When your body’s screaming for a break, your brain feels like it’s buffering, and your soul just wants to float away from the madness that is Metro Manila—there’s one place I always come back to: Ace Water Spa in Kapitolyo, Pasig.
Yep, I’m no newbie here. I was a proud Gold Member back in 2015, and guess what? I’ve just renewed my membership—this time, as a sweet (and very thoughtful) birthday gift from my French beau. Merci beaucoup, monsieur!
Whether you’re a local craving a chill weekend reset or a tired traveler looking to melt away the aches of urban adventure, Ace Water Spa offers a full-body hydrotherapy experience that hits all the right spots—literally. In this post, I’ll walk you through everything from their soothing facilities to pro-level spa hacks so you can make the most out of every steamy, bubbly second.
What is Ace Water Spa?
At its core, Ace Water Spa is a wellness facility that offers hydrotherapy massage treatments using specialized jet nozzles and warm herbal pools. The concept is borrowed from traditional European spa therapy, made accessible and family-friendly for the Filipino market.
But make no mistake—this isn’t your average spa. At Ace Water Spa, there are no masseuses kneading your back. Instead, high-pressure water jets, heated pools, and other aquatic therapy stations do all the heavy lifting (or massaging, in this case).
Location, Hours, and Rates
You’ll find Ace Water Spa nestled in the heart of Kapitolyo, a neighborhood known for its laid-back charm and food scene. It’s located inside the Ace Hotel & Suites, making it perfect for both spa daytrippers and overnight guests.
Address: Ace Hotel & Suites, United St. corner Brixton St., near Pioneer, Kapitolyo, Pasig City
Opening Hours: Daily from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Contact Number: +639175425967, +63286281888
Entrance Rates (as of 2025):
Good for 4-hour use; 1-time entry.
- Adults: Php 680.00
- Kids (4ft. and below): Php 350.00
- Seniors / PWD: Php 485.71
Note: Rates may change. Always check their official website or Facebook page for updates.
The Spa Experience: What to Expect Inside
Once you enter the doors of Ace Water Spa, it’s like stepping into an oasis of calm—no phones, no loud chatter, just the sound of flowing water and relaxing spa music.
Here’s a breakdown of the sections inside:
1. Hydrotherapy Massage Pool
The heart of Ace Water Spa is the massive hydrotherapy pool, divided into different stations targeting specific parts of the body:
Soft Massages
Rainfall Acupressure – great for head, neck, and shoulder tension.
Moderate Massages
- Jet Massage – hits your back muscles like a mini waterfall of bliss.
- Bubble Bed – imagine lying on a waterbed that gives you a full-body vibration massage.
- Hydro Buoyancy Pool – perfect for light stretching and floating meditation.
Hard Massages
Each station has instructions on which muscle groups it targets, how to position yourself, and the recommended duration.
2. Hot Herbal Pools
Need to sweat it out? The herbal pools at Ace Water Spa are infused with natural ingredients like lavender, mint, and eucalyptus. These pools are heated between 36°C to 40°C to relax your muscles and detox your skin.
Pro Tip: Follow the recommended spa sequence—hot pool for 10 minutes, cold plunge for 3–5 seconds, rest, then repeat. It’s invigorating!
3. Cold Plunge Pools
It sounds terrifying, but this 20°C icy dip improves blood circulation and helps close your pores after heat exposure. First-timers at Ace Water Spa usually shriek the first time but love it after the third round.
4. Steam and Sauna Rooms
The wet steam room opens your pores and helps with respiratory issues, while the dry sauna helps with muscle tension and skin purification. Both are great pre- or post-treatment options.
Why Hot Herbal Pools Aren’t Recommended for People with High Blood Pressure
As someone with a medical background, I’d gently advise those with high blood pressure to skip the Hot Herbal Pools.
In simple terms: The heat in hot herbal pools causes your blood vessels to dilate, which can drop your blood pressure too low, too quickly—or in some cases, trigger irregular heart rhythms.
Here’s what’s happening inside your body:
- When you immerse yourself in hot water (around 36–40°C or higher), your blood vessels widen (this is called vasodilation).
- This causes more blood to flow to the skin and extremities, making your heart work harder to keep everything balanced.
- If you already have high blood pressure or a heart condition, this sudden cardiovascular shift can stress your heart, potentially leading to dizziness, fainting, or more serious complications like arrhythmia or a hypertensive crisis.
What about the herbs?
