Long gone are the days when pampering – whether at a spa, hair salon, or elsewhere – was considered women’s business. The modern man recognises that looking after himself and his health, both physical and mental, is crucial to his wellbeing and success just as much as it is a pleasant reward for all that hard toil. Here’s the Elite+ pick of places in Bangkok to let your hair down and indulge yourself.
A top-notch barbershop experience at Truefitt & Hill
First impressions count, and nothing makes a man look sharper than a killer haircut. While it’s possible to score a quick cut for little more than a few baht at any number of places right across the Thai capital, a new wave of high-end barbers are catering to the refined businessman looking for a classy, slightly more extravagant experience.
Front and centre in this new movement is Truefitt & Hill, the world’s oldest barbers as certified by the Guinness Book of World Records. This British barbers’ brand – a stalwart of stylish men’s haircare experiences – was first established in 1805, and now has a presence in Thailand, as well as in Malaysia, Singapore, India, and the United States.
The two Bangkok branches at Central Embassy and Emporium shopping centres exude predictably handsome brown wood and leather interiors, while services include everything from a ‘royal hair cut’ (1,100-1,500 baht) to traditional facial shaves (1,000-1,800 baht), hair colouring (1,500-2,000 baht), body hair removal (from 500 baht), manicures (650 baht), pedicures (1,100 baht), and face and head massages and masks (900-2,000 baht).
Central Embassy, 4th Floor (BTS Phloen Chit): Daily, 10.30am-8pm; 098-363-6146
Emporium, 1st Floor (BTS Phrom Phong): Daily, 10.30am-8pm; 061-162-4663
www.truefittandhillthailand.com
Yoga and a head massage at BeatRoot
On Chan Kao Road in Bangkok’s Sathorn district, BeatRoot opened in late 2015 as something just a little different from the other run-of-the-mill wellness centres that pepper Thailand’s capital. This multi-story and multi-function studio offers everything from rooftop yoga and Pilates classes to hair and nail treatments – and there’s even an in-house healthy-eating-focussed café.
In the salon part of BeatRoot, treatments run the gamut from a 10-minute refreshing hair wash (100-200 baht) to a two-hour full-body and face hot stone experience (1,799 baht), encompassing a range of masks, massages, scrubs, and washes along the way. If you’re squeezing in a little treat between meetings, 40 minutes and 400 baht will bag you a rejuvenating warm coconut oil head massage and hair wash, while an ‘office syndrome massage’ comes in at 600 baht for 40 minutes or 700 baht for an hour.
Thursday to Tuesday, 9am-8pm; Chan Kao Road; 02-287-3439; www.facebook.com/beatroothome
Suited and booted at Tailor on Ten
If you’re going to spend the time and money on buffing up your hair and nails, you want to be wearing something that shows you at your best. And whether you’re heading to an important board meeting or out for a stylish dinner and drinks, you need to dress to impress.
Everyone knows that Bangkok is filled with cheap tailors peddling suits of questionable quality – if you end up with anything to take home at all, that is – but a small mainstay of reliable outfits offer a service you can count on. Among those with the best reputation in Thailand is Tailor on Ten, located in the downtown Nana area alongside the BTS Skytrain. From a history-filled old house, Canadian owners cater to repeat clients with in-house tailors and nothing but the best quality materials. Other reputable Bangkok tailors include Jesse & Son and Vvon Sugunnasil.
Tailor on Ten: Monday to Saturday, 9.30am-7pm; Sukhumvit Soi 8 (BTS Nana); 084-877-1543; www.tailoronten.com
Jesse & Son: Monday to Saturday, 9.30am-8pm, Sundays, 1.30-5.30pm; Sukhumvit Soi 19 (BTS Asok); 081-443-7747; www.jesseandson.com
Vvon Sugunnasil: Tuesday to Sunday, 11am-7pm; The Barkyard, Sukhumvit Soi 26 (BTS Phrom Phong); 086-899-9888
Where are your favourite places to indulge, relax and recharge in Bangkok? Let us know in the comments.
