Thai Airways First Class Lounge and Spa Bangkok Review

This Thai Airways First Class Lounge and Spa Bangkok Review is part of a trip report including Thai First Class, Asiana First Class, and luxury resorts and dining in Siem Reap and Northern Thailand. For the previous articles, please see:

Location and Access for Thai Airways First Class Lounge, Bangkok

The Thai Airways Royal First Lounge at Bangkok Airport is located at Concourse D, Level 3. It's open 5am to 1am. Access is given to:

Thai Airways First Class passengers departing the same day, with one guest permitted, as long as that guest is departing same day on any Star Alliance operated flight
Star Alliance First Class passengers departing the same day, with one guest permitted, as long as that guest is departing same day on any Star Alliance operated flight
Royal Orchid Plus Platinum card holders departing same day on Thai Airways operated international flights, with one guest permitted, as long as that guest is also departing same day on a Thai Airways operated flight

Thai Royal First Class Lounge Amenities and Seating

The Thai Airways Royal First Lounge offers ample seating, with several semi-private corners including a sofa and computer workstation; private shower suites; nap rooms; a dining room; buffet and a la carte dining; and 2 VIP Rooms. After presenting my boarding pass, I was escorted to one of the semi-private corners and asked what type of welcome drink I'd like, as well as presented a food menu.

I asked to take a shower prior to my spa massage, and was shown to a private shower room. It included a toilet, sink and vanity, rain shower, L'Occitane bath products, and slippers.

Thai Royal First Lounge Menu and Food

Thai's First Class Lounge does offer a buffet section with small plates of savory and sweet items, such as these coconut fried fish appetizers, fried rice, and various pastries:

There's also an a la carte menu. I focused on the Thai choices, which included a few curries:

Various Western and Thai appetizers are also offered, although I didn't try any of them:

And if you're there in the morning, standard breakfast omelets and such are offered:

A slew of cocktails and the usual soft drinks and espresso drinks are available as well, although I preferred the fresh squeezed juices, such as pineapple and watermelon.

The Thai green curry with chicken that I ordered was good, although not spicy at all, even though I'd ordered it spicy–no doubt because they see so many non-Thais in the lounge that don't have a high spice tolerance.

Similarly, the Tom Yum Goong was fine, although it couldn't begin to compare with the version we'd had at the Anantara Golden Triangle, which had a much more vibrant flavor from the abundance of fresh lemongrass, kaffir lime and fresh herbs.

Thai Royal Orchid Spa

Thai First Class passengers have a choice of two full body massages lasting a full 60 minutes: the “Touch of Silk” full body massage oil massage, which is similar to a traditional Swedish massage with long, flowing strokes; and the “Royal Thai Massage” which includes traditional Thai accupressure to stimulate blood circulation.

If you're traveling in Thai Business Class, you have the choice of a 30 minute Neck & Shoulder Massage or the 30 minute Foot Massage.

I was really looking forward to a full 1 hour massage, and chose the Touch of Silk full body massage. The Thai Royal Orchid Spa was a few minutes' walk from the Thai Royal First Lounge:

The receptionist greeted me, confirmed my massage, and had me fill out a quick form before asking me to wait in the adjacent lounge seating area.

Since I was right on time, within a couple minutes my therapist appeared to take me to the treatment room. She graciously agreed to let me take her photo when I photographed the treatment room:

There's a separate changing room, with robe, disposable underwear and slippers for you to change into, along with a toilet, sink, and shower.

If you choose the Touch of Silk oil massage, you'll be plenty moisturized, but there was also L'Occitane moisturizer and eau de toilette:

I was very happy with the massage. I prefer moderate to strong pressure, and my therapist's pressure was perfect. She did ask if the pressure was right, so I'm sure she could have adjusted it if it had been too strong. She was able to get out the perennial knots in my neck and shoulder areas and I felt much more energized and relaxed after the massage.

Massaging someone with that kind of pressure is hard work, so do make sure to leave a nice tip for your therapist.

Afterwards, she asked my tea preference and led me to the relaxation room, where I was given my tea and a feedback form.

Somewhat incongruously there was a table with various packaged snacks and candies. That is really my only criticism of an otherwise stellar experience. Not that I needed any food at the spa, but in a spa environment, if there are any snacks provided, I'd like to see healthy ones such as fresh fruit or simply fruit infused waters, in keeping with taking care of your body.

The Verdict

I enjoyed my visit to the Thai Royal First Lounge, particularly as for most of my visit there were few passengers in the lounge and the service was very attentive and helpful. I also liked the fresh squeezed fruit juices, although the Thai curry and soup were average, after having had fantastic (and authentically spicy) Thai food at the Anantara Golden Triangle in Chiang Rai. L'Occitane bath products in both the shower suite and at the Royal Orchid Spa were a very nice touch.

The highlight by far was the 1 hour Thai massage at the Royal Orchid Spa. I don't know of another airline that provides a complimentary 1 hour massage service, even to first class passengers, so this is definitely a strong differentiator for Thai Airways when it comes to its first class product.

If you've visited the Thai Airways Royal First Lounge and Royal Orchid Spa, what was your experience?

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