Bangkok Hotels in

My daughter and I checked into the Westin Banyan Tree in Bangkok, Thailand late in the afternoon. By the time we settled in our room, showered and relaxed, it was time for dinner at the rooftop Bai Yun Chinese Restaurant on the 60th floor. The sweeping arches of the room framed the exquisite views of the city - Lumpini Park on one side and the Chao Praya River on the other.

The next morning, I had an appointment for my first Thai massage in Thailand (coincidentally, I would have my last one at another Banyan Tree Spa in Phuket). Actually, it was an Asian Blend massage but seemed like a Thai massage to me. Unfortunately, the spa was booked so my daughter could not get a last-minute appointment at the same time. However, we ordered a special bath for her to enjoy while I was in the spa. The Westin Banyan Tree's Bath Menu offers:

• The Banyan Tree Bath: Thai herbs and lavender oil in tub, pot of Thai iced tea
• Pu Chai Bath for Gentlemen: Geranium and mandarin oil with rosemary and juniper foam bath, Monticristo No. 4 cigar, glass of Hennessy XO
• Pu Ying Bath for Ladies: Bath is strewn with orchid petals and chomanart oil in bath, Mai Tai cocktail, fine chocolates
• Japanese Bath: Sea salts, lavender and mint oil in bath, sake, sushi, Japanese tea.
• Westin Kids Club Bath for the young or young at heart: Animal toys, bubbles, and jasmine in bath, Chocolate Roary and milk shake.

She chose the Japanese Bath. At the scheduled time, the bath butler set up the bath and left. Megan hopped in the tub and I headed for the spa. I took the elevator to the 53rd floor and checked into the spa reception. I was escorted down the circular staircase to the womens' locker room on the floor below. I was given sandals and a loose-fitting outfit to wear during the Thai massage. My therapist, Ms. Thanaporn (Goy), escorted me up the circular staircase to a massage treatment room two floors above. She started by washing my feet in a footbath with flower petals floating in it. I then climbed on the massage table and so did Ms. Goy. She stretched and twisted me and pressed on sore pressure points for an hour. Ms.Goy signaled the end of the massage all too soon by softly ringing a bell. I was sorry to have it end and wished I had scheduled the 90 minute Thai massage. It was very invigorating, though, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

At the time of my visit in June 2001, the Banyan Tree Spa was "Asia's Tallest Garden Spa" located on the 51st-54th floors of the Westin Banyan Tree in Bangkok, Thailand. A large circular staircase provided access from the reception desk on the 53rd floor to the mens' locker rooms, showers, sauna, and steam rooms on the 51st floor, the womens' locker rooms, showers, sauna, steam room on the 52nd floor, and ten massage treatments rooms, two couples treatment rooms, special suites, facial treatment room and salon located on the 54th floor of the spa.

The spa's philosophy is to ensure every guest leaves the spa more relaxed both physically and emotionally. Spa employees are trained at the Banyan Tree Spa Academy in Phuket.

An interesting service the Westin Banyan Tree offers is a Shopping Companion Service for a guest's first shopping experience in Bangkok. We didn't use it since we had already been in the city for a few days and ventured out to a number of shopping areas on our own. However, it would have been really nice for the first time. Bangkok can be a little overwhelming at first.

OK, now forget everything I just told you. Well, almost everything. That was "before". As I write this, The Banyan Tree Spa is undergoing a transformation through October 31, 2001. It is being moved from the 51st-54th floors to the 20th and 21st floors to add more room to the facility. The 20th floor will house the spa. There will be showers in each treatment room. The Fitness Center will be located on the 21st floor. Additionally, a standard swimming pool will be built outdoors. In the mean time, the spa will temporarily be on the 33rd floor and the Fitness Center will be on the 2nd floor. Finally, in January 2002, the hotel will no longer be part of the Westin hotels and resorts but become one of the Banyan Tree properties. Sounds like a follow-up visit for an "after" look is in order. Will it still be Asia's tallest spa?