I will really miss Hero. It was the one place I went consistently every trip to Bangkok.  Rarely did a week go by where I wasn't there at least once or twice.

 

Now that it is gone, I know there are other places that everyone likes. 

 

Which place would you say has the most boys available each day?

 

Which place has the best rooms with showers inside?

 

Which place has the hottest twinks?

 

Which place has the hottest muscle guys?

 

Which place has the best massage?

Definitely The Prince massage would be my choice

The Prince seems to fit most of your descriptions.

Except for the twinks, indeed that Prince (never have been) would be best, and much used to farang. As a far nr [2] likely Arena, it was said that a fair lot of former hero-guys went there-(or was that Uniman-anyway there were reports that its staff had nearly doubled) no idea if that is still the case. or over-expensive Senso.

The negative about the Prince is (for me hearsay) that its money-money-money aimed wit the Chinese lady running the place even made bets, in Thai and clearly heard by visitors, how much a customer would tip. Again: this may all have changed. It certainly has the best rooms-I think just like Hero they have several grades.

Though some of the more Thai aimed places may have the odd twink or so, this is not general and often also subject to the wims of the guys in turning up.

Thank you for your reports on all these places you have never been to. ☹️☹️

Thank you for your reports on all these places you have never been to. ☹️☹️

Too Funny!!!

My entirely subjective thoughts:

 

Shop with the most guys:  Prince, V Club 7 and Arena.   After these three, the soi twilight shops would probably be next.  [Regarding Prince:  I have never seen or heard a Chinese or other woman running the shop, I do have some facility with Thai and I have never heard any inappropriate chatter about how much someone will tip and I have never had any of the guys so much as make a peep about my giving them anything more than the stated "minimum" tip.  In fact I've found the guys at Prince as professional as anywhere.  One credible thing that has been reported about Prince is that some of the masseurs don't want to cum with a customer so they can go back into the rotation and hope for another customer right away.  The guys do like to go back into the lineup as soon as possible.  Personally not a big deal for me.]

 

Best rooms:  Of the big three, definitely Prince.  The regular rooms at Prince are not particularly large, but clean.  Arena and V Club are a bit run down.  Prince does have large VIP rooms, if that's your thing.  For me the most substantial negative about the regular rooms at Prince is that the mat/bed is not particularly wide and is against one wall.  Arena has massage tables.  V Club has large beds/mats on the floor with plenty of room.  (Honorable mention should go to King Spa, S 52 and Leo.  All are in townhouses with spacious rooms that are well maintained, although one of the rooms at Leo only has the shower in the hall.  Body Club has huge rooms, but I can't tell if they are decorated in industrial chic or shabby-chic.)

 

Hottest Twinks:  Very subjective here.  The Soi Twilight shops would be the best for lineup selection.  Banana Club has a decent number but I find the guys at Banana Club just not attractive.  If you're willing to work from photos and go a bit further afield, consider King or Common BKK.  Boy Club Spa in Ladphrao looks like it might specialize in twinks but I have never been.

 

Hottest Muscle Guys:   In the same way that twinks can for some mean waifs and others just trim 22 year olds with swimmer builds, I think muscle guys might mean Tawan types or guys who go to the gym to good effect with, for example, awesome pecs.  I don't think any shop will reliably have a lot of body-builder competition guys, but the big three will all have guys who have some muscles on them and lift weights, and I think Prince and V Club try to get guys that are perceived of as "model good looks" to the mainstream.  

 

Best Massage:   Of the big three, I think Prince and Arena are probably a tie -- so much depends on the particular masseur. But the massages are good.  V Club is a fuck shop -- the massage is just to help you relax for the main tip-earning event.  For me, Baan Taewa has the best massage (all guys Wat Pho trained), with Body Club running close behind and Leo also excellent.  (It looks like the guys at Body Club have opened another shop called "Peak").   Urban Male I always forget - pretty good++ massage and the smallish lineup invariably includes some twinkler types, so I suppose it should be mentioned too.

I use DivineMadman's insight and wisdom as my guide and appreciate the time he has given to this reply and to others in the past.
 

It's really great when board members can pass on advice like this even if it is subjective.  We maybe forget how daunting it was to visit one of these places for the first time, so I'm sure the info is of massive help to newbies as well as those who just want to get the max out of their precious time in Bangkok.

Thanks for starting this topic, Michael and for your subjective thoughts, DivineMadman :-)

 

I'll be in Bangkok in a couple of weeks and am thinking of trying a massage place for the first time. I've had a look at the photos on the websites of Prince, V Club and Arena and I think I'm going to give Arena a go - there seem to be more muscular masseurs than at the other two places, and for me, the more muscles the better. What happens when I go in? Does the massaman get me to explain what I want or do I just choose a masseur I like the look of?

 

According to the website, the minimum tip is 700baht for an hour, which includes a shower, massage and handjob. Am not looking for penetration of any orifice :-) So, is it ok to tip 700 do people generally tip more? 

 

Or, if I'm looking for muscles, should I give the massage places a miss and just go to Tawan?

Thanks for starting this topic, Michael and for your subjective thoughts, DivineMadman :-)

 

I'll be in Bangkok in a couple of weeks and am thinking of trying a massage place for the first time. I've had a look at the photos on the websites of Prince, V Club and Arena and I think I'm going to give Arena a go - there seem to be more muscular masseurs than at the other two places, and for me, the more muscles the better. What happens when I go in? Does the massaman get me to explain what I want or do I just choose a masseur I like the look of?

