Yakimix and Sambo Kojin

They say it’s impossible to talk about one without having the other in mind. Bloggers confess on not being able to avoid mentioning both when writing an entry for any which of them since they pretty much have the same concept, and they offer similar food selections which dining regulars like myself are particular about. On top of that, they are within the same price range so a comparison is inevitable.  My very first yakiniku experience was with Yedang, so I already had a sort of reference when I tried these two. Here is my attempt for an objective comparison, and to justify why the latter won my heart. J

I first heard of Yakimix from my sister in law and her boyfriend who are regular customers. I got a chance to try them just a couple of months back out of curiosity, plus I already wanted to understand what loyal visitors have been raving about. My friend and I visited the Podium branch for lunch one day. I had the assumption that this is their branch with less customers plus it’s the one closest to the office, just perfect for my first time.

photo credits:

Yakimix Philippines Facebook page
http://aehthea.wordpress.com ; http://www.atwerpslife.com

They have more branches, they have one in almost every major mall or landmark in the city. Their stores exude elegance. Flashy chandeliers, classy lighting, glossy leather couches, and their staff all looked like hotel employees in their uniforms. Their food selections are mostly on the Japanese-Chinese cuisine. Of course they have all the options: meat, poultry, seafood, cold cuts, noodles, rice, and desserts. I was able to find everything that I thought of from their wide options on both raw and cooked menu. Despite that, I did not feel like wanting to come back for more after my first visit. I might consider visiting other branches hoping for a different experience one day, but it won’t be worth my own expense. That was exactly how I felt, unfortunately. Even more after I tried Sambo Kojin.

Since we’ve been to the famous crossover buffet of Dads-Saisaki-Kamayan a number of times, and I pass by EDSA everyday, we couldn’t avoid but notice the new Sambo Kojin, this was how I first learned of it. I heard from a good friend as well sometime last year that it’s another well raved yakiniku place, I didn’t understand why until I finally got a chance to taste the experience.

It was on the last weekend of the school’s semester break, and the last day of my long weekend from work when my husband, daughter and I craved for some nice dinner. We were not up for even just half an hour drive and we didn’t want to get out of our comfy shorts and flip flops, but we wanted to try out something new. Good thing that the West Avenue branch is just a 10 minute drive from our place, plus they don’t have a dress code (lol) and so we went.

 photo credit:

Sambo Kojin Facebook page

The West Avenue location, if I’m not mistaken, is their third and newest branch. They may have just a handful of branches, but they are all accessible. Their stores may not showcase the same level of elegance without the fancy lights and chandeliers, but their white leather seats are stylishly modern and truly comfortable. Their staff, mostly male, are in black uniform which adds to the Japanese restaurant vibe. Their food selections are on the Japanese-Korean cuisine with options of the musts diners crave for when doing buffet. Other than that, their bacon bar, Korean side dishes and Kamameshi rice got me sold! Now I understood why it was normal to compare. I couldn’t wait to come back the soonest possible, and I started craving as early as the following day. I ended up trying all three branches, on three different occasions, just within the same month. J

Rants and Raves:

ú          Yakimix maybe more popular because of accessibility, they are everywhere. Sambo Kojin only has West Avenue , EDSA Greenhills, and Eastwood.

ú          Yakimix has elegant interiors that make you feel like you are actually in a high end restaurant. Sambo Kojin is simple but classy and homey.

ú          Yakimix has couches, sometimes it requires a bit of an effort for those who are seated by the wall to move out of the table and grab more food. Sambo Kojin has a number of couches too, but their seats are positioned in a manner where everyone has enough space to move from and be able to stand up for refills. They offer single seats too.

ú          Yakimix and Sambo Kojin have similar grillers, just not sure if they’re of the same brand, but speaking out of experience, the ones from Sambo Kojin doesn’t seem to be non-stick.

ú          I find it difficult to hold the XL tongs at Yakimix, the ones in Sambo Kojin are easier to manage and it doesn't cause a mild sprain in the hands.

ú          Sambo Kojin waiters are waaaaay more accommodating. They are all over the place, raise your arm and they will all try to attend to you first. Even the chief waiters have visibility and they will take part on assisting you like a personal butler. I have visited all their branches and that was the case each time. As for the staff of Yakimix. They just do not have the customer service skills required of a restaurant.

ú          Although Yakimix has a wider selection on food, nothing stood out. Their sushi rolls maybe colorful but they tasted the same and are all bland. They always run out of Tempura (like seriously?!), and raw shrimp. Plus you have to season the meat on your own, or were the marinade just not that distinct? There isn't any flavor worth remembering, and I can’t even point out a single item that would pass as a favorite.

ú          Sambo Kojin may not meet the same level of quantity in terms of menu, but their food options are of high quality. Their selections are more unique and they all make the tummy happy! My family and friends can attest to how much I love bacon, so their bacon bar is just worth my every penny. Veggies, greens, mushrooms, and my favorite- crab stick wrapped in bacon is heaven! They NEVER run out of Tempura. Some waiters will even go around tables every now and then to offer more fresh from the pan tempura goodness for your convenience. Their sushi rolls each have remarkable flavors. I love their Korean side dishes, their raw meat are marinated in distinct yumminess, plus they have additional sauce and oil options on every table. I can list a number of favorites, but that bacon bar is just a big hit.

