Like many gay men on this planet, I had heard numerous tales about The Babylon gay sauna in Bangkok. Finally, life took me there, and I was able to discover first hand if all that they say is true.

Yes, most of it is true. The Babylon has to be one of, if not, the world's most beautiful gay sauna complex. Situated in the center of Bangkok, not far from the infamous Silom district, the Babylon hotel and sauna is deffinitely the place you'll want to be if you are looking for very pleasant lodging and direct access to South east asia's cruising gay men.

The non sexual part of the space is very complete: pool surrounded by a lush garden where you can sun tan, a full gym, two restaurants, two bars and a full massage centre. All this in a level of design which goes above and beyond what would have been necessary. It is obvious that no money was saved to create this gay sauna.

As for the sauna itself, you'll find a small cruising area with some cabins which is the only cruising space oppened in the afternoon. Around 4 or 5 pm, the larger cruising area opens which has the usual cabins, darkrooms and some glory hole cabins. There is actually two cabin spaces, but the second one only gets oppened on the weekend or holidays.

The wet area has a sauna, a lot of showers, a steam room and a jacuzzi like plunge pool.

They have regular events such as the ubiquitous drag show, boy show, and a very popular foam party: the place was packed.

The crowd is very mixed, a lot of guys from Bangkok, all of southeast asia and also from north america and europe. Getting to meet people was never a problem and asians that do go there, definitely wanted to meet "farangs" aka - non asians. I visited two other saunas in Bangkok and I could just as well have been invisible (I am caucasian).

I tried out the hotel as well for a few nights. There, I had a simple room and I would have enjoyed better lighting and a tv, but all in all, the price / quality relationship was decent.

I really cannot say anything bad about the Babylon that would be fair. Sure enough, a jacuzzi outside would have been nice, a steam room "just for steaming" as well and maybe a somewaht bigger cabin area. But the truth is, in all of my trips, I have to say that this is deffinitely one of the top sauna in design, crowd and services.

So, as Spartacus would put it in their guide: a definite must see for the international visitor.

http://www.babylonbangkok.com/home.html

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