Thai Massage Questions
 

I've read other posts about Thai massage and understand how it differs from other styles. I like massages and really want to experience a traditional Thai massage while in Bangkok. However, my DH isn't very flexible and I have a feeling he would hate it.

Having never had a Thai massage, I really want to insure I go to a reputable place that does it correctly.

We are staying at the Peninsula. I like the idea of calling the Wat Pho School and have a massage in our hotel room but not sure if this is allowed. Has anyone done this at the Peninsula recently? (I'm not a big fan of hotel spas, so not that interested in going to the Pen spa.)

Also heard about HealthLand which I understand is close to the Peninsula, but their website is not working. How is their Thai massage? Do they offer anything other than Thai massage for my DH?

If we decided to go to Wat Pho, can they go "easy" on my DH? OR is there something close by for him to do while I get a massage?

Thanks in advance.

Yes, they will "go easy" on him, but he has to be firm and vocal and tell them early on. Crying is not enough. LOL!

You could get a massage at Wat Po and he could either wander around or even go back to the hotel. There is a nice place to sit outside the massage school, too.

Another option nearby would be for you to go to the Galley cafe and get a massage while he wanders at River city mall.

If it was me, I'd go to Face Spa. Your husband could get a hot compress massage, and tell them to go very easy. They have been very responsive to special requests there.

When you get to BKK, you can call the Wat Pho School of Massage and inquire whether they can come into the Pen. If not, the Gallery Cafe, just up the road from the Royal Orchid Sheraton and River City gives nice massages. The food is great there as well, but don't combine with a massage.

some have reported that the penn does not allow outside people to perform massages in hotel rooms??

Like Lcuy, I'd recommend a trip to Face. They have several massage options including Thai, hot compress and scented oil. All the massages take place in little teak rooms which accommodate two people. It's very atmospheric. And the food at the restaurant is excellent and a great follow-up to a massage. Face also offers other spa services such as body scrubs and facials.

www.facebars.com

On our first trip to BKK we stayed at the Penn and the wife had her massage in her room. It was arranged thru Ratt- now you just have to be discreet about this. Meet the person in the lobby, etc.
On our trip to BKK this year we stayed at the Marriott and agian we had the massage daily in our room. Cost about 1,000 for 2 hours - any type of massage you need. Again arranged thru Ratt- this person was very experienced and did a great job.

Thank you all. I really want to go to Face, but not sure if we will have time since it sounds like it is a bit far from the Peninsula. I wanted other options just in case.

Just curious, but has anyone gotten a Thai massage at Face? While I know it's a favorite spot for many, Kathie, for example, said she is not a fan of Thai massage and always gets their other treatments.

Any info on Healthland? Heard that is a bit closer to the Pen?

We were at Health Land in November and highly recommend it. They definitely had non-Thai massage on the menu. Personally, I wouldn't risk booking your husband for a Thai massage primarily because you're unlikely to get a therapist who understands English well enough to completely convey what you want. He could be prepared to grimace and groan and scream, but that wouldn't make for a pleasant experience for either your husband or the therapist! ;-)

Let's see, from the brochure we picked up when we were there: they had ("had" because I have no idea if the services or prices have changed since then) aromatherapy massage for 850 baht, ayuravedic massage for 300 baht, and reflexology for 250. They have herbal compress too, but it looks like they may only offer it with a Thai massage.

That said, neither Face nor Health Land are within walking distance of the Pen so you'll have to take some sort of public transportation anyway. As a result, not sure if the distance should actually be that much of a deciding factor.

I've twice had the hot compress massage, which is part Thai massage then the hot compress part with softer massage,

My two daughters and husband had the Thai massage and loved it. We all had coffee scrubs with the massages and loved them. This was after numerous other massages- Wat Pho, Gallery Cafe, and several in Cambodia- and we all agreed Face is the best!

On another trip, two friends had Thai massages and one had the yoga massage, which she loved. That looked really interesting..I was next to her while they moved her around in yoga positions along with Thai massage in between. I'll probably try that next time.

From the Peninsula, you take the hotel ferry to the skytrain station (2 minutes) ride the train out to Thong Lo (about 15-20 minutes?) then walk about a block. Even if the trains/ ferries were slow, it won't take more than 45 minutes and the ride is quite scenic.

One at Face, there is a great pastry/ ice cream shop below and of course the Thai and Indian restaurants on the same property as the spa. if your husband doesn't want a massage, he can eat!