The "Rich Spa" in Salcedo, Makati

Ta chia hao!

So on this blog, I am going to talk about the sights, smell and service at the "Rich Spa" in Salcedo, Makati.

Last Valentine's day, one of my gifts to my hubby was a ventosa, whole body hilot and Dagdagay foot massage package at Rich Spa. I bought this massage package from Groupon for only P345 which is original priced at P1,275. What a deal, right?

I also bought one for myself, the whole body hilot service which is only P299 but regularly priced at P850.

On the day of the massage, my hubby and I were very excited because, one, my hubby had always wanted to try Ventosa and, two, it's a new place.

On the way to Rich Spa, in my mind, I had pictured it to be a place that would look, smell and feel cozy and relaxing. There would be dim lights, aromatic smell and soothing music on the background. Just the way a spa should be.

But I guess I was expecting to much from a place because when we got there, it felt like Throwback Thursday. Everything looked old school. Starting from the building, Torre de Salcedo Condominium, to the door of Rich Spa, and the unit itself, all of them looked like the set of a 1980's movie. Think "Working Girls" starring Carmi Martin, Rio Locsin and Hilda Koronel.

When we walked to the door of Rich Spa, it felt like we were going to a doctor/dentist's appointment rather than a spa.

Welcome to Rich Spa

Anyway, as we walked in, I immediately noticed the Valentine's Day greeting on the glass partition by the reception area. I also noticed an unusual and unpleasant smell. The smell of stale oil. It was later that I realized it's the smell of Virgin Coconut Oil which is the only oil they use since it's a hilot massage spa.

Valentine's Day Welcome

Before the massage begun, we were told to go at the back of the glass partition where our feet would be given a bath. We were given a pair of clean slippers. Nice and clean. I like it.

Clean Your Feet before the Massage

Then we were directed to the massage area, there were I think four massage areas, which are separated by thick curtains. There were no couples room so my hubby and I were separated from each other the whole session.

Before stripping down, I took stock of my surroundings. There's a bed with a massage mattress on top, both covered in dark brown sheets, a stool and a towel. Nothing else. No extra towel to cover the sheets which I think is not always replaced after every customer. I'm not being maarte but it felt unhygienic.

Despite the stale-oil smell, I tried to get comfy even before the massage started but it was quite hard. After awhile, I guess my nose just got used to the smell so I got to focus on the massage instead.

I informed my masseuse that I want moderate pressure which was followed at first but as the massage progressed, the pressure would shift from moderate to soft to hard and back to soft and so on and so forth. It was hard for me to relax.

I've had hilot massages before, at home, and by an old lady and the pressure was crazy hard and it was uniform, so I really don't know what's going on with my masseuse. Maybe she's already tired for the day since it was already 6:30 PM?

Anyway, after my one-hour massage, I was offered tea which I was glad I accepted because it taste great and refreshing even though it's hot tea. I was told it's lemongrass tea.

Before we left, we were given a coupon for a discounted 30-minute massage on our next visit.

For this experience, I can safely say that I won't be visiting Rich Spa anytime soon.

Thanks for reading. Until my next blog!