The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps
Read PART 1 for 5 more tips to book flights online! 1. Book Cheap Air Tickets Buy Air Tickets in Advance Cheapest domestic flights are purchased 30 days to 3 months in advance. Cheapest international flights are purchased up to six months in advance. …
Read PART 2 for 5 more tips to book flights online! 1. Set the budget, destination and time to travel To begin holiday planning, it is important to know how much you are willing to spend on the flights, or at least where and when you …
Bangkok Itinerary Overview (2015). p.s. Read about our post of how to get from BKK airport to downtown.
There are many massage options in Bangkok, but not all have good hygiene practices. Even the staff at our accommodation told us to go to a shop that’s clean.
One of the more reputable and clean massage places is Health Land. It is also in the affordable range, though not dirt cheap. But this is also the reason why the place is populated with tourists and tour groups.
But.. the online reviews are not fantastic. Some complaints:
We visited Health Land Sathorn, because it was on our way to Asiatique. And it was supposedly less crowded than the branch at Asoke, which is located in a more touristy area.
When we first reached, the whole place was crowded and messy. We were not sure who to look for and when we found a staff available, we were asked to pay for our services and wait at the sofa. We were seated for quite some time. And I started to wonder if they know that we have paid? Kinda relieved when our names were called out. But it felt like we were in a hospital/clinic, our names were called and then ushered to a room.
In my opinion, the skills were average. The strength was either too little or too much. In the end, I decided to ask her to use more strength than not. Though it was overall quite painful, I managed to doze off for a while! I wasn’t too impressed with the masseuse’s skills, but for Mr S, he was satisfied with his massage.
One of our masseuses was friendly, the other not. We gave them tips and went to the lobby, where we were given a cup of tea. The cup was cleared as soon as we finished the drink.
After my experience, I must agree that the online complaints as above have their valid points. Probably would try out another massage place next time!
Make an appointment beforehand to avoid a long waiting time. The Heath Land staff understand English. If not, you can ask hotel front desk to help you make an appointment. :)
Aromatherapy Body Massage: 1.5 hr, 950 Baht
Traditional Thai Massage: 2 hrs, 500 Baht
Business Hours: 9:00 am – 11:00 pm (Mon-Sun)
Getting There: Surasak BTS (8 mins walk, 500m) / Chong Nonsi BTS (10 mins walk, 650m)
Address : 120 North Sathorn Rd. Silom, Bangrak Bangkok 10500
Telephone : +66 (0) 2637 8883
Business Hours: 9:00 am – 11:00 pm (Mon-Sun)
Getting There: Sukhumvit MRT Station (5 mins walk, 350m), Asok BTS (6 minutes walk, 400m)
Address : 55/5 Sukhumvit 21 Rd. (Asoke), Khlongtoeinuea, Wattana, Bangkok 10110
Telephone : +66 (0) 2261 1110
For other locations, visit healthlandspa.com.
We went to D&D Health Massage because it was near to Evergreen Place Bangkok, where we stayed. D&D was just beside Asia Hotel. Come out from the side entrance near to the Naraya Store. Once you exit, turn left into the direction away from the main road. It’s on your left in just a couple of minutes.
We had high expectations of this massage place because one of our hotel staff recommended it, even though he doesn’t go for massages. He told us that this shop was cleaner than the one along the main street, beside 7-11.
But we should not have taken his word lightly – of not liking massages.
When we were hovering outside to assess the massage place, a staff beckoned us in. And when we asked for the prices, he remained vague and kept asking us to sit. When we insisted on knowing the price first, he asked his manager to speak to us. We easily agreed on a price. I reckon we paid more than the usual price.
My suspicion of us paying more than the quality of service was further confirmed after we experienced their massages. The massage service was also shorter than the stipulated time. The massage pressure was not enough – I felt the masseuses were being lazy. And when requested for more pressure, it was over the top. Never the sweet spot.
Not going to visit again.
Shoulder and Foot Massage: 200 Baht for ~50 minutes (though agreed 1 hour)
There are so many more massage places in Bangkok. We couldn’t possibly have the time to try every one of them. But here’s a list of other massages places in Bangkok for consideration, or to try at your own risk.
