Thailand’s Banyan Tree Spa Krabi launches weightless therapy

Banyan Tree Spa Krabi, recently lauded by the MICHELIN Guide as one of the seven ‘most luxurious’ spas in Thailand, has introduced complimentary weightless therapy classes for its guests.

Weightless therapy is a holistic technique that involves floating in water, whereby the buoyancy helps alleviate pain and stress. Also known as flotation therapy, this sensory deprivation treatment is renowned for inducing a state of deep relaxation.

At Banyan Tree Spa Krabi, Wellbeing Practitioner Dr Subhash Shanbhag and his team guide and glide their clients gently upon the water in one-on-one sessions lasting one hour.

Guests are offered the choice of a ‘Wave Stretch’ session, which combines a rhythmic flow of water combined with gentle tension-point massage, or a ‘One Weightless’ treatment, a fully immersive experience in a zero-gravity environment. Both private and complimentary group classes are available.

Banyan Tree Spa Krabi Manager, Montira Vichiankoo explained “weightless therapy is an alternative way to heal your body and mind.

“The meditative state obtained by floating in the water helps us relax as well as exercising muscles, joints and bones.”

The weightless therapy experience is just one of several innovations at the award-winning spa, a ‘Sanctuary for the Senses’ that offers massage and wellbeing treatments, including traditional Thai and oil massages such as the Restorative Detox massage, a deep tissue technique designed to stimulate the body’s circulatory system.

Banyan Tree Spa Krabi’s signature experience is the Rainforest, the region’s leading luxury hydrotherapy facility.

The MICHELIN Guide describes it as a place “where tropical serenity meets holistic wellness”, noting “dive into a luxurious hydrothermal circuit featuring a Rain Walk, Steam Room, Sauna, Ice Fountain, Vitality Pool, Outdoor Cold and Hot Plunge Pools, Jet Pool, and Heated Bed.”

As a signature massage treatment, Banyan Tree Spa Krabi presents ‘Sense of Place - Krabi Tranquility’, a 150-minute treatment including skin polishing with jasmine and sky flower leaf, followed by a Naka Fusion stone massage and a Naka head massage. The soothing treatment is rounded off with an aromatic coconut milk bath. Alternatively, the Sleep Essentials massage is a unique ritual that brings the mind and body to a deep state of rest.

One of the most popular innovations is the spa’s Tropical Rainmist treatment, where guests unwind face down under the gentle drizzle of a rain shower before an invigorating body scrub is applied to purify the skin. The experience culminates with the therapist kneading away all tension with a Thai massage.

Spa therapists at the resort undergo an intensive course at the Banyan Spa & Wellbeing Academy, which is hosted in Phuket, and involves extensive training in anatomy, massage techniques and spa treatments, with advancing students also able to receive accredited certifications in Thai massage and aromatherapy.

The Resort
Located on a tranquil beachfront, and tiered into a lush hillside facing westward towards the Andaman Sea and the sunset, Banyan Tree Krabi has 72 pool suites and villas, among them seven two-bedroom options, one three-bedroom villa and a seven-bedroom beachfront Presidential Villa.

Images: Weightless therapy at Thailand’s Banyan Tree Spa Krabi (top), the resort's spa (middle) and beachfront location (below). Credit: Banyan Tree Spa Krabi.