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By Benjamin Malcolm
Siam Spa Heath & Beauty is not about to compete with the deluxe
weekend-away spas that dot the fringes of Chiang Mai, but it does
hold its own in terms of professionalism and location. For comforting
massages and a variety of treatment choices including steams, soaks
and facial cleansings, in the heart of Chiang Mai, you would do
well to head to one of the branches of this northern beauty and
spa centre.
There are three locations in all - the namesake, Siam Spa Health
& Beauty, is in the Chiang Inn Plaza in the Night Bazaar area,
while Spa Beauty Think Earth is located in the Hillside Plaza in
Huay Kaew. The headquarters, Ampai Beauty and Spa, is right down
the road from busy Tha Phae Gate.
Ampai Beauty has been active for over 20 years, so I was intrigued
to discover the spa options available with them. I first visited
the Moonmuang Road location, near Tha Phae and was greeted by the
manager. After a brief chat, we decided the best course of action
was for me to visit the Huay Kaew location near Central Department
Store, as I was planning to go to that area anyway for some shopping
the next morning, to view the newest facility, Spa Beauty Think
Earth.
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I was already well familiar with the Hillside Plaza, as it is also
the location of one of the largest fitness clubs and Akamon, one
of the best Japanese restaurants in town. I headed for a quick afternoon
workout at the aforementioned club, trying my best to earn my massage,
before stopping by for a visit with Spa Beauty Think Earth.
Spa Beauty Think Earth, which opened in April 2004, is spread out
over two big rooms on the third floor. There is a main room for
quick drop-ins and a set of more secluded rooms for more comprehensive
spa treatments. I had selected an hour-long face massage and thus
was guided into the main room by the attendant.
The spa lounge is comfortable enough, with an array of magazines
and papers available in the waiting area. The d?cor is simple and
professional, inviting a visit by either passers-by or the residents
of the Hillside condominiums. One of the pleasant features about
Hillside Plaza is the chance to come in from the heat and the noise
of Chiang Mai. While its urbanity is nowhere near the levels of
Bangkok, Chiang Mai is growing year by year into a bigger and more
bustling city.
The inside of Hillside Plaza is a calm, muffled space of high-end
locations and this aura is most definitely carried through into
the inside of Siam Spa, which feels a world away from the line of
traffic moving out on Huay Kaew Road.
I was led to a massage table and, under a stress-relieving audio
blanket of soft music, I lay back, eyes closed, ready for my face
massage. After a series of warm towels, the attendant began by applying
facial toner and then moved deliberately and skilfully through the
hour, spreading, scrubbing away dead cells and massaging night cream,
a purifying mud mask, facial cleansing milk and lastly, eucalyptus-scented
massage oil into my skin. Siam Spa uses an impressive array of oils
and lotions in its treatments, both local and imported.
Suitably refreshed, I headed for a quick tour of the facilities.
On the other side of the hall from the main area, separated also
from the flow of traffic, are an extended chamber of spa facilities,
including steam rooms, saunas and Jacuzzis. Any number of packages
can be booked here, full sets of steams, soaks and body massages.
After my hour of face massage, I was ready to face the traffic
of Huay Kaew once more, bolstered by my hour of serenity at this
exclusive branch of Siam Spa.
These Siam Spa branches occupy a unique niche in the Chiang Mai
spa scene and are a solid fixture among the upper middle range of
spas, giving clients a recognizable professional brand. Some of
the most basic massages, 30-minute foot reflexology massages and
hand treatments, are definitely well within the infrequent spa visitor's
price bracket, while longer therapies can be priced by the treatment.
The Ampai Institute of Hair Design & Beauty, which received
a Royal Award in 1998, has been in operation since 1981 and is the
umbrella organization behind Siam Spa. Not surprisingly, the Institute
has added an international aesthetics, massage and spa therapy unit
to its curriculum. The five month course has the backing of the
TSPA, the Thai Spa Professional Association.
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