I’M Onsen Spa Makati

Makati’s I’M Onsen Spa offers a city-sized take on the Japanese sento: a 90-minute massage comes with access to baths, sauna, steam rooms, and a tea lounge inside a six-storey wellness complex. I like that the massage is only part of the visit, and that you can use the baths and heat rooms before or after your appointment.

The carbonated and mineral pools give you more to do than simply wait for your treatment, while the complimentary tea lounge offers a calm place to cool down afterward. One consideration: the facilities are large, but reports of dim lighting, ventilation, and pool cleanliness mean it is sensible to check how the wet areas feel when you arrive.

What to Know Before You Book

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• A 90-minute signature massage is the core treatment, with the precise massage technique not specified.
• The wellness suites are included: gender-specific onsen pools, a carbonated bath, a mineral bath, Finnish sauna, and herbal steam room.
• Plan to arrive an hour early so you have time to use the facilities before your appointment.
• The spa covers six storeys and 3,800 square meters, making this a substantial urban wellness complex rather than a small massage room.
• Free wellness tea, a yukata, towels, slippers, and a locker are included.
• Book your massage time directly at least two days ahead. The spa is open every day from noon until 2 a.m.

A Japanese-Style Sento in the Middle of Makati

I’M Onsen Spa describes itself as the Philippines’ first sento-style spa and largest urban spa. It occupies six storeys and 3,800 square meters, a scale that sets it apart from the quick massage places you might find elsewhere in the city.

The idea is to pair a treatment with a longer bathing ritual. You have access to gender-specific wellness suites with onsen pools, a carbonated bath, a mineral bath, sauna, and steam. That variety matters if you want a visit that feels like a proper pause in your day, not just 90 minutes on a massage table.

The Japanese influence is most apparent in the sento format and the yukata robe supplied for your visit. The spa also offers complimentary wellness teas in a relaxation lounge. Think of this as a modern wellness facility with Japanese-style elements, rather than a claim that you are visiting a traditional neighborhood bathhouse in Japan.

Because the spa is in Makati, it can fit neatly into a city stay. You do not need to set aside a full day, but you should allow more time than the massage itself takes. Arriving an hour before your appointment gives you a chance to change and make use of the baths and heat rooms.

Getting Ready for Your Massage

On arrival, you receive a spa kit with a large towel, a face towel, and a Japanese robe. Slippers, a locker, and shower facilities are also provided, so there is no need to pack those basics. Male and female changing areas have individual lockers and showers.

Keep valuables secure throughout your visit. The spa says it is not responsible for lost or stolen belongings or damage to personal property. The locker is useful, but it is still wise to bring only what you need.

You need to arrange your massage time directly with the spa at least two days in advance. Call or message +63-9178201774, or email [email protected]. Booking the package alone does not reserve your preferred treatment time, so do not leave that step until the last minute.

Arrive at least one hour before the appointment. That buffer is there for a reason: late arrival reduces your treatment time, and late arrivals or no-shows are not eligible for a refund or amendment. If you are squeezed between other plans, this may not be the best place to cut things close.

The Baths, Sauna, and Herbal Steam

The bathing suites are divided by gender and include pools designed to recreate natural hot springs using Japanese technology. The carbonated bath is infused with purified carbon dioxide and is described as supporting circulation and skin care. The mineral bath is enriched with minerals and is intended to soften the skin.

These pools give your visit a useful second act. If you arrive early, you can move from changing into the baths and heat rooms, then head to your massage appointment. Or, if you prefer to relax after treatment, ask the staff how best to time your use of the suites. The information provided does not specify a required order.

The Finnish sauna and herbal steam room offer two different ways to warm up. Sauna heat is dry, while the steam room uses herbal-infused moisture. Both are designed to help relax muscles, though how comfortable you find them depends on your heat tolerance and the condition of the rooms on the day.

A little practical judgment goes a long way in any bathing facility. If a room feels too hot, poorly ventilated, or not clean to your standard, step out and speak with staff rather than pushing through. Some feedback about the wet areas has raised concerns about dim lighting, ventilation, and pool cleanliness, so the massage area may prove to be the stronger part of the visit for guests who are particular about the bathing facilities.

The 90-Minute Signature Massage

The included massage lasts 90 minutes, a generous treatment length that gives you time to settle in rather than watch the clock. The exact technique or pressure style is not detailed, so tell the therapist what feels comfortable and mention any areas you want them to avoid or focus on.

The massage is the most clearly defined part of the package, and it appears to be a strong reason to book. Some feedback has praised the massage and treatment area even when the bathing suites were less satisfying. That makes this a reasonable choice if your priority is a long massage, with the onsen facilities as an added feature rather than the sole reason for going.

