Spas

Spas are definitely the "flavor of the month" all around Asia. Despite the fad-like speed with which dozens of spas have opened in every large city and tourist destination, anything that makes people feel so good is probably here to stay.

In a place like Samui, you can safely count on every five star resort, and a good number of four star ones, to have an in-house spa. But you don't have to stay in an expensive resort to get the spa experience. There are also a number of day spas and small spa resorts that are more spa than resort. The following is just a partial list of Samui spas.

Ban Sabai - This small chain of spas also has two branches in Chiang Mai, in northern Thailand. The Samui branch is located on Bophut Beach on Samui's northern coast. You can have your treatments in one of two wooden, Thai-style houses or in a traditional sala on the water's edge. Full day packages include steam baths, jacuzzi, facials, body wraps and aroma therapy oil massages.

Eranda Herbal Spa - A beautifully set spa at the north end of Chaweng Beach. Eranda combines traditional Thai massage with steam and sauna treatments.

Sundays Sanctuary Spa - Located in Bophut, Sundays is well of the main road, making it a quiet retreat where you can relax. While not a luxe spa, Sundays has a no-frills theme that is in keeping with its natural surroundings.

Tamarind Springs - Up in the hills above Lamai, the Tamarind Springs is definitely designed as a place to "get away from it all." Luxuriate in thier unique herbal steam sauna, cool off in the dipping pool, indulge in a professional massages; all in a secluded natural hillside setting.

The alternative crowd may want to check out Fah Samui, the sophisticated massage place of choice for the gay, lesbian and transgender population on Koh Samui in Thailand, offering Thai massage, oil massage, foot massage and many other massages and spa treatments.