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By Benjamin Malcolm
With a panorama of the northern forested borderline of Thailand,
Myanmar and Laos at its doorstep, the Mandara offers a truly special
setting - a place to enjoy the beauty of nature as you fully indulge
your other four senses.
You descend into the welcoming arms, aromas and atmosphere of the
Mandara Spa via a staircase and it is as if you are descending into
another world. A world intimately connected to its host, the Anantara
Resort & Spa Golden Triangle and yet disconnected, with private,
personalized views of the Chiang Rai countryside, the Mekong River
and the neighbouring countries, from secluded, romantic chambers.
It is most definitely a full-service centre, with everything from
hour-long facials and salon treatments, to the "Anantara Indulgence,"
a marathon five and a half hour combination of herbal steam bath,
choice of body scrub or enzymatic sea mud wrap, floral bath, massage,
meal, deep cleansing facial, choice of manicure or pedicure, all
topped off with a cup of lemon grass tea.
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The mystical departure from the "real world" of the resort
begins at the entrance to Mandara Spa, where patrons are welcomed
with a cup of tea from the staircase into a three-story reception
room. Behind are two huge muslin-draped swings, the first invitation
to relax and enjoy the view from the airy, bright confines of the
spa rooms.
The front desk contains a precious few of the elixirs and oils in
use at the spa area. Mandara uses traditional beauty essences such
as sandalwood, ylang ylang, patchouli, mandarin, lavender, lemongrass,
ginger, cinnamon and bergamot, while also mixing in an array of
natural ingredients - Thai coffee beans, natural volcanic pumice,
sweet woods, yoghurt, carrots and cucumbers among others.
Once you select a treatment, you can head to your room and gaze
out onto the forests that surround the complex and the nearby Mekong
River that flows past, separating the Anantara from Myanmar and
Laos. The Mandara Spa is located on a ridgeline, giving optimal
view age over the local rolling countryside. Visitors are free to
partake of as much of this as they would like, closing it off behind
air-con comfort or opening wide the windows to let in birdsong and
natural air. The weather is cool enough in the north that air-conditioning
is not usually needed. To encourage patrons outside, each room has
a built-on porch, select areas covered by muslin drapes for privacy.
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There are five terrazzo and teakwood suites in all, each of which
is designed for couples with its own shower and herbal steam room.
The balconies contain either alfresco sunken soaking tubs or Thai
massage platforms and the use of these is determined by the service
selected. Music and air-conditioning are under individual control
and floor vents allow the cool air to circulate upwards rather than
settling like a cold fog on spa-goers. The resort as a whole underwent
a recent interior upgrade and the spa's chambers reflect this effort.
The Mandara's catalogue reveals a grandiose selection of choices
for the discriminating customer and couples to share.
The list starts with hour-long facials, moves through a comprehensive
arrangement of longer body massages and treatments and ends with
half-day and full-day "packages" which mix and match the
above. The massage services, of course, are not only contained within
the walls of the spa, but can be moved to the pool area or to guest's
chambers.
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The Mandara's facials (there are six in all) use anti-oxidants
such as green tea, chamomile, rose and lavender and traditional
Thai skin care products. Facials are intended to promote stress
recovery, or are used for deep cleansing, nourishing, or hydrating.
Body treatments are also in abundance.
One of the signature body massage treatments is the Thai herbal
hot compress treatment, an aromatic treatment dating back to the
Ayutthaya period, especially designed for soldiers' aching muscles.
Steamed herbal pouches containing five different Thai herbs are
used as massage tools by staff. A warming massage and featherweight
stroking follow to soothe and foster balance.
The warm stone massage is another signature treatment, a two-hour
aromatic massage combined with deep heat therapy. Smooth basalt
stones are lifted from heated water and applied with warm oils in
long flowing strokes over the body.
Others include the Shirodhara, the massage of the "third eye,"
in which patrons receive a head and face massage followed by a stream
of warm herbal oil directed at the forehead and Thai herbal back
treatment, which includes an exfoliating scrub, deep tissue massage
and warm compress of Thai herbs. In all, there are over ten body
massages available.
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While the sea mud wrap is part of the longer "Anantara Indulgence"
package, it is offered on its own, along with other skin care options.
Others include the papaya and honey body wrap and the Javanese spice
and yogurt blitz. All should result in healthy, glowing skin and
a rested mind.
Mandara Spa has put together over five "sample" packages
all together and four half-day packages for visitors' pleasure.
Patrons can easily guess the object of most of these, with names
like "Endless Spirit" and "Stress Away." Spa
staff can help the indecisive narrow their choices.
Mandara Spa has put together a seemingly irresistible package. Where
else, after all, can you find such sensual luxury amid such natural
beauty? Truly a feast for the eyes and other senses, for those who
would head to the northern border of Thailand.
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