Walking outside in Bangkok is like spritzing yourself with fish oil and jumping into a steam bath. Its hot, muggy and downright shocking to the body and the face. Breakouts are impossible to avoid and your body feels like it has taken a rickshaw to hell. Good thing Bangkok is also one of those fine cities that basks in the plethora of amazing spas and treatments of many wonders. Here are Lalas top spots to take off the edge and give your body a break.

Banyan Tree: Intimate and ritualistic treatments make you forget there are 15 million people just outside your door.

Mandarin Oriental Spa: The mother of all spas, with the reputation of a true celeb. Sell your soul to the devil and you too can afford a few treatments here.

Sukhothai: one of the cities newest luxury spas and surrounded by tropical gardens….ahhhh.

Chi Spa at the Shangri La: A combination of Thai, Chinese and Himalayan tradition. Determine your sign and get to work.

Little Lala: Mommy may get her toes pampered  by people but I prefer fish. head to Siam Ocean World and dunk your little toes in the fish bath. A few nibbles later and your plodders will feel as soft and sweet as a baby bottom. nip nip.

Close your eyes. Imagine a place where everything you ask for is possible. Cold towels and water await you to ward off the heat. Your laundry is magically returned within the hour, wrapped and sparkling clean like a gift on Christmas morning. Sushi is as fresh as if it jumped from the sea onto your plate. And everything is completed with a pride and smile that can only be found in your imagination….that is, unless you are lucky enough to be staying at the Four Seasons Bangkok.

Having spent ten days basking the Phuket sun in our Trisara villa, I admit I was loathing the idea of entering Bangkok with its endless traffic, tuk tuks, Patpong grit and food stall smells.  The Four Seasons Bangkok turned out to be an extension of our paradise. Inside its walls, well endowed gardens and plush rooms become a venue where western culture meets Buddhist peacefulness.  A spa treatment in your own spa suite is a perfect mixture of Thai quality and western quantity.  A workout in the 24 state of the art fitness center or a swim in the pool are relaxing moments and delightfully stylish pastimes.

Dreams can become reality and this Four Seasons exceeds all expectations. Let me be clear about one thing. I set my expectations high. In Seattle where I call my home base, locals often stymied by a problem or unresolved need call the Four Seasons concierge to find the latest bag, have a faucet fixed, or purchase tickets to a sold out concert. The policy of never say no guarantees that even the strangest requests are granted. The Four Seasons Bangkok concierge has been asked to prepare diamond fried rice and purchase and ship a tuktuk to an American guest. The Four Seasons has become the definition of service and a place where those all needs are met and met with style.

For those travelers with a taste for adventure and a love of food, take part in the 10^th annual world gourmet festival, taking place at the Four Seasons Bangkok October 5^th-11^th.  Featuring an extraordinary lineup for chefs from around the world, this week long celebration brings them all under one roof and straight to you.

Lala Awards: Worlds best sushi roll goes to the foie gras mango roll at The Four Seasons Bangkok restaurant Shintaro.

Little Lala: We love the cookies and milk served at bedtime and the little bathrobes, slippers and infant items supplied in the rooms. My babysitter was really friendly and taught me how to draw and swim! I wanna go back!!!

Bangkok is a dream for kids and Lala has the tips to enjoy the wonderland. Top stops:

Dream World- Big theme park with all the trimmings. Think disneyland without the annoying music. Substitute Thail tunes ad viola!

Safari World-A drive through Safari Park inhabited by African and Asian animals galore. Stick around for the dolphin and seal performances and get your grrrrrrrrr on.

Dusit Zoo-A bit of a theme park/zoo/excuse to take the kids to see things in cages.

Siam Ocean World-The largest aquarium in Southeast Asia. Water water all around and not a drop to drink.

Snake farm-A bit of a tourist trap but if you are into the creepy slinky things it’s not to miss.

Childrens Discovery Museum-Nothing like watching your kids dress up in costume or try out their vocal chords in a real recording studio.

Bangkok Planetarium-Space….the final frontier.

Croc farm-And we dont mean the shoes…feeling like wrestling a crocodile? We thought so.

Thailand Knowledge Park-Inside Central world plaza, find yourself enjoying the living library, films, virtual reality, music and a kids playground.

Ice Skate World-Sometimes Bangkok just gets too darn hot. Ice ice baby time! Dont forget to try out the karaoke and bowling.

Bangkok doesn’t hold back on its cultural craziness and fast pace lifestyle. The same holds true for its endless number of bars and nightlife. Why bother waking up until 8pm when the real life does not begin until 10. Head to these hot, happening over the top bang bang bars and stay out way past dawn. You wont regret it.

Sky Bar-Uber view and uber luxe. You will be glowing from head to toe.

Long Table- The eats are treats but the bar is where the real scene is. Slosh slosh

Zanotti-Seems Italy is not the only place where wine reigns supreme. Jazzy mojo.

Oriental-Sip poolside but avoid the tourists. It’s one of those things you just have to do.

Bed Supperclub-Is that a boy or a girl I dare ask….your guess is as good as mine.

Q bar-gorgeous drinks, even more beautiful staff and a rockin DJ set the scene.

Little Lala Tips: Mommy and daddy may be getting sloshy sloshy but the kids won’t be left out of the fun…wait until tomorrow for all the goodies on where to do the kid thing in Bangkok.

Thailand is known for its ability to relax. These spas help get you into the grove. Sit back, lay back, and let yourself go. They will do the rest.

Six Senses-You fill feel like you have ten senses after emerging from a spa day at Six Senses. Meltable

Amanpuri-Get your wallet and borrow someone else’s too. You will need it for these overindulgent spa experiences.

Trisara-How many hands does it take to give a good massage. At Trisara you get six….let your imagination go take you away.

Banyan Tree Spa-A ritual for the body. They know pampering and they know it well.

Mandara at the JW marriot-Enjoy their signature massage treatment that includes a combination of five different massage styles of Japanese Shiatsu, Thai Massage, Hawaiian Lomi Lomi, Swedish and Balinese. Oy!

Welcome to Phuket! Land of endless bars and places that will sell you alcohol even if they are not bars. Here are a fews slick places that give you the bar without the fly.

360-hilltop bar with high standards

Trisara-Think view sea front style with all the right zen atmosphere to make you want to drink until dawn.

Catch-A whole new meaning to sex on the beach. This bar/restaurant/hangout for the fashionable folks bring out all the hot stuff.

Supper Club-chic, unique, take a peak.

Rockfish-throw in your reel and get hooked on the view.

Little Lala’s tips: Head to the reggae bar at nai harn- a chilled and laid back bar where kids are in the scene.