Monday, November 9, 2009

Spa Business

I'm looking to start a spa of my own...

Where would be a good location?

Sunday, November 1, 2009

DONT GO to Rangnam Spa & Massage, Bangkok

This is the first time I'll blog about a place NOT to go. So please DONT go to this place!!

I was in Bangkok twice last month..first was with my family and the second was with just my husband. Both trip, the taxi driver sort of dragged us to this spa. The first taxi driver said this is the best spa in Bangkok. Whatever!

When we got there the first time, the spa from the outside didnt look very impressive at all. It's just huge.
And there were about 2 busses (tourist bus) outside. So many taxis came and dropped off the tourists there. We didnt see any locals.

When we got in, we were greeted by the lady at the front and pestering us to hurry up and decide what we want to do. Sort of forcing us to pick a package and the most expensive one there. I got really irritated to say the least!
Everything on the spa menu was almost triple the price of any other places we've been to. Either this place must be really good or a rip off for tourist.
In the end, because we were too irritated, we walked out and didnt even try anything. Mostly because my brother (the accountant aka Mr. Budget) kept saying no way he wants to pay more than 500baht when he can get it for half the price somewhere else. I wasnt impressed with the decor so I didnt wanna try it anyway.

Then we found out that all the taxi drivers get a commission for taking tourist there. Oh..no wonder la.

During my second trip, I wanted a thai massage right before checking out and going to the airport. I only had slightly over an hour to spare so I just wanted something quick and fast. We walked outside our hotel and saw this tuk tuk driver and asked him to take us to Hapa Spa since I know it's good and price is ok. After 10 minutes of talking, the driver still doesnt want to take us to Hapa and insisted on taking us to this place where supposedly it's the best and most famous spa in Bangkok. After arguing, he said it's nearby bla bla bla, we argeed to go cuz we didnt know it was the same place that we went the last time.

When we got there...we saw the place..alamak..it was the same place the other driver took us rupanya.
Wanted to pay the tuk tuk driver but didnt have small change so hubby ran inside the spa to get small change and guess what they said...they didnt have small change and if we want to change, go to the 7 eleven!!!
I mean, come on......dont tell me u dont have small change!!!! They can see our tuk tuk driver waiting outside and still didnt wanna change money for us. They could have just ask us to pay for our spa and balance tu can pay the driver right? but no...they told us to walk all the way to 7 eleven. So bloody rude!!!

While hubby was running to 7 eleven, I looked at the menu and my god, the receptionist just ignored me completely. Like I wasnt there. They didnt even greet me. I was so freaking pissed cuz I said "Excuse me" at least 3 times and she completely ignored me!!!!!!!!! Arghhhhhh... until I slammed down the menu on the table.

Same thing happened....literally forced us to take the expensive scrub, massage etc package. Hubby had to shout at the girl and said "how many times do I have to tell you that I dont have the time. I only have 1 hour!"
Finally, I told hubby to get out of that stinky place. Never will I go back again.

Apparently this place gives really good commission to drivers. Obviously cuz they charge tourist a lot more.
Also the locals dont go there....says a lot doesnt it? Even their own people dont like it there maybe!
They make money from tourist cuz people like us, obviously wont know where is good and where is not.
So people...dont go to this place. I cant stand it. Dont be fooled by the size of the place.

If you wanna try somewhere good..Hapa is the best. People are super friendly and treatment is good and price is very reasonable. It's a family spa...they've been in the spa business for years and even have spas in Dubai and Italy.

Or you can try Health Land. This place is VERY popular with the locals. In fact, everyone there is local. Price is a bit high but I guess it's worth it.