March 24, 2010

  • Mandala Spa's Biggest Blunder

    Travel 

     

     

    NOTE: This post was first published on travbuddy.com, but since they deleted my review as per request of the establishment I reviewed, without even getting my side of the story, I realized that travbuddy is NOT a reliable source, as such I am deleting my account there.

    ***

    Some corrections, as per clarification from our host: 

    1. Mandala did not insist that we visit their place, its just that since the owner was expecting us, our host thought it right to push through with the ocular visit. 

    2. It was the marketing manager of the spa who offered the yoga class and not the resort manager.

    My apologies to the resort manager if some of my readers believed it was him who made the offer. It was never my intention that he be the one to get blamed for the unfortunate event, thus no names were mentioned in my blogs, because as I admitted, I am not privy to  information that led to the spa's representative making the offer.

    Thanks for the clarifications.

    March 31, 2010, 12 p.m. 

    ***

    By the way, before reading the rest of my blog, today, March 29, I received a call from a representative of one of the staffs of Mandala Spa informing me of their side of the story.

    I think it is worth noting, so please do visit by blog by clicking on this link.

    Thank you to Mandala Spa for taking action, I hope you'd take this criticism constructively and use it to further enhance your service for you to be able to surpass your already groundbreaking standards.

    March 30, 2010, 2:30 am (+8 GMT) 

    ***

    The worst blunder for a service-oriented institution is when they have no word of honor.

    Recently I, together with other media people from Cebu, visited Boracay on invitation from Gran Prix Hideaway and Sitio, two exclusive hotels in this summer capital of the Philippines.

    Never did we know that we will be visiting this exclusive enclave that we have heard so much about. To simply visit the place is an honor in itself. When the manager of Gran Prix told us that they offered to give us free yoga lessons, we were all exuberant at the prospect. And when she said that they promised to also give three certificates for a free massage, our excitement even went up a notch higher.

    The expectation rose every minute, wanting to also experience the much talked about Mandala service.

    But the night before the so-called yoga class, they backed out, much to the horror of the manager of Gran Prix, who was so proud to tell us of the offer that they made. I could empathize with her, imagine the embarrassment of telling members of the media that there was actually no yoga class to be had. 

    When we arrived they gave us a tour of the place, and I was very impressed indeed. I could only imagine the luxury of having a treatment in such a relaxing atmosphere.

    We met with the spa's founder and owner, Dieter Schrottmann. He is such a good person, telling us that it is just natural for the Philippines to be involved in the Spa industry because Filipinos are inherently caring and hospitable. Well, I guess that statement just made a 180 turn when it comes to his new staffs who was so good at making empty promises.

    And then there is the new stupid manager who kept on insisting of raffling the so-called free massage. Of which, our hosts keeps on telling him that there is no need to raffle it off as there are only three who would want to experience their massage, the others are either just not into skin contact or are advised by their doctor not to have one. I guess I overheard them engaged in this conversation at least three times. And he keeps on insisting on the raffle, as if he was assuming that everyone really are aching to get a massage that we would kill each other for one. Duh!

    So, we finished the pretentious tour, but no massage here.

    That night Mandala's manager finally gave three gift certificates in an event at one of Boracay's hippy bars where this same person, I would presume, recommended to our host. We were excited, especially me, and then suddenly this manager of Mandala came to me and told me that we cannot have the massage that night. That was our last night at the island, by the way. The next day we were leaving very early, so, imagine my frustration.
    He said, "Oh, that is valid for like 6 months, you can always come back."

    Well, good for him. The sad thing is, I can't afford coming back to the island as I am not as financially gifted as he is. Provincial media people are paid so way below industry rate. Having been invited to go to Boracay was an opportunity of a lifetime. So, what to do with the free massage? I returned it to him. I said, "What am I going to do with this? This is as good as trash, so I'm returning it to you."

    He did not get it back so I gave it to the manager of Gran Prix, thinking that she may have better use of it for her future guests as Mandala offered her free treatment for the embarrassment they caused her.

    Such arrogance from Mandala Spa, from an institution that is supposed to be the epitome of wellness and total service, is very disappointing.

    ***

    For the way they tried to use us, I'd give Mandala Spa's management  broken TRIBO'S CUPS. The facility, however, deserves  amazing TRIBO'S CUPS.

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