Doc Holiday responds: The most renowned spa and retreat style hotels are a short flight from Bangkok, and are quite pricey too. You might not be in the mood for more flying anyway, and as Bangkok is such a terrific city, I'd recommend an option that offers the best of both worlds - a relaxing spa style hotel that's actually in the city.

The place I have in mind is called the Baan Thai Wellness Retreat (00 66 2258 5403, www.thebaanthai.com). It is on a quiet street in the heart of the city, yet is thoughtfully designed to feel as though you are in a traditional Thai village, with seven two-story teak houses, lush gardens, a small pool, and relaxing library lounge. The 33 rooms are richly decorated with carvings and Thai silks, and there is a good restaurant specialising in healthy Thai food.

It's billed as a 3-star+ boutique property, but you'll enjoy all the ambience and service that you might expect from somewhere more expensive. On a typical three-night stay, you'll get a personalised wellness consultation on arrival, a daily massage and use of the steam room, sauna, gym and exercise classes. Note that some of the rooms are on the small side, but chances are you'll be either at a class or away sightseeing most of the time.

Bangkok's many sights are within easy reach. You can walk to the shopping centres along in the Sukhumvit Road area, or catch a Skytrain elsewhere. The station is just a few minutes walk away.

What could be better than visiting one of the city's many impressive palaces and temples, the Jim Thomson's House museum, the Royal Barges National Museum, or the floating market, then heading back to the tranquillity of the Baan Thai - where of course, there are no mobile phones, laptops, children, or smoking. A three night full board package is from £498 (based on single occupancy), through Trailfinders (0845 0585858, www.trailfinders.com). Flights not included.

There are three top end spa hotels in the city as well - the Banyan Tree (www.banyantree.com) and the Oriental (www.mandarinoriental.com), and the Shangri-la (www.shangri-la.com).

Outside Bangkok, there's the Trisara (www.trisara.com) or the Amanpuri (www.amanpuri.com) in Phuket, or Chiva Som (www.chivasom.com) at Hua Hin. If you prefer a well-known name and a five star beachside resort approach, Chiva Som is a 60-minute flight from Bangkok, or about a three-hour drive. It's a 57-room resort set in seven acres of gardens on the Gulf of Thailand and has a long sandy beach. It offers a holistic approach to health and wellbeing that blends Eastern and Western philosophies. A three-night package is from £824 (based on single occupancy) staying in an Ocean View room including flight and road transfers from Bangkok, also through Trailfinders (0845 0585858, www.trailfinders.com).

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