Spas in Chiang Mai and spa treatments
Day spas in Chiang Mai go from budget to splurge
There are many options for day spas in Chiang Mai, ranging from the full luxury treatment to more down-to-earth treatment with matching prices. In fact, Chiang Mai is an ideal place to indulge yourself since its spas offer some of the best value in all of Thailand. The Thais do the spa experience very well, including their own Thai massage treatments delivered with their usual pleasant and soft character at a fraction of the price back home.
The growth in spas in Thailand in recent years reflects the Thais' expertise in creating a relaxing, tropical environment and offering a pampering experience. An afternoon spent in these peaceful spas of Chiang Mai is certainly a rejuvenating reward. The following are some of the most popular spas in town:
Sinativa Spa: a long established spa in the Nimminhemin area with a good reputation. They offer skin detoxification, facial treatment, a relaxing full body holistic aroma massage, anti-oxidant body scrub, herbal steam, and a mineral scented floral bath in a Jacuzzi. Open: 08:00 - 22:00, 22/1 Nimmanhaemin Road, Soi 9, tel: (053) 217 928, email: vital7@csloxinfo.com.
Cheeva Spa: featuring alarger and more luxurious premises, Cheeva Spa continues to offer the best possible massage and beauty treatments in Chiang Mai. Customers from around the world return year after year for the wonderful service that Khun Parisa and her staff provide. Open: 10:00 - 21:30, 2 Hussadisewee Road, Sriphum, tel: (053) 405 129, mobile: 081 961 0578, email: cheevaspa@hotmail.com.
Rarinjinda Wellness Spa and Resort: relatively new facility with a new standard in independent spas opposite the Riverside restaurant. Unlike the lovely landscaped atmosphere of others, this is an actual live-in centre with a luxurious resort/hotel and fully-equipped spa, all in one modern building. These professionals offer a complete wellness experience. 1, 14 Chareonraj Road, Watkate, tel: (053) 247 000, (053) 303 030, email: majo@rarinjinda.com.
Peak Spa: pampering yourself at the luxurious Peak Spa is the perfect antidote to the hustle and bustle of city life. The chic and contemporary settling is matched by the first class service received. Hair cuts and colouring, and pedicures and manicures are all available from expert staff. Open 10:00 - 22:00, Twin Peak Chiangmai F1, 187/13 Changklan Road (near the Night Bazaar), tel: (053) 818 869, 089 757 9852, email: contact@peak-spa.com.
Oasis Spa: over the past few years this award-winning spa has become one of the leading spa groups in Thailand and now has two well-appointed branches, with one conveniently located in the old town beside Wat Phra Singh; another in the Nimmenhemin area. Facilities include a Jacuzzi and steam bath and they offer a range of packages to suit all budgets and time scales, in nice surroundings. Open: 10:00-22:00; Chiangmai Oasis Spa - 102 Sirimuangkarajan Road; Lanna Oasis Spa - 4 Samlan Tambon Prasing, tel: (053) 920 111.
Oasis is one of the leading spas in Chiang Mai
Rawee-Waree Resort & Spa: this resort and spa is the height of luxury to the north of the ancient Lanna capital of Chiang Mai. It combines fresh air, peace and tranquillity with a range of exceptional treatments. All this comes with the traditional warm Thai smile and welcome that melts troubles away. Open 10:00 - 19:00, off Mae Rim Road (near Mae taman Elephant Camp), Tambon Keudchang, Mae Taeng, tel: (053) 317 539-40, email: info@raweeareeresort.com.
Ban Sabai: located on Charoen Prathet road alongside the river, this Chiang Mai spa offers a relaxing retreat with affordable prices in a convenient location. They also have a resort spa outside the city in San Phi Sua, if you need to get away from the hustle and bustle. 219 Moo 9, San Pee Sua, tel: (053) 854 778–9, mobile: 082 762 8310, email: village@bansabaivillage.com, reservation@bansabaivillage.com.
Ping Nakara Boutique Hotel & Spa: intimate hotel and resort constructed in elegant 19th century colonial style. It boasts a quiet ambience, while refined architecture bestows a peaceful atmosphere from which it is possible to explore historic Chiang Mai. Natural materials have been used throughout the 19 guest rooms and the standard of spa treatments mirrors this exquisite attention to detail. Open 10:00 - 22:00, 135/9 Charoenprathet Road, Chang Klan, tel: (053) 252 999, email: info@pingnakara.com.
