VCK Cool Space Massage - New Name, Same Disappointing Experience

[DivineMadman]

"VCK Cool Space" is the rebranded name of the former V Club 7.  It's on Soi Ari 4, about a 5-10 minute walk from the Ari BTS station.  It's connected to Chakran Sauna.  (Chakran has a reputation for being not particularly welcoming of farang.  I can't confirm that, but beware.  However, I certainly felt welcomed at the massage shop.)  They are active on Line.  website    

 

I am 100% sure VCK has it's fans.  It just happens I'm not one of them.  I used to live in the neighborhood and really tried to make a go if it.  I keep trying, but it's just not for me.

 

The good news is that they've spent a bit of time and money renovating the sauna and the lounge area.  Now you enter in the front through the same entry as the sauna, and you will get ushered into the lounge/bar area.  The back of the room is a tiered area where the guys are there for your selection.  On a weeknight at about 6:00 there were 10-12 guys.  All about mid-20s to early 30s.  Not a twink in sight.  Some shirtless, some not.  I had previously booked a guy on Line.  The booking was handled efficiently if ultimately unproductively because the guy I booked didn't go in to work that day.  An hour or so ahead of time I was informed of that and picked a different guy, no less attractive.

 

Now for the bad news - the room/house charge for a basic room is comparable to other high-end shops, but the minimum tip is substantially higher.  ABOUT 30% HIGHER.  Tip for a 90 minute massage at Prince is 1,500.  At VCK it's 2,000.  (Basic room is 950.  At Prince it would be 1,100 for a slightly larger room.)  I think the minimum tip for 1 hour at Prince is 1,200 and at VCK it's 1,500 - so 25% more at VCK (!!!).

 

When I made the 90 minute selection I looked the manager in the eye and asked him if he was sure the guy I had picked could really do a 90 minute massage, and he said yes.  Aaaaaaaaaargh.

 

Getting to the actual massage room is a hike with lots of stairs.  Because the whole thing is jumbled up with the sauna, it's a bit of maze to get to the room.  The rooms are perfectly functional with a pad on a slightly elevated "bed" that completely fills it's little nook.  There's a mirror on the wall and a nice shower.

 

Shower alone before and after.  Long long wait after getting showered for the guy to get back to the room to start the massage.  Naked throughout.  The massage was pretty much the definition of mediocre.  Wasn't horrible.  Was not good.  Very soft. A bit of contortion stretching which is ok but just wasn't done really right.  I think this is the sort of massage you get from guys who learn by watching a couple of youtube vids and maybe, just maybe, get a lesson or two.  Halfway through the guy took another bathroom break (that's an observation, not a complaint)..  Then flip over, a little bit of leg work and an ok happy ending.  

 

Showered alone after.

 

The guy was very cute.  Naked throughout.  Nice personality.  Didn't use too much oil.  All good.

 

The bad is the massage was barely mediocre and I was out on the street in 65 minutes.  After showering, long wait for him to start, then showering and dressing and getting out, that left about 45 minutes max for the massage.  And this is very much consistent with the other times I've been there.  

 

(Yes of course I could get out my watch and tell him no another 30 minutes, but he had exhausted his repertoire of limited massage skills and, frankly, why hang out when you know he thinks he's done.)  

 

If the shop charged less than the others, I probably wouldn't mind.  But if you are going to charge a premium price, then you have to offer better services.  It has to be a good massage, or -- as far as I am concerned -- a mediocre but enthusiastic massage for the full time.  I don't expect these guys to be great.  But you can't be mediocre and short-change.  Here the charge was 30% more than Prince, but I've never felt so quite short-changed at Prince.  

 

Because I had specifically mentioned the 90 minutes to the manager, and got his assurances, I sent the manager a Line message pointing out how short the massage was.  He couldn't be bothered to answer.  A simple answer like "Ooops, we'll make sure you get the full 90 minutes next time" is all he needed to do.  But no.  (This also makes me wonder if my original so-called booking (no show) was just a fake.  But that's just speculation.)  So the manager's good at booking but not really at follow up.  And had he followed up with me, I probably wouldn't written this review, or would have given it a different spin.  Or, all he had to do when asked is say that the guy is better for just a 60 minute massage, and I would have done that and been happy as a clam.

 

A more pleasant example to the contrary:  The other day I was over at Sanctuary Spa and was making my selection and we had narrowed it down a bit and I mentioned to the manager that I really wanted to be sure the guy could give a good 90 minute massage.  He thoughtfully changed his recommendation and the guy turned out to be great.  He knew that some of his guys might not have the skills for 90 minutes, and because he's a pro and wants his customers happy, he actually took it into account.  

 

Every time I go back to this place I have the same negative experience there.  Now that they have raised their prices to be so much more expensive than any of the other shops - and still providing crappy mediocre service - I just give up on the place.  Skip it.  

