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By Marie Moon
Up, one, two, three steps and counting. Boy, it's a long way from
my deluxe room, on one side of the Chedi, to the other side of the
resort, where the Spa Cottage is located. Ah, yes down, one, two,
three, then, oh no, up again. My thighs are aching more than they
should be and I am sweating profusely. If I had left early enough,
this walk could have been leisurely, I could have stopped at every
precipice and gazed out to the turquoise ocean below. However I
did not and as I rush through the resort's labyrinth of staircases,
I am thankful that my appointment is at the Spa, where I am sure
to leave feeling much better than I do now.
I climb the final set of stairs, find a strong banister for support
and breathlessly report my arrival to a genteel therapist who beams
the famous Thai smile and shepherds me over to a shady chair. She
allows me to regain my composure alone while she fetches an icy
cold face towel and a refreshing cup of chilled lemongrass tea.
The Chedi Spa Cottage is located at the southernmost point of the
resort, perched up high on the steep headland. This remarkable location
affords stunning views of Pansea Beach and the crystalline waters
that lap its shore.
It was decided that I should indulge in The Chedi Indulgence package;
a two-hour session including a floral footbath, a body scrub, a
floral bath and an aromatherapy massage. "How delightfully
indulgent!" I gush. I feel better already.
Khun Mam leads me into a beautiful spa suite, which is decorated
with the same simple elegance displayed all over The Chedi. Two
professional treatment tables lay facing a picture window looking
out to sea. The suite is fully self-contained with an outdoor bathroom
that is separated from the main suite by sliding doors and wooden
Venetian blinds, another Chedi concept constant. Classical Thai
music plays faintly from hidden speakers adding the sense of sound
to the sanctuary.
After a quick change into a light cotton sarong, Khun Mam soothes
my feet into a warm footbath full of rose petals. She scrubs, rubs
and squeezes my feet just enough to make me want more, before telling
me to turn and lay face down, as she prepares a gooey mixture of
sea salt, milk and essential oils for the body scrub. The concoction
smells deliciously sweet, almost good enough to eat, for the aroma
carries in it a distinct scent of caramel. With strong circular
motions using the abrasive power of the sea salt granules, Khun
Mam sets about exfoliating my skin, removing dead cells, improving
circulation and moisturizing as she goes. The tingling sensation
of a body scrub is wonderful. This coupled with the luscious aroma
of the oils is quite exhilarating.
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By the time my body is entirely smeared with the creamy yellow
mixture, my skin is dancing, sensing things at will, for by now
my mind has all but shutdown in the recesses of pure relaxation.
All the impurities extracted during the scrub are expelled in a
milky wash under the shower and my skin takes on a new satiny feeling.
The next treatment is wonderfully luxurious; a leisurely floral
milk bath. The deep, dark terrazzo bath, brimming with flowers,
shaded by mature coconut palms and bordered by tropical water plants,
has a central window that looks out to that spectacular view. I
lounge in the bath for twenty minutes sipping a hot cup of ginger
tea and playing with the orchids, jasmine and rose petals floating
on the milky-white water. The warmth of the water and sunlight,
the fresh air and the heady fragrance of the flowers lull me back
into a state of deep repose until Khun Mam gently knocks on the
door. It is time for the massage.
Back in the suite I am challenged to make a decision, as Khun Mam
presents me with four aromatherapy oils; Earth with patchouli and
Thai prai, Wind with bergamot and orange peel, Water with lavender
and geranium and Fire with eucalyptus and rosemary. Nonplussed and
bewildered by this sudden need to function, I opted merely for the
most pleasing aroma. Had I been given this choice prior to the treatment,
I could have made a more informed decision. As it was, I chose the
Fire element, which is claimed to improve circulation.
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Khun Mam uses a combination of long strokes and acupressure during
the one-hour massage. Starting with the back, she makes strong,
continuous strokes from the gluteus up to the deltoid muscles, before
making fuigure-8s back down. The rhythm, sensation and aroma quickly
return me to a meditative state and before long Khun Mam has finished
the backs of my legs and it is time to turn over. Shielding my eyes
from the light of the room with a cool towel, she proceeds with
the fronts of the legs, chest and arms. I awake one nice dream later,
as she gently massages my scalp, face and neck, rousing me from
what could have been a long, deep sleep.
"OK Madam, your treatment is over. How do you feel?"
Khun Mam enquires. "Ahh," I stretch, "I feel great!"
And I do. The journey across the resort had been difficult, hot
and tiring, but Khun Mam's expertise and the peaceful setting of
the Spa Cottage have indulged my every sense.
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The Spa Cottage offers a good range of treatments including massage,
body scrubs, facial therapy, hand and foot care. The most popular
massage techniques are listed as well as Foot massage, a Therapeutic
Tension Relief massage and an interesting Honey Release massage,
which uses a mixture of honey and pure fresh orange juice to release
muscle tension. Body scrubs employ the best ingredients that nature
has to offer such as tamarind, organic honey, sesame seeds, white
clay and sea salt. The Tamarind scrub sounds lovely with fresh tamarind
seeds, honey, turmeric and rice powder used in conjunction with
yoghurt to cleanse and moisturize the skin. I was also interested
in the OPC Anti-Oxidant Body Polish, which is a 3-stage exfoliation
process using Jurlique's OPC exfoliating gel. There are five varieties
of facials available including a Lavender Fresh Facial and a Men's
Pampering Face Relaxation treatment designed specifically for men.
Although the Spa menu is small, the sophistication of the treatments
is impressive and patrons are sure to find a treatment suitable
for their needs. However, if you are in need of some added indulgence,
a real sensory delight, I highly recommend one of the five two-hour
packages that are on offer for THB 3,750++; less than US$100. The
packages are designed to please all the senses; naturally, touch
and smell are pampered at all spas, but the Chedi Spa Cottage has
taken the extra effort to appease the other senses of sight, sound
and taste. My Chedi Indulgence was a sensory delight and I encourage
you to have one too.
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