By Michele Rhudy
My husband and I love to gamify our travels. Equal parts simple and high maintenance, we enjoy the pursuit of the most authentic experiences at the best overall value. So, when we were heading to Southeast Asia for three weeks with our three young adult daughters, we decided to indulge in as many clean, local, highly rated spa treatments as possible for a budget of $200 USD each.
Our trip was in July (and therefore HOT), and we were adventuring hard every day. We decided on our spa criteria:
- Mid-range facilities with local clientele, off the main tourist streets if possible
- Not the highest luxury, but also not cheap
- Recommended by our hotel staff or people we met in our travels
- Highly rated online for cleanliness, quality and value
- A positive gut feeling when we showed up, signaled by a code phrase at the front door (“Wow! This place looks interesting!”)
The result was 12 incredible hours of massage, facials, nail salons, foot baths, warm lavender towels, and hot tea for a whopping $187 USD, including 20-30% gratuity for every provider we encountered.
Hanoi, Vietnam
- The Orient Spa Hanoi offered an incredible combo package with a foot bath, 75- minute massage and a 45-minute facial for $32 USD. This spot has loads of top reviews online, so booking in advance is a must. Located right in the Old Quarter, the spa was very clean and our therapists were top notch.
- Mido Spa was our next stop where my three daughters, and I enjoyed spa pedicures and gel manicures for $25 USD each. Oh, and they brought in the cutest teacup puppy for us to hold during our visit. With four locations in Hanoi it’s easy to find one, and we had delightful conversations with our nail technicians who were as curious about America as we were about Hanoi.
- Hair Wash & Blow Dry. My daughter and I spontaneously popped into a very clean hair wash and blow-dry salon in Hanoi’s Old Quarter. This was hysterical! The 20-minute shampoo experience was divine, laid on a table which eliminated the typical neck pain of salon hair washing. But because my daughter and I both have thick, coarse, Western-style hair, which our stylist was not accustomed to, we left looking like an 80s metal band. No matter, it was well worth the $7 USD for the head massage, the photos, and the laughs.
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Birthree Champaga was the spa directly next door to our hotel in HCMC, offering the unique Japanese-style Thai massage. Completely intrigued, my husband and I booked a 60-minute couples massage for $28 USD. The massage itself seemed completely Thai to us, but it also included a foot massage and scrub for the Japanese influence.
Siem Reap, Cambodia
- Relax Spa Siem Reap was an accidental visit. We had been touring the ancient Angkor Temples for a second day, when we looked at each other and decided we were simply templed out. And so we asked our fabulous local guide where he goes for a massage, and he instantly recommended Relax Spa. Our family each enjoyed a 90-minute Cambodian Khmer herbal compress massage, different in style from the Thai, which was on discount for $25 USD per person. Such a treat!
Bangkok, Thailand
- Baan Thai Massage was the recommendation of our local guide who visits twice weekly for back pain. The most traditionally authentic of all the spas we visited, my husband and I changed into loose clothing for Thai massage, then were directed to mats in a large room divided by curtains along with 8-10 other customers. While the atmosphere was somewhat noisy, the massage was excellent and only $10 USD for 60 minutes.
- Baan Thai Massage earned a second visit the following day, just steps from our hotel and next to a 7-11 store. This time we opted for a 30-minute Thai foot massage for $5 USD while lounging in an oversized leather chair. It was so good I fell asleep.
Chiang Mai, Thailand
- Kunlarat Massage was a short walk from our hotel, where we enjoyed 60-minute foot and hand massages for $8 USD. The setting was clean and simple, and our therapists were very skilled. With so much walking in Thailand, our feet needed the royal treatment.
- De Nails Spa was our final visit for gel manicures before returning home. For $7 USD, my daughters and I returned to the U.S. with perfectly polished nails that lasted for weeks upon return.
There are bargains and surprises around every corner in Asia. Just observe the locals and, when in doubt, ask. For example, my husband was a little more adventurous than I was in Ho Chi Minh, purchasing a small glass of hot tea from an old man whom he observed selling only to street merchants. The cost? 9 USD cents. By the way, most spas will offer bottled water or tea for free. Just ask.
Spas in Southeast Asia are as wonderful as you’ve heard. Set a budget, prioritize the time and go explore these magical sanctuaries where locals practice self-care and tourists never want to leave.
**including large tips
As a curious global traveller relentlessly pursuing joy, Michele Rhudy writes about unique family adventures. A 30-year communications firm CEO, now creating custom travel for clients as an advisor, Michele brings decades of creative client service to her career. Her family of five includes three young adult daughters, and together they have explored more than 25 countries chasing learning, perspective and gratitude.