Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
TOP FIVE SPAS IN THE NORTHERN ANDAMAN
There seems to be a massage shop on every corner on Phuket. Most are low-key family affairs where a tradition-
al Thai massage goes for about 300B per hour and a basic mani-pedi costs around 250B - a real steal. The qual-
ity of service at these places varies and changes rapidly as staff turnover is high. Go with your gut instinct or ask
fellow travellers or your hotel staff for recommendations. No matter where you choose, it's still a massage and
likely to be extremely pleasant and relaxing - especially if it's sporting a wood-fired herbal sauna on the
premises.
If you're looking for a more Western spa experience, head to one of Phuket's plentiful spa resorts. These
places are often affiliated with a ritzy hotel (but nearly all are open to nonguests). They are high-class affairs
with sumptuous Zen designs and huge treatment menus. Prices vary depending on location, but sessions gener-
ally start at 1000B.
Here are our top five spa picks:
Siam Hot Spa
(
Click here
) Combining local flavour and price point with sumptuous treatments and an atmo-
spheric location (right on a steaming river), this is the best bang for the buck in the entire region.
Six Senses Spa
(
Click here
) No luxury brand presents back to nature elegance like the Six Senses stilted 'spa
village' on Ko Yao Noi. Their therapists are skilled in massage traditions from China, India and, of course, Thai-
land. Treatments from 3400B.
Hideaway Day Spa
(
Click here
) One of Phuket's first spas, the Hideaway still enjoys an excellent reputation.
More reasonably priced than many hotel counterparts, it offers treatments in a tranquil setting by a lagoon.
Raintree Spa
(
Click here
) Another reasonably good, refreshing choice is located at Sino House in Phuket Town.
When locals crave spa therapy, they come here.
Sarojin
(
Click here
) Their treatment rooms wander to the edge of the mangroves, open to the ocean breeze and
the sound of the sea. One of the best massage settings of your life awaits.
Eating
There's some surprisingly classy cuisine in Kata, though you'll be paying for it. For
cheaper eats, head to Th Thai Na and to the cluster of affordable, casual seafood restaur-
ants on Th Kata (Patak West) near the shore.
Kata Mama
(Th Hat Kata; mains 80-200B; 11am-10pm)
One of several cheapie seafood huts at the southern
end of Hat Kata, this is our favourite for the charming management and their affordable
and reliably tasty Thai standards.
THAI
$
Sabai Corner
( 0 9875 5525;
www.sabaicorner.com
;
Th Karon Lookout; mains 200-499B; 10am-10pm; )
There is
no better view on the island than the one you'll glimpse from the deck at this superlative
INTERNATIONAL-THAI
$$
