• Choose a category
• All
• Classic-Fiction

METRO MASSAGE

Map

lower ground fl, Robinsons Department Store, Soi 19, Th Sukhumvit; foot massage 250B; Asok exit 5

At the entrance to Tops Supermarket, underneath Robinsons and the Golden Arches, this modest little foot massage place is always busy because staff really know how to rub a foot. Highly recommended if you’re in the area.

MULBERRY SPA

Map

0 2664 1888; www.mulberryspa.com; 132 Soi 23, Th Sukhumvit; 1hr massage from 600B; 10am-midnight; Asok exit 2

Set in a classic 1960s-era Sukhumvit home, Mulberry finds a fairly priced balance between pampering and quality massage in a soothing and professionally run atmosphere.

NAKORNTHON THAI MEDICAL SPA

Map

0 2416 5454; www.nakornthonhospital.com; 12th fl, Nakornthon Hospital, Th Phra Ram II; 90 mins traditional massage 550B, packages from 3600B; 9am-9pm; access by taxi

The wellness centre of this Bangkok hospital has a traditional Thai medicine wing, combining spa therapy with ancient Thai techniques. The primary practice is đam·ràp torng, which uses the application of gold leaf and herbs to rejuvenate skin and restore collagen. Other treatments focus on nutritional evaluations and aromatherapy to ensure the balance of the body’s essential elements: earth, wind, water and fire.

ORIENTAL SPA

Map

0 2659 0444; www.mandarinoriental.com; Oriental Hotel, 48 Soi 40, Th Charoen Krung; 10am-10pm; half-day packages from 10,000B; from Oriental Hotel; Saphan Taksin

The Oriental Spa is one of the original hotel superspas and is considered one of the best in the region. Set in a delightful riverside location opposite the hotel itself (and accessed via private launch), it offers nine different massage techniques and numerous health treatments – perhaps an Urdwangam head massage (3300B for one hour) as hangover cure. Privacy is one of the spa’s main strengths, with individual and couples’ suites (shower, massage tables and steam room) keeping camera-shy celebs happy. And the packages, in particular, wear rock-star price tags. Bookings are essential.

RASAYANA RETREAT

Map

0 2662 4803; www.rasayanaretreat.com; 41/1 Soi Prommit off Soi 39, Th Sukhumvit; massage/packages from 500/3100B; Phrom Phong exit 3

Rasayana combines basic beauty and massage treatments with holistic healing techniques, such as detoxification, colonic irrigation and hypnotherapy, for reasonable prices.

RUEN-NUAD MASSAGE & YOGA

Map

0 2632 2662/3; 42 Th Convent, Th Silom; 1hr traditional massage 350B; 10am-10pm; Si Lom exit 2; Sala Daeng exit 2

Just the right mix of old and new, Ruen-Nuad is set in a charming converted wooden house opposite BNH Hospital. It has partitioned massage stations, creating a mood of pampering and privacy typical of spa facilities, but at very reasonable parlour prices.

SPA 1930

Map

0 2254 8606; www.spa1930.com; 42 Soi Tonson, Th Ploenchit; massage/packages from 1200/3800B; 9.30am-9.30pm; Chit Lom exit 4

Largely eschewing the contrived spa ambience of New Age music and ingredients you’d rather see at a dinner party (though we did notice some ‘foot butter’), this high-end, high-priced spa on embassy row has a small menu that concentrates on the simple (face, body care and body massage). All scrubs and massage oils are based in traditional Thai herbal remedies.

WAT PHO MASSAGE PAVILIONS

Map

0 2221 3686; www.watpomassage.com; Wat Pho, Th Sanam Chai; 1hr Thai massage 360B, foot massage 360B; 8am-6.30pm; Tha Tien (N8)

These two air-conditioned săh·lah (pavilions) near the eastern entrance to the temple grounds are run by the school affiliated with Wat Pho, which is the country’s primary training centre for Thai traditional massage. The menu is short but the quality is guaranteed, and after a day of temple sightseeing it’s hard to think of a better way to cool down and chill out. For details of massage courses at the nearby school, see Click here.

* * *

BANGKOK MASSAGE 101

Bangkok has hundreds of massage options, from tiny shops with a couple of masseuses to resort-style spas that have honed pampering to a fine