One serious point deserves plain language. A spa treatment should remain professional. If anyone makes an unsolicited offer of a sensual massage or extra service, you can refuse and raise the matter with management. That kind of approach has no place in a standard wellness appointment, and it is worth knowing how you would handle it before booking.

If you have medical concerns, consider your suitability before you reserve. People aged 50 and older and pregnant participants must have medical clearance, while the activity is also listed as not recommended for pregnant people and the elderly. If either applies to you, contact the spa in advance and follow the stated medical guidance rather than assuming you can participate.

Tea Lounge and Time to Cool Down

After the treatment and baths, the relaxation lounge gives you somewhere to slow down before heading back into Makati. Complimentary wellness teas are served there, described as drawing on old Oriental recipes. The tea is a small inclusion, but it helps the visit feel less like a service you enter and leave in a hurry.

You may find the lounge especially useful after sauna or steam, when you want a quiet few minutes before dressing. The overall value comes from having these extra spaces included with the massage, not from any one amenity alone. If you only want a massage and have no interest in the baths or tea lounge, a simpler treatment elsewhere might suit you better.

Timing, Location, and Price

The spa is open Monday through Sunday, from 12 p.m. to 2 a.m. Those late hours are handy if your schedule does not allow for a daytime appointment. It is listed at I’M Onsen Spa in Makati. From MRT-3 Buendia Station, the directions are a 10-minute walk or a short taxi ride. If you drive, access is via Makati or Ayala Avenue, with parking available at I’M Hotel.

The package price is advertised from US$39.65, while the general starting price is also shown as US$43.59. Prices can vary, so check the current amount and what your chosen booking option includes before paying.

For the money, you are paying for more than the 90-minute massage: access to the wellness suites, towel and robe, slippers, locker and shower, and tea lounge are included. That can make the package good value if you intend to use the facilities. If you plan to arrive just in time for the massage and leave immediately afterward, much of what is included will go unused.

Your mobile voucher is accepted, and it is valid for 30 days from booking confirmation. The package has a strict no-refund policy. One change of date or time is allowed; a second change costs PHP 500, payable onsite. Confirm the appointment with the spa before setting your day around it.

Who Will Get the Most from This Visit?

I would consider I’M Onsen Spa if you want a substantial massage and enjoy pairing treatments with pools, sauna, and steam. It is particularly appealing when you can give the visit a few unhurried hours, arrive early, and make real use of the included amenities.

It may be less suitable if you want a small, quiet massage room with no communal wet areas, or if you are uncomfortable with facilities where lighting and ventilation may not meet your preferences. If you are mainly after a massage, the treatment still has appeal, but the spa’s larger value depends on how much you enjoy the bathing suites.

The best plan is simple: book your treatment time at least two days ahead, arrive an hour early, and check the pools and heat rooms before settling in. That gives you time to decide how much of the facility you want to use and makes the included access count.

Should You Book I’M Onsen Spa?

Book if you want a long massage with a full set of bathing and relaxation facilities in central Makati, and you are happy to spend extra time at the spa. The scale, included robe and towels, and range of pools and heat rooms make it more than a basic massage appointment.

Skip it if you only want a quick treatment, need a firm refund option, or are uneasy about the reported condition of the wet areas. For the best chance of a satisfying visit, confirm your time in advance, arrive early, and make the massage your main reason for going.

FAQ

How long is the massage?

The package includes a 90-minute signature massage.

What facilities are included?

You have access to the onsen pools, carbonated and mineral baths, Finnish sauna, herbal steam room, and relaxation lounge with complimentary wellness teas.

What should I bring?

A towel, face towel, yukata robe, slippers, locker, and shower access are provided. Keep your valuables secure, as the spa does not take responsibility for lost or damaged personal property.

How early should I arrive?

Arrive at least one hour before your appointment so you have time to prepare and use the onsen facilities. Late arrival reduces your treatment time.

Do I need to book a massage time in advance?

Yes. Contact the spa at least two days ahead by calling or messaging +63-9178201774, or emailing [email protected].

What are the spa’s opening hours?

I’M Onsen Spa is open every day from 12 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Are there age or health restrictions?

Participants aged 50 and older and pregnant participants require medical clearance. The activity is also listed as not recommended for pregnant people and the elderly, so check with the spa before booking if either applies to you.

Can I cancel or change my booking?

Cancellations and refunds are not available. One date or time change is allowed; a second change costs PHP 500, payable onsite.