Bliss. That's really the best word to describe the Oriental Bangkok spa experience.
Located across the river from the famous Oriental hotel, the Spa is part of a complex that also contains the hotel's Thai restaurant, cooking school and fitness center. A quick - and actually quite fun - boat ride will take you from the hotel's terraces across the busy river.
| Take your shoes off before you enter the Spa building. A reception area decked out in beautiful hardwood welcomes you for a few hours of ecstasy. Two or more beautiful Thai receptionists will greet you with the traditional 'Wai' gesture (two hands pressed together at chin height, combined with a little bow) and offer you ice tea or scented water. The fragrance of lemongrass or other Thai spices and flowers fill the air. This is where you select the treatments you would like. |
Next, your Spa therapist will take you into one of many private treatment rooms. These rooms feature a large shower that doubles as a steam room, private toilet, inroom safe for your valuables, and a large futon used for massages. At the Oriental Spa, you don't move between treatment rooms, but the treatment comes to you... Unless you have chosen a 'wet' treatment: in that case, you will be taken to a room with a Vichy shower (five showerheads on a bar that will spray you from top to toe, while you lie down on a marble table), a hydrotherapy bath (bathtub with hundreds of holes through which water and air are sprayed at pressure points in your body) and a wet treatment table.
The therapists (choose male or female) are all very demure, well-trained, polite and will ensure that you have a great, professional treatment. I especially liked my Swedish massage, body wraps and body scrubs. The facial treatment I received was not as good as some that I have received at other spas. Very relaxing, but not very cleansing.
Your treatment is concluded with tea, high quality toiletries and plenty of time to get ready for the outside world. Although by now, the trip across the river might seem too much of an effort!
Prices are quite high for Bangkok standards, but comparable to treatments in Europe or the US. You will need to make reservations, as the Spa is hugely popular. During the winter season, the Oriental hotel will not accept advance reservations if you do not stay at the hotel. You can try to get a last minute appointment by calling the spa on the day of treatment, but might have difficulties getting in.
Click here to make your spa resort reservation at The Oriental Spa, Bangkok.
For a list of other Bangkok Hotels, click here.