fbpx vie magazine subscribe button

One Night in Bangkok and the World’s Your Oyster

The Spas

By Kevin Revolinski

Thailand, the Land of Smiles, could also be dubbed the Land of Spas. An inordinate number of luxury spas receive accolades every year. It’s no coincidence. Massage therapy is deeply rooted in Thai culture. Massage and foot reflexology parlors are as abundant as coffee shops. Massage is part of daily life, not just as a luxury, but as a pathway to healthy living.

Thai massage, known as nuad boran or “ancient healing touch,” dates back to fifth-century India and the origins of Buddhism. The Buddha himself met Jivaka Kumarbhaccha, a famous doctor and Ayurvedic healer, now considered the father of traditional Thai medicine. His practice incorporated herbs, nutrition, spiritual meditation, and a special massage that works on stretches and pressure points. Because of its Buddhist roots, the knowledge and training were passed down through monks and their temples or wats. Even today, Bangkok’s most famous temple, Wat Pho, the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, has a massage salon and affiliated massage school. Diagrams and statues of massage techniques decorate the temple grounds.

But while all spas offer Thai massage, modern spa menus fully embrace aromatherapy, deep-tissue massage, and a whole range of other options and combinations, allowing spa-goers to find their own best path to relaxation, healing, and rejuvenation. And while even a midrange spa in Bangkok offers exceptional service, the most luxurious spas take the experience to heavenly levels.


The Oriental Spa

Dating back to 1876, The Oriental, situated on the east bank of the Chao Phraya River, was Bangkok’s first luxury hotel. The original building, now the Author’s Wing of the Mandarin Oriental, hosted literary masters such as Somerset Maugham, Joseph Conrad, and James Michener. But to reach the spa, you must board the shuttle boat to cross the River of Kings. Beyond a temple-like facade is a white colonial building filled with rich teakwood and housing fourteen treatment rooms. Book the Oriental Suite with its tiled Jacuzzi tub. East meets West with the Oriental Signature treatment, which combines the Thai massage methods of working pressure points with the longer strokes of aromatherapy oil massage. After the long flight to Thailand, you might begin with the Jetlag treatment, which combines cypress oil and menthol to stimulate the legs and alleviate that sluggishness so you can get started working through the rest of the spa menu.

MandarinOriental.com.


Bangkok Top Spas; Thailand; Shangri-La Hotel; massage room
Tranquil massage room at CHI, The Spa at Shangri-La Hotel
Photo courtesy of Shangri-La Hotel

CHI, The Spa at Shangri-La Hotel

Taking its name from the Chinese word for one’s flowing life force, CHI’s reputation for effectively putting the life back in you is well known: over the past decade, CHI has frequently been listed among the ten best spas not just in Asia, but the world. Their primary spa suite is the largest in Bangkok, but all suites come with colored-light hot tubs, herbal steam baths with showers, relaxation lounges, and changing areas, and several even have views of the Chao Phraya River. Treatments often incorporate varying light, sounds, and, of course, scents—from jasmine to incense. An adapted Thai technique and oil massage is an excellent introduction to Thai massage. The CHI Balance treatment brings yin and yang together: stimulating acupressure massage balanced with calming strokes and pure oriental oils to unblock your chi.

Shangri-La.com/Bangkok.


Bangkok Top Spas; Thailand; Bangkok
Photo courtesy of Sofitel

Spa Botanica

The Sukhothai Bangkok is a true oasis. Its verdant grounds defy the hard edges and density of the surrounding high-rising city, and its wide lotus pools reflect the sky. Spa Botanica stands apart from the hotel, behind a perimeter of hedges. Once the cool modern home of a Thai banker, the spa building offers a simple, minimal decor and maintains that residential feel among its seven treatment rooms. Try a bamboo-aloe vera aromatic body scrub, and choose from one of two signature massages: the Sukhothai, a firmer Thai and oil massage, or the Beaufort Touch, a more gentle pampering treatment to melt away your stress. Harnn, one of the featured skin and body care product lines here, is all natural and made in Thailand.

Sukhothai.com.


