The Oriental Spa at The Oriental, Bangkok, Thailand - a spa review by Julie Register at DiscoverSpas.com

The Oriental Spa at The Oriental, Bangkok, Thailand
Julie Register visited this hotel spa in Bangkok, Thailand in June 2001

I was on my way to a "Perfect Day" at the award-winning Oriental Spa at the award-winning Oriental, Bangkok hotel. I was looking forward to seeing the former residence of literary greats Joseph Conrad, Somerset Maugham, Noel Coward, and James Michener (among others). I was also curious to see what made this property stand out from the crowd. The taxi turned down an alley barely wide enough for two cars to pass. We drove a block or so toward the river and turned right into the hotel's driveway. Banners announced the hotel's 125th anniversary as we pulled up to the entrance. I was greeted at the door by a pleasant Thai woman who asked, "May I help you, Madame?" I told her I had an appointment at the spa. She said the spa was located across the river and she would show me where to catch the ferry which runs regularly every 5-10 minutes between the hotel and the complex where the Sala Rim Naam Restaurant, Thai Culture Programme, Thai Cooking School, and Oriental Spa are located. She escorted me through the hotel lobby and Author's Lounge and out to the terrace alongside the Chao Phya River.After the short ferry ride across the busy river, I wandered past the interesting mix of colonial-style and Thai-style buildings to the back of the property where the spa is located. With every step, the lush plants, placid water, and quiet increasingly enveloped me with calm and isolated me from the city beyond. Spa magic had cast its spell before I even opened the door.

The Oriental Spa building is styled like a traditional Thai house finished in golden teak wood. I stepped across the threshold and was greeted by a wonderful aroma of lemongrass and other unidentified Thai herbs. I left my shoes next to the others by the door (a Thai tradition), and checked in at the registration desk. A very tired looking gentleman had just finished making arrangements for a Jet Lag Massage. If he stayed awake for the whole treatment, I'm sure he enjoyed it. My treatment, "The Perfect Day," required me to make a choice between a Papaya Body Polish and a Oriental Body Glow. I chose the latter. I was also asked if I had a preference for lunch. Both Thai & Western spa cuisine are offered. I chose Thai.

With those difficult decisions behind me, I was led to a lovely room that was to be mine for the better part of the next five hours. The room - suite, really - was finished in teak wood, had a large closet with a safe, bathroom, vanity area, steam/jet shower, and a raised platform with a thin mat on it. I was asked to change into a robe and slippers and leave my things in the closet. I had time to take a shower if I wanted one. I did. When I finished, my therapist, Ms. Nirin, came in and asked me to lie on the mat. She rubbed a gooey mixture of honey and Thai herbs all over my body to exfoliate the skin. The aroma was rich and appealing but unfamiliar. I showered off, noted how soft my skin felt, and returned to the mat which had fresh sheets on it. Ms. Nirin then gave me a superb massage that ended with special attention to the feet. Time felt suspended, but I had already passed two of my five hours. For a change of scenery and more appropriate equipment, Ms. Nirin escorted me to another room for my facial. She examined my skin and chose the appropriate facial using Thalgo products. Another hour blissfully slipped by. It was now time for lunch and I returned to "my" room where a tray of food had been brought in. The menu consisted of :

The food was quite spicy, especially the curry, but very flavorful and filling. I had a steam, then got dressed. Ms. Nirin escorted me to a chair in an open area. She pulled up a small stool and gave me a manicure. No high tech nail stations here. I alternatively balanced a bowl of water on my lap for one hand to soak in while Ms. Nirin worked on the other hand. I thought it would be a good time for a Thai language lesson. I'm afraid the only phrases I remember are Sawadee Kha (hello - spoken by a female) and Khawb Khun Kha (thank you - spoken by a female). That was the end of my "Perfect Day." And it was a perfect day. Khawb Khun Kha to Ms. Nirin and the Oriental Spa.

***

The Oriental Spa gives the appearance of being a long-standing Bangkok institution. In reality, it is relatively new - opening in September 1993. It was the first spa in Thailand. Thailand was late coming on the spa scene. The Oriental took time to study the best of what the rest of the world had to offer before creating their own spa. Privacy is emphasized. There are ten standard suites like the one I was in, three deluxe suites, the Oriental Suite, three facial rooms, two hydrotherapy rooms, and a manicure/pedicure area. In addition to the lovely facility, The Oriental Spa's extensive service menu blends ancient Thai herbal remedies and modern European treatments. According to Spa, Health & Fitness Manager, Orawan Choeyso90awat, skilled staff is key to the Oriental Spa's success. The 20+ therapists receive ongoing training. Ms. Orawan also mentioned that the spa was being freshened up with new floors and paint. She is looking into expanding the spa hours by opening earlier.

The Oriental Spa's clientele is mostly leisure with many honeymooners and guests celebrating anniversaries. Fifty percent of its visitors are men. It has been visited by a number of well-known people from around the world - HRH Crown Prince Frederick, George Bush, Earl Spencer, Boris Becker, Elizabeth Taylor, Pierce Brosnan, and Goldie Hawn,.

