I am not sure who first called me the Spa Queen of Asia, but of all the things I have been called over the years of traveling, it is certainly one that I am most happy to nurture and develop!
They say that Asia is ground zero for spas, and whilst my spa addiction may seem to those of you reading this from far off climes a ridiculous extravagance…
Here in the land of a spa every 50 meters.
you don’t need to break the bank for a Sunday night foot massage.
Why are spas so popular in Asia?
With hundreds of years of healing traditions and thousands of spas, this region has an embarrassment of riches when it comes to buying ‘me’ time… they don’t call this the Land of Smiles for nothing!
Thai people had traditionally put an emphasis on their health and well-being through herbal medicines, and the ancient healing system of Ayurveda is popular here.
In Thailand, it is not so expensive to enjoy a massage, or a fragrant hot herbal compress, or some foot reflexology, based on the ancient Chinese theory that your feet are a miniature map of your entire body, and have this as part of your weekly routines.
Thailand has developed a thriving spa economy through the global health and wellness boon. Certainly, anyone coming to Asia for exotic holidays is spoilt for choice to relax the mind, body, and soul!
I’m sure the climate helps too. We all end up more relaxed in the heat than on a rainy day in Melbourne.
How to afford a luxury spa treatment?
We are finding in recent years hotel like to offer their own spa on-site, it’s almost as important a facility, as a swimming pool or gym. For those hotels which have spas, it is becoming increasingly the norm, for hotel packages to throw in complimentary spa massage treatments as readily as free airport transfer, wifi or breakfast included. These are the packages we go for and are my ultimate happy days!
!t is a special part of any holiday to forget your worries and invest in some lemongrass fragrant peace and quiet, skilled TLC, and the priceless feeling of indulgent wellbeing.
In our recent hotel the Hansar, Koh Samui the air conditioning broke down at 9 pm at night, our move to a new room came with an apology from management and two free massages at their Luxsa … A sanctuary for the Senses, Spa. That is my sort of customer service. Don’t mind if I do!
Should you go high-end or beach shack?
In my spa experiences, I’ve had them all, from break-the-bank how much is this luxury costing, to any old-Tuesday-night affordable.
I usually try to balance my spa visits between the two but I do choose carefully…
Get it right and a massage on a beach bamboo mat watching the waves gently lapping at the shore can be awesome.
Get it wrong and it can be anything from a waste of time, to a trip to the doctors!
Wren’s tips for going local!
However the longer that I am here, the more I am inclined to be prepared before I throw myself at the first beachside Thai massage!
THAI MASSAGE
Firstly I never do a Thai massage unless I know the therapist is a very well-trained practitioner. I have never liked anyone pushing me around and the sound of various parts of my body cracking and the ‘velly good’ giggle of the therapist has put me off. I generally prefer a relaxing oil massage.
MANI/PEDI
Secondly, I never do a manicure or pedicure without knowing the place is stringent with its sterilizing equipment. Tricky in Thailand. Having ended up in a Bangkok hospital with a toe infection and a doctor wanting to remove a quarter of my big toenail just to be sure, I now am pretty careful about where I go.
I always travel with my own manicure kit, I don’t allow the cutting of the cuticles, and I even learned the hard way to take your own nail polish as these can pass on a fungal nail infection. As for those fish-eating all your dried skin – No, not for me!
ZEN WREN
So sadly I have become a lot less adventurous. these days I’m more discerning about my spa treatments, and a lot less polished than when I first arrived. But you won’t find a more Zen Wren on occasions post a spa visit.. and maybe, just maybe that why we are all living in the Land of Smiles!
For more please check out :
- Expat Life in Thailand: Wisdom on Wellbeing
- Kamalaya Wellness: Koh Samui
- Chao Praya Herbal Medicine Centre
- Spa Queen of Asia – This is the Life
5 comments
Very interesting Wren! I enjoy an occasional massage and regular pedicures, but I think would be a little nervous about getting them where I didn’t speak the language. Suppose I’d assume that the ones in the hotel would be OK though. The thing about the polish scared me — maybe I should start taking my own …. somehow never even thought about where that bottle brush had been before me (although I always check that a new salon cleans the footbaths well before I commit.)
Hi Sallie – Yes I had never thought about the polish until my podiatrist warned me.n Although don’t forget we live in the tropics, bugs thrive here, I’m sure in your nice neighbourhood you’re fine! I’m glad it’s not just me with the footbaths though lol!
Have a great week.
Wren x
I know some who would love all those spas. Not me, however. It sounds like you learned some hard lessons the hard way.
Sounds like we skip the spa and head straight for the afternoon tea, liz!
I love the Spa’s and the tranquility, Bangkok is such a busy place… It’s lovely when you find a great spa place and now I have learned (you’re right sometimes the hard way!) how to find the good one I’m happy.
A Zen Wren takes work! haha
Thanks for your visits.
Wren x
I’ve never been to a spa outside my own little bubble-neighborhood. Sounds very adventurous!