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Thailand’s Top Spas

Spa holidays in Thailand are legendary. But perhaps not that well known by the male fraternity. For years female visitors have been indulging in a number of beauty treatments. Aesthetic clinics abound that focus on the beauty that is skin deep, while professional beauty salons offer everything from silk eyelash extensions to permanent eyebrow tattoos. However, men are catching on and catching up!

For general wellness, the country is also well known as a medical tourism hub, with a number of dental clinics offering everything from restorative to cosmetic dentistry. More complicated treatments such as dental crowns, veneers, or implants are also available but require planning.

Fitness-inclined travelers have endless classes and gyms to use. There are Body fit classes, cross training, and Muay Thai not to mention Thai boxing. Easier venues all around are the basic commodities of the beach and sea.

Climbers can enjoy Krabi’s coastal limestone formations, and just outside Chiang Mai, the lesser-known crag called Crazy Horse Buttress offers climbing routes for beginners and pros.

But spas are more and more catering to couples as the male gender learns, at last, to benefit from the experience. I inspected and experienced four of the top hotel spas in Thailand, based in and around the island of Phuket. Here are my findings.

Indigo Pearl

Indigo Pearl Spa

The ‘Cocoon Spa’ at the Indigo Pearl Phuket, sets in a wonderful ‘bird’s nest’ and adapted its treatment to suit my jet-lagged needs. Not the proposed manicures or pedicures for me but lots of neck and shoulder work! Not to mention the soothing pungent choice of oils such as eucalyptus, peppermint, lemongrass, sesame, coconut, and bergamot orange.

Sarojin Spa

Sarojin Spa

The ‘Pathways Spa’ is positioned close to the beach in order for the lapping of the Andaman Sea and bird songs to be incorporated into the experience. Pathways float over the central energy lay line of the resort and have been lovingly created by the owners Andrew and Kate Kemp to look through a coconut grove and over and beyond to the Andaman Sea. You get there by a discrete wooden walkway and the Spa forms a key part of The Sarojin‘s wellness experience. There are four open-air treatment pavilions (two doubles and two singles). There are rain showers, in keeping with the philosophy of the owners’ wish to embrace the natural surroundings. There are also couples’ baths, as well as an air-conditioned facial treatment room, and an open-air post-spa relaxation area.

Keemala Spa

Keemala Spa

At Keemala, I had a facial in one of the eight ‘mala’, massage rooms. My face was first steamed to open the pores, then cleansed, then steamed, then cleansed again with lotions to stimulate the blood vessels, bringing me out, or so I felt, in a more youthful glow. And why not! How odd that it’s a part of the body so often under-pampered.

Amanpuri Phuket Spa

Amanpuri Spa

Amanpuri’s spa is wonderfully located in a secluded coconut grove complete with water features and outside pavilions (‘salas’) comprising aromatic varnished teak, for yoga, meditation, and pilates. The vegetation and bird life cling and sing in an attractive fashion beside the delightful features and therapy rooms. It’s a hillside retreat that uses its own specially prepared, purely natural products. It is dedicated to nourishing in unison the body and soul. I spent a highly beneficial hour here.

Adam Jacot de Boinod
Adam Jacot de Boinod
Adam Jacot de Boinod is a freelance international journalist covering the world's languages, cultural comparisons, and travel destinations. He worked on the first series of the BBC program QI for Stephen Fry and is an author on languages.
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