Nothing beats a relaxing holiday in Krabi. After a day of island hopping, water sports and lounging at the hotel pool, a good massage would be a great addition to a superb getaway. If you are looking to have a massage during your short stay, but find the wide variety of massage parlours dizzying, I tried 3 highly rated massage places, so that you can make your choice easily.
The three massage parlours that I visited were surprisingly different. These would be the focus of my post. Also, I only go for Thai massage when I’m in Thailand, so my comparison would only be on this signature massage. But in order to know why the differences are significant, you should also understand some basic / common features of Thai massage.
Common Features of Thai Massage
With a little help from ChatGPT, here is a brief overview of Thai massage.
Thai massage, also known as Nuad Thai or Thai yoga massage, is ubiquitous to a great Thailand travel experience. This therapeutic practice combines elements like yoga and acupressure to create a unique and holistic healing experience.
At the heart of Thai massage is the concept of energy lines, known as Sen lines, which are believed to run throughout the body. Practitioners of Thai massage apply rhythmic pressure along these lines using their hands, thumbs, elbows, and even feet, while also incorporating gentle stretching and yoga-like movements. The goal is to release blockages and restore the natural flow of energy, promoting physical and mental well-being.
One distinctive aspect of Thai massage is its interactive nature. Unlike many other forms of massage, Thai massage is typically performed on a mat on the floor, allowing the practitioner to use their body weight and leverage to achieve a deeper and more targeted effect. The recipient is often encouraged to participate actively by assuming various yoga-like positions and deep breathing, creating a harmonious and dynamic exchange between the practitioner and the client.
Indeed, the 3 massage places I patronized offered the basics: foot bath before the massage, head, shoulder, back and leg massage, a good deal of stretching and post massage drinks. Even then, each of them still managed to offer something different.
Radarom Spa
Radarom Spa is located near the fringe of the Ao Nang beach district. However, the spa offers pick up and drop off service, so there’s no worry of having to walk far, or not knowing how to get there. For me, it started raining right after I checked in to my hotel. Therefore, their shuttle service really made the day!
Entering the building, I was led to a spacious lounge, which was great for waiting for the masseurs (before massage) or the pick up service (after massage). The tranquility amidst the ornately decorated furniture also added to a pleasant ambience.
After the foot bath, my masseuse led me to my therapy room. Again, spaciousness and luxury were the focus. There were 2 double beds, which would be ideal for couples. However, I had the entire room to myself. So I could dance to Jisoo’s flower as I changed into the PJs provided by Radarom Spa. (Just kidding, I can’t dance for goodness sake.)
The beds were decked out in intricately designed sheets, and had a hole for when lying face down for the back massage. Other than adding a touch of splendour, the bed posts also offered the masseur a place to grip on while stepping on my back.
Yes, back stepping is a common experience for a Thai massage. In fact, more than half the massage was focused on my back. By the time I was flipped over, my face was tingling from the numbness after staying in one position for too long.
However, that was a common thing for long massage sessions. I had little time to be bothered by the facial numbness. My masseuse continued with the brutal strong kneading, from my calves to my arms, and then to my head. Of course, my session ended with me seated up and getting a good stretch from my masseuse from the back.
After the session, I was led back to the lounge, where I waited for the shuttle to bring me back to my hotel. I was served a cup of piping hot ginger tea. Other than being very comforting on a rainy afternoon, ginger tea is also known to be a good post-massage drink, as it helps with the blood circulation.
Overall, my experience at Radarom Spa was pleasant, from the pick up to check-in and massage. Like all good Thai businesses, they blasted the hot and humid Thai weather away wth strong air-conditioning. The entire place was also airy and smelled clean.
One weird aspect though was their lack of playing spa music that most high end massage parlours like them would.
My 2 hour Thai massage cost 800THB (and 715 THB if booked over Klook), which was a steal for the kind of luxury that they provided. Radarom Spa even have a “sunburnt recovery” treatment, because, that’s what most folks need when they’re out on a beach resort, ya?
Let’s Relax Spa
Let’s Relax Spa, though occupying part of Wake Up Hotel, had its own store front right off the main street near Ao Nang beach. However, they weren’t stingy on space, be it the lobby to the massage room.
Like in Radarom Spa, I had the entire couple room to myself. The difference was that the design language of the parlour was Scandinavian. The mattresses, dressed in clean white sheets, laid on light parquet floors. Clean lines were the theme of Let’s Relax. That being said, mattresses on the floor was more reminiscent of my massage experience in Bangkok.
