TYPES OF SPAS IN THAILAND
Take advantage of a great spa getaway in Thailand

• THE DESTINATION SPA
A spa whose sole purpose is to provide guests with lifestyle improvement and health enhancement through professionally administered spa services, physical fitness, educational programming, and on-site accommodations. Spa cuisine is served exclusively.

THE RESORT/HOTEL SPA
A spa owned by and located within a resort or hotel property providing professionally administered spa services, fitness and wellness components and spa cuisine menu choices.

THE MEDICAL SPA
Individuals, solo practices, groups and institutions comprised of medical and spa professionals whose primary purpose is to provide comprehensive medical and wellness care in an environment which integrates spa services, as well as conventional and complimentary therapies and treatments.

• THE DAY SPA
A spa offering a variety of professionally administered spa services to clients on a day-use basis.

THAI SPA SUCCESS
Drawing from her first-hand experience in putting Thailand’s first and only award-winning destination spa on the international map, spa veteran and Founder and President of the Thai Spa Association Naphalai Areesorn offers her insight.

“The key ingredients for a successful spa are the quality and variety of the services and products being offered, the price range, the friendliness and competence of the staff, design, atmosphere and ambience, and cleanliness.

"While the spa concept may have been 'borrowed', Thailand has done it better. Thai spas really do have it all. Nowhere else in the region will you find such variety and value framed in a perfect blend of Western leisure concepts and traditional Asian well-being therapies.”

The quality of the Thai spa product offered is unquestionably world-class and unsurpassed, particularly the level of service offered. Service and hospitality are vital assets and are key differentiating factors attributed to a centuries-old tradition of gracious hospitality and service. This is complemented by the friendly and caring nature and gentle ways of the Thai people. These are important traits and priceless assets for any spa operation.

Thailand’s winning spa formula goes beyond service excellence. A rich heritage that embodies a time-honoured healing tradition based on herbal and holistic remedies, generations of folk wisdom, and centuries-old healing techniques, some of which reflect deep-rooted Buddhist influences, embellishes the Thai spa experience.

The recent resurgence of “back to Nature” themes and consumer preference for natural health and beauty solutions have refocused attention on the healing power of indigenous herbs and plants - a key component in the ancient Thai tradition of natural healing. The country’s great diversity of herbs and spices continues to provide a rich assortment of natural ingredients for exotic herbal preparations. Many of the rejuvenating treatments offered in modern spas have evolved from these ancient recipes. For example, the use of herbal heat compresses and the refreshing Thai herbal steam.

In a country where Buddhist influences predominate and shape Thai culture and the way of life in a myriad of ways, all aspects of Buddhist expression radiate a sense of tranquillity, harmony, inner peace and calm, thus forming a natural complement in the Mind, Body and Spirit equation. Thailand’s Buddhist landscape offers the perfect backdrop. In adopting a holistic approach to health and well-being, Thai spas offer meditation classes as part of their all-encompassing ‘mind, body and spirit’ programmes designed to calm the mind and spirit.

The spa concept was imported, adopted, adapted, and refined. A hybrid cross-cult spa formula with a distinctive Thai touch has evolved and gone on to win the world’s heart. Readers who participated in the 2002 Condé Nast Traveller survey also indicated that along with accommodation and airline, health and spa facilities in Thailand are of high quality and great value for money. Thai spas offer exceptional value for money.

An alluring tropical destination that offers tremendous natural and cultural diversity, Thailand continues to be one of the world’s most popular long-haul holiday destinations. This is a distinct plus that adds to the country’s core strengths as a high appeal spa destination.

Source: International Spa Association (ISPA)