 

According to the website, the minimum tip is 700baht for an hour, which includes a shower, massage and handjob. Am not looking for penetration of any orifice :-) So, is it ok to tip 700 do people generally tip more? 

 

Or, if I'm looking for muscles, should I give the massage places a miss and just go to Tawan?

 

At Arena you will likely find several-to-many guys hanging outside the door.  You'll get a warm greeting from them and they certainly hope that by giving you the attention, and holding the door for you, etc., you'll pick them.  But don't feel any pressure on that front.  When you walk in you'll sit down and usually the manager will show you the price list and then ask you to pick a guy.  It's worth triple checking on the price list to make sure the tip is what you expect.  I forget how it is at Arena, I think it may just be a flat 700.  It's in smallish print on the bottom of the price list, as I recall.  If all it says is 700 then that's what it is but personally I think there is a reasonable expectation that if you go for more than an hour massage, then the bare  minimum tip should be increased (say to 1,000? for 1.5-2 hrs.   Other than this little caveat there is no reason you have to give more than the minimum if all you got was the shower-massage-HJ.  (But that the extra 100 baht or so can really be appreciated and if it's a truly expert HJ, it's well earned.  If it's an "I'm going to get you off as soon as I can" HJ, then minimum is just right.)

 

Pick your guy, confirm with the manager he does what you want and the length of the massage and your off.  If you're just looking for basics then I think you select anyone from the lineup who suits your fancy.  If you want to top (or flip), that narrows the scope of guys a bit and you might want to ask the manager ahead of time who will do that.  Sometimes managers help.  Prince often has a somewhat irritating habit of saying "You pick first, then I will tell you what he will or won't do."  I assume this derives from a desire not be seen as playing favorites, but it is what it is.

 

If you're going for more than a 1 hour massage, re-confirm with the masseur the length.  

 

Of course my answer to "should I give it a miss and just go to Tawan." is "hell, no!"  They're completely different experiences and go to Arena late afternoon-early evening and then go to Tawan at night if you want.  

Thanks - as emailbroken says, that's a massive help for a newbie like me. Now I know what to expect :-)

 

I'll report back in a couple of weeks....

Thanks - as emailbroken says, that's a massive help for a newbie like me. Now I know what to expect :-)

 

I'll report back in a couple of weeks....

That's the deal.  Your input then helps others In terms of Arena the manager is a young guy and is very helpful.  Let me recommend Nuk for your first

DivineMadman, I'm impressed by your review

 

I would like to offer you a gift for it If you will visit Pattaya and will let me know in 5-7 days in advance I offer you "free" one hour of call-out massage: oil or Thai on condition - you will write fair review and you will place order at least 7 days in advance, appointment will be after 2 pm and 7pm, no "happy ending" is possible.

 

You can place order here when you'll be ready (and if you agree to write review) http://www.thaimasseur.biz/ please let me know after booking in PM here. 

 

I need to know in advance cuz I need time to pay to Nick for that appointment.

DivineMadman, I'm impressed by your review

 

I would like to offer you a gift for it If you will visit Pattaya and will let me know in 5-7 days in advance I offer you "free" one hour of call-out massage: oil or Thai on condition - you will write fair review and you will place order at least 7 days in advance, appointment will be after 2 pm and 7pm, no "happy ending" is possible.

 

You can place order here when you'll be ready (and if you agree to write review) http://www.thaimasseur.biz/ please let me know after booking in PM here. 

 

I need to know in advance cuz I need time to pay to Nick for that appointment.

Thanks.  That's kind, unnecessary and much appreciated.  I do hope to make it to Pattaya next time I'm in Thailand....

I think Divine created this fantastic spreadsheet with all the information! I saved it.

I think Divine created this fantastic spreadsheet with all the information! I saved it.

spreadsheet link in this thread

 

http://www.gaythailand.com/forums/topic/10406-bangkok-massage-shops/

... if it's a truly expert HJ, it's well earned.  

 

very true, there is HJ and HJ..... interestingly, there is a guy at The Prime massage who does a particularly sensual massage followed by particularly expert HJ, so I've been booking him a few times. Of course (for those who don't know), The Prime is not a full-service gay shop, but a regular "legit" shop, i.e. masseur stays fully clothed the entire time (exceptions may prove the rule, but depend on personal chemistry), no shower together, and even HJ is not guaranteed (had guys completely ignore a raging hard on during the massage).

Well I know to cross Prime off the list!

 

I'll report back in a couple of weeks....

there  are people here with long memory, be warned

 In terms of Arena the manager is a young guy and is very helpful.  

his name is Art and he actually can give you very good massage as well, speaking from personal experience. 

Has anyone tried the massage place besides nantra? Heard some good reviews without going all out hj.

Guys, I have to tell you that this site has amazing posters with a plethora of knowledge that is helpful not only to those new to traveling to gay Thailand but also to those of us that are veterans.  Thank you all!

Guys, I have to tell you that this site has amazing posters with a plethora of knowledge ....

tell us something we don't  know 

Any "str8 massage" to recommend in bkk? Somehow.. i prefer those str8/manly/boyish/rugged boys working in those random "str8/normal massage shop" than the fem ones in shops labelled as "gay massage shops"... hehehe