Sun, sand and A little spa

Celebrate life’s peak on lean seasons

By Maripet L. Poso, Staff Writer

08/16/2008

I was on a honeymoon! Well, it certainly felt like it. Except that I did not get married, and I certainly didn’t have a groom in tow. But, boy, if there was a honeymoon all by yourself, a spa weekend during lean season in Boracay would certainly be it!

First of all, I never thought I would see the day when I would have the beach all to myself... almost. Except for a couple of elderly tourists trying to get a clear shot of a kiteboarder, a bunch of locals selling trinkets and probably some real honeymooners here and there, strolling or reading by the shed, the usually crowded stretch of Boracay’s White Beach was almost empty. And believe me, you didn’t get that very often.

Second, I thought frolicking by the beach alone would be like watching a movie all by myself — a bit scary and not so much fun. But after spending five minutes under the sun, staring at the gentle waves breaking on the beach, I felt oddly at peace. I had always wanted to meditate, but did not really know how to go about it. At that exact moment, I was actually communing with nature — I was meditating!

Third, next to shopping, nothing beats a weekend spent sampling spa treatments to make a woman migraine-free for the next few weeks.

Certainly, you don’t need a groom or a promotion or a lotto win before you can indulge yourself in a weekend basking in the warmth of Boracay sun and capping it with a night of spa pampering. With lean seasons rolling in, all you need is P10,300, a willingness to have a good time, a few pairs of bikinis, a reliable sunscreen, a good book you’ve always wanted to read or DVDs you’ve always wanted to watch (but hadn’t had the time), and voila, you’re on your way to your own personal honeymoon!

The ‘lean’ is on

Who says it’s always the “peak” season that makes good business? South East Asian Airlines (Seair) and Boracay Regency Beach Resort don’t think so. They simply see it as an opportunity to be more creative with their offerings.

In time for the opening of Boracay Regency’s Kai Spa, Seair and Boracay Regency got together to give the real and not-so-real honeymooners a chance to escape in a not so stressful and less expensive way.

“Lean months are associated with great travel bargains, so now is the perfect time to go to Boracay,” says Patrick Tan, Seair vice president for commercial affairs. “We made every effort to come up with the best travel offers, and we’re happy to announce that this special promo package with Boracay Regency is exclusive only to Seair passengers.”

He was talking about their special promo package of P10,300 net per person inclusive of Seair roundtrip airfare, three days and two nights accommodation on a twin-sharing basis in a superior room plus daily breakfast at Boracay Regency, round-trip land and boat transfers and a 60-minute well-being Swedish massage, to boot, at the newly opened Kai Spa.

“Our limited offer is valid until Sept. 30 only. It comes just in time for guests to relish the opening of Kai Spa,” adds Tan. “Aside from that, however, Seair also offers roundtrip fares for as low as P4,500 (Manila-Caticlan-Manila) and P4,599 (Manila-Busuanga-Manila). The all-in rates include fuel surcharge, taxes and insurance coverage. These special promo rates are valid until Oct. 15.”

With their lean season bargain rates, Seair is letting tourists maximize their trips to some of the country’s top destinations, minus the hassle and bustle of peak-season tourists.

“Also something new with Seair, for flights to Boracay, we have complimentary transfers from the airport to the jetty port, from the jetty port via boat to the resort. And if you fly Seair back to Manila, you can just approach our counter in the jetty port and we have complimentary transports to the airport as well,” he says. “This makes it a lot convenient for the tourists. Especially for first-timers in Boracay. Normally, it can be intimidating to be left on your own at the Caticlan airport. It would be much more convenient if you’re traveling in a package.”

Although it does not include the environmental fees, still, the complimentary transfers make a whole lot of difference. “Our target has always been the resorts and leisure market. And we’re very reliable as far as schedule and actual transportation are concerned.”

Kai’s delectable weekend spa menu

With airfare and accommodations settled, sampling the new spa treatments that Kai Spa offers was, naturally, the hightlight of my weekend.

I was billeted in one of the 90 luxurious rooms of the newly inaugurated Garden Wing of Boracay Regency. It opens to the Garden Wing main swimming pool and is just a short walk to Kai Spa, so walking in a robe to and from the spa was never a problem.

With 285 luxuriously appointed rooms, Boracay Regency Beach Resort and Convention Center, which opened 10 years ago is the first triple A-rated resort on the island. And with the addition of the P50-million hotel spa, one of the biggest on the island, Boracay Regency is definitely not having any “off-peak” seasons at all.

Located at the third and fourth floors of the hotel’s Garden Wing, Kai Spa is designed with modern Asian influences. “We are looking at having the biggest hotel spa on the island,” says Cathy Velez, creative consultant of Kai Spa. “We’re the only spa in Boracay that has its own individual thermarium for men and women.”

Featuring 22 unique rooms with interiors each distinct from each other, Kai Spa accommodates more than 50 persons at a time. “The spa is open to everybody. And we are way, way cheaper than other spas on the island. So, yes, we can accommodate everyone, depending on their budget,” adds Velez.

So, bent on making the most of my weekend, I spent my first day sampling the food at the hotel: lunch at Zhu Asian Cuisine and dinner at the Food Plaza. But what I was looking forward to the whole day was the first thing on my spa menu: the Kai Diamond Peel Treatment.

Finally, my scheduled time came. After showering, I was asked to change into a comfy robe and slippers, then was led to the Female Tea Room where I was served with tropical iced tea. The room was comfortably glowing, and the aroma of sweet orange immediately soothed my senses.

Facial treatment a la Kai Spa was a real indulgence, it turned out. The treatment started with a foot bath and scrub. (Every treatment in the menu includes a foot bath and scrub, which in itself is a treat already.) Then it was followed by a signal of a serenity bell. Right after, the real business began: cleansing, toning, moisturizing, scrubbing, applying the pore-opening cream, steaming, use of sucking machine, use of diamond peel machine, pouring of closing mask and finally applying the age-defying mask. After almost two hours of fussing over my face, the attendant finally rang the serenity bell again to signal the end of my treatment.

Needless to say, I slept like a log that night. The unread book I brought remained unread.

The second day was spent swimming and baking under the sun, a must do while in Boracay. And instead of hitting the bars, I opted to cap the night with the spa’s Kai Signature massage.

According to Ness Morris, the spa manager, Kai Signature is a full-body slimming massage. They use anti-cellulite creams, oils and heated pads and slow, long massage strokes — a combination of Swedish and Thai — to soothe the senses.

After the usual ceremony with the tea, foot washing and the serenity bell, I was introduced to a unique treatment that supposedly makes one thinner. The use of heating pads was rather interesting; it contributed to the calming effects of the massage. Although the entire treatment lasted for one hour and 30 minutes only, it felt like forever. In the end, it didn’t matter whether there were cellulites burned or fats melted. All I knew was that there were knots in my muscles that were straightened out, and I was rejuvenated.

On the third day, I got to try the hotel’s enticing pool. But between packing and sampling the food at Christina’s and Sea Breeze Restaurant, I also had to have my last treatment: Kai’s Ultimate Hand and Foot Care. In layman’s terms, we’re talking about the best things that’s ever invented to make a woman’s day —manicure and pedicure. But to live up to Kai’s pampering menu, softening masks and warm wax are thrown in to make the treatment extra special.

I left Boracay feeling like a new woman. Indulgences and a little pampering like this may be meant for special occasions, no doubt. But, really, seasons come and go — it’s about time you chose when and where to celebrate your own life’s peak seasons.

For reservations and inquiries, call Seair at (632) 849-0100 or Boracay Regency Beach Resort at (632) 523-1234 or visit www.boracayregency.com.

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