Spa-goers don’t have to cross an ocean to experience an authentic Thai spa where no detail is left undone. At Echo Valley Ranch & Spa (Clinton, Canada), guests can opt to enjoy a traditional Thai experience or Thai yoga in the property’s Royal Baan Thai, which was designed by Pinyo Suwankari, architect to Thailand’s royal family.
The famed architect was recommended by a friend to owner Norm Dove, who after familiarizing himself with Suwankari’s work, quickly realized he probably couldn’t afford to hire him. Fortunately, Suwankari was inspired by the project, which afforded him the opportunity to design one of the first traditional Thai structures to be able to withstand the colder temperatures found in British Columbia. The stunning pavilion was conceptualized as an exotic blend of traditional Thai design with a Western twist. Inside, the Sabai Sabai Suite comes complete with handcrafted Thai beds, silk, teak carvings, and a mountain-mist herbal steam bath and jet shower. The soothing sanctuary is available only to those interested in one of the exclusive Thai Spa packages, such as The Baan Thai Body and Face Sampler ($430, 2 hours 30 minutes).
The ranch also features the Cariboo Spa, a seven-treatment room retreat with a fully equipped fitness room and an indoor pool. Offering a mix of Thai and Western-style treatments, the spa is staffed with extensively trained Thai therapists, some of whom have worked at the ranch for decades. Set amid BC’s rugged landscape, Echo Valley Ranch & Spa is a true Thai treasure.
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