During one of our first trips to Bangkok, Eric found a fabulous Bangkok spa close to our apartment rental. What we didn’t know at the time was that Dahra Spa offered not only one of the best Thai body massages, but also the best couple massage Bangkok, Thailand, could offer. We booked our next visit to Thailand in order to be close to Dahra.
And, when we moved to Bangkok, we choose a building only a few blocks away. I was thrilled to be within walking distance of what I now consider my absolute favorite spa in Bangkok.
Guide To Booking a Couple Massage In Bangkok
In this post, I will share the details of our couple massage in Bangkok experience, including information on how to book this treatment. Most importantly, this is a legitimate massage, and one of the best things to do as a couple in Bangkok. T
his makes this post a little different than other, more nefarious posts, about how to spend your time in Thailand. you know the ones I am talking about. I will also share some general Thai massage and travel tips for Thailand as well.
Check out Dahra Spa Bangkok Reviews – Updated for 2020
What Is A Thai Massage
The massages that most people are used to experiencing in the Western world include oil and long, strong strokes. That is certainly not a Thai massage. Thai massage is more, well, interactive.
When I receive a Thai massage, first they offer me an outfit to change into. Eric often leaves his own t-shirt on as the spa shirts are usually way too small. We lay down on cushions on the floor, and the Thai massage begins.
There is a lot of squeezing and kneading, along with a lot of interactive stretching and pulling. It is not uncommon to feel like a pretzel. The Thai massage therapist ends up straddling, or sometimes even standing, on top of the guest.
A well-trained Thai massage therapist will ask whether the guest wants their massage soft, medium, or hard. I used to always ask for hard. Perhaps I thought that if I asked for anything less than a hard massage I would not be getting my money’s worth.
After several really good Thai massages at Dahra Spa in Bangkok, though, I realized it was time to start requesting medium.
Either way, at the end of a Thai massage, I feel, remarkably, relaxed. Shockingly so, because a Thai massage is not as inherently relaxing as a western oil massage. Yet, despite that, I do always feel better after.
There is something about the Thai massage therapists attention to trigger points that just releases the tension. You can find cheap Thai massages all over Bangkok for as little as $5, but the quality is not as good. Sometimes they are so bad you could end up hurting yourself. That is why I recommend going to a recommended spa for a Thai massage.
Other Bangkok Massage Treatments
It’s easy to book all sorts of massage treatments in Bangkok. Treatments can include Thai massage, western oil massages, shoulder and back massages, and foot massages. Spas are everywhere, particularly around the busy tourist areas on Sukhumvit Road.
Even at the busy weekend market, you can find a place to get a foot massage for only a few dollars. Our friend once called many of these massage parlors to be perfect for a good slap around, but they do not offer great quality or even clean facilities.
Where to Stay in Bangkok
Mandarin Oriental, a luxury option, on the Chao Phraya river, and very historic, with rooms from $500 a night. Grab a cocktail at the famous Bamboo Bar and use the hotel riverboat for transport (Check out Trip Advisor Reviews here | Book here)
Sofitel So Bangkok, a contemporary option, away from the noise of Sukhumvit, but still centrally located, with rooms from $160 a night. Their rooftop bar offers a view over Bangkok that cannot be found anywhere else. (Check out Trip Advisor Reviews here | Book here)
Pullman G Bangkok, another contemporary value option, again away from the noise of Sukhumvit, with rooms from $115 a night. They offer one of the best burgers in Bangkok downstairs and a great cocktail bar with views upstairs. This option is also only a 5-minute walk from Dahra Spa (Check out Trip Advisor Reviews here | Book here)
What Is Dahra Spa?
Dahra Spa is a little oasis in the bustling city. It is unbelievably serene and well appointed. And not that much more expensive than the cheap-o Bangkok massage places, with lines of chairs for foot massages in the window, and bored Thai massage girls playing on their phones waiting for customers.
Yes, Bangkok massage prices can be super cheap. But, sometimes it’s better to splurge just a little bit for a really good Bangkok massage.
Dahra is heavenly in comparison to the cheaper Thailand massage places. We’ve done a few Thai massages at Dhara, and a foot massage in a quiet little room that allowed us to take a nap while getting a foot massage. It was like multitasking. For relaxation.
While living in Bangkok we visited Dahra every few weeks for almost two years. Yes, it was our local Bangkok spa, and no they are not paying me to say this! It was our local Bangkok massage spot.
How to Book a Thai Couples Massage in Bangkok
We wanted to splurge on a full spa day in Bangkok and knew Dahra was the way to go. They offer amazing deals if you book on the Dahra website. And, I swear they are not paying me to say any of this. Their half day couples spa package was 50% off, and other treatments and Thai massages booked online were 20% off.
We arrived just as the spa was opening. The spa receptionist walked us through our choices for our 3 hour and 45 minute couples spa day in Bangkok, including scrub, wrap, and facial.
The choices were diverse, and we walked through the choices with the receptionist based on our skin types, the fact that we were hungover. You know, the usual when traveling in Bangkok. We walked upstairs to the couples spa room to begin the treatment.
We each put on the little spa panties, and they were, honestly, the best spa panties I ever used. And, I have worn a lot of spa panties.
Book a one-day Thai Massage Class in Bangkok – From $160
A Thai Couples Massage – The Scrub
After a traditional Thai herbal compress, we moved onto our scrubs. I choose a coffee scrub, which was mixed with salt to rid the body of toxins. I thought this was a good idea after our evening out with friends.
Nothing like showing up for a treatment like this slightly hungover, but I am sure I am not the only person who has arrived for a couples spa day in Bangkok, of all cities, after a late night out.
