The Boracay Day Spa Experience - Part 2 Mandarin Day Spa Mango Butter Facial

In the evening, the Mandarin Day Spa at the Boracay Mandarin Island Resort is aglow with sparkling fairy lights around its Japanese style garden complete with a bonsai tree. Lured inside, Jules and I discovered a seemingly small day spa with a menu that featured a Mango Butter Facial for 1,100pesos or $28AUD for 1hr 15min.


Being in the tropics, mangoes are abundant in the Philippines. You can drink green mango shakes, mango daiquiris and buy them cheaply from the markets. Naturally, I was drawn to the idea of having mango slathered onto my skin.


According to the brochure: an intensive moisturiser, mango butter has moisturising, softening and regenerating properties to the skin. It has also a protective effect against UV radiation and serves as a natural sunshield. 


It sounded like exactly what our skin needed after a day in the sun.


1. Aesthetics
The foyer of the Mandarin Day Spa is small, with a cushioned bench to wait and peruse magazines. We left our thongs (literally because we forgot to collect them on the way out!) on the shoe rack and put on white rubber day spa thongs instead. After a very short wait, we were ushered up an incredibly steep spiral staircase to the treatment room. It was an Ocean View Room, my favourite! As the sun was setting and twilight began, orange hues were cast over the fading light of the sky. It was the last sight to be seen before the facial started.

Chilling in the foyer

A room with a view - overlooking Boracay beach

2. Facilities
The Ocean View Room was large and spacious. We were lucky to have it all to ourselves! The treatment chairs were huge leather loungers with extended foot rests. They were extremely comfortable and were set to a reclining position for the facial. Soft classical music played in the background.

Jules relaxes in her treatment chair

3. Treatment/Service
This was practically faultless. The facial began promptly with our hair being swept back by a small one-buttoned towel. Our skin was first cleansed - wiped with warm towels and a cooling gel applied. The exfoliation used the fine sands of White Beach of Boracay. The therapist was very gentle and I could feel the effects of my pores being purified and my skin being smoothed over. 


After the second cleansing, it was time for the mango buttering to start. Slices of cucumbers were placed over my eyes and then strips of tissue laid over my entire face. The mango butter was then lightly smeared across my skin. The layer of tissue allowed the butter to slowly seep into my skin without being overwhelming since it caused an acute tingling sensation. 


Whilst the mango butter worked its magic, the therapists skilfully massaged our shoulders and arms. This was rather unexpected! The tissue strips were then removed, pulling off some facial hairs in the process, and our faces were cleansed again for the last time.


The treatment ended with a rejuvenating, non-biting, ginger tea. Jules and I then swanned outside, feeling fresh and glowing, ready to take on whatever the full moon Boracay night had to offer us. 

The Boracay Day Spa Experience - Part 1 Kai Spa

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 on level 3 at the Boracay Regency Resort

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.

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.