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DaffyDuck
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After arriving off the 11:05am EVA flight, checking into the President Solitaire by 1:00pm, I headed over to Elysium SPA for my customary arrival treatment - or so I thought.
How things change in a few months - new owner, new name (the highly original and imaginative 'Body and Mind SPA', a 'grand opening sale' (discounts for the next three months), but it's simply not the same...
Granted, I surprised them the day before the grand opening, but after asking several times for a manicure and pedicure, in addition to one of the spa packages, only to be told "yes, we do", receiving a blank stare when I asked for 'manicure' and being told 'no have'.
Now, granted, after I mentioned that I'll go somewhere else for a manicure, a quite competent lady was produced that could manicure, and the spa package provided some decent scrubs, rub downs, and massage -- but it just wasn't the same.
No warm, aromatic tea served upon arrival (a glass of ice water is what I had to contend with), the main room downstairs was now arranged in more traditional style, with a row of massage chairs lined up against one of the walls, and there was simply not much of the playful and enjoyable banter that made each visit fun and enjoyable.
Unfortunately, like everything in life, but more so in Bangkok, an era has passed, and an excellent spa will be sorely missed.
Anyone know what happened (well, aside from the obvious), and where the old owners/managers of Elysium have gone (and, maybe, if they opened a new spa along the same lines?)
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Thai Girls : Meet Sexy Thai Girls
Posted on: 5:33 am on Sep. 1, 2006
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ringthebells
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Phuket. Heard they were looking at a small hotel.
If you would have gone more often...
rtb
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Bangkok Women : Meet Sensual Bangkok Women
Posted on: 5:42 am on Sep. 1, 2006
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S M E G M A
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Yes, from what I heard they do have a new spa; but in Phuket. Hotel not yet operational.
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Thai Girls : Meet Sexy Thai Girls
Posted on: 10:28 am on Sep. 1, 2006
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Manuel bkk
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It wasn't that business was that bad that we choose to close. A typical lease was in place with the owner which said 3+3 years. After the first 3 years passed, the owner did not extend the lease as per contract. In the court of law we would have won the case in the long end but could have taken years. So be it....
The reason that the owner, who lives next door, did not want to extend the lease was that he had the idea that we were extremely succesfull and that he wanted to do it himself and have those 'mega profits' for himself.
As far as I understand he and his wife are running the spa now. It is good to hear that it is not the same. I still think we had a concept and vision and the knowledge to run a spa successfull. I do not think the present operator does have this. It is with almost pleasure to hear that it is not the same.
Due to the unpleasant experiences with this owner I would recommend not to visit the newly named spa..... After being so rudely and impolitely handled by him it only can give me some satisfaction to know that he is not as successful as he wants to be.
With this I would also like to thank all who have visited Elysium on soi 23. It was always a pleasure to see many returning customers and many found us or received information via this forum.
THANKS!!!
Soon a new spa will open close to the old Elysium. We are not involved in the operation of this spa but we might be advising the owner. I hope that in this spa you will all find something back what was before the ideas we had. When opened I hope that I can recommend this spa as an alternative to Elysium with the same hospitality and service.
We have moved on and left Bangkok. As RTB mentioned, we moved to the beautiful island of Phuket. A spa will, again, be the starting point and maybe other ventures will follow. Time will tell....
Still hope to meet many of you during frequent visits to Bangkok or here on the island. If anyone looks for good spa services on Phuket..... just let me know!
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Bangkok Girls : Meet Sexy Bangkok Girls
Posted on: 10:45 am on Sep. 1, 2006
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Bangkoksexydotcom
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Its funny in Thailand you fix the shit hole up what they call house and take HUGE amount of deposit for. As soon as they see you fixed it up and making money they kick you out screaming you ruin the place even if it now look 100 % better and keep the deposit. Never renting a shit hole once more ! Yes I like the thai want to do it themself copy some one. Thats why you see 10 Shops selling the same thing in one street its brilliant 
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Thai Women : Meet Matured Thai Women
Posted on: 11:57 am on Sep. 1, 2006
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Adventure Guy
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Quote: from Manuel bkk on 11:53 pm on Sep. 1, 2006
With this I would also like to thank all who have visited Elysium on soi 23.
Thanks to you personally for the best little spa - anywhere. Best wishes on your new venture, I have no doubt but that it will also be a class act.
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Bangkok Women : Meet Beautiful Thai Girls
Posted on: 12:34 pm on Sep. 1, 2006
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ThaiPrivateEye II
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Good luck Manuel bkk 
I will certainly drop by the next time I'm down that way...
TPE II
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Bangkok Girls : Meet Attractive Thai Girls
Posted on: 9:41 pm on Sep. 1, 2006
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CalEden
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Daft I thought you were a China Air guy?
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Thai Girls : Meet Active Thai Girls
Posted on: 11:15 pm on Sep. 1, 2006
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DaffyDuck
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ManuelBKK - thanks for clarifying the situation some more. Not that I was even considering it, but consider my patronage of that new place to be zilch -- seriously, apart from everything missing that made Elysium what it was, the cheap photocopied list of services, Mr. Smiley nodding without having any clue what he's doing (or what the customer is saying), and lastly him claiming "We are making improvements over previous place", while none are evident, I don't think you have to worry much about the place going the way of the dodo.
But, before going off on the usual TiT observations, of having some native grab a successful concept, and 'improving' it into non-existence, bear in mind that this is not unique to Thailand, as we have plenty of such moronic decisions in the USA as well.
Did you guys retain the name of Elysium, or would Mr.Smiley have retained the rights to use it? If so, changing the name seems even more stupid...
Oh well, if there's a hope for a better spa, being adviced from you, opening up around there, please do share it. I'll be sure to try it out.
Personally, I consider Elysium to have been so great that it may almost be worth a trip to Phuket
Lastly, CalEden, regarding EVA - yes, I'm a China Airlines guy, but I wanted to try out a couple of new things, so gave EVA a try (they were okay), and am also staying at a different place.
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Thai Women : Meet Matured Thai Women
Posted on: 3:30 am on Sep. 2, 2006
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Mel Gibson
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" If you find yourselves riding through green fileds with the sun on your face, do not be troubled,,,, for you are already in Elysium". Quote from "Galdiator",,,,,,,,,, Russel Crowe speaking to his calvalry before the final defeat of the Gauls.
I knew I chose this avatar for a reason
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Bangkok Girls : Meet Attractive Thai Girls
Posted on: 1:00 am on Sep. 3, 2006
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