Spa Recommendations in Bangkok
 

Where is a good place to go for a jetlag busting massage when I arrive in Bangkok ?

Many thanks

Healthland...several locations, including near Sathorn Road. Cheap and good.

I agree, we went to the one on Sathorn Rd, was beautiful, very professional, cheap . . . we were pleasantly surprised. We'll be making a stop there again in July.

Sandy (in Denton)

Face Spa. Wonderful setting, fabulous massages ( i like the hot compress ones), and you can eat at the on-site Thai or Indian restaurants afterwards!
Gallery Cafe, near the Sheraton on the river has nice massages for very cheap as well.

thank you

We tried out Healthland this trip. It was fine, not fancy. Prices are quite reasonable.

If don't have nice spa in hotel recommend thong lo district too; many quality day spas are concentrated there. Can choose from palm herbal, divana, or leyana spa, and others.... Leyana do hotel pick-up in gold London Taxi which is easy if jet-lagged. After spa visit can go eat, drink and party at face bar (Trad. Thai architecture, modern atmosphere. Soi 38, also in Thong Lo).

If you are going to Face, why not do your spa there? Very atmospheric.

Dorling Kindersley has 2009 list of its Top 10 Bangkok Spa:
http://traveldk.com/bangkok/topten/spas-3

Thailand is officially spa capital of Asia 2009 (See article):
http://bit.ly/Thai_Spa_Capital_2009
The urban spas mentioned are mostly in Thong Lo and Phrom Phong area....

gpanda likes the massages upstairs from the gallery cafe restaurant near to the royal orchid sheraton hotel...just off of new road

Nice link for the spa listing, amjen.

While I consider spas in Thailand to be reasonably priced, spas in large hotels (like the Pen, the Oriental, the Shangri-La) sport US prices. Perhaps not as pricey as European spas, they are no bargain. I'll have to check out some of the others on the list.

We did try the Oasis spa in Chiang Mai some years ago, The setting was lovely, the treatments were overpriced for Chiang Mai.

I had forgotten I'd responded to this messge about Healthland. As mentioned, we tried it, thought it was ok. It's sort of assembly-line spa, which is why it's so cheap. But when I got back to the hotel, I found I was really bruised, a few small bruises and one large, deep bruise. This was despite the fact I told them to be gentle as I'd injured my shoulder before leaving for Asia.

Given my experience, I can't recommend them.

how much does one pay for jetlag massage.Any tips included?

Massage by trained therapist in spa (not massage-shop or street-shop) should expect to pay THB 700 upwards for approx 1 hour massage. For therapist to do at proper speed and to get real benefit from massage treatment takes closer to 2 hours if not longer. Give minimum THB 100 tip for politeness, and then more depending how good it was, and your usual tipping practice.

Note that it isn't a "jetlag massage" but a massge. If you look on a spa menu for a jetlag massage, you are unlikely to find it.

Also, note that Thai massage is not what we think of in the western world as massage. People either love it or hate it. if you have a bad back or any kind of injury, I'd suggest you go for the oil massage instead.

Do need be careful requesting Thai massage. Even if you are young, supple and used to stretching (and have no underlying physical conditions) you should ask the receptionist that it is done very gently. The therapist should be sensitive to any physical problems but do not rely on that.
The nicer Thai massage is warm oil massage; it is soothing, softer, and much more relaxing. Incorporates aromatherapy too.

>>>Where is a good place to go for a jetlag busting massage when I arrive in Bangkok ?

Many thanks<<<


Greetings ginger, and to add to the fine advice already dispensed, would suggest the raptures of an outcall, in-room massage with a gracious masseuse (or two) in your softly-lit suite or room. Most therapeutic, particularly if arriving late (ideally, 'J' class on that sensational Singaporean airline).

Will always have the fondest BKK business travel memories (and highest praise) of Aviva, Thonglor and a few other outcall/overnight service providers best left 'unsaid' on this family friendly forum.

With the exception of one little incident involving two masseuses at that fine Oriental hotel, ~ 1997, never had a problem having 'visitors' venture over for various treatments at various fine Bangkok hotels. If travelling 'solo', never hurts to book a 'double room', and give the front desk advance notice of impending arrival(s).

Early and warm holiday greetings to all of you, do kindly consider flying SQ, and yes, savour your joyous massages, in the City of Angels (and even in SIN).

macintosh (robert)


... Singapore Airlines, You're a Great Way to Fly ...

There is differentiation between the setting that men like for massage, and spa environments that women want. The massage places where mostly men go, women will quickly choose not to; Men make a demand and they find a supply, in Thailand as every country. Usually men do not choose to visit a spa unless going as part of a couple or living a metrosexual lifestyle.

The criteria for choosing a spa are generally more appreciated by women and are similar to the reasons for selecting restaurants or beauty products. Women have different requirements, perhaps can say better taste, and are the more significant demographic in the spa sector.

Anyone agree with these assertions?

I am staying at the lebua, I was originally considering heathland as it is near but now I am not so sure. Are there any others near the Silom area ?

There are spas all over Bangkok. Perhaps ask your hotel for a recommendation.

If you go out your building to the right towards the Holiday Inn, there are 2 nice spa closeby. One is across Silom from your building, called Mulberry Spa and the other is same side as your building, but I don't know the name. It is up front in a nice set of beige building with food and shops in them. You can't miss it.

The spa you are referring to above is called Silom Bodyworks and is located just near the Holiday Inn. I have been to both above but find Mulberry Spa is similiar to the experience of Kathie wherby I came away with bruises from a medium massage. The girls at Silom Bodyworks are always helpful and very reasonably priced. Last time I went I had torrential rain come down as my treatment finished and the owner went to his car ,picked me up and drove me back to my hotel. So kind and considerate, especially considering my hotel was 20 mins walk away. The top hotels ,in general have lovely spa treatment rooms though I do think we pay for the ambience as such and the convenience of just throwing on a gown and catching an elevator downstairs. We all slowly return to our rooms, sleepy though refreshed and not covered in perspiration from walking /cabbing it back - that is a big advantage. Spas I have visited include Oriental,Hyatt, Royal Orchid, Shangri La, Dusit Thani, Sheraton Grande, Westin, Watergate, Silom Sofitel, Plaza Athenee, Marriot etc and I often visit small cheaper places such as those mentioned above, Gallery, Amarin Plaza, regular haunts down SukhumvitRd near Asoke/ Nana BTS. Any new suggestions I am always eager to hear about.