PAMPER ME IN BANGKOK
I am heading to Bangkok for five days with my mother and would like to try out a health spa. Can you recommend one and give me an indication of the prices? I have been trawling the web and am finding it hard to make up my mind. I would prefer a luxury spa in a boutique hotel. — Jenna Muller
There are hundreds of top-notch spas in the Thai capital, from very lavish riverside retreats to massage shops, where you can get a foot or back massage for as little as 300 baht (R100). You won’t have any problem finding out about what is on offer when you are in Bangkok, so you should book when you get there. The Devarana Spa at the five-star Dusit Thani Hotel ( dusit.com) has long been regarded as one of the best in the city. It is not cheap, though. Massages start at 2 000 baht plus a 17% VAT and service charge (around R780) and a 2.5-hour treatment, including taxes, is about R1 850. A five-hour half-day package will set you back around R3 500. This package includes an aromatic Thai herbal steam, a floral bath, a body scrub, a 90-minute massage, a 90minute facial and a reflexology foot massage.
If you are not scared of heights, then a great choice is the Banyan Tree Spa, located on the 21st floor of the five-star Banyan Tree Hotel ( banyantree.com). This is a fabulous spa but is also pretty pricey. For example, a full day of pampering — five hours of treatments, with relaxation breaks and a 90-minute lunch, will cost you around R4 680.
If you do not need the luxury of a five-star resort, then a really good choice would be one of the Let’s Relax spas in Bangkok. There are two branches — a more established one in Sukhumvit Road and a more trendy, newer outlet in a mall known as Terminal 21. Prices are affordable and the treatments top-notch. It is a favourite of many expats and regular visitors to Thailand. Here, a two-hour Thai massage will set you back only 800 baht (R265) including taxes, while a one-hour aromatherapy massage costs around 1 200 baht including taxes (R400).
You can also try the “dream package”, which includes a foot massage, hand massage and head and shoulder massage. It takes 90 minutes and the charge is only 800 baht (R265). For more information, visit letsrelaxspa.com.