The herbal component itself (like rose, jasmine, or peppermint) isn’t usually the issue—it’s the high temperature of the water. However, in rare cases, essential oils or herbs can affect circulation too, especially in enclosed spaces with strong vapors (like steam rooms or herbal pools).
What to Bring (and What to Wear)
One thing that makes Ace Water Spa unique is its strict swimwear policy. No bikinis, board shorts, or cotton shirts allowed. You must wear proper swimwear made of spandex or lycra—like the ones used in competitive swimming.
Checklist of what to bring:
- Proper swimwear (or rent/buy from their shop)
- Bath Towel
- Hair tie (for long hair)
- Plastic bag (for your wet clothes)
- Soap and shampoo (they have shower gels in the shower but…)
If you forget anything, Ace Water Spa has a shop selling swimsuits, swim caps, and other essentials. You can also rent for Php 100.00 per piece (so top and bottom wear = Php 200.00. Yikes). Swimming Caps are provided for free.
Why Ace Water Spa Doesn’t Allow Board Shorts (And Why That’s a Good Thing)
I’ve seen a lot of people get frustrated about the “no board shorts” policy at Ace Water Spa—and honestly, I get where they’re coming from. It can feel a bit strict or even unnecessary at first glance. But here’s the short and smart answer:
1. Hygiene
Board shorts are often made of thick, absorbent fabrics that trap sweat, oil, and bacteria—then release them into the pool. Not exactly spa-vibes, right? Fitted swimwear (like Lycra or spandex) is cleaner, dries faster, and keeps the water more sanitary for everyone.
2. Hydrotherapy Efficiency
Loose fabric blocks the water jets. Since Ace Water Spa uses precise water pressure to target muscles, board shorts get in the way. Tight swimwear lets the jets hit your body directly—giving you the full therapeutic benefits.
3. Safety
Board shorts often have pockets, ties, or Velcro—things that can get caught in the jets or filters. Fitted swimwear prevents that and keeps both you and the equipment safe.
The Bottom Line:
Ace Water Spa isn’t being picky—they’re keeping things clean, safe, and effective. Swap the board shorts for fitted swimwear, and you’ll enjoy a better, more relaxing spa experience.
Cleanliness and Facilities
Cleanliness is clearly a top priority at Ace Water Spa. The locker rooms are sanitized frequently, the showers are spotless, and the water in the pools doesn’t smell like a chemical swamp. It’s odorless, crystal clear, and just the right temperature.
Lockers are free and easy to use. Just present your receipt with QR Code (provided upon entry), and you can stash your stuff safely while you drift off into spa-land.
Is It Family-Friendly?
Absolutely. In fact, Ace Water Spa is one of the few spa destinations in the Philippines that’s both child-safe and senior-friendly. Kids love the bubble pools and gentle jets, while titas and titos of Manila appreciate the muscle-soothing jets and hot herbal pools.
They also have a special area for infants and toddlers, with shallow pools and floaty toys—under the supervision of a guardian, of course.
Dining Options Nearby
You’ll work up quite an appetite after all that water therapy. Luckily, Ace Water Spa is located in food paradise central, Kapitolyo. Here are some nearby favorites:
- Kanto Freestyle Breakfast (all-day Filipino breakfast)
- Ramen Cool (Japanese food)
- Rub Ribs (ribs & casual Filipino fare)
- Silantro Fil‑Mex Cantina (Fil‑Mex comfort food)
- Smile Elephant (Thai food)
- Three Sisters’ Restaurant (heritage Filipino)
Or stay inside the hotel and dine at Sky Garden Steakhouse, which offers panoramic views of the city.
Pro Tips for Your Visit (And Why They Actually Matter)
Timing Is Everything: Why Spa Hours Matter
They open at 6:00 AM: Hitting the spa at opening time means you’ll likely have the place (almost) to yourself. No long lines at the lockers, no waiting for your favorite hydrotherapy station, and the water is freshly filtered and ready to go. Plus, it’s a perfect way to jumpstart your day—way better than coffee and traffic.
Closing time is 10:00 PM, but the last call is at 8:00 PM: The 8:00 PM last call means they stop letting people in two hours before closing. That’s because your spa session is limited to 2 hours, and they want you to have the full experience without rushing. So, if you roll in at 8:05 PM hoping for a relaxing soak—you’re out of luck, babe. Plan accordingly and arrive early enough to enjoy every bubbly minute.
Avoid weekends if you want quiet time—it gets busy.
Saturdays and Sundays are peak chaos. Families, couples, barkadas—it’s a spa party. If your goal is serenity, aim for weekday visits when the ambiance is calmer and more spa-like (and not like a public pool during summer break).
