Tranquillity, ancient tradition and tailored treatments at RatiLanna Spa

By Citylife | Thu 12 Jun 2025

A teak-panelled reception, its walls adorned with exquisite ethnic arts and crafts from the many hill tribes living amidst the mountains of Northern Thailand, welcomes guests into RatiLanna Spa’s cool interior. A subtle aroma envelops, as a blend of exotic herbs with hints of kaffir, ginger, pandan, turmeric and lemongrass steams from a pot bubbling in a corner of the room. A genuinely lovely Thai smile beckons you to enter the sanctuary of serenity, as you sit on a comfortable chaise lounge perusing the tempting menu while facing the lush green tropical gardens just behind the floor-to-ceiling pane of glass.

The art of wellness at RatiLanna has been inspired by the heritage of Northern Thailand, its spa practitioners drawing from a long history of massage and healing traditions. Six luxuriously appointed and spacious double treatment rooms each come with its very own herbal steam room and hydrotherapy Jacuzzi. All of the branded spa accoutrements are stylishly provided from robes to slippers, in-house lotions and skin- and body-care products. The resort’s in-house florist presents creative bouquets of floral decorations to brighten up each room. Privacy is king—and queen—at RatiLanna Spa as the only sound heard is that of one’s blissed-out sigh and the soothing backdrop of traditional Lanna music intermixed with calming natural sounds.

Highly trained masseuses discreetly enter…and soon it is time for the pampering to begin. RatiLanna Spa offers a plethora of treatments such as the popular Rose of RatiLanna signature two hour roselle and rose scrub, herbal foot bath and aromatic warm rose oil massage designed to improve blood circulation, release stress and balance the body, mind and spirit. There are also a number of very traditional treatments which have been honed over the centuries to serve specific purposes. The Ancient Bamboo Massage is designed to invigorate the body by infusing it with energy. Bamboo stalks are used to provide deep-tissue work which when combined with an oil massage promotes circulation, sensory nerve perception and a deep sense of wellbeing. There is also the traditional Herbal Compress Massage, a Thai technique which soothes muscle soreness and increases blood circulation. For a more beauty-forward treatment, try out the Lanna Heritage Body Scrub where RatiLanna’s unique mix of herbs and minerals are used to scrub the skin, rejuvenate the body and enhance beauty. The more hearty person may be up for the vigorous Lanna Exotic Massage which uses a special wooden stick made from the bark of the tamarind tree to rhythmically tap along muscular and myofascal lines of the body, relieving pain, nerve compression and arthritis.

RatiLanna Spa has taken home numerous awards over the years, and rightly so. It offers up a truly exceptional spa experience, balancing luxurious pampering with treatment-focused wellness.

As the treatment comes to an end guests are given ample time to gather not just their things, but their wits and senses, before being lead back to the lovely reception area for one last treat.

Once resettled into the chaise lounge, guests are presented with a farewell drink of warm aromatic tea which changes seasonally and is exquisitely presented, topped with a freshly crafted banana cone, as well as an accompanying healthy nibble—whether an organic multigrain crunch or a wobbly Thai fruit jelly.

Sit, sip, and soak in the ambiance before returning to the reality of your daily life.