TRIP REPORT. StarFleet, The Relaxing Zone (Manila's fishbowl-type massage parlor)
While in Manila (November 2011) , I was surfing the Internet and found a Filipino musician forum website with a very informative posting on Manila's massage parlor scene. Since posting a link to another forum might not be allowed, do a Google search with the key words "StarFleet, Philmusic" and it'll bring up 'All About Spa, Massage and other Relaxing Treatment. ' The detailed information is on page 11, reply 271, by 'waya-drum' down at the bottom of the page. Most of the posts on the forum page is in Tagalog except the one that I 'm referencing.
Before I found the posting, I was going to Air Force One, but the posting identified the nearby StarFleet as having lower rates. I caught a taxi and insisted the driver use the meter or else I was going to bail out. The driver pissed and moaned about the heavy traffic, the long distance, the high cost of gasoline, and his cost to rent the taxi which all added up to him not making any money using the meter. I offered to give him a good tip if he would use the meter and he agreed. The taxi driver tried to get me to go to a closer and cheaper massage parlor or a boarding house (brothel?) in Makati. He said I could get a girl at the boarding house back to my hotel room for an all-nighter for 5, 000 pesos. I declined and kept him pointed toward StarFleet.
The final metered rate was 120 pesos, but traffic at 7:30 PM was horrendous so I gave him 200 pesos. I now understand why taxi drivers don't want to use their meter.
StarFleet is located on the 3rd floor via an elevator. There's a security doorman at the entry to give you directions. The girls are in two separate viewing rooms. One is the VIP girls whose services cost nearly twice as the regular girls. There were eight girls in the VIP room. The second viewing room had about 15 girls. I didn't think the VIP girls were anymore prettier than the regular (but they are younger) girls so I picked a regular.
The cost for a massage with a regular girl was 850 pesos for 90 minutes. The girl said the extra service would be 1, 000 pesos, but it would be up to me.
The massage was ok. The full service was great. The girl did not short change me on time or service so I gave her 1, 300 pesos. She hinted that she was expecting 2, 000 pesos given the quality of services she provided. I couldn't argue with her over her services so I capitulated and gave her 2, 000 pesos which made her happy and I wanted her happy in case I returned. In total, I spent 2, 850 pesos (US$65). The cost is about what I would have paid or less for lady drinks and to bar-fine a girl out of a Manila club plus tip.
I'm a fan of the Thai "fishbowl " massage parlors and this is the closest that I could find in the Philippines. It's not the same quality, but it was enough to satisfy me. If I had more time in Manila, I would have liked to check out the other "relaxing" establishments identified by "waya-drum."
Possibilities of Manila for New Years?
I put a post on the Cebu forum asking about things to do for New Years and it seems that it is dead there. Any ideas for Manila on New Years? Do all the girls leave here also to go home? Thanks in advance for any suggestions.