The Opium Spa

Farther upriver from Bangkok’s center is The Siam Hotel, a marvelous blend of modern style with antiques and artifacts chosen by the founder himself; it is one of the finest, hippest properties in town. Past the lobby, descend into the inner sanctum that is Opium Spa. Treatment rooms draw indirect light from a walled garden area beyond the windows. The lounge area, with columns, a round marble dais at the center, and daybed-style platforms in the corners, channels the dreamlike state of an opium den. Treatments and products come from its partner Sodashi. Treat yourself to an organic green tea and Himalayan salt cleanse, or increase your lymphatic circulation with the soothing strokes of an Aroma Journey Massage. Facials and other treatments are done in a room decorated with objets d’art and antiques from old-school pharmacies.

TheSiamHotel.com.


Bangkok Top Spas; Thailand; Sofitel Bangkok Sukhumvit; pool
After rejuvenating spa treatments, relax by the pool at the Sofitel Bangkok Sukhumvit.
Photo courtesy of Sofitel

Le SPA at Sofitel Bangkok Sukhumvit

The newest Sofitel in Bangkok, Sofitel Sukhumvit, stands along the main thoroughfare of the Big Mango. Le SPA with L’Occitane may be the new kid on the block but it has won Best Luxury Hotel Spa in Thailand at the World Luxury Spa Awards twice in the last two years. Try the Four Teas Ceremony, a two-hour delight that begins with a jetted bath soak in the Four Teas Elixir, followed by a sugar-based body scrub and a relaxing full-body massage. The menu also includes an antiaging facial incorporating seven ingredients and using lifting and contouring massage techniques.

Sofitel-Bangkok-Sukhumvit.com.


Bangkok Top Spas; Thailand; massage
Photo courtesy of I.Sawan

Spa at Anantara Riverside

Another spa that favors a location along the Chao Phraya, Anantara lies fifteen minutes from Central Pier. Take the hotel’s free shuttle boat service for a short cruise downstream before arriving at the resort. Tucked into a lush courtyard garden at the center of the property, Anantara Spa is at once a secret garden and yet a warm and inviting space with Thai accents, artwork, and designs throughout. Two spa suites have private entrances from outside amid the foliage and open into outdoor showers and lounge space for each suite. Beyond the glass lies a cozy treatment room. Try a Signature Rice Ritual, with a body scrub rich in B and E vitamins, followed by a massage that combines blended rice bran oil with Thai stretching and pressure point techniques, plus a heated rice compress. The treatment ends with one of their signature facials.

Bangkok-Riverside.Anantara.com.


I.Sawan Residential Spa & Club at Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok

Located in the heart of downtown Bangkok, the Grand Hyatt Hotel overlooks the city’s famed and always busy Erawan Shrine, a golden, four-faced Lord Brahma statue and its circle of worshippers. The spa is named for the fifth level of heaven in Thai Sanskrit and appropriately occupies the fifth-floor rooftop. Amid the impressive malls and high-rises, we have a collection of small cabanas functioning as treatment rooms for individuals or couples. Six spacious Spa Cottages are also on offer for overnight guests. These free-standing suites, each with a bedroom and a living room, also come with a daily one-hour treatment en suite for each guest. In addition to the varied menu of treatments, I.Sawan offers six-hour “retreats.” The Heavenly Retreat, for example, includes a signature body scrub and moisture wrap, a signature or traditional Thai massage, an advanced facial, a healthy spa meal, and a hand or foot massage. This should be enough to take you the remaining two steps to seventh heaven.

Bangkok.Grand.Hyatt.com.

— V —


Kevin Revolinski is the author of several books, including The Yogurt Man Cometh: Tales of an American Teacher in Turkey. He also writes online at TheMadTraveler.com.