Now that we have more and more dining options and buffet restaurants are really popular, competition is at peak. Other than the good news that more diners are now health conscious, restaurant owners and managers should be keen on the level of service and flavor they deliver. It’s no longer just eating after all, the dining experience should speak for its worth.

Yakimix

Branches, Contact numbers, prices and other info:
http://www.facebook.com/YakimixPhilippines/info

Last visit: October 2012

Sambo Kojin

Branches, Contact numbers, prices and other info:
http://www.facebook.com/SamboKojin/info; http://www.sambokojin.com/

Last visit: November 2012

Pampered Nails and Body

It was last week when I randomly browsed through my Metrodeal account and found out that I still have a couple an unused vouchers for a massage at a not so well known spa expiring in a week time (Nov 18). I honestly couldn't remember purchasing this deal until I eventually realized that it was because I used some of my account credits then and not through Paypal so I lost track of it. I immediately called the number and inquired about a possible extension but of course they refused. I decided to schedule the service last Saturday after work and just right before the coupon's expiration date. I asked my husband and daughter if they wanted to join but since I took the early Saturday 10am slot, they said no. :) I invited my long time spa buddy, Eva since we were due for massage the same weekend anyways and it didn't take her another viber message to say yes. (lol)

And so we went, it has been a while since we both visited The Forum a.k.a. Robinson's Pioneer and it was a surprise for us to discover a new nail and body treatment place situated at the busy 2nd floor. We arrived before they even opened the store so we were first to be assisted. We waited for about 15 minutes while our therapists prepared. We were asked to choose the treatment and massage oil we prefer, wherein we got four options, two of which you would need to pay additional PHP50 for. The receptionist was friendly and knowledgeable. She was able to explain to us the difference between our massage style and oil options and provided the benefits of all choices. I just don't understand why we were not allowed to upgrade what we initially purchased, we were willing to pay extra but it was not an option. I decided to get Swedish Massage and to use their Rain fall oil with a scent of lavender.

We were then ushered to our massage cubicle. I was initially given a space by the entrance door and when I requested for the one on the far end, the therapist agreed. The massage cubicle was average in size, the typical ones divided by curtains, with a massage bed, clothes hook and your own light that can be adjusted to your preference. Everything is in brown. They didn't have any lockers so you would need to hang your bag/stuff on the same hook but they will give you a hanger for your clothes. I was provided with the towel and bath robe since I wanted to take a shower prior to the massage and was properly assisted by a couple of therapists, consistently checking on what I need and how I was, until I finally headed to the shower room.

I was surprised with the size of their shower room, it was big given the compact place they have. It was clean, properly tiled, there was a water heater and a shower gel with dispenser. Shampoo and or conditioner was not available but it wasn't an issue for me since I avoid getting my hair and face wet anyways. There was also a small lavatory with a mirror and most importantly, the shower room smelled clean. I had no problem paying the additional PHP50 fee all in all.

I headed back to my massage cubicle where my therapist was waiting for me, and the treatment began right after I lay down and took my robe off. The therapist consistently checked on my pressure preference. I can feel that her hands were small but her strokes were really good. It may not be a massage that I will never forget but this one's worth its original price.

An hour later and I was offered with a cup of tea. I was just turned off when I was asked to get up and sit down instead after the treatment. I know that it was a form of urgency since they'd rather not have their customers fall asleep for practical reasons, but still, I would want to have the say to when shall I decide to start dressing up and leave the room as a paying customer. Good thing everything was a great experience so far so I let it go. And since my friend had to have her nails done as well, we stayed around an hour more at the place that gave us a chance to have a chitchat with some of their employees. 

The nail technician was friendly and answered all our curiosity. We learned that the place was just more or less six months old. This explains why their furniture and other relaxation paraphernalia are still almost brand new. They have a wide selection of nail polish: Orly, China Glaze, Sally Hansen, and they already offer the new Gel Polish from Orly too. Their prices were decent, given their posh place and uber comfortable nail treatment seats, plus WiFi is available so you won't get bored.

Was it a good deal - absolutely. Will I come back - yes. I am actually looking forward to trying out their nail care services, my friend was all positive about it.

Photo Credit: Pampered Nails and Body Facebook page

Shout out to the owner of the place for the interiors, the services, the brands and for hiring these talented and friendly staff. Crossing my fingers to a well maintained place and level of service. This was an awesome discovery for us. It's great to know a reputable R&R option we got at the Forum. See you all soon! :)

Pampered Nails and Body

Address: 2nd floor Robinsons Forum, EDSA corner Pioneer Street, Mandaluyong City

Website: http://pamperednailsandbody.weebly.com/; http://www.facebook.com/pages/Pampered-Nails-and-Body/448130858533968

Last visit: November 2012

Nuat Thai

Yesterday, I got a chance to visit a fourth branch since I learned about this massage chain sometime last year. You can see them in almost every major road in the Quezon City area. It seemed like an average massage parlor from the outside, the typical ones that you might not even trust, but once you experience the surprising touch of haven they deliver, you would find yourself wanting to come back for more. Allow me give you a rundown of my experiences.

