Boracay is the best-known escape away from it all in the Philippines. It's white beaches, palm trees and laid back atmosphere lures the most adamant city dweller to relax. For me, relaxing means pampering - manicures, massages and meditation!
The journey to Boracay though perhaps wasn't the most relaxing one. It involved a delayed Cebu Airlines flight, hotel airport transfer to a boat docked on the shore, hauling luggage over the beach onto the boat, a quick boat ride, jumping into a van and arriving at the Boracay Regency Resort. Nevertheless, when you've arrived in time for buffet lunch the long journey soon fades away.
The first thing I wanted to do? "Get me to a day spa, stat!"
Kai Regency Spa
Upon entering the oriental themed Kai Day Spa , the smell of peppermint invades your nostrils. The charming therapists greet you and offer you the menu to peruse. We opted for the classic Swedish one hour massage which was only 1,000 peso or $25 AUD. This included the use of the sauna, steam room and spa before the treatment.
1. Aesthetics
Kai is a clean and minimalist space. Warm interiors feature lots of wooden mirrors and hues of orange and brown. Once we were changed into our robes, we settled in the tea room which featured two white chaise lounges for putting your feet up whilst sipping sweet cold tea. Each area is separated by curtains and we didn't see many other patrons, creating the illusion of privacy.
2. Facilities
The ladies change room was large with a dressing table area that had huge mirrors, hairdryers and containers of moisturiser, cotton buds, powder etc for preening - a very nice touch for guests heading straight out after their treatment. The lockers were secure and about two feet tall - more than enough room for all your belongings.
In the spa section - there were two jacuzzis and a small steam room and sauna room. No other guests were using these facilities. We couldn't quite work out though - were you meant to unrobe in the spa? We kept our towels on as it wasn't quite like an onsen in Japan...
However, a quick shower before the treatment made me feel self conscious - the glass doors on the showers weren't very private and the recess opened out to a glass window to a wall. I half expected someone to walk past!
3. Treatment & Service
All the staff were polite and very softly spoken - some spoke very little English. This caused a little confusion before the treatment as we were slowly ushered from station to station and realised we were meant to shower before our massage. (We were wearing bathers at the time though.)
The treatment rooms were all upstairs and in a common 6 bedroom suite. Once on the massage bed, the treatment begins with a breathing exercise of 3 deep inhales and exhales. My therapist, Joan, had great pressure and technique and I felt all my upper neck tension slowly disappearing.
After the treatment, I felt completely at ease and light as air. The experience finishes with ginger tea which has a serious bite! It's very good for your throat but very strongly infused.
The "change room lady" chatted to us before we left and enquired about our nationalities. "You're not Filipino, not even half?" She asked. The answer seems to surprise everyone...
I was pretty spoilt since visiting Bali and perhaps I may not find another day spa like The Samaya soon. But Kai was inexpensive and very relaxing. We visited again for another massage - yet the second massage is a complete blur as we slept the whole way through. Apparently I was snoring!
So I definitely prefer a morning or afternoon massage - evening massages are perhaps a little lost on you when you've been partying the night before and/or just had a big seafood dinner.
The journey to Boracay though perhaps wasn't the most relaxing one. It involved a delayed Cebu Airlines flight, hotel airport transfer to a boat docked on the shore, hauling luggage over the beach onto the boat, a quick boat ride, jumping into a van and arriving at the Boracay Regency Resort. Nevertheless, when you've arrived in time for buffet lunch the long journey soon fades away.
The first thing I wanted to do? "Get me to a day spa, stat!"
Kai Regency Spa on level 3 at the Boracay Regency Resort
Upon entering the oriental themed Kai Day Spa , the smell of peppermint invades your nostrils. The charming therapists greet you and offer you the menu to peruse. We opted for the classic Swedish one hour massage which was only 1,000 peso or $25 AUD. This included the use of the sauna, steam room and spa before the treatment.
Massage treatment menu
1. Aesthetics
Kai is a clean and minimalist space. Warm interiors feature lots of wooden mirrors and hues of orange and brown. Once we were changed into our robes, we settled in the tea room which featured two white chaise lounges for putting your feet up whilst sipping sweet cold tea. Each area is separated by curtains and we didn't see many other patrons, creating the illusion of privacy.
2. Facilities
The ladies change room was large with a dressing table area that had huge mirrors, hairdryers and containers of moisturiser, cotton buds, powder etc for preening - a very nice touch for guests heading straight out after their treatment. The lockers were secure and about two feet tall - more than enough room for all your belongings.
In the spa section - there were two jacuzzis and a small steam room and sauna room. No other guests were using these facilities. We couldn't quite work out though - were you meant to unrobe in the spa? We kept our towels on as it wasn't quite like an onsen in Japan...
However, a quick shower before the treatment made me feel self conscious - the glass doors on the showers weren't very private and the recess opened out to a glass window to a wall. I half expected someone to walk past!
3. Treatment & Service
All the staff were polite and very softly spoken - some spoke very little English. This caused a little confusion before the treatment as we were slowly ushered from station to station and realised we were meant to shower before our massage. (We were wearing bathers at the time though.)
The treatment rooms were all upstairs and in a common 6 bedroom suite. Once on the massage bed, the treatment begins with a breathing exercise of 3 deep inhales and exhales. My therapist, Joan, had great pressure and technique and I felt all my upper neck tension slowly disappearing.
After the treatment, I felt completely at ease and light as air. The experience finishes with ginger tea which has a serious bite! It's very good for your throat but very strongly infused.
The "change room lady" chatted to us before we left and enquired about our nationalities. "You're not Filipino, not even half?" She asked. The answer seems to surprise everyone...
In the tea room, I'm very tan!
I was pretty spoilt since visiting Bali and perhaps I may not find another day spa like The Samaya soon. But Kai was inexpensive and very relaxing. We visited again for another massage - yet the second massage is a complete blur as we slept the whole way through. Apparently I was snoring!
So I definitely prefer a morning or afternoon massage - evening massages are perhaps a little lost on you when you've been partying the night before and/or just had a big seafood dinner.
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