broadwayboy

Could anyone please recommend any fabulous day/hotel spas in BKK? I am considering the spas at either Banyan Tree, CHI Spa at Shangri-La or The Oriental, but haven't (and couldn't) made up my mind yet. I am planning on getting a 4 hr or so treatment package, which I'm sure would be delightful after an almost 24hr trip from NYC.

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Mogensen

It seems as if The Oriental Spa, at The Oriental, Bangkok according to CNTraveller is the most highly rated spa in Bangkok: http://www.mandarinoriental.com/hotel/510000004.asp

francophile

Both the Shangri-La and the Oriental have excellent spa facilities. The SL has a brand new facility. The inside feels very much like a temple, with wood everywhere. It's a bit dark inside the SL spa.

Both places have great service. The SL has lower prices but both have excellent service. Have a great time!

naxos

Only been to the oriental Spa- and returned more than once- great service!

Sandal

When will you be in town? I just been informed by the Hyatt people in BKK that they will open new spa called "I Sawan" accepting guest from July 15. Having visit newest "Plateau Spa" in HK and very impressed, I'm also looking forward to experiencing the same quality in BKK.

Check with them and pls share yr experience.

broadwayboy

I wish I could try the new one at GH, but when I was there last week, they said the new spa won't be ready until late July/early August. The temporary ones are guestrooms converted into massage rooms. Not pretty.

I tried 3 spas in Bangkok and one in Hua Hin. They are CHI in Shangrila, Sheraton Grande and VAREENA in Westin and ANANTARA in Hua Hin.

The best one - in terms of treatment and facility, is by far, CHI at Shangrila. The treatment room is bigger than the size of most guestrooms. The tub filled with petals of flowers is wonderful - the private steam room with colored-light therapy is interesting. I had a 3 hr treatment and absolutely loved it. Each treatment room has a dressing room, a glass covered garden, a giant "over-flowing" tub, double sinks, a toilet, and a steam room. It's HUGE!

VAREENA spa is brand-new. It's not bad. They have a ridiculously large treatment suite, which is in the corner of the building. INMO total waste of space. Sheraton's spa looks very dated and old. It needs a face lift.

The ANANTARA spa in Hua-Hin is quite lovely. The single treatment room has an outdoor rain-shower - but the many windowed-room could be a little too bright for a massage, even with the drapes drawn. But then again, they do cover your eyes with a mask...

In terms of therapists, I found them all to be very good. Both VAREENA and Sheraton's spa have no male therapists, but CHI and ANANTARA do.

I am in Bali now and have so far tried 4 spas. I should post them under separate threads, I would imagine...

Sandal

It's WOW!!!!!!!! All newTechnogym equipment with the display panel and TV in the same panel. It's the most beautiful fitness club in the country. The spa treatment room is also up the highest level gadget you expected: your personal IPOD with the special speaker. My wife enjoys the nail bar in the beautiful garden. It's a WOW...WOW!!!!!!

The spa treatment they have also at the par level of the ambience with the proper consultation session. I do impressed the whole experience: the ambience, the music, the smell, the treatment, therapist and the real fresh fruit juice.

stimpy

I recently tried both the Oriental and the Mandara Spa at the Royal Orchid. Of course the entire experience of staying at the Oriental is incredible. And the spa itself is very nice. But I have to say that though the trappings of the Mandara aren't quite as nice as the Oriental, I had excellent service at a great price there. Starwood Platinum members get 15% off, so I ended up paying about $50US for an 50 minute facial which included as a suprise bonus an almost full Thai massage. I think I was actually in there for about 90 minutes. They have a nice rooftop garden you can walk through if you arrive early.

christep

You mean everything except the happy ending?

macintosh

One option is the Four Seasons Bangkok. A lovely spa and the hotel offers in-room massages until 2 am. A blessing when checking in at midnight, which is what I do after arriving on UA 837/881. The Cabana suites are very special. Enjoy your stay.

Sandal

New residential spa cottage designed by Tony Shi at the GH. They are in the promotional period at US$399 for one night stay plus ABF and treatment in the bungalow. Look at the Hyatt gold passport website.

hkguy

just came back from bkk and tried the spa at the metropolitan

although the service was good and professional, the atmosphere was only so so unless you enjoy minimalism a lot. the treatment room reminded me of a medical clinic. anyway it was still a nice treatment and relatively inexpensive. would definitely try to book the chi spa next time.

Moonlight

I heard about the new spa, but have not seen any pictures on it. Have you seen? When I was last there, they were constructing, but if it is done along the same lines as the Residence meeting space, then I would not be worried.

The 'residence' was excellent, a totally new concept of multi-functional meeting facility. I totally love the loft kitchen where we had our breaks. They had parlors in every meeting room, ideal to have smaller meetings away form the main activity.

Ha! I'm ranting away...hoping that someone in my company will read this and organise another meeting there. (my next trip is on leisure, but then again there is the spa)

JNelson113

From the moment you walk in the door, you will be treated like absolute royalty.

The massage is the best I have ever had anywhere. Don't miss!

I am sooooo jealous that you get to go!

transpac

A Spa review, Chi at the Shangri-La, from today's Bangkok Post. I think they regularly review Spas (maybe on Fridays?) so I'll try to remember to post subsequent reviews...

A journey through the senses

This six-star spa employs a concept that embodies ancient healing traditions and mystic rituals of China and the Himalayas

KANOKPORN CHANASONGKRAM

I've never been to Tibet, never climbed the Himalayas and the closest I got to the roof of the world was when I watched Tomb Raider. Recently though, at Shangri-La Hotel Bangkok I did find myself in a situation not unlike a Lara Croft adventure.

The dramatic light spilling through the lattice screen washing down a split-face stone wall, the Himalayan artifacts, the smell of scented incense and aromatic oils, the sound of singing bowls _ what was I doing in a Tibetan temple? It was a state of mind of course, and Chi The Spa at Shangri-La was about to take me on a rejuvenating journey.

The 1,000-square-metre spa is renowned for having the largest private spa suites in Bangkok. The nine suites include shower, sauna, steam, bathing, changing and lounging facilities. After stepping into the tastefully opulent suite, the relaxing ritual started with sipping herbal tea, followed by foot soaking and foot pounding which were a prelude to signature therapies prescribed for my metal profile.

Chi The Spa at Shangri-La Hotel Bangkok opens daily from 10am-10pm. For more information, call 02-236-7777.