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By Marie Moon
No one could argue that holidays and relaxation go hand in hand
and one of the most relaxing experiences is to have a massage. In
Phuket, it has become something of an un-written rule for holiday-makers
to enjoy a traditional Thai massage and the numbers of spas and
massage centres blooming around the island is testament to this.
Thai massage is a favourite among visitors but experienced spa-goers
can also find therapists skilled in the arts of Swedish, Ayurvedic,
Balinese, Lomi Lomi and Shiatsu massage and techniques from a wide
variety of other schools.
Apart from the choices of therapy, there are the questions of location
and price. Almost all beaches in Phuket are inhabited with seasoned
massage ladies who provide a form of Thai massage employing coconut
oil. While the massage therapy is generally quite good and the tranquillity
of the beach-side setting is marvellous, participants often complain
about the abundance of sand and the lack of privacy, for although
visitors remain in swim suits throughout, the massage elements that
focus on flexibility are understandably a little uncomfortable.
At the other end of the scale, there are the cr?me de la cr?me outlets
from world-renown spa chains like Banyan Tree, Angsana and Mandara.
These establishments offer impressive portfolios of excellent therapies
and provide five-star service all the way. A visit to one of these
spas is a wonderfully indulgent pastime however, the luxury involved
does tip the financial scales somewhat and for many, the experience
is limited to a one-time-only affair. This is the perspective of
Mr. Peerasak Sripruk, knows as Ae Chan, Leisure and Tourism Manager
of the Novotel Coralia Phuket and this writer must admit that she
tends to agree.
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"Our concept is centred on making sure that people enjoy the
treatment and don't worry too much about how much it is costing."
Ae Chan is referring to the hotel's Body Treatment Centre which
provides a number of massage therapies, body scrubs and facials
at prices so reasonable that, "almost all our guests come back
at least once and usually two more times during their stay."
This, from a hotel that has managed to retain occupancy levels at
above 90% throughout recently tumultuous times, is an impressive
achievement.
The Centre Manager, Khun Pom, is a highly skilled and honoured
therapist. Having studied physical therapy in Thailand, Belgium
and Zurich. She was sent to Japan as an ambassador of Thai massage
therapy, where she instructed a group of top Japanese therapists
in the arts of ancient Thai hands-on therapy. Her personality exudes
a deep sense of caring and great wisdom, as every question I peppered
at her about treatments for the elderly, pregnant women, even children,
was answered with sincere authority. She runs the Body Treatment
Centre with an energetic exuberance more youthful than her years;
training all her therapists to her high standards and mixing delicious
herbal lotions and potions for oil massage and skin treatments as
well as remembering almost all her guests' names and treatments
by heart. She also has magic hands; I came to this conclusion after
she applied a little of her apple oil to my forearm and worked it
in with well-rehearsed circles.
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The oils and creams are divine; the base is readily absorbed by
the skin and the aroma stayed with me all day, like a fine perfume.
The range of body scrubs includes a walnut treatment, which incorporates
either seaweed, black sesame or orange peel with rich sources of
Vitamin E to re-hydrate and restore lustre to sun damaged skin.
The Novotel body scrub uses the healing properties of jojoba to
moisturize the skin and promote the generation of new cells, while
the fruit and vegetable scrubs employ the natural goodness of apples,
tomatoes and carrots. Khun Pom has devised a special scrub specifically
for men, which uses juicy cucumbers to moisturize the skin without
the feminine perfumes of some other fruits, herbs and flowers. The
facial treatments also include a version suited to men.
The Ancient Tharavadi Thai massage is the most popular item on
the menu, priced at only THB 750 for 50 minutes; it represents a
very affordable introduction to massage therapy. Japanese and Siamese
reflexology are offered in addition to a back, head and shoulders
massage, deep tissue sports massage and aromatherapy, all for under
THB 1,000 for 30 to 50 minutes.
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Ae Chan asserted, "Our belief is that we don't need to give
people more than they need in order to give them more than they
pay for." It is a humble concept. However this is not to say
that the Body Treatment Centre is in anyway lacking; the treatment
rooms are decorative and well appointed and the site for Thai massage
is perhaps one of the most scenic places on the island. On the outermost
terrace of the Novotel's hillscape, four ornate Thai salas are blessed
with a constantly cool sea breeze, a panoramic view of Patong Bay
and the quiet necessary to meditate during a massage. The two treatment
rooms are designed primarily for couples to accommodate the high
number of honeymooners that visit the Novotel.
The hotel offers a number of packages that represent great value
for money; incorporating elements of cleansing, therapy and relaxation,
the six packages range in duration from 90-minutes to over 2 ? hours
for only THB 1,400 to 3,200; considerably less than US$100. The
hotel recently launched the 2 ? hour Remember Novotel package which
is offered to local Thais and expatriates for just 50% of the regular
price until the end of October 2003.
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