Read Responsibly

VIE Magazine September 2023 Jay Mercado
VIE Magazine - The Art & Design Issue November 2021
VIE Magazine January 2021 Special Commemorative Edition
VIE Magazine September 2020 Wanderlust Issue, Fancy Camps, The Idea Boutique
VIE Magazine August 2020 Art & Culture Issue, Nathan Alan Yoakum Art
VIE Magazine - Architecture & Design Issue - July 2020
VIE Magazine - Decor and Home Issue - June 2020
VIE Magazine May 2020 Entertainment Issue, Leslie Odom Jr
VIE Magazine - April 2020 Culinary Issue
VIE Magazine March 2020 The Fashion Edit, VONDOM, Alys Beach Fl, Digital Graffiti, Tres Chic, isidro dunbar Modern Interiors, Digital Graffiti Festival
VIE Magazine February 2020 Health & Beauty Issue
VIE Magazine - Travel Issue - January 2020 - Tanzania Safari Cover
VIE Magazine - Women's Issue - December 2019 - Tina Brown Cover
VIE NOV19 Goodness Issue
VIE Magazine, September 2019 Art & Culture Issue, Paul Hanninen
VIE Magazine - August 2019 - The Architecture and Design Issue
VIE Magazine - July 2019 - The Artist Issue
VIE Magazine - June 2019 - Fashion Edit
VIE Magazine - May 2019 - Culinary Issue
VIE Magazine - April 2019 - The Health & Wellness Issue
VIE Magazine - Special Entertainment Edition - March 2019
VIE Magazine February 2019 Luxury Homes & Technology Issue with Robbie Antonio of Revolution Precrafted
VIE Magazine - January 2019 - Southern Sophisticate Issue Cover
VIE Magazine - Special Anniversary Travel Edition - December 2018
VIE Magazine - The Goodness Issue - November 2018
VIE Magazine - The Art & Culture Issue - October 2018
VIE Magazine - Home & Garden Issue - September 2018
VIE Magazine - August 2018 Animal Issue
VIE Magazine - July 2018 Architecture & Design Issue - Subscribe to the magazine!
VIE Magazine - June 2018 Travel & Tech Issue
VIE Magazine - May 2018 Couture Issue
VIE Magazine - The Culinary Issue - April 2018 Cover - Chef James Briscione and Brooke Parkhurst
VIE Magazine - The Entertainers Issue - March 2018
VIE Magazine - February 2018 Destination Travel Issue
VIE Magazine - January 2018 Health & Beauty Issue
VIE Magazine, The Sophisticate Issue, December 2017
VIE Magazine - November 2017 Art & Culture Issue
VIE Magazine - October 2017 Home & Garden Issue
VIE Magazine | September 2017 | The Stories and Storytellers Issue
VIE Magazine - The Adventure Issue - August 2017
VIE Magazine - July 2017 - Art & Artist Issue
VIE Magazine - The Voyager Issue - June 2017
VIE magazine 2017 March-April Cover South Walton Fashion Week
VIE Magazine - January/February 2017 - The Health & Beauty Issue
VIE Magazine - Nov/Dec 2016 The Sophisticate Issue
christian siriano vie magazine september october 2016 vie magazine
the modern minimalist issue
Summertime!
the culinary and couture issue march april 2016 vie magazine
the voyager issue alys beach vie magazine january february 2016
cultural issue vie magazine november december 2015
home and garden issue vie magazine september october 2015
the art and style issue vie magazine july august 2015
the wedding issue 2015 May June vie magazine
the food and fashion issue vie magazine march april 2015
the travel issue vie magazine january february 2015
the music issue vie magazine 2014 november december
The Animal Issue vie magazine september october 2014
the home and garden issue vie magazine july august 2014
the wedding issue vie magazine may june 2014
emeril lagasse food and fashion vie magazine
the men's issue january february 2014
the music issue november december 2013 vie magazine
the home and garden issue 2013 october september
the wedding issue vie magazine july august 2013
the artist issue may june 2013 vie magazine
the food and fashion issue march april 2013
the men's issue january february 2013 vie magazine
The Holiday Issue
the love issue july august 2012
the all american summer may june 2012
the entertainment issue march april 2012
the fashion issue vie magazine winter 2011
the home and garden issue vie magazine fall 2011
the anniversary edition vie magazine summer 2011
the wedding issue vie magazine spring 2011
vie magazine the holiday issue 2010 Dec
vintage swimsuits vie magazine 2010 Fall
judith march designer vie magazine summer 2010
wedding giveaway vie magazine spring 2010
holiday gift guide vie magazine winter 2009
emarketing explosion vie magazine fall 2009
tribute to mother's day vie magazine summer 2009
james and robert redford vie magazine spring 2009
zz top vie magazine fall winter 2008
project dreams vie magazine new york fashion week
Sign-up for VIEmail

Sign up for VIEmail


X

A LIFESTYLE