I learned about them through a discount and deals website. I remember it was a promo for a massage that's worth less than two hundred pesos, for a branch that's just a few minutes drive from where we live and/or their branch that's just within walking distance from where I work so I purchased three vouchers. Wellness and relaxation promos excite me the most since they are the ones that could cost you even up to your daily wage per treatment. So for me, half the price treatments for an establishment that's close to my home or office is always more than a double treat!

My first experience was with their Congressional Avenue branch. I had a hard time calling for reservations. This is maybe due to the number of people who purchased the same deal, trying to place reservations the same time I did. I finally got a chance to talk to someone, and reserve a slot when I decided to call their number on the first few minutes of their opening hour. We were able to get a reservation for our desired time, although it was outside the time frame indicated on the voucher's terms and conditions, they were kind enough to grant our request.

We arrived after dinner, around 9pm ready for the massage. I didn't know what to expect but I pretty much have an idea that given their price range, it might actually be just your average massage salon and it was. Their reception area is small, there's a couple's seat where you can wait, which is also the same area where you will be given a foot soak before anything else (good thing I anticipated that they might not have a shower room). We were provided with slippers, ushered to our massage cubicles and were asked to change to the massage clothes given.

It was a lot of firsts for me and my husband. It was our first time to visit such massage salon without locker rooms and amenities like sauna or jacuzzi. It was our first time to be in two separate cubicles, and also our first time to experience massage beds on the floor. But our biggest first that night was the fact that he got a masseur while I got a lesbian masseuse. That was I guess the most awkward part of our experience. Forgive us, but we were both not comfortable with the "gender" of our massage therapists. I was afraid that I might offend both of them so we let it pass and moved on with what we were there for - the massage. To our surprise, both therapists were really good. Their strokes and pressures were perfect! They were both really polite and professional too. We didn't feel harassed or anything and we were even looking forward to coming back.

I still have one voucher left then and I thought of trying their foot massage this time. Weeks after, I went to their Pearl Drive branch after work one afternoon after placing a reservation earlier that day. I remember that because of schedule challenges, the reservation I made was even days after the deadline of the deal but again, they gladly accommodated.

This branch seemed bigger with better interiors. I loved their lazy boy seats for foot massage sessions! It was really comfy and relaxing specially when fully reclined. I noticed as well that they also have lesbian employees here, like majority of them. I sort of have concluded that maybe their workforce is like this with the rest of their other branches. My first massage experience with them was a "wow" so it shouldn't be an issue. True enough, the foot massage was as heavenly as my Swedish massage experience. It was similar to the foot massage I had from Let's Face It a few years ago. They used a wood stick for the pressure points on your foot combined with a relaxing rub up to your lower legs. It also includes a few minutes of hand, head and shoulder massage which made the whole experience definitely worth trying. I felt so relieved after an hour even without the whole body pamper. I couldn't wait to try their other branches and services as soon as I left.

Lucky enough I was able to purchase another massage deal, for their newly opened Pasig-Shaw Blvd branch this time. I brought my daughter along since she has started to love getting massages herself at this early age. The store has a similar setup with the one in Pearl Drive but theirs is pretty brand new. They don't have a waiting area so they let us sit at the comfy lazy boys they use for foot massage as our therapists prep our massage cubicles. They have a shower room complete with water heater and toiletries, very basic but nice and clean. We both got female therapists this time and the massage was as good as before. My daughter rated it as the best she experienced by far. :)

It has been a while since my last visit. I've been wanting to go back to Nuat Thai since my last awful massage experience (read here). So my friend and I scheduled a visit and this time, it is to their biggest branch in the city, Tomas Morato. I've read a lot of positive reviews about the place. Although yesterday wasn't my first time at Nuat Thai, it was my first time to finally try their signature Thai Massage. And since we felt that a spa visit wouldn't feel complete without the usual Swedish, we decided to do an hour each of both.

Tomas Morato branch is really huge. It's two storey and I saw a number of massage cubicles even just by the first floor. The setup is pretty similar to the other branches, their signature foot massage chairs and massage beds on the floor for example, but they offer more space here and they have free wifi. Since our schedule was on their first hour after opening, there's not much customers yet and we were able to get on with the treatment right away.

The Thai Massage was pure bliss! i don't think I have tried this approach in the past on its own but I really see myself getting it regularly. It's a dry massage that focuses on pressure or stress points with a little stretching and it was worth every moment of it. I really felt relieved, that kind of relief that I haven't felt from a massage in a long time. I mean I love the hilot approach of Swedish which is why I've been loyal to it since, but Thai massage might actually be the one that would work best for me. I even thought of dropping the other hour for Swedish since I already felt too good, but since I knew it would add up to the satisfaction, I went on and I'm so happy I did.

