What is it?
A spa and health resort on the Philippine island of Boracay. It's perched on a hill and is five minutes' walk from the beach, restaurants and bars above Angol. There are 12 private villas on the 2.5 hectare site. It was last year voted destination spa of the year at the Baccarat Asiaspa Awards.
What was it like?
There are a handful of open-air treatment rotundas surrounded by tropical vegetation, with the only sounds being the occasional whir of boats or roosters from the gardens of local residents dotted below the property. The private accommodation villas have their own balconies, are lost among tall trees and look towards the ocean. You can have treatments in your villa or the spa.
What sort of treatments?
Shodhana Karma (21/2 hours/ US$74) is based on the Indian ayurvedic system of holistic health. It starts with a pressure-point massage using herb and sesame oil. This was done in one of the rotundas - no wheezing air-conditioners; just a light breeze drifting in and out of the nearby palms. The therapist then took me downstairs to a wet area with sauna, where I showered, spent 10 minutes steaming and was then given an Ubvartan body scrub, an exfoliation using ayurvedic oils. You can also have a Mandala Deep Tissue Massage (two hours and 10 minutes/ US$50), a Lymph Drainage Massage (11/2 hours/US$35) and a Mandala Signature Massage (11/2 hours/US$35), among treatments, as well as assorted scrubs and wraps. I tried Watsu (50 minutes/US$60) - shiatsu in a specially heated outdoor pool. This is described as a 'soul connection' treatment and involves a therapist holding you in various poses (not unlike yoga positions), moving you through the water, and supporting you as you float, with your ears and lower body under water. There's also some shiatsu massage, but the focus is on going into a dream-like state. You're eyes are closed, you can't hear anything and you're weightless. For traditionalists, there are facials, including Royal Liquorice and Green Tea (11/2 hours/US$75), which uses Pevonia products (and leaves the skin taut and hydrated), and All Natural (65 minutes/ US$60). Gentleman's Package (31/2 hours/US$138) and Boracay Bliss (31/2 hours/US$138) are also on the menu. There are also regular yoga classes for all levels.