Published date: June 19, 2025
Relaxing in a Sauna Abroad! @ Manila
Room Type Stayed
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Experience of the stay
At the end of my Southeast Asia trip, I wanted to experience an onsen or sauna abroad! On this day, I had to head to the airport late at night (which was not the closer Terminal 3 near Belmont Hotel but the farther Terminals 1 or 2). However, I was able to book my reservation through an app for about 2-3000 yen less than on the website (thanks to an ongoing campaign), so I decided to take the plunge and book.
There was a period due to the pandemic when the sauna wasn’t open, so I was unsure if it would be available until I arrived, but thankfully, it was open, and I was able to enjoy it thoroughly.
I received towels and bath towels at the reception, so I could use the facilities without my own belongings. There was also a pool, with some people coming from the pool to use the sauna.
The room was clean and spacious, with mineral water and a kettle provided, and I was satisfied with the amenities.
I wished I could have stayed until morning!
Though my visit was ultimately only for a few hours, I thought it was a great decision to book it, allowing me to organize my luggage and enjoy a moment of rest.
Experiences during the trip
I embarked on a tough solo Southeast Asian journey, visiting four countries in four days. In the final stop, Manila, I took a 3-4 hour bus ride to Tagaytay, a popular resort area where people go to escape the heat.
I grabbed a popular coconut pie from a well-known shop (big, delicious, and fairly cheap, around 250 pesos) and enjoyed the view of Taal Lake and the volcano, while being guided by a local taxi and motorcycle driver in a jeepney, indulging in horseback riding and more.
After returning to Manila from Tagaytay, another bicycle taxi driver took me to Intramuros, where I was able to visit famous tourist spots like the church and Fort Santiago. The avocado ice cream I had at the end was so good, and it was also affordable at around 40 pesos.
In the Philippines, it's rare to use cards, so it's convenient to carry a good amount of cash (pesos) while traveling, as it allows you to seize opportunities for anything you want to do or eat locally.