Price list and location of Tomas Morato branch:

Nuat Thai may not pass the five star spa standards in terms of facilities, but they deliver genuine relaxation by getting the job well done. They have branches in several locations and their salons, although not spotless, are all hygienic and well maintained, plus their staff are all courteous and accommodating. On top of all that, you wouldn't need to spend a fortune to experience a massage that might just be the best one you've been looking for.

Nuat Thai Foot and Body Massage

Addresses:

Unit 2 & 3 MVGI Building #34, Congressional Ave., Quezon City

Unit C2/F 8101 Pearl Plaza Bldg., Pearl Drive, Ortigas Center, Pasig City

Unit G02 & G04 TCI Tower, West Capitol Drive cor. Stella Maris St., Brgy. Kapitolyo, Pasig City

277 Tomas Morato Avenue Corner Scout Limbaga Street, Quezon City, Philippines

Website: http://nuatthaiph.com/; http://www.facebook.com/pages/NUAT-THAI-Tomas-Morato/100914679957707

Last visit: November 2012

CityBuffet Restaurant

Although my office for the last three years is located in the busy business district of Ortigas, I rarely go to Robinson's Galleria. I mean if I had to go to the mall to meet some friends after work or at times when we crave for some out of the norm dish for lunch, Shangri La Mall or Megamall, depending on whether or not I am in the mood for walking, would be the top options. Galleria would be last since I have not really associated the place with dining or not even anything at all for some reason (I'm really sorry Mr. Gokongwei). Well that was just until CityBuffet Restaurant opened.

I can't recall when they officially opened for operations exactly but I remember that it was just this year. I was doing some research online on some buffet options within our office area other than the usual when I came across a review of the place. At that time I couldn't find any other information of them aside from that site, they were not even listed in munchpunch nor myfoodtrip yet, but it was written that they were "just like Yakimix minus the grilling" so we decided to give it a try.

You wouldn't miss it, it is indeed easy to find. As soon as you get to the top floor of the mall, across the cinema area you would see a Chinese-restaurant-themed place that looks really inviting from the outside. It has a glass wall stretched to and from both ends of the restaurant so you could see the lighting fixtures and dark grey laminated cushioned seats that all looked really elegant. Their signage though is like that of a fast food chain, it doesn't match the elegant feel of the restaurant interiors at all. Their buffet table is visible but you can barely see most of the food unless you enter the restaurant for a closer peek, which they allow. Some customers would first check on the current menu before deciding whether to dine or not, wherein of course most of them did.

Our first experience was memorable. It was just their soft opening then so everything from their decors down to the utensils are brand new. Their buffet selections was like an array of happiness. They have Chinese, Japanese, American, Filipino and even a few Italian selections (e.g. pizza, pasta). They also got more than a couple of ice cream flavors, a variety of dessert options from the tarts, cakes, rice cakes, panna cotta, halo-halo, etc. They have a salad bar, a sushi counter, and multiple dispensers for soda and juices. Although the food flavors weren't remarkable, it's above average than the usual experience, plus some of them are different from the casual viand you get to see on a standard buffet. Bottom line, I was looking forward to coming back the moment we stepped out of the place, it was a PHP499 well spent for dinner and drinks.

My schedule did not allow me to come back until last Monday, for a quick lunch out this time. I called ahead to verify their hours of operations for lunch to make sure I make it just in time before closing. Lunch starts 11am, the buffet is open just until 2:30pm while they close by 3pm. We arrived 1:30pm and as expected, they have just enough number of weekday customers and some of them are already on their desserts. Perfect timing since I needed to make sure I maximize my 1-hour break having the buffet stretch almost all to ourselves, ha! ;p To my surprise, lunch is even a way better deal for PHP399 with drinks.

I already knew what I was craving that day. I have this thing about over-planning almost everything, like planning ahead the things I am to look for and get in a bazaar, and so I also have a mental list of the things I will eat in a buffet visit. ;) With that in my subconscious, I was a little disappointed to find out that a number of these cravings were not offered that day for unknown reasons. Maybe because their selections have changed since their soft opening, but hopefully not because they are starting to lose track of maintenance.

My tummy wasn't as happy as how it was from my first visit. The menu isn't as extensive, the dessert options, salad bar and sushi counter didn't looked as enticing as before. The only food on my plate that was warm were the plain rice and the corn soup, the rest of the viands I tried looked like leftovers and they're all cold. I took a couple of sticks of yakiniku and they're both dry, chewy, and cold. They don't have shrimp tempura that day (sadness!) so I settled for vegetable and kani tempura but they were cold. Even the ramen was dry and cold. Their fruit tart will break into pieces as soon as you place them on your plate. I couldn't find the ice cream cups and when I had to ask for one, a waiter handed me a big red plastic dish container so I could get one myself (didn't even know if the ice cream cups on the thing was sanitized) plus their iced tea options were all bland.

I had the impression that maybe because we arrived an hour before their closing so they had to turn off their warmers or that's why it was evident that all their crew couldn't wait for the customers to leave so they could start cleaning up. We were told that the food will be pulled out by 2:30pm but we could stay until 3pm, we weren't able to do so as well since for some reason, the aircon was turned off together with the buffet setup. It was very disappointing to see how the place have started to turn ugly in less than a year. I just hope they can have this corrected before they even start losing regular customers. 

