Bangkok has more places to indulge in a massage than
any other city on earth. Style and quality vary, as do the prices. There are
local massage joints where a great Thai massage costs just THB100.- per
hour, while the swishier spas can easily set you back 10 times that. Similar
to a restaurant, where the chefs, ingredients, service and decor come
together to decide the worth, at Bangkok's massage spots you the value can
be gauged by the quality of therapists, oils, interior, etc.
Heavenly Spas
Thailand is a spa lover's paradise and thankfully one
no longer need to venture to a remote upcountry resort to bask in the
pleasures of bodily bliss In recent years Bangkok's remarkable urban day
spa industry has mushroomed into a world-class operation, offering an
unparalleled variety of treatments to indulge your body and soul.
Sumptuous body therapy options rang from traditional
Thai and oil massages to customised facials, mineral baths, hot herbal
treatments, aromatherapy, and steam rooms bursting with the fragrance of
traditional Thai herbs. Or consider trying a hot rock treatment, a
mineral-rich thermal mask and anti-ageing treatments. Lately foot
massage, rooted in Chinese reflexology has become the rage.
Nearly all of Bangkok's international hotels offer
some kind of spa. The high-end, pose hotel spas are naturally blissful,
as they are pricey. Easier on the pocket deals are plenty, both in local
hotels and at independent, stand-alone spas
We've canvassed the city in search of Bangkok best
spas, and we offer you a sumptuous selection catering to a range of
styles, tastes and budgets. So go relieve some stress, and enjoy !
Thai Massage
What could be more quintessentially Thai than the
world-renowned practice of traditional Thai-style massages ? Known in
Thailand as nuad pan bolarn - literally 'ancient style massage' -
Thais have been treating their bodies and souls to this time-honoured,
therapeutic custom for over 2,500 years, dating back to the life
to Buddha.
Traditional Thai massage is performed without oil,
with people typically wearing light-weight, loose-fitting pyjamas. By
way of acupressure points that stimulate muscles and nerves, and
assisted yogic stretching, skilled Thai massage practitioners employ
their hands, elbows, knees, as well as their own body weight, to apply
various degrees of pressure and mobilisation to different parts of the
body.
The ancient form of healing can do wonders for all of
the body's organic systems by helping to align and balance the energies
of the body. By enhancing blood circulation. Thai massage can help to
break down and release toxins trapped in the body, in turn strengthening
the immune system.
Though Thai massage can at moments be a bit painful, the after-effect is
not one of fatigue, but calm. Common remarks are of relief to aching
muscles, an increase in flexibility and higher general energy levels.
Others report better sleep, a decrease in stress and an overall boost,
both on a physical and emotional as well as a spiritual level.
Nibhana Spa
8th Floor, Natural Ville / Lang Suan Rd./BTS
Chitlom /Tel 02 2507058
www.nibhanaspa.com Really convincing day spas in Bangkok are somewhat hard to find,
but Nibhana is a true gem. The name-"a piece of heaven"-say it all. The
exquisite interior is richly decorated with furniture and objects d'art
evoking old Siam. Simply sitting on the reception island, surrounded by
murmuring water, will put you at peace while selecting one of four
luxuriant oils for your treatment. Ten large rooms are outfitted in
Indian. Chinese and Thai styles. The spa menu focuses on ancient Thai
techniques and beauty treatments; even the in-house products are based
on Thai ingredients. You could try the very good Thai massage here, but
why not treat yourself ? The spa's marvellous Royal Recipes, ranging
from two to four hours, raise the already high bar for Bangkok spas. And
only at long holistic foot spa.
Banyan Tree Spa
Banyan Tree Bangkok, South Sathorn Rd /
Tel 02 6791052
www.banyantreespa.com This world-class spa with justifiably high prices is located on
the 21st floor of the slim 5-star hotel, with amazing views from large,
luxuriously decked-out treatment rooms. Hotel guests enjoy even better
views from the 53rd floor, but asking to get in there never hurts. The
open-air Jacuzzi is unbelievable. The extensive menu utilises antique
Asian beauty rituals. During the numerous massages, pan-Pacific wraps
and facials, the all-natural house brand is used. Packages come a bit
cheaper and last up to seven hours, but the Banyan Tree is for the
well-moneyed spa fan. Tight budgeters can check out the Spa Store and
use the products at home but it's by no means the same as pairing that
Balinese Massage with breathtaking views of Bangkok.
Mulberry Spa
346/10 Silom Rd. / Tel 02 6309888 Recently affectionately redone, this often booked-out spa still
feels quite intimate, thanks to its labyrinthine layout. The lush
reception is only the beginning. Seated in the neat "library", you won't
mind waiting. Spread over two floors, each homey room (they all come
with their own shower) is dotingly styled in a different way, but
a slight Arabian atmosphere and appealing ornaments pervade throughout,
The owners take a refreshingly different approach to its service:
therapists are not chosen for their looks but for their skills. The
range of treatments is limited but all the essentials are there. You get
way more than you've paid for the prices are quite low for the
high-quality massages masks, scrubs and facials. So indulge and spend
half a day here.
Ananda Spa
President
Solitaire, Sukhumvit Soi 11/ BTS Nana
Tel 02 2557700
www.anandaspa.net This small corner house accommodates Bangkok's most intimate
spa. Candle-lit, wooden stairways lead to a handful of dimly lit,
luxurious treatment rooms furnished with dark woods. Take your lovah
along and book one of their huge VIP rooms featuring Jacuzzis. The spa
has one of the city's most extensive spa menus; many specifically
designed for men. Remedial facials, Qi treatments and CACI courses are
intriguing, but the water therapies and the body wraps are particularly
recommendable. It's somewhat difficult to find: follow the soi to its
end and turn right. A Bordeaux-red awning will mark the way. There's
another branch at posh Capitol Club (Sukhumvit Soi 24), but this one's
way more atmospheric.
Being Spa
88 Sukhumvit 51/ Tel 02 6626171
www.beingspa.com
A serene courtyard pond leads the way into Being, one of the Sukhumvit
area's best neighbourhood day spas. This thoughtfully converted,
two-storey house accommodates 12 private treatment chambers fashioned
with rustic wood floors and tasteful ethnic decor, as well as rooms with
shower beds, needle jets and a floral bath. Being's host of revitalising
treatments range from 30 minute body scrubs (using everything from
coffee bean and seaweed to Thai herbs and pepper) to more comprehensive,
2 1/2 to 3 1/2 hour spa packages combining various medleys of
massages, baths, facials, body wraps and scrubs. Recommendable is their
signature fusion massage, the Being Ultimate Body Massage (1,900 THB), a
90 minute rubdown blending aroma therapy oil massage with stretching and
bending elements of traditional, medium pressure Thai massage.
Jivata Spa House
57/155 Silome Terrace Building , Saladange Soi
2
BTS Saladaeng/MRT Silom / Tel 02 6355422 www.jivitaspa.com This tiny spa in bustling Silom has only four luxurious
treatment rooms (each with its own shower and steam room) that are
usually booked solid by Japanese. The owner, an expert in holistic and
Ayurvedic approaches to spa-ing, has come up with a handful of
treatments that touch body, spirit and soul. Expertly trained therapists
will consult with each customer what's best for him or her. And even if
you don't really believe in stone and crystal therapies, the pricey but
unique treatments can never hurt. A facial using hot stones is available
only here. The Japanese Healing Stone and the Shiatsu are perfect, but
to treat yourself, choose the 3-hours Holistic Session.
Body
& Beauty
