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• Spas & Health
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Spas are suddenly big business on this report island, spurred on by the ever-increasing concern of wealthy societies for their health. People are using their holiday time not just to relax on a tropical beach, but also to cleanse, treat and pummel their muscles, tissues and skin etc..
 

And since Thailand has a long tradition of therapeutic massage and herbal stream treatments, Phuket has found it easy to take advantage of the new trend. And they do it in style.

So many Phuket resorts have opened spas that it is now almost considered a standard accessory for up-market hotels here. Luxurious, open-air pavilions with tropical settings like palm shrouded bathing pools typify the mood created by the top-end establishments. The cheaper end of the trend has also witnessed a blossoming of small village-based herbal steam rooms. Some of these are set in pretty coconut groves, relying on passing traffic noticing their signs, and on word-of-mouth. Finding the nice ones might be difficult, but it s fun.

We will identify some of the best spas and steam houses at both ends of the spectrum, so watch these pages as our stories and photos come on-line.

Here are some of the major spas around the island:

Patong

Andaman Garden Spa is found on the leafy grounds of Club Andaman. It’s a lovely spot, close to the beach with great personal attention, Prices are in the upper-range B1,000. Tel. 340 530 ext. 1608

Nakalay Spa is an up-scale luxurious experience as well as having rejuvenating massages, facials and other body-beautifying treatments. Tel. 290 334-42

Jasmina Spa. Located at The Amari Coral Beach Resort, Jasmina is the newest spa on Phuket. Beautiful views and up-to-date treatments. Tel. 294 470 E-mail: jasminaspa@corailbeach.amari.com
 

Phuket Town

The Spa at the Royal Phuket City Hotel not only caters to hotel guests, all are welcome. They offer a selection of oils for massage, aerobic classes, swimming pool, sauna and lovely surroundings at prices in the upper end. Tel. 354 027, 233 333 ext. 3812

Island Herbal Sauna is found on soi Thep Anusorn south of Phuket Town. It offers a package for 2, 700 baht which has a whole raft of muscle-soothing and body-beautifying treatments. Price is mid-range. Tel. 263 442, 263 900

Panwa Gardens, at Cape Panwa, offers a fresh herbal sauna and either full-body massage or foot massage done by men trained at the Institute for the Blind, sponsored by the Queen, in Bangkok. These masseurs are well-trained and a foot massage by one of them is an experience in rejuvenation. Prices are very reasonable: body massage is B120 per hr and foot massage is B200 per hr. The sauna runs B50 with small extra charges for towels if you forget to bring one. Call for appointment since this place is quite popular with locals. Tel. 200 484

Chalong Herbal Sauna, located on the main road to the pier, has an herbal spa, fitness equipment, a beauty parlor and traditional Thai massage, all reasonably priced at 39 baht for a sauna and B200 per hr for a massage. Tel. 280 284

Phuket Island Spa, located on ChaoFa Nok Rd which runs from Chalong past Wat Chalong to Phuket Town. This also is a more traditional, lower-priced establishment but with complete facilities. Tel. 280 910

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