Will I come back? Sure. They gave a lasting happy first impression so I could afford to forgive them, everyone has their own Manic-Monday and this one might just be one of theirs. :) I hope the succeeding ones will be a way better experience each time though. They offer buffet so consistency is a golden rule. I am crossing my fingers wishing for them to keep that in mind. Customers would've been looking forward to regularly dining at Robinson's Galleria because of their place, it would be stupid to take that status for granted.

Pictures? Google 'em or check their Facebook page, see link below.

CityBuffet Restaurant

Address: Level 4 Robinson's Galleria, Ortigas Avenue

Website: http://www.facebook.com/CityBuffet

Last visit: October 2012

Suriya Spa

Since we got married, it has been a tradition for us to treat ourselves to some extra special pampering every Valentine's Day. We used to just visit a nearby salon for some facials and foot spa, but over the last few years we were able spend some hours of indulgence at a number of top spas in the city. I promise to find time to post a review for each one of them soon (right ;p).

For this year's Valentine's Day, with the number of discount and promotional sites I am signed up for, we were lucky to be able to take advantage of a couple's promo for Suriya Spa in Frontera Verde (beside Tiendesitas in Pasig City). I verified through my PayPal account so I could give you specifics - we actually spent only PHP2000 as a couple for their Ayurveda Package (body massage, body scrub and scalp massage). We got a private couple's room with Jacuzzi  and I was able to book it early enough to get an available slot on the eve of Valentine's day. How's that for a deal?! Although the promo was truly irresistible for a luxury spa located in a major district, I have learned my lesson so I did my research prior to buying. From the google search results page, all I got were words like "perfect", "sanctuary" and "best" to name a few. It was my cue to hit the buy button and thank goodness I did.

It was raining when we got to Frontera Verde. The world class customer service experience was jump-started by the security guard. I mean how rare do you get to see a pleasant security guard these days? This kuya was smiling while giving hand signals to make sure hubby was able to park properly, holding an umbrella on the other hand ready to usher us to the main entrance. That moment I thought, if every single guard would take care of not just security but our safety and satisfaction, I can only imagine how happy our city would be.

The place seemed bigger from the outside. As soon as we entered the hotel-type lobby, I was surprised to see that the reception was just a few steps from the door, this is what I felt since it was also photographed on a bigger angle in their website. But still, from there you could tell that though the place has been on business for years, maintenance is a top priority. The menu book and their furniture was almost brand new. Relaxing music and fresh air also filled the place. I couldn't wait to see our room and experience the massage beds.

We spent just around a couple of minutes providing our details at the front desk before we were immediately led to our room. This was when my smile expanded. Our room was compact but spacious enough for us and the treatment we will have. It has its own toilet and shower, a closet-type locker complete with robes, towels and slippers - the works. We also have our own private couple's Jacuzzi with a partial garden view. Good thing I was able to take pictures.

We were then given more or less half an hour to either take a shower or lounge in the Jacuzzi, we chose the latter. :) As instructed, we rang the bell when we were all set for the treatment, and a pair of masseuse entered the room with their R&R paraphernalia. We were advised that we are to get a massage prior to the body scrub which was a first for us. I tried to raise a hesitation since we were not used to it but since they were able to explain the process and objective confidently, we proceeded.

As expected they were careful about the strokes and pressure, consistently checking on the customer's preference. Although the massage was good, nothing was worth remembering, sorry. What stood out was the scrub right after. I didn't bother asking what the product was but it smelled like ginger with mint and the supposed beads were powder-like. The scrub formula did not feel like it has oil, it was dry but wasn't tough on the skin. It still gave me the feeling of being exfoliated minus the common smarting pain. After which our whole body was wrapped with something that's similar to an insulator for about fifteen minutes. I wanted to fall asleep since the scent and feel of the scrub plus the music playing was really relaxing, but I have this thing about sleeping in spas, it never happens regardless how much I want it. We took a shower after, sipped our cup of teas, checked out and headed to dinner.

Although the massage itself was not notable, and that we were not comfortable with the massage-scrub-shower sequence, there were a number of things that made the experience worth every cent of this deal:

• I highly appreciate their acknowledgement of the importance of time. More establishments should better understand that this is exactly the reason why people set appointments. I couldn't even think of anything more important in life than time.
• I loved our room and I will never forget that scrub. One of the best body scrubs I've given my skin over the years. Exfoliating, relaxing and very organic.
• Their service speaks for its price. For a spa like Suriya, you spend more not just for the treatment but the whole experience. That kind of comfort and luxury you get to enjoy for a few hours is priceless.
• Despite having paid just half the price, the experience we had as customers was world class. Every single one of them was nice, from the guards, to the receptionist, to the masseuse, their courteousness was commendable! It was a big deal for me because as you know, coupons and vouchers are everywhere these days and I find it very annoying every time I encounter a sort of discriminating scene when I use one. They see you as a budget conscious social climber than a potential source of referral. They don't get to realize that the objective of their proprietor was to advertise and establish customer loyalty through experience. I just hope every management team would get to realize and understand that thought.

