16 hr layover at BKK
Oct 25, 2017, 11:29 pm
#46
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Osaka
Programs: Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Gold, UA
Posts: 3,158
We ended up with the 10-hr layover in each direction. For the outbound there was no other US award availability, and although all 4 options were showing for the return we decided on the 4 pm flight out of SYD to avoid having to leave early in the morning.
I'm going to book the airside Miracle Hotel for 6 hr in each direction and hope it is not too bad.
I have numerous questions re seats and the BKK lounge, which I will post in the appropriate threads.
Thanks again to everyone for all the advice.
I'm going to book the airside Miracle Hotel for 6 hr in each direction and hope it is not too bad.
I have numerous questions re seats and the BKK lounge, which I will post in the appropriate threads.
Thanks again to everyone for all the advice.
Nov 2, 2017, 1:57 am
#48
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Osaka
Programs: Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Gold, UA
Posts: 3,158
Thank you!
Well, for better or worse, our layover will be 10-10.5 hr each way. Considering deboarding/boarding time, I imagine that leaves a maximum of 9-9.5 hr, and I plan to book the transit hotel for 6 hr. Since I have to specify times, I have some questions re the lounge and spa.
1. The showers in the transit hotel appear to be extremely basic, so we'd like to just sleep there and use the showers in the lounge or spa. From photos I've seen online the showers in the spa seem nicer than those in the lounge. I notice that there are also sauna and steam rooms in the spa. Am I correct in assuming that we can use those even when not getting a massage, and therefor also access the showers in the spa?
2. The spa closes at 11:30 pm. Does that mean the doors actually close then, and therefore the last full-body massage would have to start by 10 pm? Or is 11:30 pm the time of the last reservation?
3. The spa does not take advance reservations, but would it be possible to make a reservation for a 6 am massage upon arrival the night before?
4. Is it possible to select two of the 30-minute massages instead of the 1-hr full-body massage? And if so, to split it with one at arrival and the other the next morning before departure?
5. I read lots of comments about having to take a shower after the oil massage. Is that really necessary? Most times I've had an aromatherapy massage it was just using a warm wet towel to wipe off the excess.
6. Approx. how long before flight departure is it necessary to leave the lounge? Is 30 min enough, or is a full hour needed?
As aways, my thanks to everyone who has taken the time to offer your invaluable advice.
Well, for better or worse, our layover will be 10-10.5 hr each way. Considering deboarding/boarding time, I imagine that leaves a maximum of 9-9.5 hr, and I plan to book the transit hotel for 6 hr. Since I have to specify times, I have some questions re the lounge and spa.
1. The showers in the transit hotel appear to be extremely basic, so we'd like to just sleep there and use the showers in the lounge or spa. From photos I've seen online the showers in the spa seem nicer than those in the lounge. I notice that there are also sauna and steam rooms in the spa. Am I correct in assuming that we can use those even when not getting a massage, and therefor also access the showers in the spa?
2. The spa closes at 11:30 pm. Does that mean the doors actually close then, and therefore the last full-body massage would have to start by 10 pm? Or is 11:30 pm the time of the last reservation?
3. The spa does not take advance reservations, but would it be possible to make a reservation for a 6 am massage upon arrival the night before?
4. Is it possible to select two of the 30-minute massages instead of the 1-hr full-body massage? And if so, to split it with one at arrival and the other the next morning before departure?
5. I read lots of comments about having to take a shower after the oil massage. Is that really necessary? Most times I've had an aromatherapy massage it was just using a warm wet towel to wipe off the excess.
6. Approx. how long before flight departure is it necessary to leave the lounge? Is 30 min enough, or is a full hour needed?
As aways, my thanks to everyone who has taken the time to offer your invaluable advice.
Nov 2, 2017, 2:32 am
#49
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: AU
Programs: former Olympic Airways Gold (yeah - still proud of that!)
Posts: 14,403
3. The spa does not take advance reservations, but would it be possible to make a reservation for a 6 am massage upon arrival the night before?
4. Is it possible to select two of the 30-minute massages instead of the 1-hr full-body massage? And if so, to split it with one at arrival and the other the next morning before departure?
5. I read lots of comments about having to take a shower after the oil massage. Is that really necessary? Most times I've had an aromatherapy massage it was just using a warm wet towel to wipe off the excess.
