Anantara Spa & Wellness, Bangkok

Anantara Spa & Wellness Bangkok: A wellness universe on the Chao Phraya River, just five minutes from your hotel room

We enjoyed the two massages during our stay at Avani+ Riverside Bangkok Hotel and Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort so much that we decided to write a separate article about them. The service, the quality and the range of treatments left such an impression that the Anantara Wellness and Spa team simply deserves it.

Location

Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort sits on the west bank of the Chao Phraya, in the Thonburi district, sharing the same address as the neighbouring Avani+ Riverside Bangkok. Both resorts are part of the Minor Hotels family and essentially share the same beautiful stretch of riverfront. In April 2026 we stayed at both properties and walked from one to the other in literally five minutes. That in itself felt like a rather luxurious situation to be in.

The west bank feels quieter and more authentic than the busy east side of the river. No towering office blocks or hectic shopping streets here, just ancient temples, Chinese shrines and small boat jetties. And yet nothing is far away. The complimentary shuttle boat runs daily from 08:00 to 23:15 to Sathorn Pier at BTS Saphan Taksin station and to ICONSIAM. From Saphan Taksin, Silom, Siam and Sukhumvit are all easily reachable by Skytrain. Wat Arun, Wat Pho and the Grand Palace are accessible by water, Asiatique the Riverfront is just around the corner, and right next to the resort you will find Riverside Plaza with a brand-new TOPS Supermarket for a quick shop. The SEEN and SIN rooftop bars at Avani+ are within walking distance. This little stretch of the west bank has everything you need, and the rest of Bangkok is just a short boat ride away.

Anantara Spa: Where Time Stands Still

Anyone who thinks a spa visit at Anantara Riverside means lying on a massage table for an hour and then getting on with your day is mistaken. This is something else entirely. A wellness universe in the middle of Bangkok that goes far deeper than any hotel wellness experience we have encountered before.

The name Anantara is derived from Sanskrit and means ‘without end’. You feel that philosophy the moment you step inside. The space is quiet, cool and fragrant, far removed from the noise of the city outside. The treatments draw on centuries-old traditions from East and West, combined with local Thai ingredients you rarely find on a spa menu elsewhere.

The treatment menu is impressively broad. The Anantara Signature Massage works with a proprietary blend of oils to stimulate the body’s energy pathways. The Oriental Rice Compress Massage combines traditional Thai techniques with a heated rice compress. The Himalayan Thermal Therapy uses hand-carved salt stones loaded with 84 minerals, alternated with an ice-cold rose quartz gua sha for the face. The Journey of Siam is a complete Thai ritual with aromatic herbal steam, royal Thai massage and foot massage, immersed in the culture of the kingdom from start to finish.

For those looking for something truly special: the spa also offers cannabis and moringa therapies, two plant-based treatments that deeply relax and nourish the skin. And for couples there is the Opulent Harmony Divine Duo Escape: a shared ritual with foot bath, body scrub, signature massage and a finish of chocolate-dipped strawberries and champagne. Honeymooners, this one is for you.

Families are welcome too. The spa has a dedicated children’s programme for ages 7 to 12, using hypoallergenic products, a mini honey facial and even a small manicure or pedicure. Fun, gentle and genuinely special.

Anantara Wellness: The Next Level

There is something else that makes Anantara Riverside unique on a global scale. The resort is home to the very first Anantara Wellness destination in the world. Not your average hotel wellness offering, but a serious medical wellness centre that combines preventive healthcare with ancient wisdom and modern science.

Anantara Wellness operates across four pillars. Personalised nutrition based on epigenetic testing, using your unique genetic profile as the foundation for a tailored nutrition plan. Integrative medicine, bringing Traditional Chinese Medicine, Traditional Thai Medicine and naturopathy together into one treatment plan. Preventive health, including stress management, medical check-ups and IV vitamin drip therapies. And holistic personal guidance that brings all of these elements together in a programme built around your body and your goals.

This is the address for anyone who wants to combine a stay in Bangkok with a serious health reset. Not a spa day, but a genuine investment in yourself.

Our First Experience: the Abhyanga Massage

Our first wellness experience took place on our first day at Avani+ Riverside. And that already says something about how close everything is here: within five minutes we were inside the Anantara Spa, tucked away in a tropical garden on the banks of the Chao Phraya. Just the walk there felt like a small escape. We arrived through a green bamboo tunnel and the sense of calm was immediate.

The therapists took their time with a thorough personal intake beforehand. A refreshing welcome drink, a relaxed conversation about what we needed, and only then the transition to the treatment room. What followed was unlike anything we had experienced before: the therapist first asked us to take three slow, deep breaths to arrive fully in the moment. Then came a soft Thai blessing, sung quietly for us. It gave the massage an almost spiritual dimension from the very first minute.

We chose the Abhyanga Massage, an Ayurvedic treatment using a specially developed oil with Indian influences, warm, gently spiced and subtly present throughout the entire session. What stood out was the technique: rather than working body part by body part, the therapist worked side by side. First one half of the body completely, then the other. It felt surprisingly logical and created a distinct sense of balance. The movements were calm and flowing, focused entirely on deep relaxation rather than muscle manipulation.

The closing moment completed the experience perfectly. Warm compresses on the shoulders, arriving at exactly the right time, followed by a cup of tea and a remarkable biscuit with pecan and lemongrass. Original, unexpected and just right. This did not feel like a massage. This felt like a ritual.

Our Second Experience: the Good for the Body Massage

The second treatment took place on our check-out day at Anantara Riverside and was the perfect way to close an incredibly relaxed stay. The Good for the Body Massage fitted seamlessly with the atmosphere of the resort and with everything we had felt over the days before: calm, attentiveness and no sense of rush.

From the very first moment, this experience also felt personal. After a short intake, the same specially developed oil with Indian influences was used again, its warm scent immediately evoking a sense of comfort. Where some massages focus on releasing tight muscles with firm pressure, this treatment took a gentler approach. Long, flowing movements followed one another at an unhurried pace, never forced. The goal was not to work out muscle knots but to bring body and mind to a place of complete rest.

In this case, different parts of the body were treated separately, which also gave that special feeling of balance. During the massage, the sounds of the city completely faded into the background, and time seemed to stand still. A warm herbal compress, a cup of tea, and a delicious cookie afterward perfectly completed our stay at both Minor locations along the Chao Phraya River!

This is exactly the kind of treatment where you simply do not want to get up afterwards. An ideal choice for anyone who wants to consciously carve out a few hours of complete stillness during a stay in Bangkok.

Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort

From lush tropical gardens and luxurious suites to world-class dining Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort offers a perfect blend of city buzz and serene escape. Curious about what makes this resort so special and why guests keep coming back?

Read our extensive review here or check this amazing accommodation at Booking and/or Agoda.

Avani+ Riverside Bangkok Hotel

Looking for the perfect blend of style, comfort, and hospitality? You will find it at Avani+ Riverside Bangkok Hotel! From stunning river views to exceptional dining and vibrant social spots. Curious about what makes Avani+ Riverside stand out?

Read our extensive review here or check this amazing accommodation at Booking and/or Agoda.