Despite having said all that, I still don't find the service being worthy of its original price. I loved the place and their people, but it would take another similar deal for me to come back.

Suriya Spa
Address: Ortigas Center (Opposite Tiendesitas) Ortigas Avenue, cor. E. Rodriguez Jr. Avenue (C5) Ugong, Pasig City
Website: http://www.suriyaspa.com ; http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Suriya-Spa/221491721305413

Date of visit: February 2012

Laxare Day Spa

Caution: this is gonna be nasty and I swear, not a single exaggeration.

The first time we visited the place was February in 2011 and it was just for nail services. I knew because the photo that my friend and I took is still posted in Facebook so I was able to verify. The place was almost brand new then, it was during the time when SM North EDSA main building was undergoing renovations and the 3rd floor had mostly new tenants right after, Laxare was one of them. We haven't heard of the place in the past (their facebook page barely have 15 likes) but since Let's Face It was booked, we took the risk. At the same time, we just gotten off of work, craving for some quick R&R and we badly needed to get our nails done, we didn't have the stamina to walk around and search for other options anymore.

And so we went, given that the place was pretty new, it was nice, like the only place of tranquility you can find in a busy mall. I had second thoughts though as soon as we saw their rates. Half of me felt that they seemed really pricey for a place that is not that known, the other half of me though wanted to think that, with the ambiance of their place, they could be another gem that we are yet to discover. I was wrong. We ended up paying almost one grand (php980) for a mediocre foot spa with pedicure and manicure, we even had to pay additional for the polish. Don't get me wrong, I have no issues with splurging every now and then, most specially when it comes to anything relaxation, but the experience should speak for its price and that one didn't.

I never dared to come back after that day. My friend Eva though, tried their massage one time and she was satisfied. She visited the place for more or less 5 times in total so far, not for anything but their massage. I have heard all positive feedback from her since, but also not for anything but their massage. Well, I should've realized that before deciding on giving it a try last Saturday.

I honestly have forgotten about our not so happy experience with the place from a year and a half ago, obviously. We agreed on getting a massage here since we needed to drop by the mall for brunch and to buy a couple of things as well, and I wanted to experience the massage that my friend kept coming back for. We arrived past lunch time, we were greeted by a pleasant receptionist and were told of the need to wait on queue for about 45 minutes and we agreed. We were asked to sit down while waiting on the exact same spot we were at when we had our nails done before. While waiting we were exchanging stories non stop as usual so we didn't notice that almost an hour has passed and we are now being asked to head to our respective massage rooms.

The moment we got to our rooms, I felt that something is not right with the smell of this dimmed lit cubicle. I don't normally inspect the condition of massage beds but for that moment, I sort of had a strange feeling of someone telling me to do a spot check, something pushed me to look for the switch and turn the lights on and so I did. I knew it, the room stinks because the bed was dirty. They don't seem to change the sheets after every client. There were dirt and oil marks on the light green colored blanket, while the edges of face hole of the white fitted sheet was also dirty and yellowish. There was a towel by the upper area of the bed that looks like an old rug, it's no longer white but almost grey in color. When I lifted it up, it was damp from I guess some wet hair which is of course not mine, and underneath is a pair of hand marks that looked really fresh courtesy of the last customer.

I called the attention of the first attendant I saw by the hallway. I showed her my findings and requested, let me say that again, I REQUESTED-NICELY for her to change the towel and sheets. I explained to her in details on why I was asking so, and pointed out each and every single thing that wasn't right with my massage bed. She immediately took off the light green blanket and got a new one. When she was trying to setup another blanket, she saw that the new blanket she was about to put was unclean too, she didn't proceed and instead, called the attention of another attendant, which so happened was my assigned therapist, to assist. When my therapist started placing the new blanket she got I asked if she could change the white fitted sheet as well since the face hole was already dirty and yellowish but she refused. She insisted to slightly cover the area with a new towel instead. Since the towel she used was way whiter than the other one, and I really just wanted to be done and over with the treatment, I just kept quiet and tried to move on. Even though I saw that the supposedly new blanket they placed got three drops of red paint stains for who knows why. On my mind, I was really close to asking if they have ever heard of the power of bleaching!

You have no idea how close I was to wanting to just leave, but when I told my friend that I am close to changing my mind, she was of course isn't OK about it so I ended up staying. I was then preparing to take a shower when I noticed that they didn't even provide a simple robe, and that the shorts they gave me were all torn and old. The shower room didn't have any hooks for your towel or clothes, which made perfect sense since it was extremely small. I'm talking about 3x2 feet in dimension small, (come on, given my very slim size!) you call that a shower room?! Furthermore, the shower head was literally broken in half, it was just tied by a number of rubber bands so the water flows from all sides of the head but the nozzles. Don't ask me how was I able to take a shower with that condition because I was so pissed to want to remember the whole thing. What I did, I let it go. At that point I already lost the urge to raise another concern.