[vinapu]

I just checked their website and that's right , tips suggested are on very high side, 2500 for 2 hr massage sounds very high which itself may be justified if service provided is outstanding in upscale environment. When one adds cost of massage  whole thing costs almost as much as lavish long time tip for  best looking bar boys.

 

So perhaps we should heed your advice and seek greener pastures closer to main areas and well rehearsed shops. But at end of day it all depends on the boy , not the place. One of best massages ever I had in the Sun massage beside Tawan , and I mean massage. Place itself looks pretty downscale but I rather have fabulous experience  on the Styrofoam mat than crappy one in the VIP room with all trimmings.

 

Thanks for the warning.   

[a447a]

I think it's a bit much expecting a"proper" massage in an "improper" establishment which has been set up to offer gay sex. Best to go a place dedicated to giving real massages.

[vinapu]

I think it's a bit much expecting a"proper" massage in an "improper" establishment which has been set up to offer gay sex. Best to go a place dedicated to giving real massages.

right, like Arena or My Hero...

[ChristianPFC]

I have been to Chakran Sauna twice last year and found the facilities ok, but overpriced and the type of boy not what I'm looking for. During those visits I had a look at the massage boys (who spend their spare time in the sauna area), and they looked ok to me, I would have taken the one or other for free.

 

Your whole report shows: it all depends on the boy. That's why I go to low or mid market place, chances to find someone good there are the same as in high-so places (judging by reports, I have not been to high-so places). Attitude and overpricing are a total turn-off for me, a friend once reported the manager of Prince pointed out a boy "he has big cock, minimum tip 1500 fro 60 min massage" which put an end to my vague plan to visit Prince.

 

But the interesting thing is there seems to be a market for high-price places with management problems (A booked boy does not show up for work? Outrageous!) and poor skills. Is it just to be seen or being able to talk about high-so places, or do some people get off by throwing money around?

 

And with minimum tip stated, there is no way out. When no minimum tip is stated, I sometimes leave it at massage and no happy ending. Like the one in Pattaya who did massage fully dressed, and towards the end, out of reach of my hands, asked me if I want a hand job. No thanks! I can do that alone. He got 300 THB tip for the massage.

 

All but one of my massages are 60 minutes oil. One boy I took several times for 60 minutes oil over the year because he was so good at massage and happy ending (But not so much my type, why can't I have everything in one?), when I took him for 90 minutes it was just average.

[vinapu]

 

 

..... do some people get off by throwing money around?

 

most likely yes, the same way some people get off by haggling over 20 baht mango on the market.

 

It why some stay in 5 stars hotels when 3 stars  would do and flying business class when economy brings them home in exactly the same time , others are racing to Foodland   to be there before 9 a.m. to save 17 baht on their breakfast special ( that would be me ) and staying in windowless room at Nantra when literally few dollars more buys more spacious room with big window. ( that definitely will not be me ).

 

There's only so much logic in ways we human race are handling our money. 

[Guest abang1961]

Being prudent with your money is noble... However I do throw caution to the wind when I travel. Instead of having Chicken Rice all the time, I may treat myself to High Tea and costlier meals every now and then.

 

I don't spend my money on boys so the savings made is quite significant.

[PeterRS]

I wonder when the distinction between High Tea and Afternoon Tea got lost. I believe High Tea is more of a Scottish term. It refers back to a meal taken immediately after a worker got home in the early evening and involves a cooked dish plus strong tea, bread and perhaps a cake or two.

 

I believe abang is referring to the traditional Afternoon Tea which was much more the preserve of the upper classes and served in the middle of the afternoon. It is this which is served in many of the better hotels. This consists of lighter fare with fresh tea, freshly made scones (always with clotted cream and most often with fresh strawberry or rosehip jam), a variety of finger sandwiches which will always include one with thinly sliced cucumber, and a variety of small savouries and cakes. If waistline and cholesterol levels are of no great importance, it can be a very satisfying experience!

[PeterRS]

Back on topic, V Club 7 mentioned by the OP was originally the legendary V Club situated in its own premises on Soi Aree. Here it had a large number of masseurs, a few who featured in the gay photo magazines you could commonly pick up on Silom. Some others were strikingly handsome models in more upmarket magazines. I rarely had any dud massages in V Club. If you told the mamasan what you wished for afters, hed point out the ones you should select.

 

Quite a few years later Chakran was opened by the same owners as V Club. In its early years it was very welcoming of farang although I never saw many around. Then as rents started to spiral on Aree, I suppose it was natural that the two were merged. This was a shame as I believe both suffered and the model boys gradually drifted off.

[Guest abang1961]

The term High Tea is used commonly in Asia for us, the ladies that lunch..It is not uncommon to see posher places use this term in their promotions...

 

We don't have Afternoon tea ..That sounds more like a sneak in the office pantry...