Photo Credits: Health Land Source
Travels 23 April 2015 | © 2015 Joogo Travel
Bangkok Itinerary Overview (2015). p.s. Read about our post of how to get from BKK airport to downtown. Shopping at Platinum Mall Quick Facts of the Mall Platinum Fashion Mall is purportedly Thailand’s largest wholesale and retail shopping mall. The fashion mall has 2 wings. Wing 1 (Zones …
Bangkok Itinerary Overview (2015). p.s. Read about our post of how to get from BKK airport to downtown. We flew by TigerAir into Bangkok (BKK Survanbhumi) airport on a Thursday afternoon. I don’t really recommend Scoot to Bangkok, because they only fly to Don Mueang airport, which is relatively inconvenient. …
Bangkok Itinerary Overview (2015). p.s. Read about our post of how to get from BKK airport to downtown.
These are a few staples my fellow female Singaporeans and I buy when we visit Bangkok. So if you are a shopaholic visiting BKK for the first time, you can consider getting them too! ;) Do some research back home to compare prices. And remember, they get even cheaper when you claim for a VAT refund:
P.S. Usually, buying from shopping malls allows you to apply for a VAT Refund.
A variety of products made from different fabrics, designed with a feminine touch. Products from handbag to kitchenware to home decor. Great designs at affordable prices.
Experience: We first went to Central World, because Jelly Dreams was just opposite Naraya. Good to get my buys in one swoop. But later, when we went to Siam Discovery to search for more Jelly Dreams, we realised Naraya is just one floor down and having promotion for this outlet only. =.= But anyhow, they have new fabric prints – elephants! So Bangkok… and I’m loving it!
Outlets / Stores / Branches in Bangkok:
Asiatique (10:00 – 24:00)For addresses, visit the Naraya page.
Locally-made underwear, manufactured under licence, sold at department stores. Mainly cheaper than other Asia outlets.
Experience: I bought my stuff at Central World (Zen). However, I had to make a second trip to Robinson to get underwear for someone else. I was told there’s a 15% discount if I get 3 undies. I contemplated and decided not to. And the saleswoman told me, then 15% for 2! I was like huh?! You can bargain?! Then I thought of the “discount” I got at Zen. After I got what I wanted, they told me of a promotion which requires me to buy more to get the good discount. And I did buy more. =.= So, be sure to ask the sales person if there’s any ongoing promotion before browsing the lingerie.
Outlets / Stores / Branches in Bangkok:
Note: Some commented that not all stores carry the same quality and pricing.
I have a few pairs of Crocs, simply because I love rubber shoes! I like its water-resistant characteristic, especially good if you want to travel light with 1 or 2 pairs of shoes. Melissa shoes generally has better designs than Crocs, but the prices are higher too. Then I heard wind of Melissa shoes being cheaper in Thailand. Thus, I had to pop by their store in BKK, which is named Jelly Dreams.
Jelly Dreams, is under Thailand’s well-known footwear retailer – Jelly Bunny! That’s probably the reason of the re-branding from Melissa. Btw, Jelly Bunny shoes just arrived in the shores of Singapore last year (2014), at Plaza Singapura.
Experience:
We first visited Central World’s outlet – but it didn’t have nice designs and it wasn’t running any promotion. So I went to Siam Discovery and they were having a promotion of up to 70% discount! I had wanted to get the basic designs but none of it was on sale. Most basic designs were new arrivals. :( Not giving up, I went to their outlets in the departmental stores, but they carry only new arrivals and of course, with no discount.
BUT THANK GOD, I saw one designs I like at Siam Discovery and got it at 70% off, about S$50? Selling at US$135 on shopmelissa.com/jasonwu/virtue-jason-wu! Happy girl ~ :)
Apparently, the shoes are cheaper only if there is an in-house promotion, on top of the tax refund and strong home currency. I saw pictures of bloggers getting Melissa shoes I like from BKK at good prices, but it’s unavailable when I got there. So, it really depends if you will come across models and colours you had research to buy.
Outlets / Stores / Branches in Bangkok:
Some popular shopping malls you might want to visit:
Photo Credits:
1/ Naraya Source
2/ Melissa Shop: www.hboemtb.com/projects/single_project/jelly-dream
3/ Melissa Source
Travels during April 2015 | © 2015 Joogo Travel
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