Mag cites Cebu island spa as one of world’s best
AN ISLAND SPA resort in Cebu featuring local massage “hilot” and seawater therapy has been cited as one of the world’s best by leading spa magazine in Asia, the Department of Tourism (DoT) said yesterday.
The Badian Island Resort and Spa placed eighth in the Top 10 list of foreign journalist and spa expert Marc Tessier of the Hong Kong-based AsiaSpa Magazine. Badian shared the distinction with well-known spas in French Polynesia, Southeast Asia and the Caribbean.
The resort, located on a small island off Badian town in southwestern Cebu, has a unique feature called the “Thalasso,” which are spa facilities that are built right into the islet’s cliffs and with cascading seawater falls and pools.
Thalasso, which comes from the Greek word “thalassa,” meaning “sea,” highlights the curative benefits of filtered seawater.
According to the resort’s website (
www.badianhotel.com), seawater contains a complex blend of natural minerals and antibacterial properties, and submersion in it relaxes the body.
While submerged or bathing in seawater the guest is rewarded with a picturesque view of Badian Bay and the mountains of Cebu.
The resort also has what it calls Badehaus facilities which feature spa treatments ranging from the Filipino “hilot” massage to special baths such as herbal, guava, “pandan,” “rampe” and Cleopatra.
Tourism Secretary Joseph Ace Durano said wellness tourism is part of the agency’s broadening of the country’s marketability as a destination by way of diversifying its tourism product offerings.
DoT will participate in an international spa industry seminar in Mactan, Cebu this September. Next year, it will host a Wellness Summit in Manila, which would be attended by about 1,000 foreign spa experts and enthusiasts.
Topping Tessier’s list were La Taha’s Private Island in French Polynesia’s Society Islands; followed by Soneva Fushi Resort in the Maldives and Pangkor Laut Resort in Perak, Malaysia.
Others cited were Racha in Thailand; Parrot Cay in Turks and Caicos Islands in the Carribean; Evason Hideaway and Six Senses Spa at Ana Mandara in Vietnam; Sentosa Resort and Spa in Singapore, and the Grand Wailea Resort Hotel and Spa in Hawaii.
http://news.inq7.net/express/html_ou...76944.xml.html