The Thai Airways Royal Orchid Spa is one of my favorite amenities of any airline lounge in the entire world.
Located across the hall from the Royal First Class lounge in Bangkok (BKK), the spa offers complimentary treatments for business and first class passengers on Thai Airways.
Thai Airways Royal Orchid Spa Menu
Here is the full treatment menu. Note that the first two options, 60-minute full-body massages, are only available for first class passengers:
Touch of Silk (Full Body Oil Massage – 60 minutes for First Class only)
Start your journey with a relaxing Touch of Silk, full-body oil massage. Performed with the unique ‘Thai touch’, this massage will help to prepare your body for your onward flight by increasing blood circulation as well as relieving muscular tension and helping to provide necessary hydration for your skin. On completion of your Touch of Silk massage, you will be left with an overall sense of well-being and total relaxation.
Royal Thai Massage (Full Body Massage – 60 minutes for First Class only)
Thai massage is perceived as one of the most precious of Thai traditional therapies. Royal Thai Massage helps to stimulate blood circulation, reduces edema caused by travelling and reduces body fatigue. With its unique acupressure techniques, expertly applied to your body, you will find your mind relaxed and muscles relieved, following the stress of your journey.
Neck & Shoulder Massage (30 minutes)
The Neck & Shoulder Massage is a great way to relieve stress which has built up from the rigors of everyday life from working long hours at your computer. Using specific techniques the therapist will work to loosen tight muscles around the neck and shoulders whilst simultaneously assessing how much tension is held in the body and how best to release it. You will board your flight feeling more relaxed and a little lighter around the shoulders.
Foot Massage (30 minutes)
Let’s help prepare you for your onward journey, by taking the weight off your feet and giving them a relaxing massage, which they truly deserve. Foot massage is a well-known relaxation therapy to help take care of tired feet. The gentle touch of the therapists hands and the deeper pressure from their fingers, create a sense of overall relaxation and will help to stimulate your vital organs.
Thai Airways Royal Orchid Spa Access Requirements
Access is only granted to Thai Airways departing first class or business class passengers.
- Royal First Class passengers departing same day on TG-operated international flights
- Royal Silk Class passengers departing same day on TG-operating international flights (Neck & Shoulder or Foot Massage only)
Note that during my current trip report, I was initially denied a full body massage because I was connecting to Seoul in business class. My argument was that I flew in from Osaka in first class, was flying from Seoul to Los Angeles in first class, and the only reason I was in business class from Bangkok to Seoul was because the flight only offered two-cabins of service. I also argued that I had departed same-day (earlier that day) on a TG-operated international flight in first class.
I’ll concede that those arguments were a bit of a stretch and the supervisor in the Royal First Lounge was unwilling to bend. But when I walked across the hall to the spa, the attendants there were more than happy to schedule me in for a full body massage. It never hurts to ask…
Thai Airways Royal Orchid Spa – My Experience
As you enter the spa, you’ll be greeted by artwork and asked to sit down and fill out a small health questionnaire. Moments later, a massage therapist will escort you to your treatment area.
If you are flying in business class or do not have the time or desire for a full body massage, you are led to a comfortable easy chair where you will receive a 30-minute neck and shoulder massage or foot massage.
Thai has three treatment rooms for bull body massages, meaning you will encounter waits of several hours sometimes. Advance reservations are not available, which is probably a good thing considering how hard it is to book a treatment with British Airways… The treatment rooms are comfortable, with a massage table, restroom and shower. One even has a bathtub. Despite the suggestive paintings, the massages are always very professional and never get too close to the sensitive areas. Men, you’ll likely be asked to put some fish-net like underwear, though you can leave your own on if you choose.
After the treatment, you can shower if you’d like, then are escorted into a sitting room. Tea is served and tranquil music plays in the background.
The spa also has steam rooms and saunas, which I will have to check out next time.
Thai Airways Royal Orchid Spa Tipping
Tipping is not obligatory, but I do tip. For the 30-minute massages I tip 100 Baht (~$3) and the 60-minute massages I tip 200 Baht (~$6). Massage therapists do not expect it, but seem thankful to receive it…for the most part. There was one occasion where my tip was (very politely) declined.
CONCLUSION
A complimentary one-hour massage is such a treat, especially prior to a longhaul flight. While the Thai Airways onboard product leaves much to be desired, its spa in Bangkok offers a unique amenity to premium class passengers.
Going to spa before or after a flight? Man, never thought of that before! Would be a good experience though I think