MANILA, Philippines?Experience the world through an international offering of authentic spa treatments in LeSpa at Sofitel, Sofitel Philippine Plaza, CCP Complex on Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City. With trained staff, first-rate service and a posh new look, the 24-hour full-service spa is now worthy to bear the name of Sofitel, said Alexandra Cazzilli-Sambrano Andrade, LeSpa International senior product manager.

?We have specific high standards on décor, organization and service, standards that should be at par with the image of the Sofitel brand worldwide,? she explained. Cazzilli-Sambrano is responsible for overseeing the LeSpa brand worldwide, and has been visiting the country to supervise the spa from blueprint to execution.

As in all LeSpa branches, LeSpa at Sofitel incorporates ?traditional Filipino culture with French beauty,? Cazzilli-Sambrano said.
So while the receptionist greets guests with a cheerful ?bonjour,? the interiors are decorated with capiz lamps and bamboo door panels?soothing and warm.

?Guests will be in his/her own bubble and not bump into anyone else. We make sure they are relaxed so they would feel free in their environment,? Cazzilli-Sambrano said.

The spa, she continued, while combining Filipino warmth with French expertise on beauty and art, offers treatments that are of the same standards as LeSpa?s Paris outlets.

Uniform menu

The spa menu is also a mix of traditional Filipino massage and international methods. The menu is uniform worldwide among all Sofitel hotels, save for the local massages.

There is hilot, the traditional Filipino art of healing that relaxes stressed muscles; and Filipino Pride, a combination of popular methods such as Swedish, Thai, shiatsu and reflexology that revitalizes the body.

Soon to be added to the menu is another local variety tentatively called Mayon Mudwrap, where the body will be massaged then wrapped with mud from the rich soil of Mayon Volcano, said LeSpa manager Marissa Bongulan.

LeSpa Signature consists of international staples such as the Marrakech Sweetness, a gentle scrub with green tea and peppermint that opens the Meridian channel to relieve tension. The therapists, said Bongulan, are all degree holders knowledgeable in health and wellness.

Polynesian Wave is a luxurious pampering of coconut milk bath followed by a warm massage using Polynesian seashells to re-energize the body. Acupressure and muscular stretching with Siam swabs highlight the traditional treatment called Siam Energy. Meanwhile, a sensorial experience that combines music with multicultural methods around the world can be had with Mauritian Romance.

?All our spa treatments are as authentic as we can deliver. We use seashells from Polynesia, tea leaves are brought in from their original country of source, the methods are well-researched, and our therapists are trained well to perform the treatment with precise expertise,? Cazzilli-Sambrano said.

LeSpa is the country?s first 24-hour full-service spa, said Bongulan?with facial, manicure, pedicure, foot massage, hairstyling services, and even a room to shop for more beauty products. The luxury French brand Decleor is also used for its facial services.

LeSpa at Sofitel comes with its own gym called SoFit, also open 24 hours a day. The fully equipped gym has its own studio for group exercises and an area for cardiovascular and machine-assisted weights with a view of the sunset, and another room devoted to free weights and kinetic exercises.

Locker rooms have wet and dry areas. Membership in SoFit entitles customers to discounts at LeSpa in Sofitel.