Sometimes a girl just wants a bit of a break right? I love travel. I love what I do. But sometimes even I need to be reminded to slow down and treat myself once in a while. I run two businesses where both involve long hours, I am a mom to a very energetic 3-year old, I’m a wife to a pilot which means I’m solo parenting about 85% of the month, and I have four animals at home with three of them who have health conditions. I love it all and would never change any of it in a million years, but after a bit of time I do start to feel rundown. So when I need a break, where do I go? The answer is simple – Bangkok.
Now you might be wondering, “Why Bangkok?” The city is notoriously busy, loud, and lively. You’d think that I’d be in search of something quieter or more secluded. But Bangkok has everything I love – outstanding cuisine (seriously, name a cuisine better than Thai!), extraordinary cultural and historical landmarks and palaces, and some of the best curated spas the city has to offer. Getting to combine all three even into a quick 48 hour trip is well worth it. So if you’re coming for the weekend or planning on spending the week, here’s how I treat myself in Bangkok.
Maison Ysaé
I’m starting with my favorite escape in Bangkok – Maison Ysaé. I’m crazy enough to want to fly to Bangkok just for an appointment and fly out the same day. I’ve received many different facial treatments around the world over the last 15 years, but to this day absolutely nothing has yet to top this. I always get the My’s signature facial, which is the best of both facials they offer. The facial massages the technicians perform are practically magic. I can literally feel any and all tension essentially melt away and disappear from under my skin. The massage is not painful at all, but it really is rejuvenating. They somehow get in there without causing discomfort, using their hands and tools combined to release pressure and reduce puffiness. The treatment also uses products that deeply penetrate my skin for hydration (I suffer from dry skin even in humid climates), and so I walk out feeling like I have new skin. I’m 36 and have never had any Botox or injections, and I plan on keeping it that way, so these massages and hydrating treatments are essential for me when it comes to anti-aging. I usually go for the 90 minute treatment which involves a private room and time for a lengthy nap while the technicians do their work. When a few of my friends saw me a few hours after my last appointment, their comments were, “Wow, your skin looks snatched.” So go ahead, make an appointment!
Siesta Head Spa
If you visit the Maison Ysaé location in Gaysorn Amarin, you might as well head on over to Siesta Head Spa that is literally right next door. This might be the best head spa I’ve ever been to so far. But this wasn’t just about my head, my hair, or my scalp. This experience was unexpectedly a whole body experience. I opted for the aroma oil tranquility treatment, which not only included a lengthy scalp massage that put me into another dimension, but it also included a lengthy foot and hand massage simultaneously with my scalp, neck, and shoulder massage as I laid down in a lounger I could have sunk into. For one hour my whole body was relieved of tension literally from my head to my toes. After my treatment in a private room, which included a shampoo cleansing, I was brought to their salon where they dried and styled my hair as I sipped tea. My 90-minute treatment was luxurious from start to finish.
Gaysorn Amarin
This gorgeous, multi-storey shopping mall and office building houses incredible local brands as well as restaurants, spas, and a grocery store. Maybe it’s because I live to travel but I love visiting grocery stores in foreign countries and finding local snacks I can bring home. In this case I found a bunch of healthy snacks I knew little bean would love (and I was right because she demolished them within the first few days I was back!). I then decided to check out some local fragrances and I stumbled upon the Thai brand Saisalang. I instantly became obsessed with the Nirund scent and had to buy myself a bottle. It’s a feminine scent without being too sweet. Normally I go for more woody scents, but this one made me feel happy and feminine. I felt it was meant to be. It has now become my signature scent.
Also in Gaysorn Amarin, don’t forget to grab a fresh juice at Plantiful right downstairs. They have a lengthy menu of juices that they can make for you, or you can make your own. I opted to make my own. I usually drink fresh orange, lemon, and ginger juice every morning for my immune system and my skin so that’s what I ordered, but the other customised juice that I’d highly recommend is apple, lime, and ginger. The juices are very refreshing on a hot Bangkok day and also is just another way to treat yourself.
Chenin
For lunch or dinner, one of my favorite casual spots to go to is Chenin in Sukhumvit 31. It’s right around the corner from the original Maison Ysaé location so it’s easy to do both if you wanted to. On my second visit to Bangkok that’s what I did. I ordered myself a nice glass of red wine before diving into dishes of parmesan chips, tomato salad, and the famous “Cheese City” flatbread. Dessert followed with a sinfully delicious sticky date pudding with ice cream, one of my favorite dessert combinations. The Cheese City flatbread is enough for me to keep coming back, though!
Nong Rak
If you’re looking to enjoy a little retail therapy, I found my new favorite designer in Bangkok. Meet Nong Rak. Appropriately named with its meaning being “little love” in Thai, this brand was founded by a lovingly sweet married couple that recently placed as semifinalists for the LMVH prize. They converted an old antique shop on Decho Road into their boutique for their incredible raw Thai silk designs and sensory focused knitwear. Using locally sourced items, they design visually stunning and colourfully creative pieces that will make heads turn wherever you go. I couldn’t resist and had to buy myself a raw Thai silk tunic in light pink.
Makkha Health Spa
This is the ultimate spa experience. Makkha Health Spa is one of the most popular spas in Thailand, with numerous locations throughout the country and several spots in Bangkok alone. If you only have an hour, they have 60-minute treatments or you can enjoy a 4-hour treatment that includes a milky bath, a body scrub, a massage, and a facial. If you just wanted an entire morning or afternoon dedicated to pampering yourself, this is the place. As I hopped into my milky bath with a warm rice tea, a wild and intense thunderstorm roared outside. It provided some unexpected ASMR that helped me to relax and unwind from absolutely everything. After your treatment, which always begin with a foot wash and scrub, your experience ends on a sweet note with a lovely place of mango sticky rice waiting for you.
The two best hotels close to all of these places that I have personally stayed at and can vouch for are Public House and Andaz One Bangkok (see post here). When I’m looking to treat myself in Bangkok, these hotels are perfect for my little getaway. You can also check out what I wore the last time I visited Bangkok here.
I’m looking forward to returning to Bangkok soon and adding to this list! If you’re looking for a solo escape or a pampered trip with your friends, this list has some of the best for that ultimate “treat yourself” experience.
