Find a Day Spa, Guide for Day Spa Reviews

Hidden within the bustle of busy Bangkok, the Shine Spa at the Bandara Suites is an oasis of calm. It’s a welcome retreat after days full of shopping and immersing ourselves in the local culture.

Driving through the hustle and bustle of Bangkok, I lose all sense of direction as our driver negotiates narrow roads and lanes until we finally reach our destination. I’m completely hot and bothered by the time we arrive, but as soon as I walk through the door, my stress levels plummet in the coolness and fragrance of the spa foyer.

The Bandara Suites Silom is a boutique hotel that caters mainly for longer-term guests who are in Bangkok on business, but it is also ideal for short stopovers and even families. It has two swimming pools, gym, five star restaurant and of course Shine Spa. We are shown to our suite quickly and efficiently. It is a soothingly decorated two bedroom apartment on the 26th floor with kitchen facilities and two bathrooms.

Busy Bangkok is far beneath us and the views across the city are superb. We are greeted with fresh flowers in every room and a bowl of tropical fruit. I’m here in Thailand on a mother-daughter holiday and I have done my best to choose an itinerary that will enlighten and entertain my seven-year-old daughter. It’s hard to find a balance between what I want to experience and what a seven-year-old will draw inspiration from, especially in 98% humidity! We’ve saved the girliest of experiences for this last stopover in Bangkok: shopping and pampering. I don’t need to tell you there are great shopping experiences to be had in Bangkok, from bargaining in the many colourful markets to unique boutique stores and uber-shopping mall experiences. Choosing the Bandara Suites as our base, we are able to balance the bustle of shopping with a relaxing spa treatment or lounge by the pool.

Shop

To take the stress out of shopping, we opt for a guided shopping tour, which proves to be the perfect solution when you’re strapped for time in an unfamiliar city. World Wide Shopping Tours is a fantastic tour company that even ships your purchases home, so you don’t have to pay excess baggage charges. They have all sorts of shopping tours in Bangkok – even a chocolate lover’s shopping tour.

Our shopping experience starts with a trip to the floating markets in Ratjaburi, which begin for locals at 7am with meat, fruit and vegetables, later replaced by handicrafts and souvenirs for tourists like us who don’t get up that early. Shopping by boat is a unique experience. We sample Khanom Buang – delicious coconut cream pancakes, cooked on a boat and handed to us on the end of a long pole.

An integral part of the Asian shopping experience is the ubiquitous mall. CentralWorld in Bangkok has over 500 retail outlets, so there’s really no need to shop anywhere else. There are great shops for kids full of cutesy anime stationary, branded merchandise and collectables. If you want some ‘me’ time to shop for shoes, bags and – well – shoes, there is also supervised childcare.

Eat

One of the highlights of our mother/daughter Bangkok experience is without doubt the Baipai Thai Cooking School. It is one of a few that allow children to participate and very reasonably priced. We are taken first to the local market for a lesson in purchasing spices and fresh produce.

The range of spices at the markets is amazing – it’s an aromatic feast!

At school we learn how to make coconut sticky rice, savoury prawn salad, satay chicken and chicken with cashew nuts. Cooking with your kids is great fun. My daughter is teacher’s little helper and revels in her new-found responsibility. After feasting on our creations and congratulating ourselves on our new culinary skills, we return to the hotel for a spot of relaxation.

Relax

This is my chance to retreat to Shine Spa to experience their signature treatment. There is barely audible, soothing music as I walk through the door to be presented with a cup of chilled green tea. Meanwhile my daughter is happily playing in the pool outside watched by a babysitter organised by the concierge. I’m escorted to my treatment room where I start with a refreshing shower, then change into a robe and settle onto the massage table.

I have opted for the Bandara Ultimate Care treatment – 150 minutes of bliss, starting with a 90-minute massage, followed by a facial. The aromatherapy massage of my choice is a soothing and relaxing massage that combines digital pressure to stimulate the chi, or life force energy, using therapeutic oils. Gentle strokes promote circulation, relaxing the body and calming the spirit. The facial I choose is the vital nutrition treatment, recommended for dehydrated skin.

After a week in the sun, it’s just what the doctor ordered. First there’s gentle exfoliation with apricot, followed by a soothing massage with essential oils. Then I’m treated to a creamy mask of shea butter and avocado, followed by repairing skin care. I emerge feeling completely relaxed and rejuvenated, ready to face the flight home to Sydney!

For further information:

Bandara Suites - Silom 75/1 Saladaeng Road Silom Bangrak Bangkok 10500. Phone (66 2) 266 0505 www.bandarabangkok.com. Shine Spa is open daily from 10am-10pm. Phone (66 2) 66 0505 ext 225 spa@bandarabangkok.com

Worlwide Shopping Tours - 1300 558 203 www.worldwideshoppingtours.com.au

Baipai Thai Cooking School www.baipai.com (66 2) 294 9027 info@baipai.com

Shopping in Bangkok

Shopping Malls MBK - a good selection of Thai handicrafts and a wide range of electronics, plus movies and ten pin bowling.

Esplanade - combines shopping with art and entertainment, featuring exhibitions, music and poetry, plus an ice rink for the kids.

Siam Paragon - your pick of luxury goods, plus Ocean World - the largest aquarium in the region.

Markets Chatuchak - on weekends you can buy everything from puppies to antiques.

Pak Khlong Talat - Thailand’s largest wholesale flower market is worth a visit for the spectacle of colour.

Sukhumvit Road - you can buy everything here: clothes (designer ripoffs), watches, handicrafts, CDs and DVDs.

Silom Night Market - another of Bangkok’s huge markets where you can buy everything under the sun and there is also nightly entertainment.

Was this article helpful?