Hammam is a Turkish bath that is an important part of Moroccan culture and lifestyle. In Western culture, it can be compared to a steam bath or sauna, but bathing is more closely related to ancient Greek and Roman practices where people habitually go to bath houses each week to cleanse themselves.
This coming March, Edsa Shangri-La, Manila’s premier day spa, Chi, The Spa, brings this traditional treatment to Manila in a modern setting and in secluded luxurious Hammam treatment rooms. The spa will bring you back to a ritual that has evolved over thousands of years from Turkey but done in your own private refuge elegantly covered with black marble featuring a heated marble-topped “bathing slab,” cold wall, bathtub, and private shower plus changing room.
To make the luxurious experience more exotic and authentic, they flew in Turkish therapist from Shangri-La Istanbul Najat Elkhai for guests to get the traditional Hammam bath experience. Guests may opt to choose from three treatments: Traditional, Luxury or the Royal Hammam Experience, where they can enjoy an exfoliating scrub and relaxing foam massage designed to help blood circulation, revive skin and release tension.
The 45-minute Traditional Hammam combines a reviving body scrub and a foam massage to soften muscles and refresh the mind, body and soul. The 60-minute Luxury Hammam treatment on the other hand includes a reviving body scrub, revitalizing full-body foam massage, water therapy, organic body mask, smoothing hair wash and a moisturizing session using organic lotion. The 120-minute Royal Hammam experience combines the benefits of the Luxury Hammam with a full-hour Aroma Wellness signature massage perfect to renew the body and spirit. The price of these luxury treats starts at P3,800. The ritual succession was created to draw deep impurities, provide detoxification to purify, deeply invigorate and relax the whole body.
Chi, The Spa is open to all in-house and outside guests and is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to midnight. Located in the hotel’s Garden Wing, it houses a variety of single, double and specialty treatment suites. Booked guests may also enjoy its outdoor bathing facilities, relaxation lounges, a library and a yoga studio.
For the month of February, you may share the R&R experience to your friends and loved ones with Chi, The Spa’s Gift of Wellness for only P15,000. Choose amongst two holistic packages – Kanlungan and Katahimikan which are inclusive of up to eight spa treatment vouchers, a piece of kashwere headband, a birthday treat of 60-minute Simply Chi Massage, discount vouchers for the hotel’s room and F&B outlets as well as Chi Signature Massages. Members may also bring in a guest for a day to enjoy a complimentary signature massage. Vouchers are valid for six months from the date of purchase.
For reservations, call (+632) 633 8888 Ext. 3553 or e-mail chi.esl@shangri”‘la.com. Visit www.shangri-la.com/manila/edsashangrila or like Edsa Shangri La on Facebook or follow
@edsashangrila on Twitter and @edsashangrila on Instagram.