Last Saturday, my friends and I went on a roadtrip to Tagaytay to do some bonding and relax a little bit from work. After a hearty late lunch ( almost dinner ) at our favorite resto, Buon Giorno, we headed for Sonya’s Garden as bestbud J tells me that they have really good, but affordable massage services there.
It was a rainy, rainy Saturday and I was a bit sad that I could not take pictures because of the weather - gardens all wet, and greens looking all gloomy as night time started to fall. This sign greeted us, as we walked further,
and there was a sign “Sonya’s Sensuous Massage” as we were getting near the spa. It was encouraged to keep quiet and not be too rowdy on the area because it is a place of relaxation.
Beyond the reception, a dim-lit area of rooms. There are rooms for one person, there are also rooms for couples. My friends and I availed of full body massages, and we opted for a Swedish massage which cost us 675 php for an hour ( around $13 ? ) , which was a massage with oil applied on our bodies. There were also choices for dry, if massage oils are not your thing.
Well, the masseuse got so frustrated with me because I kept on running around taking pictures ( but it was dim so it was pretty difficult ) before I settled in my room. My room was really nice - take a look ( above ). There’s a massage bed, and a connecting shower room. Since it was raining and I was soaking wet when we ran to Buon Giorno for our late lunch, I decided to shower first before my massage because I have this thing that my muscles ache so much when it’s been touched by rain.
The massage was surprisingly relaxing. My eyes were closed and I was half asleep as I could feel my muscles being kneaded and getting to un-stiffen since they’ve been so stiff from too much work. It lasted for an hour, and I never wanted it to end. I was in a very sleepy room, with my muscles all kneaded to relaxation, and my ears being serenaded by quiet, mellow instrumental music.
After a blissful hour had passed, the masseuse woke me up and told me that the massage was finished, and I could rest a bit and dress up. I felt the oil and used the towel to wipe it off since I didn’t want to get in the car all sticky, given the impossible weather. What I failed to do was actually ask for a hot towel to wipe the oil all off, so it must be in my mind next time I have a massage to request something like that for my skin not to feel sticky. ( So there one tip for those who want non-sticky massages, ask for hot towel afterwards, always! )
I thought it was already time to go home as I spent a few more minutes in the room with a relaxed body, and perhaps a clearer mind to reflect about stuff. Then, Belen ( my masseuse ) came in with a hot cup of dalandan juice, mixed with honey, and two basil leaves. Honestly, that was what topped my whole massage experience - a warm cup of freshly squeezed dalandan fused with herbs and honey that was the perfect companion for a damp, cold, summer night. Very warming to the senses, and perhaps to my disposition that day. I wasn’t disappointed, the massage was actually good, unlike a past experience of mine in Boracay.
As I went back to the reception to meet with my friends again, I found out that Sonya’s Garden sells Ilog Maria products there - with Sonya labels on them ( I think think they have theirs made from Ilog Maria ). They have a pink variant of the feminine wash which I wasn’t able to find in Ilog Maria, Lavender Liquid Soap, some soaps, and Sonya’s Sublime Massage Oil.
Well, would I recommend going to Sonya’s for a massage? Absolutely.
You get to go to a quiet, relaxing place like Tagaytay, enjoy the lush gardens, feast in tranquility of the place, and get some good body lovin`. You also get a wonderful night’s sleep if you have some trouble sleeping ( I know , because it was one of those nights when I went to sleep really quick, without feeling tired, just so relaxed ). Sounds like everyone’s cup of tea.
Blogsphere: TechnoratiFeedsterBloglines
Bookmark: Del.icio.usSpurlFurlSimpyBlinkDigg
RSS feed for comments on this post | TrackBack URI for this post
Hmm.. Gave me a good idea for my bf’s birthday! Wahahaha =p