Here comes the climax, the much awaited massage from this unpleasant therapist who kept on interrupting every small talk I had with my friend, impolitely jumping into our conversation and even tried to put up an argument with me on where is Toccarre Spa and whether or not Ventosa massage leaves marks, goodness! But in all fairness, the massage was pretty good. Not the best I've had but it was good. Their strokes and style is unique and my (rude) therapist seemed to have a good execution of what she is paid to do. I would tell her every now and then when she needed to increase or decrease pressure and would thank her right after she take note of it. She kind of had realized eventually that I wasn't a difficult customer after all. She even noticed that I started to sneeze a bit halfway through the session and I explained to her that I have allergies that's why I needed to make sure the bed was clean. Right after the massage she offered to get me tea, I said I preferred hot and thanked her. After which she placed the cup of tea on my bed (a smart move to prevent me from lying back down for a quick nap perhaps) and asked if she could leave a tip envelope, I said yes and thanked her again. I guess what I'm trying to say is, during our encounter for about an hour and a half, I said 'thank you' more than five times but the only single time I gotten a response was when I handed her the tip. I honestly do not understand why it's difficult for people who work in customer service to be nice to anyone anytime all the time. Like seriously.

Well if you think that my horror story is over, you're wrong. Given that the attendants did not appreciate my requests from earlier, I had doubts with the tea that she served. I switched the lights back on and to my surprise, there were a couple of lips/lipstick stains on my transparent mug like as if it was never washed from who knows when. I showed it to my friend and at that point I told her I was speechless. Right after I dress up I decided to raise my concerns with the pleasant receptionist. Well, she wasn't that pleasant after all. I was holding with me the cup of tea I was served with and I started by asking if she was the manager. There was no manager on duty that time so I asked for the contact number of the owner, she underlined the email address on the receipt and after that she did her best to ignore me. I pointed the lip stain on my mug and she took it, she whispered and said they would throw it instead "ma'am tatapon ko nalang po", I told her I am not interested in drinking anything anymore. Since she was obviously no longer paying attention and evidently ignoring me, I said my last thank you and decided to leave with the regret of not being able to take even a single photo since both devices I had were running out of battery.

I would probably not ask this much if they were an establishment that is not located in a major mall that gives which gives them an instant responsibility to exceed expectations, and if I was not asked to shell out PHP480 for the service. Because really for that price, and given how their place and menu was presented, these are the type of places where the bigger part of what you pay for are supposedly for the amenities and the whole customer experience. Yet, they have very poor maintenance and customer engagement skills. I called their branch in Alabang and learned that they are not under the same owner nor management. I tried to get a phone number for the owner of the SM North EDSA branch but unfortunately they don't have it, and I know the staff in SM wouldn't give me the number either so I didn't bother trying. Will I come back to the place, maybe. Should they decide to keep up with the number of customers they cater to everyday (given their location) and the consistent maintenance of their facilities, sure. My family and friends could attest to how much of a forgive and forget person I am. ;)

Like what I have mentioned on my last post, I've been everywhere, from the high end spas to some hole-in-the-wall massage parlors, so I know where I can get a way better customer service experience for the same amount, even much less. Consumers wouldn't care if you have the simplest shower room, so long as the shower heads are not broken. I wouldn't mind getting a massage from a lesbian (e.g. Nuat Thai), if they are polite and really talented. We would understand if you have the most compact massage cubicles so long as they are hygienic. Paying customers deserve their hard earned money's worth. They should be treated how they wanted to be treated. I have high hopes that after this post, Laxare SM North EDSA would start paying attention.


Laxare Day Spa
Address: 3rd Floor Main Building, SM North EDSA, Quezon City
Website: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Laxare-Spa/144896968909869
Date of visit: October 2012

Callospa Resort

Spa and Massages are extremely popular nowadays. I guess if you even try to randomly conduct a survey, 9 out of 10 people would opt to visit the spa than the gym. This is probably why we see more of them than fitness centers. They are everywhere literally, there's a spa salon within walking distance from both my home and office.

With the number of spa and massage options we have today, add to that the countless deals you could find online, sometimes it's sad that these establishments again do not live up to good first impressions. A perfect example would be the place where I had my most unforgettable massage experience with, Antipolo city's Callospa.

I have been wanting to visit them again for the longest time, but since I got tons of other nearby options, the plan was continuously being delayed. I've been curious about how they are doing now. Last month I searched for bloggers / spa enthusiasts who have paid them a visit just recently. Since I was there a couple of years ago, the time difference can tell whether or not they have lost their serenity.

I got mixed reviews. So far, every single blog I've read seemed to be written by "paying" customers, if you know what I mean. It's just strange that some of them actually visited the place in almost the same season, but their views were different. It's a good thing majority of them are still on the positive note. My blog about their place got quite a number of hits through the years, this could be a proof that they have gained popularity, consumers are curious of who they are. Sharing with you an excerpt of the review I wrote in August of 2010:

It was just a couple of hours drive, thanks to the deceiving map from their website (lol). It was an interesting place. Imagine Fernwood Gardens with a pool and spa services. You would really feel like you're closer to nature. It was a resort/spa/events venue kinda place. There was even a couple who arrived a little after us for their pre-nups since the place was just perfect for weddings. 