[PeterRS]

I have occasionally heard Afternoon Tea referred to as High Tea. Maybe its a class thing! Perhaps dear abang you should start visiting some of the better class of hotel and restaurant around Asia. None appears to use the term High Tea! Maybe its a Singapore thing - but not totally so

 

Be it a fancy three-tier stand of desserts, or an all-you-can-eat afternoon tea buffet, there are endless options when it comes to an afternoon tea in Singapore.

http://www.ladyironchef.com/2016/01/singapore-afternoon-tea/

[Jasper]

Abang is right.

After quick google search, it seems they use the term “High Tea” to describe Afternoon Tea at high end hotels in Bangkok.

 

Shangri-La offers Mary Antoinette High Tea! LOL

I can just imagine Abang enjoying tea in a Mary Antoinette style.

 

I wasn’t familiar with the term “High Tea” but hey we lean new things everyday, right?

 

Shangri-La Hotel, Bangkok

Marie Antoinette High Tea

Shangri-La Hotel, Bangkok, offers “Marie Antoinette”, an afternoon tea inspired by the flamboyant French era in the late 18th century at Lobby Lounge. The afternoon tea set is priced at THB 1,198++ for a maximum of 2 persons. Available daily, from 2pm to 6pm, until 30 April 2018.

 

http://www.shangri-la.com/mobile/bangkok/shangrila/offers/details/hotel/dining/marie-antoinette-high-tea/

 

Intercontinental also offer afternoon High Tea.

 

http://bangkok.intercontinental.com/download/Afternoon-Tea-Set-Menu.pdf

 

 

Afternoon Tea in Bangkok Where to Find High Tea in Bangkok

 

Read more at: http://www.bangkok.com/restaurant-dining-experiences/afternoon-delight.htm?cid=ch:OTH:001

[PeterRS]

Obviously there is indeed confusion even amongst travel writers. Although the title of the last article Jasper posts starts off Afternoon Tea in Bangkok, the sub heading mentions High Tea. Yet the article is mostly about Afternoon Tea!

 

Many posh hotels offer proper English afternoon tea complete with traditional English scones, clotted cream, sandwiches, pastries and other goodies. Riverside hotels are probably the best place to have afternoon tea, as you can sip your tea and take in a slice of Thai life by the Chao Praya River at the same time

 

But in describing the Shangri La offering, it does appear this is more of a traditional High Tea because the article adds 

 

This includes several hot dishes

 

You will never find hot dishes served with Afternoon Tea.

 

Obviously the hotel and restaurant management association needs to be educated on the differences between the two. I suspect quite a few English/western tourists will not consider going for High Tea if what they want is a traditional Afternoon Tea. 

 

Since Afternoon Tea is so traditional, I also wonder when the confusion with High Tea arose?

[spoon]

Ive only heard of high tea being used in malaysia for an upscale british/western style tea with a buffet of pastries. Afternoon tea is just normal tea in the afternoon instead of morning, with 1-2 type of local delicacies (can be sweet or savory snacks).

[Guest abang1961]

Perhaps we shall have a High Tea gathering at the Oriental so Peter can correctly point out their mistakes...So LOL..Peter, the ball is in your court...So organise one session and all of us can be stiff upper lips for an afternoon..

[vinapu]

for me High Tea is when I fill my cup or glass with tea  to the brim

[traveller123]

Well this is a first, I would never have believed I would see a discussion on Gaythailand about High/Afternoon tea. 

We are a cultured crowd

[vinapu]

Well this is a first, I would never have believed I would see a discussion on Gaythailand about High/Afternoon tea. 

We are a cultured crowd

wait until we start slurping that tea

[PeterRS]

Perhaps we shall have a High Tea gathering at the Oriental so Peter can correctly point out their mistakes

 

I doubt it any of us could actually afford their prices! For info the Mandarin Oriental does not actually serve a High Tea! As you can see from the website, it serves traditional Afternoon Tea!! Bad example hehe

 

https://www.mandarinoriental.com/bangkok/chao-phraya-river/fine-dining/tea-rooms/authors-lounge

[Guest abang1961]

The Thais will say..mai pen rai...So when are we going for that TEA party? Surely you can afford it by not engaging boys for a night..

[Guest abang1961]

I shall be in bangkok from 3 to 7 Apr..So if Peter can get a group of 4,. We can sashayed over..

[santosh108]

Do they serve high tea in a "tea room"?

[PeterRS]

I shall be in bangkok from 3 to 7 Apr..So if Peter can get a group of 4,. We can sashayed over..

 

I could get a group together but at 1,696.50 baht plus tips and transport for a few nibbles and a cup of tea, none of us is all that keen, even if wed love to meet you. Now if you are paying, just tell us the day and time!

[Guest abang1961]

Well I don't mind paying but I would like to see the expression on the wait staff when an Asian foots the bill while in the company of farangs.

 

Contact me in pm if you are in Bangkok and you are interested to join in the event..

[Guest abang1961]

Westin offers a cheaper alternative.

 

http://www.westingrandesukhumvit.com/en/store/afternoon-tea/afternoon-tea