A spa with a free eat-all-you-can buffet is a novel concept in this crazy city. A weekly massage is the refuge of the vain and the figure-conscious .. throw in a munchfest and the concept is changed altogether.

My friends have mentioned Wensha Spa when it had its lone branch in Timog, Quezon City before. I couldn’t wait to try its offerings when it opened a sprawling complex in Macapagal Blvd. nearer me, beside the Legend Hong Kong Seafood Restaurant and Star City. It boasts of an Asian-inspired facade and a ball-shaped fountain at the entrance.

Most of all, the appealing thing about Wensha is its price: it doesn’t really hurt much to pay P580 ($13) for a one-hour full-body massage with free use of the jacuzzi/sauna plus a buffet spread where you can eat all you can before AND/OR after your massage (ouch!)

Wensha Spa dining area

We went to Wensha at 4 p.m. and I purposely didn’t eat my lunch that day so I can taste the quality of their food. It wasn’t really to die for but it was enough to ease my hunger pangs. As usual I conversed with the waitstaff:

Me: I heard that in your QC branch, you serve shabu-shabu and dimsum?

Me: Aaah, pork cacciatore ba. In fairness, masarap sya ha!

The buffet that day had Caesar’s Salad, asparagus soup, mixed vegetables, fried rice, the pork dish, and some soggy pesto pasta (this wasn’t a surprise anymore, Pinoys always overcook their pasta). Iced tea, hot tea and soda was also free. Wensha Spa has a nicely-upholstered, classy looking dining area with a large projection TV. Customers who don’t like to avail of the free buffet can order from the extensive a la carte menu consisting of Japanese, Chinese and Filipino specialties. You can even mix your own shabu-shabu or hotpot.

After eating, we changed into our robes in their high-tech locker room. We had our locker numbers strapped to our wrists and we just pressed our wrists close to the door lock to unlock our personal locker.

The jacuzzi and the dry sauna were a big disappointment since they weren’t hot enough!! It turned out that the spa was only running on a generator and that the proper Meralco connection would only be available the next day. So much of trying out a spa during its opening.

If only for this, my friend Cathy – a spa connoisseur – said she’s not going back “110 percent.” As for me, am giving the place another chance after a couple of weeks just to see if they have ironed out all the kinks and improved training of the “clueless” waitstaff. The spa also has other services, like foot spa, manicures and body treatments we can try.

For inquiries, call 832-0515. Wensha Spa is open 24/7