Eric chose the sea coconut scrub to combat dry skin. We both smelled fabulous after the therapists spent a good amount of time rubbing the scrubs all over our bodies.
At the end, we were told to take a shower to clean off the scrub. After a new pair of spa panties, we laid back down on the tables for a wrap. Eric paused on the way back to give me a little kiss on the forehead, so romantic he is.
Check out other Fun Honeymoon Ideas here
How to “Enjoy” a Couples Massage in Bangkok – The Wrap
Neither of has had ever had a spa wrap before. I was not sure what to expect. I chose the black sesame seed wrap to smooth and moisten the skin.
Eric chose the licorice wrap, which restores damaged and inflamed skin. We each laid down on plastic wrap covered tables, Dexter style, and they started to rub the product all over.
A few short minutes later they wrapped us up, like a couple of burritos. They pulled the sides of the plastic wrap over us and placed another layer on the top. They covered us in a large towel.
And then, wrapped some heavy blanket around us, until we each looked like mummies. Just after the women left the room I said to Eric “Well, this is new.” I wish I had a photo to share, but there was no way to escape. And, therein lies the problem.
I am naturally fidgety, always have been. It is one of the reasons why mediation is super hard for me. When they wrapped us up I tried a little mind over matter. I don’t think I had ever lasted this long without moving.
I was able to survive for most of the thirty minutes by catching a bit of a snooze. Eric fell asleep as well and I could hear a light snore coming from his massage table just as I woke up.
Within a minute or two after waking I realized I could not stay plastic wrapped much longer. We chatted a bit, Eric saying he felt like a “glazed donut.” I felt a bit of anxiety. I had not moved a millimeter the entire time.
I stretched my fingers out. I stretched my toes. It was like I opened the floodgates of movement, resulting in a freak out of sorts.
I bent my knees to release my back, which distorted the blanket and wrap, and like a butterfly from a cocoon, I sort of exploded myself out of the wrap. When my massage lady returned, she sort of looked at me all disheveled and said “oh, ok.”
I informed her it was just a bit too long for me. In the end, I lasted about 25 minutes before freaking out, but I was pleased to move onto the next stage.
Massage & More – Best Couple Spa in Bangkok?
But, first a shower, our second of the treatment. Man, I had scrub and black sesame seeds all over. And I mean ALL over. It took some time. On with another pair of spa panties, and for the next stage, a rejuvenating oil massage, which was heavenly.
After I just had to rinse the oil off. I felt as though I would have turned into a fried chicken if I walked out in the Bangkok sun with all of that oil.
After our third shower of the spa day, and back into our street clothes, we were escorted downstairs to the facial room. Eric’s massage lady was joking that she deserved a big tip because Eric had such a big body.
I was not sure how I felt about that comment after she had just spent close to three hours working on Eric in his tiny little spa panties. When I mentioned this later to Eric he just smiled and shrugged his shoulders.
When it came time for the facial, Eric went Asian with a green tea facial, while I chose the “desincrusting facial” to extract impurities from the skin. It was lovely and refreshing, but my body was starting to cry out.
I had just spent too long laying down in the middle of the day. Perhaps it is not normal to spend close to four hours getting treatments during a spa day in Bangkok, but I am so glad we had the experience at Dahra Spa.
See what other travelers have to say about Dahra Spa on TripAdvisor
The Perfect Spa Day in Bangkok?
Was it the perfect couples spa day in Bangkok? I never anticipated it would be the cheesy, romantic couples experience. We are just not like that. For us, Dahra Spa was perfect, because we had some lovely spa treatments, and had fun and laughs. Even with my fidgety wrap disaster, it was money well spent.
Dahra Spa & The Best Couple Massage Bangkok Offers
Dahra Spa, the best spa in Bangkok for couples, is located on Silom Road near the Chong Nonsi BTS. Book online for great discounts, including 20% off all treatments. We booked the full spa package on a promotion, and by booking online, saved 50%. That meant our 3 hour and 45 minute couples massage in Bangkok cost only $75 a person!
FAQs About the Best Spa in Bangkok
Dahra Spa is, in our opinion, the best Thailand massage spa in the Silom Road area, in central Bangkok. They also offer a second location on Sukhumvit, between Sois 20 and 22. The second location is just as clean and peaceful even though it is surrounded by a lot more Bangkok spa competition.
Most places that are in the running for the best spa in Bangkok will offer decent spa panties, which means you wear nothing else. If you are considered about residual oil after, perhaps wear something dark or old. For a traditional Thai massage, they will offer you a shirt and pants to wear. For a foot massage, you just wear your regular close and roll up your pants if need be.
There is no cost to reserve your Thai massage treatments through their website. It’s possible to pay in either Thai Baht or on a credit card. There is a service charge to use the credit card.
I would generally tip our Thai massage therapists, generally 100 THB per person. For the more expensive couples spa day, we tipped a little more.
What To Do in Bangkok
Here are our recommendations on what else to do when traveling in Bangkok, after you’ve finished the best massage in Bangkok! These tours include spa and wellness classes, as well as some of our favorite Bangkok food tours.
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Traveling to Bangkok?
Where to Stay in Bangkok: Get more hotel recommendations here.
Find more Bangkok tips in our Southeast Asia food travel guide.
Learn more: Get a Luxe Guide to Bangkok or the Lonely Planet Guide from Amazon.
For more luxury travel tips and stories, check out our Luxury Travel Guide.
*This post contains compensated links. Find more info in my DISCLAIMER.
Pin It For Later! Best Couple Massage Bangkok Can Offer – Bangkok Massage Guide
