|
By Marie Moon
"Wow, this has been some monsoon season! It
has been raining solidly for the past two weeks. All my clothes
feel damp, the front lawn has become a site suitable for a motor-cross
and every joint in my body is aching for some sunlight." That
is what I was saying yesterday.
Today, as if by heavenly intervention, the sun has broken through
the clouds and is now flooding Nai Harn Beach in a wash of golden
sunlight. I am heading to Le Royal Meridien Phuket Yacht Club to
learn about the services available at Le Royal Spa and driving along
the beach road I see the hotel, reclining into the hillside as one
might lean into a sofa or lounge suite. This hotel boasts one of
the best locations on Phuket Island with serene views of secluded
Nai Harn Bay, Nai Harn beach and Cape Promthep available from all
guestrooms, a claim that few resorts can rival.
 |
|
Opened in a shower of Thai tradition on Songkran
Day, 13 April 2001, Le Royal Spa is carefully and skillfully managed
by Khun Narumol Sukapojana, an expert therapist trained in the complexities
of traditional healing from the acclaimed Wat Pho School of Traditional
Medicine. Khun Narumol described the regularity of her spa training
programmes, "I personally inspect my therapists' work every
month. I ask them to perform some treatment on me and I am tough
in evaluating their work." "Wow, you have the best job
in the world!" I enthused rashly, which didn't really go down
too well but she continued, "I constantly push my therapists
to do better work and I constantly push myself to improve different
aspects of the spa." During our conversation she mentioned
upward of four new ideas to improve her guests' levels of comfort
and satisfaction. I was impressed.
"The concept of the Spa is very simple. We, of course, want
to take care of the body and the mind, but we also aim to demonstrate
how friendly the Thai culture is; this is why we welcome all guests
with a refreshing cold drink, an icy cold face towel and a free
gift. The towels are soaked in Jasmine petals overnight before we
put them in the refrigerator. When the guests arrive they all comment
on how beautiful the towels smell."
|
|
|
Le Royal Spa literature would tell me that the
Spa offers a range of therapies from ancient cultures that centre
on the wellness of the body, spirit and mind. Traditional Thai,
Shiatsu and Ayurvedic massage therapies are good examples of these
ancient methods of hands on healing. The Spa offers eleven different
massage forms to choose from including an 85-minute session that
combines Thai, Swedish and Shiatsu massage and a Remedial treatment
which combines Swedish and Deep Tissue work. A holiday in Thailand
may be a good time to cleanse the body and a Lymphatic Drainage
massage will aid in the elimination of toxins from the system. Khun
Narumol and her staff are able to expertly advise guests who are
unsure of which form of massage to select during a routine questionnaire
held prior to each session.
The range of Body Scrubs presents options for all skin types. A
sensitive skin treatment employs carrot, while dry skins benefit
from a purifying salt mixture. Khun Narumol describes the marine
scrub as "quite harsh" and there is also a Thai herbal
body polish. To reduce excess fluids in the body, body wraps are
offered which employ a form of Thai mud and special thermo-active
mud. An Aloe Vera rich Sun Lovers wrap is available for those who
have over-indulged in the Phuket sun and Khun Narumol offers a body
slimming treatment wrap however she advises that "to lose weight
you will need more than one session, but after a while you will
see results."
|
|
A limited range of facials are on offer including
an aromatic blend, a deep cleansing treatment, and a rejuvenating
or anti-stress regime. There is one facial prepared especially for
men however Khun Narumol explained that all facial treatments can
be adapted for men by simply changing the fragrances used.
What would a spa be if it did not provide some water treatments?
Le Royal Spa offers a small menu of treatments including a mud bath,
a herbal steam room and a Thai herbal bath. A description of the
herbal bath sounds like a recipe for tom yam soup with galangal,
lemongrass, kaffir lime and camphor being used. Khun Narumol suggested
that couples looking for romance reserve the floral bath, "The
floral bath is so romantic for honeymoon couples. We set it up on
the terrace at sunset, with drinks, it is very beautiful."
Over 300sqm is dedicated to the spa treatment areas featuring three
indoor and one outdoor suites, each with an area of more than 60sq.m.
The suites are decorated in contemporary Thai style and each has
a very large balcony offering those sweeping views. Each suite is
fully self-contained, featuring bathroom areas that double as steamrooms,
separate toilets, two professional treatment tables per room and
the balconies have special recovery areas where guests can relax
after the treatments. Herbal teas, cool drinks and fresh fruit may
be served on the balcony while guests are permitted to slowly float
back down to earth.
Things have worked out well; the rain has stopped, the sun is shining,
and I now have a decision to make. Which of these delectable treatments
do I need? The twists and turns of a massage? The sensations of
a body scrub? Or perhaps I will opt for a package that offers combinations
of these treatments. Whatever happens I have full confidence that
I will feel 100% better when I leave Le Royal Spa, whether it be
the treatment or the weather, the very least I will take home with
me, is that captivating view.
|
