IN PHOTOS: Relaxation Every Moment at Mandala Spa Boracay, An Environment-Friendly Destination Spa

Entering Mandala Spa is already relaxing with these arches of green

The unusual scorching July Boracay heat was suddenly tempered as we walked along Mandala Spa’s leafy entrance. It was like entering a respite from the island’s traffic jams and rush of tourists.

Several steps forward, it was still all greenery and I felt a soothing coolness on my skin. As we turned the corner, up ahead was the open-air reception area and the welcoming smiles of the staff and their frangipani-adorned hair.

Walking toward Mandala Spa’s open-air reception area

My travel companion loved the staff’s kalachuchi (frangipani) in their hair!

The staff welcomed us with cold towels and refrreshing lemon water.

Taking in my surroundings of greens and touching the cold towel the staff presented to my cheek, I felt tension melt away from my body. In just a span of a few minutes, I felt my entire body relaxing.

For this alone, I already got a fair idea why Mandala Spa is so well-known and such a multi-awarded spa resort, bagging awards like Asia’s Top Wellness Spa. Over a year ago, while browsing for eco-friendly accommodations in Boracay for an article on responsible travel I was writing, I stumbled upon and was impressed by Mandala Spa’s track record, especially of winning the ASEAN Green Hotel Award, an award with rigorous requirements on environmental practices. I found out later that they also have activitieslike tree planting. With Boracay’s environmental woes in the past several years, environment-friendly establishments like Mandala Spa are a big help in the island.

This year, they have been nominated for Asia’s and Philippines’ Best Wellness Retreat, and after experiencing their one-and-a-half-hour signature massage, I immediately voted for them. If you experienced their pampering or believe in their vision, you can also find out about the award and how to vote for them here.

Our relaxing spa experience in Mandala Spa is best told in photos, which you will see below:

Walking along pathways of green

One of the huts for resting and relaxing as you walk along the spa’s leafy paths

The hut up close

The locker and changing room where we left our valuables and changed into brightly-colored sarongs.

Our masseuses leading us to our massage hut. They have colorful uniforms, too. Do you know that the spa requires them to take yoga classes? No wonder they look so fit! Mandala Spa’s philosophy is that the staff should also practice and exude wellness.

One of the spa’s massage huts

Inside the massage hut. Massage huts are good for two, but if you are alone, you have this to yourself.

I sat here for a foot bath before the massage.

On the table are different massage oils. I picked the healing oil for tired muscles, which has sage and eucalyptus.

Yellow bell flower petals and peppermint salt for the foot bath. The spa uses different flowers according to availability in their gardens.

The flower petals reduce friction and make the foot massage smoother and easier, according to the massage therapist. They look pretty, too!

Massage time! My travel companion Rona gamely had her photo taken. The next one and a half hour was pure bliss – we both dozed off during the massage.

Relaxing tea time after the massage

I drank the relaxing ginger tea with herbs while taking in the view. I could stay here for a long time. This is the best end to a massage. Photo by Maria Rona Beltran

You can take home some Mandala Spa products like the body scrubs and massage oils.

Mandala Spa also offers accommodations like this room. (Photo courtesy of Mandala Spa)

Each moment, from the time we entered the spa to the last moment we were there, was truly relaxing for me.

What we experienced, the Mandala Spa Signature Massage, is just one of their many services. As their name “Mandala” means “circle” and signifies wholeness and holistic wellness as their philosophy, Mandala Spa also offers other services like yoga and fitness packages, detox diets, healing modalities like Reiki, and more. You can see more of their offerings here.

For booking and inquiries, visit the Mandala Spa website.