Flore Pleno

2/F, Fenix Tower, 570 Sukhumvit 31, 02-662-2621. Open daily noon-10pm.
www.florepleno.com.

The concept: Hidden in a high-end skyscraper, this spa is furnished in modern Victorian style. The plain white walls adorned with oh-so-British flowery curlicues will thrill ladies-who-lunch and their wannabe-Londoner daughters. With its light pink touches, the spa might be too feminine for some, but princesses will just love it.

The facilities: Four spa service rooms and one mani-pedi area with all the facilities en-suite. Each room is painted with a different color to suit the treatment delivered within. The people at Flore Pleno believe that color can affect your mood and mind, so this allows you to receive even greater benefits from your treatment.

Signature treatment: One favorite is the “Tropical Wine Spa Delight” (B3,000/120-180 mins), where you are dipped in wine heated to 40°c, which is supposed to detox and rejuvenate your skin and mind. “Chamomile & Lavender Soothing” (B3,000/120-180 mins) is the preferred option if you’ve had a hectic week, since both chamomile and lavender have relaxing and soothing properties. Your metrosexual pal may opt for the “Extreme & Sport Massage” (B1,800/90 mins) that eases sore muscles and relaxes body and soul.

Price: Starting from B600 (a simple Foot Relax treatment) up to B30,000 (pre-wedding couple package). Somewhere in the middle is the “Timeless Rejuvenate” with caviar and pearl cream (B3,200).

Trinity Nail & Massage

2/F, The Third Place Bangkok, Thonglor Soi 10, 02-390-0655.
Open daily 10am-10pm.

The concept: Clean, modern and affordable—that’s Trinity Nail & Massage’s motto. It positions itself between high-end hotels and neighborhood day-spas with its fine-yet-reasonably priced treatments. The owner guarantees the products used here are of similar quality as The Oriental Spa and Mandara. Hygiene is also the key as Trinity Nail & Massage strives to be on the leading edge of sanitation and cleanliness. No musty towels or unclean pedicure equipment.

The facilities: The spa is relatively small, but it has all the amenities you’d want for a relaxing respite. Draped in dark purple, Trinity Nail Massage is equipped with four treatment rooms and five reclining chairs for foot massage, pedicure and manicure. The spa is willing to set up its chairs on the alfresco terrace for outdoorsy clients.

Signature treatments: The spa developed its treatments to suit the trinity of Thai, Japanese and Western clients. Drop by for a quick “Foot and Hand Spa” that offers a full manicure and pedicure along with hand and foot scrub and mask. Nail paint is also included in the treatment. Just choose you favorite nail colors from OPI and the skilled staff will have your fingers painted in no time. The four-hand massage, in which two therapists harmoniously perform a rub down with the same pressure and speed on corresponding spots, is also recommended.

Prices: The four-hand massage is B1,590/90 mins, while the “Hand and Foot Spa” is B500.Through February, however, Trinity Nail & Massage offers 30% discount for those who drop by before 2pm. The 2-hour treatment that includes body scrub, body mask and aromatherapy massage is also on offer at B990 until the end of this month.

Suk Spa

1/30 Sukhumvit 11, 02-651-2672. Open daily 11:30am-11pm. www.sukspa.com.

The concept: A boutique spa, tucked away in a sub soi of Sukhumvit 11. The theme is suburban Thai, with wood all around. You’ll be amazed that stepping inside takes you outside (again). The treatments rely on the four elements and real traditional folk herbs, which you can always go in search of outside Bangkok, where you’ll find chonnabot elders.

The facilities: Six rooms, two of which come with en-suite bathrooms (the others share their bathrooms and toilets). The en-suite rooms have outdoor showers and ohng (you do the pouring). A single Thai folk herbal steam tent, similar to a monk’s umbrella-like tent, is placed on the patio of the spa room just opposite the hair spa section. A mani-pedi section is on the third floor in what could be a living room.

Signature treatment: The anti-stress back and shoulder massage (B800/60 mins) uses heated mor klua (hot salt in a pot) instead of using luuk prakob like other spas, even placing it over crinum lily (plub plueng), just like grannies do. The “Suk Spa Massage” (B1,600/90 mins), a combination of Thai, aromatherapy and Balinese, is designed to soothe, cleanse and stimulate your blood circulation with the help of traditional Thai hot oil.

Price: Starting from B650 for the foot massage to B1,700-3,250 for the Suk Spa packages that include several different treatments in one go.

Urban Retreat

31/10 Soi Phromjai, Sukhumvit Soi 39, 02-204-2008/9,
www.urbanretreatspa.net. Open daily 10am-10pm.

The concept: Like its name suggest, Urban Retreat sets itself as a haven for urbanites, providing various relaxing treatments far from the hustle and bustle of the city. Urban Retreat is where you can get away from it all for a few hours and let the therapists rub away the stress of your day every day without breaking the bank.

The facilities: Five foot massage stations—six singles and one double—all fit on the second floor, but Urban Retreat manages its space very well. There is ample room to relax and enjoy the pleasure of peaceful privacy in the virginal white décor that evokes a cozy ambiance of a Hua Hin beach house.

Signature treatments: The “Urban Touch” treatment combines therapeutic Indonesian and Thai massage techniques with pampering Maldives-styled moves. If soft and clear skin is what you seek, try the “Shea Butter Body Massage” which promises to help soothe and moisturize your dry and sun-damaged skin. Facial treatments, which use products from Dermalogica, are also popular among Japanese housewives.

Prices: The most affordable treatment is Thai massage for B300/hour. “Urban Touch” and “Shea Butter Body Massage” are both B800/hour. Or opt for the February promotion at B990 that treats you to a 90-minute treatment of chocolate scrub and aroma oil massage.