Spa Review: The Peninsula Bangkok

Treatment suite

Treatment room

Fitness centre

For us, visits to Thailand come with the stipulation that we cram in as many spa treatments as possible. There are of course options to fit all budgets and a lot of the roadside therapists are incredibly talented, but we do think it’s worth the splurge to indulge in an upscale spa treatment. We visited The Peninsula Spa on our most recent trip to Bangkok and we quickly learned when it comes to massages, quality trumps quantity.

And when it comes to Thai massage, it doesn't get much better than the Peninsula Bangkok, particularly since the hotel joined forces with the Wat Pho Temple Traditional Medical and Massage School to create a Thai Massage teaching programme that teaches therapists at the Peninsula Spa traditional Thai massage.

Nestled in a stunning three-storey colonial-style building located just beyond the pool area, the Peninsula Spa combines Thai design and contemporary accents. The extensive spa menu ranges from body treatments and facials to male-centric treatments and wellness journeys which include half or full day treatments that offer the ultimate in pampering and indulgence.

The treatment rooms are decorated in dark wood and long with dimmed lighting perfectly sets the scene for relaxation. Our private spa suite for two featured a large tub (which we enjoyed for 20 minutes beforehand) and relaxation chairs. There was also a steam shower and vanity area for freshening up after your treatment.

We opted for the Simply Peninsula Thai Herbal Compress Massage which was designed to release muscle tension and energize the body. The 80-minute treatment utilizes the healing powers of herbs by way of a warm herbal compress applied to the skin which steams open pores and allows the essential oils to sink in. The massage itself was a combination of gentle circular movements and slightly more robust rolling motions that in combination work to break down tight travel-weary muscles into a state of relaxation.

For those coming from drier regions (and particularly those with sensitive skin) to perpetually moist Thailand, a facial is a great way to ease your skin into the new climate. The Soin Lissant treatment calms and soothes sensitive skin by hydrating and renewing. If you’re looking to turn back the clock, try the Second Skin Facial. One of the one of the most recent additions to the spa menu, it was designed specifically to aid regeneration and comes equipped with potent anti-ageing ingredients.

If you deserve the half-day affair, we urge you to try the Bangkok Retreat. Perfect for the morning after a long day of sightseeing and shopping, the four-hour journey couples an intense Thai yoga massage with a skin brightening and age-defying facial to leave you looking great and feeling fighting fit and perfectly limber.

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