We then altogether laid on their massage beds and experienced their Signature Massage (Swedish-Shiatsu-Reflex-Thai) and man, it was, hands down, the best massage you could ever imagine and wish for! Their massage was even the only part of the whole trip we enjoyed so much! 

If not for the massage, it wouldn't be worth the trip. Their amenities were not that well maintained, the place wasn't spotless clean, I've experience better-less expensive scrubs from other more maintained and freshly scented spas, plus, their manicure and pedicure gave us nothing but disappointments. But their massage - bow! :) Their Signature Massage is definitely the only reason why we are going back to this secluded place again.

For the complete story of our experience and a documentary-level of photos taken (lol) head to my multiply site while you can:
http://nicoledgoddess.multiply.com/photos/album/418/

I wish to be able to find the time to come back to the place, hopefully at least before the year ends. I have been craving for their signature massage since our last visit. I've been everywhere, from the high end spas to some hole-in-the-wall massage parlors the past couple of years, but I still have not found a place that could top their signature massage as of writing. Once I got that chance, I will quickly let you know how it went. :)

Callospa Resort

Address: Address: Marigman Road. Colaique, Antipolo City, Philippines 6007

Website: http://www.callospaweddings.com/; http://www.facebook.com/pages/Callospa-Resort/172992412731036

Date of visit: August 2010

1st of my 3rd. Happy 8th!

My third blog for my 8th year in Blogger. Wow. That was huge. I myself was surprised to find out that I have had this account for that long and that the last time I actually posted something was some four years of life lessons and experiences ago. So I thought it was just rightful to set the first two "naive" blogs to private - this is my version of saying don't bother and try to find them anymore. :) And since I am ashamed to admit that this move is due to some bad customer experience *wink*, allow me to list down the top reasons why I have finally convinced myself / followed my heart and decided to write again.

1. Multiply social network is closing down. It was I think sometime second quarter of this year when I received a notice in a form a newsletter that the social networking platform of my online sanctuary will be taken down and that their company will now be focusing on e-commerce a.k.a. online marketing. I was all negative about the news. Not only did the said site host seven years of life in almost 500 photo albums, I have started to use their site for blogging since I temporarily left blogger. I realized that I needed to get a brand new page to house my old and new rants and raves.
2. It is sometimes difficult to find reviews on things I plan to buy, see or experience. The type of consumers nowadays are smarter than ever and I am proud to confess that I have successfully left the impulse buying phase of life. We are now more careful on where our earnings go, and part of the precautions is making sure we get adequate information prior purchasing. Don't get me wrong, hats-off to those blogs and sites who have posted their views on dining, shopping, etc. and I consistently envy Travel bloggers for their amazing writing skills and priceless (literally and figuratively) experiences. What I would like to do is to contribute. I have done my share and would like to continue posting reviews so from now on, they will be posted here.
3. Experiences, both good and bad are meant to be shared. Admit it, given our erratically busy lifestyle, we would only spare a part of our ultimately precious time, to tell stories of either our best and/or worst experience. What about the mediocre, standard and average ones, aren't their stories worth telling? I have worked in a customer service culture for almost a decade now. I have seen most, if not all customer types and needs. Add to that, myself who might pass as one, if not the most observant consumer there is. We would want the product or service we get to be worth way more than how much we actually pay for. Sadly, we are limited to availability and cost, but we should not be limited to details too. Consumers need more honest and helpful sources of information on products and services - genuine experiences. We could no longer rely on endorsements, we need referrals. Good thing we're not far from getting there, thanks to Foursquare and Tripadvisor.com. If more and more internet users will consistently publish their views and experiences, a continuous improvement on our economy can be the bigger picture.
4. Customer Loyalty is the make or break of a business. It is amazing to learn about how more feasible it is now to jump-start a business. The question is how will you make it work - successful is a big word. I may not have a business of my own but I have seen a number of people succeed and failed. It is disappointing to see that a lot of these companies and establishments invest on advertising and promos to establish a name and be known but after which, there is no follow through. They do not acknowledge that these consumers, out of all their other options, decided to spend time and money to experience their product or service. It seemed like satisfying customers always come secondary to revenue. Given my optimistic self I always see situations as a glass half full. Through the years I have learned to only speak positive if possible. I am guilty of only acknowledging above average customer experience. Every time I would be faced with the opposite, I wouldn't say a word and complain. I would usually ask my husband, or friends, or whoever I am with to deal with the scenario instead, then I would just rant over and over about how bad the experience was, every given chance, to other people. Things are way different now. I would more often encounter a bad than a good experience and I have gotten really tired of it. Proprietors need to be aware and their management needs to do something about it. I hope soon they would realize that highly likely, their decrease in revenue is not due to bad economy, it's bad reputation.

I am looking forward to writing again. For now, we shall continue to exist, enlist, explore, engage, experience, enjoy, etc. :)