Surfcrest
November 11th, 2009, 18:12
While in Bangkok last week I was able to steal away to my favorite sauna in Bangkok, Chakran.
For those of you that don't know, Chakran is quite easy to get to from the BTS getting off at Ari station and walking 50 meters or so down Ari 4. The place is well marked and there are some really great street food venues along the sidewalk walking toward Chakran. Its a nice neighborhood up there, not too challenging to walk from Ari...but many will grab a bike from the Station for 10 baht or less.
Another important thing to note is that Chakran is mostly a тАЬstickyтАЭ sauna for Asians who like Asians. I've always done quite well there, even though I'm not Asian. If you aren't able to meet anyone...the place is amazing on its own merit.
When you enter, you will find two desks. The desk on the left checks you in and out....after which you head up the stairs to your numbered locker. Unlike Babylon, they don't assign you to consecutive locker numbers...meaning the next guy isn't necessarily going to have the locker next to yours, reducing the congestion when you are getting in and trying to get changed / undressed. There are showers and toilets close by, along with stairs to take you to the many different floors. Also on this floor is a restaurant and bar with indoor and outdoor seating. You certainly won't feel out of place enjoying either in just a towel.
Downstairs you will find a large hot tub (but don't expect it to be hot or with high powered jets). It's more of a warm pool to relax in after the heat of the sauna / steam room. Next to that on either side are a dry sauna, massive steam room and additional showers. One of the main drawbacks is that the sauna and steam rooms are completely dark inside. You can see a bit in the sauna from the window at the door but you'll have to feel your way through the maze in the steam room until your eyes become accustomed to the dark. There is a beautiful aroma of watercress coming from the steam vents...an interesting alternative to the usual eucalyptus found in many other steam rooms. There is also a bar on this floor, a large cool water pool with a waterfall cascading in. The place looks amazing with the hanging vines coming from high above down to the pool and the curtains billowing in the breeze feels like something you might find in an Arabian oasis. They used to play hip relaxing music that blended well with the ambiance, but they seem to have discontinued that a few years back
Going up to the third floor you'll find a fully equipped gym and the entrance way to the тАЬHeart of DarknessтАЭ a darkened area where some play action happens. Being dark and on multiple levels with stairs here and there you'll have to be careful until you get used to the darkness. They have porn playing and a few common areas to chat it up before...and after, if you choose. Going up even further, you can gain access to the roof for a nice view and more common areas. Near to the gym entrance you can find warm and cold drinking water.
A few things have changed at this sauna in the last few years. They put lounge beds by the cool water pool and closed off the wet area with some tacky leopard skin drapes and bright orange curtains for the foam parties. This has stolen away from the look from a few years back, but it is still a well kept place overall for an enjoyable visit.
While Babylon can get busy in the afternoon and early evening...Chakran doesn't open until 3PM and is busiest in the evening.
For those of you that don't know, Chakran is quite easy to get to from the BTS getting off at Ari station and walking 50 meters or so down Ari 4. The place is well marked and there are some really great street food venues along the sidewalk walking toward Chakran. Its a nice neighborhood up there, not too challenging to walk from Ari...but many will grab a bike from the Station for 10 baht or less.
Another important thing to note is that Chakran is mostly a тАЬstickyтАЭ sauna for Asians who like Asians. I've always done quite well there, even though I'm not Asian. If you aren't able to meet anyone...the place is amazing on its own merit.
When you enter, you will find two desks. The desk on the left checks you in and out....after which you head up the stairs to your numbered locker. Unlike Babylon, they don't assign you to consecutive locker numbers...meaning the next guy isn't necessarily going to have the locker next to yours, reducing the congestion when you are getting in and trying to get changed / undressed. There are showers and toilets close by, along with stairs to take you to the many different floors. Also on this floor is a restaurant and bar with indoor and outdoor seating. You certainly won't feel out of place enjoying either in just a towel.
Downstairs you will find a large hot tub (but don't expect it to be hot or with high powered jets). It's more of a warm pool to relax in after the heat of the sauna / steam room. Next to that on either side are a dry sauna, massive steam room and additional showers. One of the main drawbacks is that the sauna and steam rooms are completely dark inside. You can see a bit in the sauna from the window at the door but you'll have to feel your way through the maze in the steam room until your eyes become accustomed to the dark. There is a beautiful aroma of watercress coming from the steam vents...an interesting alternative to the usual eucalyptus found in many other steam rooms. There is also a bar on this floor, a large cool water pool with a waterfall cascading in. The place looks amazing with the hanging vines coming from high above down to the pool and the curtains billowing in the breeze feels like something you might find in an Arabian oasis. They used to play hip relaxing music that blended well with the ambiance, but they seem to have discontinued that a few years back
Going up to the third floor you'll find a fully equipped gym and the entrance way to the тАЬHeart of DarknessтАЭ a darkened area where some play action happens. Being dark and on multiple levels with stairs here and there you'll have to be careful until you get used to the darkness. They have porn playing and a few common areas to chat it up before...and after, if you choose. Going up even further, you can gain access to the roof for a nice view and more common areas. Near to the gym entrance you can find warm and cold drinking water.
A few things have changed at this sauna in the last few years. They put lounge beds by the cool water pool and closed off the wet area with some tacky leopard skin drapes and bright orange curtains for the foam parties. This has stolen away from the look from a few years back, but it is still a well kept place overall for an enjoyable visit.
While Babylon can get busy in the afternoon and early evening...Chakran doesn't open until 3PM and is busiest in the evening.