Chi, The Spa at Shangri-La

Celebrated my wife's birthday with the Couples' Sanctuary Ritual. From the moment we stepped in — the jasmine-scented air, the hushed tones, the warm welcome tea — every detail was considered. Three hours felt like twenty minutes. Worth every peso and then some.

The Himalayan Hot Stone Journey is the finest treatment I have experienced in Southeast Asia — and I have been to Amanjiwo, the Raffles Singapore, and the Four Seasons Bali. The stones were at the precise temperature for the full 120 minutes. The therapist didn't miss a single point.

I travel to Manila four times a year for work and Chi is my first booking after every flight. The Thai Stretch & Restore at 9AM is the most effective jet lag treatment I have found anywhere in the world. The therapist, Marielle, has been there for seven years and remembers exactly where I carry my tension.

The Jade Facial left my skin looking genuinely luminous — not that overdone taut look, but healthy, rested, and clear. The esthetician analyzed my skin before starting and adjusted the protocol. The post-facial tea service in the relaxation lounge is a wonderful finish.

Exceptional therapists and a genuinely beautiful space. Four stars only because the hydrotherapy pool was closed for maintenance on my visit — which wasn't communicated when I booked. The management offered a complimentary add-on, which was gracious, but the pool is part of why I specifically booked Chi.

The Ayurvedic Abhyanga was unlike anything I'd experienced — the synchronized four-hand technique with warm sesame oil was meditative in a way I didn't expect from a hotel spa. Chi operates at a level that matches the absolute best destination spas globally.