The masseuse started my massage with my legs, before flipping me over to work on my back. We then ended the session with me lying in her lap for a head massage.
Without a hole in the bed, I had to lie on my tummy with my chin over the top of the pillow. That wasn’t exactly comfortable so I was also glad that we only spent like a quarter of the session (about 30 minutes) on the back massage. In fact, despite the frequent flipping, I dozed off quite a number of times as the spa music lulled me to sleep on the comfortable bed.
Let’s Relax also had all the frills of a high end massage parlour. Other than a good foot bath, I was also offered pyjamas for the massage. Post massage, I was offered a cup of hot pandan flavoured tea, paired with fragrant coconut snack rolls. These frills were all worthy of the price I had to pay.
The 120 minute Thai massage session at Let’s Relax cost 1280 THB (and 1130 THB if booked over Klook), which was the most expensive of the 3. For its location right in the middle of the Ao Nang beach main street, one can escape the scathing Thai heat conveniently. So the premium sort of paid for itself.
Ruen Sukothai Massage Centre
Ruen Sukothai Massage Centre is also located along the main street of Ao Nang beach. Sharing the same building as Kokotel Krabi Ao Nang hotel, it’s easily identifiable with its line of customers seated outside the shopfront getting their foot baths. Compared to the other 2 massage places, Ruen Sukothai did away with the frills and served up raw Thai massage.
Right from the onset, the staff didn’t hide the fact that they were no frills. From touting off the street, to the collection of payment right at the doorstep, the pace was hurried and service curt. I was welcomed by a teddy bear, the first male Thai massage masseur I had in Thailand. He was all smiles, but walked so fast I began to suspect if I had teleported to Hong Kong.
Set up wise, Ruen Sukothai was more like those found in Bangkok. Space was tight, with the reception right up to its main door. The Thai massage was done on an open platform, topped with thin mattresses with loosely fitted sheets. There were privacy curtains separating each mattress (and hence each customer), but they were more of a courtesy as the masseurs didn’t bother to draw them.
Once I laid onto the bed, the teddy bear transformed into Ursaring. While Radarom’s masseur needed to hold onto the bed frame, Ursaring simply stepped on me – hands free. And from the controlled groans from my neighbours, I was sure my masseur wasn’t the only one who knew kungfu. My masseur spared no effort to knead deep into my muscles. If you are one who prefers aroma therapy, you should definitely not even think of getting a Thai massage here.
Ruen Sukothai being a no frills massage parlour, there was also no need to change into special massage clothing. They did offer post-massage drinks, which was under the nose of the receptionist at the doorway. However, at the price they were offering, everything felt reasonable. If you had been to any of the mass market massage places in Bangkok, you would sure feel right at home here.
A Thai massage session at Ruen Sukothai cost 350 THB for a 90 minute session during their happy hour (which was anytime before 6pm). They didn’t have Klook promotion.
Parting Words
I had wanted to compare Thai massage at Krabi, but little did I expect that a small place like that would contain such a variety of massage parlours.
Ruen Sukothai Thai Massage is the best for budget travellers who can do away with frills like pyjamas. Of course, you will have to inform them beforehand if you prefer light pressure.
Radarom Spa has an edge over Let’s Relax for offering luxury massage at a fraction of the price. Although it’s about 1km away from Ao Nang beach, they also offer pick up / drop off service. That being said, Let’s Relax is right within Ao Nang beach, which makes it very convenient for those who don’t want to be out and about for too long.
Ao Nang Beach sure has a variety of massage parlours for every budget. This made a good relaxation after a day out on the beach even more enjoyable.
If you enjoyed this article and found it useful, be sure to like and share it with your friends! Also check out my review of Holiday Inn Resort Krabi Ao Nang Beach, which was centrally located and provided a stunning view of the popular Thai beach.
Till then, stay wanderlust!
All photos and videos were taken using Google Pixel 4a, and edited with Google Photos.
How to Get there
Radarom Spa
43, Ao Nang, Amphoe Mueang, Krabi 81000, Thailand
http://radaromspa.com/
+66868299797
Let’s Relax Spa
Wake Up Hotel (Tipa Resort) 1st Floor 121/3, Road, Ao Nang, Mueang Krabi District, Krabi 81000, Thailand
https://letsrelaxspa.com/branch/krabi-wake-up-hotel/
+6675695029
Ruen Sukothai Massage Centre
143 Ao Nang, Mueang Krabi District, Krabi 81000, Thailand
+66894415676