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I’M Onsen Spa Makati is not just your typical spa, because it offers several distinct floors that offer a holistic experience with treatments and packages that include access to the wellness suites, complimentary wellness tea, and an exquisite international buffet to complete the journey. My adventure started at the Spa Lobby on the ground floor where I checked-in for my treatment. Guests should arrive at least 30 minutes before their schedule so they have time to use the various facilities.

I was given a small instruction kit indicating the spa services and the floors where I can access them. I booked a One-Hour Signature Massage with buffet dinner for around P1900 per person. I’M Onsen Spa offers several promotions every month so you can check out their Website or Facebook Page for the latest packages.

I took the elevator to the second floor where onsen pools were waiting for me. They have two separate wellness suites for men and women. Each comes with two onsen pools, sauna, herbal steam room, electronic lockers, and rain showers.

After showing the attendant my I’M Onsen Spa bracelet, which also serves as my locker keys, I was given my towels and bathrobe to use inside the wellness suite. You can start with a warm shower or you can spend a few minutes inside the sauna.

But the main attractions here are the two onsen pools with varying water properties. The state-of-the-art technology mimics the chemical composition of natural hot spring waters in Japan. The water types are rotating, featuring seasonal flavors, each with unique health and beauty benefits with their high concentration of healthy minerals.

The Japanese art of onsen has been practiced for centuries, with the first recorded onsen dating back to the year 712. Since its discovery, the healing properties of onsen have been widely acknowledged, with anecdotes of emperors and samurais harnessing their healing powers. Prepare for an ethereal experience by soaking in the warm onsen waters, but do take note of the recommended time limits you can spend inside the pool. It is also a practice to remove all clothing when you take a dip inside the pool, so modesty will have to be set aside. Apart from physical and mental relaxation, onsen bathing is said to activate the body’s systems, stimulate circulation, and speed up metabolism.

After the rejuvenating onsen pools, next up is a little break time at the Relaxing Tea Lounge on Mezzanine 2. Here you will be served their specially concocted wellness tea, a refreshment to relish while sitting at the sofas or at the Foot Therapy Zone.

The in-house chef has concocted these elixirs of health using recipes dating back to 5000 years old. The daily rotating tea menu features an exquisite tea of the day with its unique set of health benefits. Cold water and juices are also available here while you are waiting to be called for your scheduled appointment.

I was then escorted up to the third floor where the massage treatment rooms are located. I was scheduled for the I’M Onsen Spa Signature Massage, a therapeutic and unique combination of techniques created exclusively by the spa to bring about utmost relaxation, concentration and rejuvenation.

Each treatment at I'M Onsen Spa consists of a relaxing ritual that combines the potent effects of oriental and western massage with the therapeutic benefits of custom-blended essential oils. It was really a soothing and relaxing experience, with the smooth strokes of my therapist putting me in a deep and satisfying slumber. I’M Onsen Spa also has couple suites which offer intimate tranquility for two. These are perfect for romantic dates and for those anniversaries or special occasions.

For groups or families, the Executive Suites offers three exclusive spaces for private parties and meetings. These luxurious spaces are able to accommodate 12-15 persons so you can also have parties or corporate events here.

After that indulgent massage, what better way to end the evening than with a bountiful dinner buffet at The Common Good on the fourth floor. This is available only from 5:00pm to 10:00pm, so if you are getting a treatment outside those times, you should get the spa only package without the dinner buffet.

I was expecting the buffet to just be a small selection and occupying a small area within the spa, similar to what Wensha Spa offers, but I was delightfully surprised to see that this is actually the hotel cafe of I’M Hotel itself. This means that the buffet is open for guests of the hotel as well or other diners outside the hotel.

The selection at The Common Good is definitely much better and wider than what I was expecting. With nine different concepts under one roof, the dinner buffet is the perfect way to cap off a wonderful night at I’M Onsen Spa.

The appetizers station comes with various cheese, hams, salads, Japanese maki and rolls. It also offers TWG Teas and fruit juices which are also included in the buffet.

They also have a Filipino Station offering local delicacies like Green Mangoes, Tokneneng, Singkamas, and local dipping sauces to go with them.

The Chinese Station has Soy Chicken and White Chicken waiting to be served. There’s also Lechon Macao and Barbecued Pork to go with your fried rice. A bowl of noodles or even Laksa can also requested.

The Carving Station has even more savoury goodies like Crispy Pata, Homemade Italian Sausage, Beef Wellington, and Roast Turkey.

Over at the Grill Station, you can order satay sticks and pork barbecue with fish and seafood that will be prepared and served hot off the grill.

Desserts are also plenty here at The Common Good with chocolate cakes, cheesecakes, cookies, candies, ice cream, and a chocolate fountain as the grand centerpiece. It’s better to schedule your treatments early in the evening so you will have plenty of time left to enjoy the dinner buffet.

I’M Onsen Spa is definitely an upgrade over the other spas you can find in the city. There are only a few that offer high-quality dinner buffets to go with your treatment, so you will really get a full pampering package. Hopefully they will be offering good promos once the community quarantine is lifted, so I can go back and enjoy another round of their onsen spa experience.

I’M Onsen Spa

Upper Ground Floor, I’M Hotel, Makati Avenue cor Kalayaan Avenue, Makati

7755-7877

www.imonsenspa.com