Hydrate well before and after the spa session.
Hydrotherapy jets, steam rooms, and heated pools can make you sweat more than you realize. Staying hydrated keeps your muscles loose, prevents dizziness, and helps your body recover better after the session. Your kidneys will thank you, too.
Don’t eat a heavy meal right before your session.
Floating around with a belly full of sisig? Not a good time. Heavy meals can cause discomfort, sluggishness, or even nausea when you’re in heated pools or using high-pressure massage jets. Go for a light snack, then reward yourself after with a hearty meal nearby.
Stick to the recommended time per station to avoid muscle fatigue.
It’s tempting to hog that glorious jet targeting your lower back—but staying too long can actually overwork your muscles and cause soreness instead of relief. Each station is designed for targeted therapy in short bursts (around 2–5 minutes max). Your body gets the benefits without the burn.
Service & Hospitality
I honestly have nothing but praise for the staff. From the reception desk to the dressing and shower room attendants, everyone was warm, helpful, and ready to assist. I’m the type who asks a lot of questions (guilty!), and they answered everything with patience and a smile. Even during peak hours when the place was packed, I never saw anyone lose their cool or act impatient. That level of professionalism really adds to the overall relaxing experience.
Even the staff at the Ace Coffee Lounge deserve a shoutout. I usually make a reservation before heading into the spa because I have a few personal preferences—and they’ve always been incredibly accommodating. They even joke around with me sometimes, which adds such a warm, welcoming vibe to the whole experience. It’s those little interactions that make you feel like more than just another customer.
Memberships and Promos
Frequent visitor? Consider becoming a Gold Member. Ace Water Spa often offers buy-1-take-1 deals, birthday discounts, and hotel+spa packages. These promos are typically announced on their social media pages.
I mentioned earlier that I was a Gold Member way back in 2015. Life got busy (as it does), so I didn’t renew after that. But just before my birthday, my boyfriend asked what I wanted—and without even thinking, Ace Water Spa was the first thing that came to mind.
- 1 – 50% off birthday Perk
- 1 – Free Adult Ticket
- 1 – Buy 3 + 1 Adult ticket
- 1 – 50% off birthday Perk
- 1 – Free Adult Ticket
- 1 – Buy 3 + 1 Adult ticket
- Every visit I get 10% off at Ace Water Spa
- I also get at get 10% off Ace Coffee Lounge (Minimum purchase of Php 1,200.00)
I got the Gold Card for Php 1,995.00 —a great deal compared to the regular price of Php 2,399.00, and it’s valid for a full year. I haven’t had the chance to use the other perks yet—like the discounts at Sky High Bar and the Ace International Buffet—since I only got my Gold Card in July 2025. But don’t worry, I’ll definitely write a review once I get to try them!
What Could Be Better?
No review would be complete without a little constructive criticism.
But honestly, these are minor caveats in what is otherwise a top-tier urban wellness experience.
Strict Swimwear Policy
While the requirement to wear spandex swimwear is grounded in hygiene and water safety, it does catch many first-timers off guard—especially those who arrive in standard board shorts. A bit more visible signage or a heads-up during online booking could save guests the awkward surprise (and a trip to the spa shop).
No In-Spa Photography
We get it—privacy is a big deal. But for those hoping to snap a quick photo or two to document their self-care day, the strict no-camera policy can be a letdown. A designated “selfie zone” outside the spa area might be a nice compromise.
Spa Shop Pricing
If you forget your spandex swimwear, be prepared to pay spa-shop prices—which aren’t exactly budget-friendly. While the gear is decent quality, some guests feel cornered into a purchase they didn’t expect.
Final Verdict: Is Ace Water Spa Worth It?
A resounding yes. Ace Water Spa isn’t just a spa—it’s a sanctuary where water becomes your masseuse, therapist, and best friend. The atmosphere is calm, the amenities are well-maintained, and the experience is both therapeutic and fun.
Whether you’re aching from too many Zoom meetings, jet-lagged from travel, or just craving peace without leaving the city, Ace Water Spa is an affordable, accessible, and genuinely refreshing destination.
Quick Recap Checklist
Ace Water Spa in Kapitolyo offers:
- Affordable hydrotherapy massage
- Clean and family-friendly facilities
- Free use of lockers and hot/cold pools
- Optional hotel stay for a full pampering weekend
- Consistent quality and service
It’s a must-visit whether you’re a local in need of rest or a tourist looking to balance sightseeing with self-care. Ace Water Spa might just be the most underrated wellness gem in Metro Manila.
