SPaaaaaahs

[kyshel]

I just found a little GEM of a spa in Bangkok. It's the Ruen-Orchid Spa near Lumphini Park, in the embassy area. I discovered the website thru an Asia travel forum. I checked her website and it looked appealing. After a few emails we reserved 3-4 hours prior to heading off for a red-eye flight to Seoul. Our package consisted of a body scrub, shower and aromatherapy massage in a treatment room for two--PLUS spa manicures and pedicures. Such an outstanding value in a lovely atmosphere (not luxurious by Western standards, but better Thai style). Our total bill was a bit more than $100 US including service charges. If anyne is connecting, it's worth the $12 taxi each way to spend 5-6 hours if need be to while away the time between flights.

[bonniejoy03]

Just back from Hotel Punta Islita in Costa Rica (see my blog.) The spa at PI has been updated. It truly is beautiful. There a few stone soaking tubs to use prior to treatments. There are only about 3 treatment rooms but each looks out over the valley almost to the ocean. It is serene and tranquil experience. The prices seemed less than most spas I have been to. There is a spa treatment included in some of the LL auctions. It is funny because this same spa in the late 90's was in a little room with a person holding a bowl in their lap for a pedicure. It sure has come along way. During high season, they offer their massages on the beach. LOVELY!

[maylinglai1]

Back from Vegas with a few spa comments to add to the post on Canyon Ranch which I give a 3 out of 5 stars. It's a lovely full amenity type of spot. However, it is attached to a gym and lacks the peaceful serene environment that would allow me to call it a spa over spa treatments attached to a gym.

Also, the Venetian, in its rush to be the biggest on the strip, has not expanded the spa facilities. After they finish their final tower, I heard they will have nearly 15,000 rooms. That is all well in good, but not if you want to use their spa. Even if people are not getting treatments, the gym also uses the same lockers. I think quite a few more people happily pay for the gym then get treatments. Regardless, those that use the gym bring a totally different energy to the locker room, which is crowded and in dire need of expansion of the bathrooms. There are 4 toilets and I was constantly waiting in line.

To comment further on that, it is not so much that waiting in line is an issue for me. It is more that the bathrooms are not so attractive. Clean for sure, not nearly as bad as my experience at the Mandara Spa at the Paris in Vegas. However, the decor is a pink and marginally nicer version of what my high school had. Given that most restroom facilities in the Venetian are marbled and beautiful, it's quite a shock to the system to be in the bathrooms at the Canyan Ranch.

The treatments/treatment rooms were quite nice. And the massages were good. The waiting area has all the wonderful amenities one would expect. It simply has too many people. I think there are around 30-50 treatments going on at a time. It's possibly the exact oppositive of what I am use to in the way of treatment waiting rooms. Also, they have not completely blended gym and spa. It is as bright as a gym in many areas of the spa.

The positive thing I can mention is that the service was quite good. We checked out of our room and the spa happily stored our luggage as well as gave us use of the locker for the day. Incidentally, to me, 3pm the day you are departing is a perfect solution for the dilemma of the 10/11pm flight from Vegas. For years, I have struggled between that late night flight or taking the 6am out to return to the East coast. Having Spa day at 3pm on the day of check out for a 10pm flight is the best solution I have found in 4 years and multiple trips to Vegas. In that regard, I highly recommend the spa for those that are in Vegas and trying to figure out how to manage the East coast return.

[kyshel]

Hi May--I'm confused about which spa you are reviewing in the last 3 paragraphs. (Maybe jet lag?) I plan to get to Vegas SOME day (after all the years my husband flew transcont and I never accompanied him!! Silly me, missing the free hotel!)

[maylinglai1]

Sorry, whole post (2 down) was on the Canyon Ranch Spa at the Venetian. The Mandara Spa at the Paris, I think I referred to in an earlier post. Just back from Milan and went to a wonderful spa there.

Bulgari Hotel Espa in Milan...gets a BIG THUMBS UP!!!
Part of my bias comes from the fact that I went right after getting off the plane. I think in some ways that made the massage bed feel even softer than usual. The staff was incredibly friendly and though it's the largest facility, we were completely alone while my friend and I were there.

They have a wonderful pool in their pre/post relaxation room and a turkish bath (steam room). It is Co-ed and they require bathing suits (some people have strong feelings about that in their spa experience, so I include this detail).

All the details were attended to. The locker room was spotless. The showers are 4 jet plus the rainfull shower head and hand spray thing. The amenities in the locker room were of high quality. The towels and robes were wonderfully soft turkish cotton. The relaxation room offered a wonderful ginseng-ish hot tea, various fruit flavored waters, and regular bottled water. They also had this incredibly tastey biscoti and various dried fruits. YUM!! It was the perfect place to get over jet lag.

The treatments were nice as well. Though the masseuse didn't speak English well, she was incredibly nice and tried hard to communicate and provide a nice spa experience.

The Bulgari hotel itself is wonderful. If anyone is staying there, I highly recommend it for it's attention to detail as well as location. Will suggest to the LL moderators.

A+ all around.




Message Edited by maylinglai1 on 11-27-2007 09:25 PM

[jashermd]

Hello May,

Sounds like Bulgari ticks all the right boxes in both accommodation and spa facilities (as well they should for the rates they charge). I've already suggested it to the editors -- if you do as well maybe it will motivate them to approach the hotel! In general I've found ESPA spas to be lovely though admittedly my sample size is small.

I was a bit surprised to hear about how the Canyon Ranch at the Venetian has gone downhill -- I took my mum to Vegas for her birthday shortly after the Venetian opened and the spa was really nice then, presumably because the hotel was newer and not as full (and there were many fewer rooms). It's great to have a current update on how things have gone -- personally I'm not inclined to go back to Vegas but my mum may want to at some point so this is good to know.

Cheers,
Julian

[kkbutler79]

Kyshel, thanks for starting such a great discussion thread! I wanted to add one unique spa experience in Baden Baden, Germany. It's a small town in the Black Forest region of Germany which is very close to the French border at Strasbourg. The town has enjoyed a traditional spa here for the past 125 years and it's called the Friedrichsbad. It's actually a nude spa, so you'll need to check your modesty at the door! Men and women are separated for the majority of the spa experience. After checking your clothing, you'll move from station to station to take part in each formal step of the bath. The stations range from a sauna with eucalyptus steam to a cold water plunge. The final stage is a napping room. The attendants wrap you up in a warm blanket in a dim, quiet room. It is incredibly relaxing and extremely inexpensive - about $40 for 3.5 hours! I found this to be a way to relax while also experiencing the tradition and culture of Baden Baden. I would love to return withmy husband and combine the trip with one of the LL packages in Strasbourg or elsewhere in the Alsace Lorraine region of France to do some wine tastings and further relaxation!



Good luck with your quest to find the perfect spa for your vacation....