The Dheva Spa: the ultimate in luxury, in the exceptional grounds of the Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi, this is not only the last word in posh, but is also housed in an extraordinary recreation of a Mandalay temple. It is a tad expensive but offers high quality treatment suites, with staff trained to the highest level in ayurvedic and health treatment methods. Open: 09:00 - 21:00, 51/4 Chiang Mai-Sankampaeng Road, Moo 1, Tasala, tel: (053) 888 888, email: mocnx-enquiry@mohg.com.
The Spa Resort: sprawling resort dedicated entirely to well being practices, set among a pretty hillside lychee grove north of the city. It offers an holistic approach to health based on programmes developed by well know practitioner Guy Hopkins. Spa treatments, detox, meditation, yoga, nutrition training and exercise are all on the menu, much more than day spa. Open 08:00 - 20:00, 165 Moo4, Huaysai, Mae Rim, tel: (053) 920 888, email: info@thespachiangmai.com.
Four Seasons Spa: hotel spa offering a five star service, chosen as the 'World's Best Spa' by Conde Nast Traveller (UK) in the 2007 Reader's Award. It features seven spacious treatment suites offering total privacy for individuals or couples and a host of rare products and special treatments. No detail has been spared in this venue to create the ultimate atmopshere and experience. Open 09:00 - 21:00, Mae Rim-Samoeng Old Road, Mae Rim, tel: (053) 298 181.
Chur Medical Spa: situated centrally on Changmoi road, this spa has treatments that work on your cellulite and stress to firm your body. It's a more modest, affordable option and experienced staff will give you consultations before and after treatment. 265 Chang Moi Road (new city centre), tel: (053) 233 923.
Angsana Spa: located at the Green View International Resort on the Chiang Mai-Mae Rim road, Angsana is a sister brand of the award-winning Banyan Tree resort and spa group. Here, you can spend a day being treated like royalty - you can do a treatment with a friend too, as they have double treatment rooms as well! Reservations are a must and the spa will provide free pick-up. 183/1 Chotana Road, Mae Sa-Mae Rim, tel: (053) 297 716, 299 752, email: greenview@greenviewresort.com.
Tao Garden Health Spa and Resort: remotely located spa with a good detox and slimming program, including chi organ massage, karsai genital detox massage, deeper skin detox and a herbal skin detox. Their scientific approach to health is blended with a natural environment and they are located in a lovely natural setting outside Chiang Mai. Office hours: 08.00 – 19.00, spa reservation: 08:00 – 17:00, 274 Moo 7, Luang Nua, Doi Saket, tel: (053) 921 200, email: info@tao-garden.com, Skype: taogarden1.
Rada Spa: for those on a budget who can do without the boutique gardens, this small spa offers massage, facial treatment and other programmes at prices more in line with massage shops, yet with a quality service and friendly staff. Located in the Nimminhemin area, it is especially popular with locals. Open 09:00 - 22:00, Soi 3, Nimminhemin, 2/2 Soi 3 Nimmanhaemin Road, Suthep, tel: 089 556 1103 (English), 053 220 407 (Chinese), email: rada1974@yahoo.com.
More on spas in Chiang Mai
These are some of the best spas in the city and a few hours in one of them can cost anywhere from 2,000 to 8,000 baht. There are dozens more to choose from, though, and many modest places that are actually massage and beauty salons passing off as spas. Some also sell spa products produced locally, while others have created a spa-like environment and can offer relaxing treatments which might suit the pockets of the budget traveller. If you’re short on time or money, then settle for one of the massage shops we also recommend.
For those who are more interested in learning about how to give spa treatments or Thai massages, there are also courses available. These can range from one-day 'experience'-type courses to full-blown certification courses that can take up to three months to complete. A very popular and renowned massage school is the Thai Massage School of Chiang Mai (TMC) on the Chiang Mai-Maejo road. It has a course to suit your interest, budget and time (tel: (053) 854 330-1). A full accreditation course is also available and the massage school also offers massages - it is sometimes possible to get free massages from the students as well, but these have to be booked in advance. The school can be reached at (tel: (053) 218 632).
Updated and correct: January 2012
