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By Marie Moon
The therapist, started at the feet, applying some essential oil
to her palms before gently massaging away the tension. She applied
pressure to selected areas, using fingertips, knuckles and thumbs,
secretly healing numerous parts of the body through reflexology.
It had been close to 60 minutes of dreamy relaxation when she found
“the spot”, the point on my lower-right scapula where it seems that
all my worries and tension converge to cause me pain. I neglected
to tell her about “the spot” as something of a test of her abilities.
In a show of quiet professionalism she sensed my reaction and, without
a word, proceeded to focus on “the spot” with gentle care, kneading
the muscles with appropriate force, tapping into energy lines to
alleviate the pain.
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The full body massage lasted for the next 30-minutes and with “the
spot” relieved, I quietly drifted in and out of heavenly slumber
as the therapist, Khun Malee, continued massaging and kneading away
pinches, aches and pains. The Devarana Massage is comprised of five
techniques including Swedish, Ayurvedic, Aromatherapy, Shiatsu and
Thai
massage to give clients the benefits of these different schools
of practice as well as a soothing, pampering experience.
The facial began with a deep cleansing treatment and a gentle exfoliation
designed to expel impurities and other nasties from the skin. My
face was then steamed and softened for any additional extractions
necessary. Lulled back to sleep by soft Classical Thai music, the
steamy warmth of the towel and the rhythmic strokes of the therapist’s
soft hands I awoke only as she applied a cool mineral-rich purifying
mask. Within minutes, I could feel the mask firming my very relaxed
muscles and the sensation was glorious. As the mask was left to
do its work, Khun Malee focused her attention once more on “the
spot”, as well as my shoulders, neck and arms. When the time came
to peel the mask away, I could almost feel each pore dancing a revitalized
jig on my face. The brochure boasted of a treatment which leaves
you with a “lucent glow and soft, healthy skin.” Well my skin certainly
felt good, as did my whole body, but it would take a couple of people
inquiring if I had been to the spa, to enlighten me to the new glow
I had adopted. To these people I simply answered, “Yes, touch of
heaven.” I had experienced and reaped the benefits of the Devarana
Spa’s Touch of Heaven package.
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Devarana comes from Thai Sanskrit meaning, “garden in heaven” and
dates back to a piece of ancient Thai literature called Tribhumphraruang
written by Phraya Lithai. In this literary work, the writer described
a garden situated at heaven’s gate, surrounded by ponds and colourful
flowers, with a heavenly scent and a nurturing environment. In the
garden people can hear soft, melodic music played by the harp and
the flute and the whole garden, glimmering with silver and gold,
is filled with precious stones and gems. Taking inspiration from
the concept of the “garden in heaven” the environment at Devarana
Spa is one of simple elegance. Luxurious healing treatments are
offered in a soothing, stress-relieving environment. With an east-meets-west
emphasis on pampering and wellness, Thai health and beauty practices
have been sourced from age-old therapies and updated with modern
knowledge to bring clients the best treatments available within
an environment of traditional Thai hospitality.
The interior decoration at the Devarana Spa at The Dusit
Thani Hotel Bangkok is stylish to say the least. The reception
area features a long, narrow reflective pool alongside which are
consultation lounges where therapists meet with their clients to
ascertain which treatment best suits their needs. All treatment
rooms are well appointed and provide beauty, comfort and privacy
with double rooms available for those who wish to share their spa
experiences.
During my visit, I was lucky enough to have been appointed the
grand suite. Cleopatra herself would have been thrilled with this
suite; soothed with shaded natural light with white cotton drapes
billowing from the ceiling, the grand suite features a private steam
room, floral bath, massage area for couples, a lounge and a spacious
shower room complete with a rain-shower shower head.
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The range of treatments available at Devarana Spa is impressive.
In addition to the therapies of reflexology, Ayurvedic massage,
traditional Thai massage and aromatic detoxifying massage are a
number of body treatments that draw on the goodness of natural ingredients
such as salt, mud, rice, Algotherm products, fresh herbs and essential
oils to cleanse and purify the skin. Facial treatments include an
anti-stress renewal facial, a men’s vitality facial, and a number
of treatments that are shorter in duration but just as effective,
using the world-renown products of Jurlique from Australia. Water
treatments exude romance and glamour with a luxury milk and roses
bath, honey and oatmeal bath or a seaweed bath being just a few
of the treatments available. Special packages have been created
that combine popular treatments to serve the whole body. I experienced
the signature Devarana Touch of Heaven package, there is also a
traveller’s recovery pack, an inner balance package, a body beautifier,
body bliss and pure pleasure packages. The spa menu advises guests
that if they cannot see a spa package to meet their needs, the staff
will create one specifically to attend to these needs.
Devarana Spas are located at The Dusit
Thani Hotel Bangkok, the Dusit Resort in Pattaya
and the Dusit Resort and Polo club in Hua Hin plans to open a Devarana
Spa by mid 2003. In the future, Devarana Spa plans to expand its
operations overseas taking the garden of heaven and the ancient
arts of Thai
massage and hands-on healing to more destinations.
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