Chiang Mai Spas

There are many options for day spas in Chiang Mai, ranging from the full pamper luxury treatment, to more down to earth treatment with matching prices. In fact, Chiang Mai is an ideal place to indulge yourself, it’s laid back and cheap and you’ll certainly want to stay longer.

The Healing Rishi spa draws on traditional Thai healing arts that have been passed down for more than 2000 years from the original study of the Shivaka Rishi. The owners of this spa have accumulated years of study about eastern methods for healing mind body and soul. In addition to treatments, they offer meditation programs and rishi yoga, and provide accommodation on their comfortable, peaceful and relaxing premises set among rice paddies to the north of the city.

For something in between, try Ban Sabai on Charoen Prathet road. This Chiang Mai spa offers a relaxing retreat in stylish rooms, with affordable prices in a convenient location. They also have a resort spa outside of the city in San Phi Sua, if you need to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

The new Chur Medical Spa on Changmoi road has treatments that work on your cellulite, reduce stress or firm your body. Experienced staff will give you consultations pre- and post-treatment.

Spas in Chiang Mai don’t come much better than Angsana Spa, located at the Green View International Resort just outside the city on the Chiang Mai-Mae Rim road. If you really want to be pampered, with a matching price tag, try this one. It is a sister brand of the award-winning Banyan Tree resort and spa group. Here, you can spend a day being treated like royalty - you can do a treatment with a friend too, as they have double treatment rooms as well! Reservations are a must and the spa will provide free pick-up.

The Oasis spa is conveniently located near the city centre. Open from 10am to 10pm, they offer a relaxing experience in a peaceful environment, treating you with therapeutic herbs and oils, and using traditional and modern techniques and remedies to help you unwind. Facilities include a jacuzzi and steam bath.

Tao Garden Health Spa and Resort has a good detox and slimming program, including chi organ massage, karsai genital detox massage, deeper skin detox and a herbal skin detox. Their scientific approach to health is blended with a natural environment and they are located outside of Chiang Mai in a lovely natural setting.

However, for those who are more interested in learning about how to give spa treatments or Thai massages, there are also courses available. These can range from one-day "experience" type courses to full-blown certification courses that can take up to three months to complete. A very popular and renowned massage school is the Thai Massage School of Chiang Mai (TMC), with two locations next to the Chiang Mai University Art Museum or on Chiang Mai-Maejo road. It has a course to suit your interest, budget and time. A full accreditation course is also available. The massage school also offers massages - it is sometimes possible to get free massages from the students as well - but these have to be booked in advance.