6. Approx. how long before flight departure is it necessary to leave the lounge? Is 30 min enough, or is a full hour needed?
As aways, my thanks to everyone who has taken the time to offer your invaluable advice.
4. Is it possible to select two of the 30-minute massages instead of the 1-hr full-body massage? And if so, to split it with one at arrival and the other the next morning before departure?
5. I read lots of comments about having to take a shower after the oil massage. Is that really necessary? Most times I've had an aromatherapy massage it was just using a warm wet towel to wipe off the excess.
6. Approx. how long before flight departure is it necessary to leave the lounge? Is 30 min enough, or is a full hour needed?
As aways, my thanks to everyone who has taken the time to offer your invaluable advice.
yes it is possible to have two 30 minute massages rather than one hour. But the '30 minutes' is more like '20' by the time they start late and finish early. The foot massage is ok, but the arm, neck and shoulder varies in quality. I've had some where the therapist has been so uninterested, and applied so little pressure, it was more of an annoyance than relaxing.
I don't know if you can split it overnight for the 2 x 30 minute. I'd go for the one hour.
I'd avoid the oil massage. Go for the thai option. It is absolutely necessary to have a shower after... and it's a long shower to get off all the sticky oil. It took me 15 minutes one time of scrubbing. And you couldn't get dressed without getting all the oil off.
You need to leave the lounge about 20-30 minutes before departure depending where the gate is. They'll come get you and escort you to the plane.
Last edited by LHR/MEL/Europe FF; Nov 2, 2017 at 4:59 am Reason: spelling!!
Nov 2, 2017, 3:46 am
#50
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Osaka
Programs: Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Gold, UA
Posts: 3,158
I'll answer the ones I can...
yes it is possible to have two 30 minute massages rather than one hour. But the '30 minutes' is more like '20' by the time they start late and finish early. The foot massage is ok, but the arm, neck and shoulder varies in quality. I've had some where the therapist has been so uninterested, and applied so little pressure, it was more of an annoyance than relaxing.
I don't know if you can split it overnight for the 2 x 30 minute. I'd go for the one hour.
I'd avoid the oil massage. Go for the thai option. It is absolutely necessary to have a show after... and it's a long shower to get off all the sticky oil. It took me 15 minutes one time of scrubbing. And you couldn't get dressed without getting all the oil off.
You need to leave the lounge about 20-30 minutes before departure depending where the gate is. They'll come get you and escort you to the plane.
yes it is possible to have two 30 minute massages rather than one hour. But the '30 minutes' is more like '20' by the time they start late and finish early. The foot massage is ok, but the arm, neck and shoulder varies in quality. I've had some where the therapist has been so uninterested, and applied so little pressure, it was more of an annoyance than relaxing.
I don't know if you can split it overnight for the 2 x 30 minute. I'd go for the one hour.
I'd avoid the oil massage. Go for the thai option. It is absolutely necessary to have a show after... and it's a long shower to get off all the sticky oil. It took me 15 minutes one time of scrubbing. And you couldn't get dressed without getting all the oil off.
You need to leave the lounge about 20-30 minutes before departure depending where the gate is. They'll come get you and escort you to the plane.
Nov 2, 2017, 4:34 pm
#51
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Sydney, Australia
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott Titanium/LTG, IHG Platinum
Posts: 1,921
I'd avoid the oil massage. Go for the thai option. It is absolutely necessary to have a shower after... and it's a long shower to get off all the sticky oil. It took me 15 minutes one time of scrubbing. And you couldn't get dressed without getting all the oil off.
Nov 2, 2017, 6:07 pm
#52
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: AU
Programs: former Olympic Airways Gold (yeah - still proud of that!)
Posts: 14,403
I am the complete opposite; I shower first so I have nice fresh skin and I never shower after an oil massage. I enjoy being fully lubricated/moisturized especially when I am about to get onto a long haul flight when skin hydration issues is an issue. Plus the scent of the oils can be refreshing/soothing/energizing and there 'may' be other benefits associated with the aromatherapy oil.
My last oil massage at the TG spa I was on the table more or less directly under the outflow of the a/c unit. The oil was applied liberally, and under the cold air became thick and sticky and unpleasant. Requests to change the a/c direction didn't yield results. Getting dressed at that stage would have stained any clothing that came in contact with it.
After that, no more!