also features rolling motions on the skin—it felt really good in my back, arms, and legs. In addition, herbal balls were also used on my back and legs—warm things that just soothed me all over after all the stroking. By the time Arrjane asked me to go face up, another therapist came in. I was also booked for the Xiamen Foot Reflexology, and Maricar was going to perform it halfway through my Balinese detox. Therefore, while Arrjane was massaging my temples and scalp, Maricar was starting to work on my tired feet and it was just so amazing, I honestly fell asleep.
Having dozed off, I couldn’t remember what Maricar did to my feet but I vaguely remember firm strokes up and down the inner edge of my feet (SO GOOD!) and kneading motions through her knuckles. Let me just say, it was so good I’m definitely trying the foot reflex again. Did you know that specific points of the feet are connected to various body organs? Yes, it may just seem like a “foot massage” but it is believed to stimulate other parts of your body too. I mean, it’s not scientifically proven—but why do you think people keep coming back for it?
Incidentally, my brother was having his Aromatherapy with Foot Reflexology in the same room, so I could also smell the intoxicatingly good eucalyptus scent that was being used for his treatment. I don’t know what happened to him and what the style of his massage was, HE WAS SLEEPING ALL THROUGHOUT (I bet he doesn’t know either). Here’s a tip: if you’re going with someone else, one of you must get the Aromatherapy treatment—so you both can enjoy the soothing scents while having different massages, hahaha!
So, the next time you’re in Quezon City or if you live within the area and eager to try a new spa, head over to Tomas Morato and pop into Soneva Spa. They use organic, all-natural, and eco-friendly products such as oils, scrubs, and lotions, so you are sure that they are non-toxic and environment-friendly as well. Their price point is higher than most budget spas (and by this I mean the PhP350 category), but believe me, the quality is there and worth the extra bucks. Can’t wait to go back and try other treatments!
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Soneva Spa
4th Floor, Forum Building, 270 Tomas Morato cor. Scout Limbaga Street, Quezon City
Mon - Sun: 1:00PM - 12:00MN
+632.926.6249/+63917.407.1129
Have you tried Balinese massage? What do you think of Soneva Spa?
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