Sofitel Philippine Plaza: Health & Wellness

Photo from www.sofitelmanila.com

Scents of chrysanthemum float through the warmly lit open space while the sophisticated simplicity of the Asian-inspired spa with bamboo details and lulling water fountains set the tone for a serene salon experience. And here at the Philippines’ newest medical tourism destination, Sofitel Philippine Plaza’s Philippe’s Salon, LeSpa and The Zen Institute – only the latest and the best in medical facilities and beauty expertise are offered. 

"We wanted to bring in only the best,” says Sofitel’s general manager Goran Aleks about the luxury hotel’s grand plans to position itself as a medical tourism destination. “We did our research in Manila and found that the most knowledgeable celebrity hair salon was Philippe’s Salon, Manila’s premiere luxury salon, and for medical spa, (it) was The Zen Institute.”

Aleks explains that as a world-class hotel, they wanted to offer a really great beauty, health and wellness package to guests. “If you’re having something (cosmetic) done, might as well be pampered in the process,” Aleks beams, “And here at Sofitel, we cover all the bases.”

Photo from www.facebook.com/PhilippeTordjmanSalon

Philippe’s Salon: A French Touch

Philippe’s Salon and its staff, led by celebrated French hair artist Philippe Tordjman, brings artistry into hair care, using the very best and latest in hair care techniques and technology. As L’Oreal’s Artistic Ambassador in Asia, Tordjman has personally styled Hollywood celebrities like Antonio Banderas, Justin Timberlake, Jojo, Julio Iglesias, Meg Ryan and Melanie Griffith – just to name a few. He has even attended to heads of state like former President GMA and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton when she visited the Philippines. 

From cutting to coloring to styling, Tordjman boasts that his fully equipped salon and internationally-trained staff is prepared to take on any task, even the most daunting and under the most stressing of conditions like weddings. “Anyone who is getting married can be really pleased because we can organize everything at once. Before it was a one-year preparation but now we can do treatments on the day itself if needed.” If the bride wants to turn from a brunette to a red head on her magical day, Philippe can ensure that her dream comes true. 

Must Try: Keratin Complex Smoothing Therapy

Philippe’s Salon is one of the few salons worldwide that offers the Keratin Complex Smoothing Therapy, the number one smoothing system in the world developed by world-renowned stylist, salon owner and television personality, Peter Coppola. The treatment infuses natural keratin deep into hair’s cuticle; taking care of 95 percent of your hair’s frizz and 60 percent of its dryness. By removing all of the impurities, the Keratin Complex Smooth Therapy leaves your mane silky smooth and manageable with an evident added shine. 

The Zen Institute: Feeling of Zen

LeSpa and The Zen Institute (located within the LeSpa) is where the best of massage therapy and medical technology meet. Advocating a holistic approach to beauty and wellness, Dr. Mary Jane “MJ” Torres-Valdecañas, head doctor, does not only offer natural, non-surgical and non-invasive beauty solutions like facial contouring and body sculpting, but also helps develop weight management programs for her clients, educating them on nutrition and diet. 

Must try: Resonax

Europe’s latest non-surgical technology for face and body sculpting called Resonax is every hectic businesswoman’s dream treatment because the procedure can be squeezed into your coffee break. The Resonax introduces electrode doses into the body that hasten the process of dissolving fat and help tighten the skin, Dr. MJ explains. Used in combination with the weight management program of SoFit, Sofitel’s fitness center, Resonax can instantly trim inches off from the waist, abdomen and face. Lipotherapy treatments such as Resonax will entail around 5-12 sessions but sessions can be customized to fit the client’s schedule. 

Spatastic: LeSpa

At LeSpa, clients can delight in a combination of traditional pampering rituals and modern treatments set in the tranquil Asian setting. Exclusive signature treatments and pampering body rituals, using unique French techniques and premium French products can be enjoyed further by booking the exclusive spa suites, which have spectacular views of the Manila Bay. LeSpa offers numerous non-therapeutic procedures designed to encourage feelings of wellness, from soothing facials that leave the skin looking firmer and radiant to stimulating massages and body treatments. 

Must Try: Mayon Wrapsody & Kerala’s Smile

The Mayon Wrapsody, one of Sofitel’s unique traditional treatments, is an hour and a half long massage that uses clay from our own Mayon volcano. The remineralising volcano clay wrap aids in increasing body temperature, which in effect helps increase body metabolism. The treatment also utilizes the combined benefits of natural skin-lightening calamansi and papaya scrub to detoxify, soothe and attain balance. 

On the other hand, Kerala’s Smile treatment eliminates muscular tension, fatigue, body heat, digestion problems as well as rejuvenates one’s body from jet lag. The signature soothing entails a remineralising and stimulating rubdown that’s finished off with a foot massage using a Kansu bowl. An additional benefit is that it is said to improve sleep quality.

Fortunately today, “A beautiful woman doesn’t have to choose between living a great life and looking 10 years younger – but living a great life can lead to looking 10 years younger.” Sofitel Philippine Plaza’s beauty and wellness triumvirate: Philippe’s Salon, LeSpa and The Zen Institute – the newest medical tourism destination – won’t hesitate to pull out all the stops to make sure that a woman is beautiful, inside and out. 

First published in PeopleAsia Magazine.