In addition to the spa, The Oriental offers personalized exercise programs, a gym with advanced equipment, steam and Finnish sauna, two open-air tennis courts, two air-conditioned squash courts, two table tennis tables, a jogging track, private shower, changing and cloak rooms, hair dryers, aerobic dance classes, and personal lockers.

More Photos

Steam Shower in my Treatment Room

Lunch

Couples Suite Entrance

Treatment Room Entrance

Couples Suite Treatment Area

Couples Suite Steam Shower

Oriental Spa Treatments

Spa Therapy Body Treatments

Papaya Body Polish
Oriental Prelude Treatment
Oriental Body Glow
Oriental Salt Glow
Oriental Herbal Wrap Treatment
Sun Kiss Treatment
Oriental Herbal Pack
Rejuvenating Body Treatment
Oriental Body Wellness
Body Toning Treatment
Body Contouring Treatment
Revitalising Seaweed Treatment
Oriental Mud Wrap
Marine Prelude Treatment
Aromanceane-Slender Treatment
Stimulating Leg Treatment
Oriental Balneotherm Treatment
Marine Balneotherm Treatment
Golden Moor Balneotherm Treatment
Bust Firming Enhancement
Manicure
Pedicure
Oriental Luxury Manicure (Inclusive of Paraffin Wax Treatment)
Oriental Luxury Pedicure (Inclusive of Paraffin Wax Treatment)

Massages

Stress Recovery Back & Shoulder Massage
Oriental Foot Massage
Swedish Massage
Essential Oil Massage
Jet Lag Massage
Oriental Massage

Facial Treatments

Express Facial
European Facial
Stress Recovery Facial
Revitalising Marine Facial
Sunburn Recovery Facial
Oriental Aroma Facial
Personalised Cleansing Facial
Floral Mask Facial
Intensive Collagen Retexturing Facial
Intensive Collagen Eye Contouring
Intensive Collagen Neck Firming
Neck and Decollete Treatment (concurrent with facial)
Firming Actilift Treatment
Firming Actilift Treatment (series of 6)
Intensive Collagen Retexturising Facial with Intensive Collagen Eye Countouring
Intensive Collagen Retexturising Facial with Intensive Collagen Neck Firming
Nourishing Treatment Actilift
Aroma Men's Cleansing Facial
Marine Men's Cleansing Facial

Waxing

Chin
Lip
Underarms
Half Legs
Full Legs
Bikini

Supplementary

Deluxe Suite (with Sauna and Whirlpool)
Oriental Suite (with Sauna and Whirlpool)
Gourmet Minceur Cuisine Lunch and Dinner

Full Day Spa Programmes
(Also available: Half Day Spa Programmes and Three Day / Two Night Packages)

Oriental Romance (6 hours) - For Couple

Two Oriental Herbal Wrap Treatments - 60 minutes
Two Oriental Massages - 90 minutes
Two Intensive Collagen Retexturing Facials with collagen eye contouring treatment - 90 minutes
or
Nourishing Treatment Actilift - 90 minutes
Two Manicures or Pedicures - 60 minutes
Two Cuisine Minceur Meals - 60 minutes
Herbal Tea, Fruit Juice or Mineral Water

Anniversary Celebration (6 hours) - For Couple

Two Marine Balneotherm Treatments - 60 minutes
Two Revitalising Seaweed Treatments - 60 minutes
Two Essential Oil Massages - 60 minutes
Two Oriental Foot Massages - 30 minutes
Two Floral Mask Facials - 90 minutes
or
Personalised Cleansing Facials - 90 minutes
Two Cuisine Minceur Meals - 60 minutes
Herbal Tea, Fruit Juice or Mineral Water

Exclusive Madame (5 hours)

One Body Contouring Treatment - 90 minutes
or
Body Toning Treatment - 90 minutes
One Stress Recovery Back & Shoulder Massage - 30 minutes
One European Facial - 60 minutes
or
Stress Recovery Facial - 60 minutes
or
Revitalising Marine Facial - 60 minutes
Neck & Decollete Treatment (concurrent with facial)
One Manicure or Pedicure - 60 minutes
Two Cuisine Minceur Meals - 60 minutes
Herbal Tea, Fruit Juice or Mineral Water

The Oriental Spa Day (5 hours, 30 minutes)

One Oriental Herbal Wrap Treatment - 60 minutes
One Oriental Balneotherm Treatment - 60 minutes
One Oriental Massage - 90 minutes
One European Facial - 60 minutes
or
Stress Recovery Facial - 60 minutes
or
Revitalizing Marine Facial - 60 minutes
One Cuisine Minceur Meal - 60 minutes
Herbal Tea, Fruit Juice or Mineral Water

The Perfect Day (5 hours)

One Papaya Body Polish - 30 minutes
or
Oriental Body Glow - 30 minutes
One Swedish Massage - 60 minutes
One Oriental Foot Massage - 30 minutes
One European Facial - 60 minutes
or
Stress Recovery Facial - 60 minutes
or
Revitalizing Marine Facial - 60 minutes
One Manicure or Pedicure - 60 minutes
One Cuisine Minceur Meal - 60 minutes
Herbal Tea, Fruit Juice or Mineral Water