When you’ve been working in corporate like me for almost six years now, especially in such a busy city like Makati, chances are you tend to look for an outlet to help relieve stress on particularly exhausting days. Some people prefer to have dinner and drinks in the company of friends or colleagues, while some (like me!
) have outlets like writing or playing Ultimate Frisbee. But when my brain is too drained, or I’m physically too tired, I do something else—I get a massage at my go-to spas in Makati!I’m actually quite obsessed with getting a massage. I regularly treat myself to Swedish or Thai massages once or twice a month. And I have more than one go-to spa in Makati because in my previous experience with most of them, they tend to get fully booked really fast.
So here below are my tried and tested spas in case you work or live near the area, and are looking to pamper yourself!
1. The Spa at Greenbelt 1
When I feel extra generous with myself, or at least I have more budget than usual, I love walking from my office along Salcedo Street to The Spa, which is located at Greenbelt 1. I’ve been a loyal client since 2009 (I’ve tried most of their branches—Eastwood, Shangri-La, Bonifacio High Street, and Rockwell). In fact, I even wrote about them a few times on the blog. My favorite service of theirs is the Traditional Hilot, which uses warm virgin coconut oil and light to medium pressure strokes. It’s quite expensive at around P1,400 for the Executive, and P2,090 for a Suite or Villa—but definitely worth it.
2. Green Nature Spa along Dela Costa Street
I randomly came across this spa while I was waiting for the Cupcake to finish work (in his office building, RCBC Plaza). In an effort to be nostalgic, I decided to walk along Dela Costa to get a glimpse of my graduate school, Ateneo Graduate School of Business, when I saw Green Nature Spa’s sign in Parklane and decided to get a Hot Stone Therapy Massage. It was so good, and the hot stones were so relaxing, I decided to come back again, and again, and again—I even brought the Cupcake with me on several occasions! Their Hot Stone Therapy Massage is around P600 for two hours. If you do decide to get a massage here, look for Molly! Molly is the only therapist I request whenever I visit Green Nature Spa.
3. Touch and Heal Spa along V.A. Rufino Street
The reason I discovered this hidden spa in Cypress Gardens Condominium along V.A. Rufino Street is because the spa closest to my office, Teatree Spa (formerly Mauizen), was fully booked. So I searched on Google, found that this placed called Touch and Heal Spa was just a quick walk away, and off I went! Right now, this is my favorite spa to go to. I love that they make everything so convenient for their guests. They offer lockers where you can leave your bags, and clean slippers so you don’t need to bring your shoes inside the private massage area. Their therapists (I’ve tried two so far!) are extra accommodating as well. And I love that, on top of a really good Swedish Massage, they place an aromatherapy bowl under your massage bed, to help you relax even further. They always make me choose which massage oil I want to use as well—lavender, peppermint, or lemongrass. I always go for peppermint! Their one-hour massage is around P650.
4. Teatree Spa (formerly Mauizen) along Legazpi Street
The Cupcake and I used to come here a lot, because it was the spa closest to my office. Every time we booked a massage here after work or at around 7pm or 8pm, it was always easy to find parallel parking in the area. Their services, pricing, and staff are very similar to Green Nature Spa and Touch and Heal Spa. My only problem? They’re always fully booked! Hahaha. So you always need to call or text, and schedule ahead of time.
5. Nuat Thai along Perea Street
I’ve never actually tried the Nuat Thai branch along Perea Street, but I am addicted to their Thai Massage, and have booked countless times at the branch near my house, and a few times in their branch in Bonifacio Global City. On days I’m not in the mood for a Swedish Massage, Nuat Thai is always my go-to for a good Thai Massage. I’m not sure how much it is along Perea, but the branch near my house charges around P350 for an hour.
So those are all the spas I’ve tried in Makati so far. Save for The Spa in Greenbelt 1, they’re all pretty affordable. If you’ve tried spas in Makati that aren’t here on the list, do comment them below so I can go check them out!