Storefront Spas in Bangkok

Storefront Spas offer fewer, but more specialized services than Standalone Spas, and are ubiquitous throughout Bangkok. They appeal to the walk-in trade, and very few have facilities for parking cars. Many Storefront Spas welcome women, and often offer foot massage and aromatherapy as well.

Spa Rooms

The typical spa room has a large shower/bath, queen-size bed for massage, with plenty of towels. Drinks can be ordered, standard price is 20 baht per drinker, to share one bottle, or 40 baht per bottle for each drinker. Typically, the drink server makes 800 baht ($25 USD) per month and depends on your tips, so please be generous to these low-paid workers.

Spa Masseuse Categories

Masseuses may be selected by viewing directly in formal seating areas, or by photo cards. In Standalone Spas, masseuses are sometimes classified according to the following categories: Superstar, or VIP: These terms describe the masseuses, rather than services. They are considered the “stars” of the establishment, and generally offer only light massage. They charge more than non-VIP masseuses who offer the same services. “Sideline” Masseuses: Sideline masseuses are generally seated to the side of the glassed-in viewing area (where standard masseuses are found), or in a separate seating area. They are often college-age, therefore somewhat younger than the standard masseuses, and charge more. “Standard” Masseuses: Standard masseuses are found seated in the general viewing area, are older than VIP and Sideline masseuses, and in general have superior massage skills compared to the other two categories.

Typical massage services offered are:

• Body-to-body (BTB) massage: This generally occurs on a pool-size rubber air mattress, adjacent to the large bathtub, either by “soapy” or “oily” massage.
• Thai massage (TM): Standard Thai massage, utilizing traditional techniques.
• Hand massage (HM): Massage using hands only.

Selected Men’s Spas

The following Storefront Spas are typical Bangkok offerings. Please see the key above that describes services offered.

Washington Square (Sukhumvit Soi 22) area

Sazanka, 29/14-15 Soi 22 Sukhumvit Road, Tel: 02-663-4245, GPS: N13°43.890’, E100°33.974’ Offering Korean style salt skin-peeling “Akasuri” and lotion massage, with hot towel wrap and HM. Prices vary according to time and services, but the Salt Tapping and Steam Towel, lotion Massage, at 1,180 baht for 100 minutes is highly recommended.

Lavender Massage, 7 Sukhumvit 22, Tel: 087-933-8084, GPS: N13°43.941’, E100°33.881’ TM 1 hour @200 baht, 2 hours @300 baht Oil or Lotion massage 1 hour @300 baht, 2 hours @ 500 baht

Sukhumvit Soi 4 Area

Annie’s Massage, 1st Floor, Rajah Hotel, 18 Sukhumvit Soi 2-4, Tel: 02-251-5680, www.anniesbangkok.com GPS: N13°44.416’, E100°33.127’ Offering HM for 1,500 baht, 1.5 hours.