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1- Japan | Part 2 – Vietnam | Part 3 – Cambodia
I’m finishing off this series with our stay in Thailand. Famous for Thai massages, they did not disappoint!
Location: Khunka (Rachadamnoen, Old City)
Treatment: 60 minute back, neck, and shoulder massage with oil
Cost: 390 baht + 50 baht tip ($14)
Details: So this was my next favorite massage after the Park Hyatt massage. The spa actually smelled like a spa when we walked in! They washed our feet in lime water and then were escorted to the top floor for our massage. The masseuse was great – harder when I asked and lighter when I wussed out. I’m not entirely sure how often they change the sheets we were laying on…..but I’m going to tell myself they change them after every patron.
Location: Peak Spa (South East of the old city, near the Shangri-La hotel)
Treatment: hair wash
Cost: 200 baht, ~$7
Details: This spa smelled amazing the moment I walked in. If I closed my eyes, it was just like any other spa I’ve been to in the US. Heck, even with my eyes open it even looked like an American spa. I didn’t make an appointment, so I had to wait about 30 minutes. But once it was my turn, I was in bliss! The scrubbing is not as hard and vigorous as in Vietnam – but it was still more than sufficient. I think they ended up washing my hair 4 times – because I had “a lot of hair”. These were the friendliest girls so far. Chatting with me about where I was from and if I was enjoying my time in Chiang Mai. They blew it out nice and straight and I was on my way. Felt pretty quick compared to my hair wash in Hanoi. And the spa was beautiful. Spendy for the massages, but a great deal on a hair wash!
Location: Fah Lanna Massage (East of the old city, near the night bazaar and near the Vanilla Place Hotel, just west of the iron bridge – there are 2 locations, this is the smaller one and NOT the one often referenced on trip advisor)
Treatment: Thai Massage (and a back, neck and shoulder massage for Nick)
Cost: 200 baht for 60 minutes (Thai), 350 baht for 60 minutes (back, neck and shoulder)
Details: This is a very small spa and you need to make reservations. It costs 100 baht to reserve your spot, but you can use it towards your service. So no biggy. I had a Thai massage. This was my first Thai massage, and after the cambodian massage fiasco, I was nervous. My masseuse was awesome! Do you stretch using a foam roller and/or tennis ball? This woman used her forearms like a foam roller and her elbow like a tennis ball. It was awesome. It was like 1 hr of stretching, but she did all the hard work! We ended with a back arch that felt pretty awesome…..now Nick’s massage was not as bueno. First, his lady was a little chatty – but not with Nick, with my masseuse….in Thai. So we got a little annoyed. He thought she was pressing on bones more than muscle and he was not nearly as excited about the back arch as I was. Did I mention that I went into the massage with a mild flare up of plantar fasciitis and came out all cleared up? Magic! I didn’t get the name of my woman, but she was pretty fit, and had a short, almost pixie cut.
Location: Aleenta Hua Hin
Treatment: Thai Massage
Cost: Free, 30 minutes (Thai) (included as part of our hotel)
Details: This was, hands down, the best view. We were in an open room overlooking the beach and ocean. Very calm and peaceful. We had a 30 minute Thai massage that was nothing to write home about. But it was great to just relax at the end of our trip.
Location: BKK, Thai Airways Spa
Treatment: Thai Massage (back, neck and shoulder massage)
Cost: Free, included with the airfare
Details: So….unbeknownst to us, Thai Airways provides free 30 minute massages for business class passengers (Thank You, Dad!). So of course we indulged. The spa is very quiet and clean. Made all the more relaxing when you contrast it with the crazyness going on right outside the door! There are also lots of snacks for you to enjoy before or after your treatment and they serve you your choice of tea after your treatment. The massage was performed in a chair, fully clothed and even got out a few kinks. A great way to start out our (long) journey home!
That’s it! All wrapped it. Favorite massage? Still probably the Park Hyatt (which is good, since it was by far the most expensive). Worst? Cambodia. Cheapest? Free. Next cheapest? $6.
Tough job, but someone had to do it!