Shin Shin healing starts with oil
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This friendly, spacious spa is as handy as can be for commuters
A two-decade veteran of the hotel industry, Wannapa Rakkeo obviously knew how to set up a high-quality spa when it came time to open her own place. Shin Shin Spa on Sukhumvit Road goes for something fresh and different in its massage techniques and the products used.
Patrons get a run-down on the available rubdowns as soon as they arrive at the spacious spa in the Jasmine Resort Hotel. There is traditional Thai massage, foot massages and an oil massage that uses essential Silk Essence oils made exclusively for Shin Shin.
Seda concocted the remarkably translucent oil by crossbreeding Japanese and Thai silkworms. Wannapa and spa manager Chalairat Preechatitawut will point out its high quality – there’s a bottle on display next to a sampling of the usual spa oil, and you can really see the difference.
Shin Shin’s oil also has a healing stone at the bottom of each bottle, the better to harness the body’ natural energies. “Shin Shin” means “body and soul” in Japanese, and the deep-cleansing power of the stones is designed to let “body and mind rest together”, says Chalairat.
Choose the essential oil that suits your fancy – Amethyst, Rose Quartz or Citrine. “The most common choice is Amethyst, but many women opt for Rose Quartz,” says Wannapa. The scent of all three is pure – not synthetic – and not too strong.
As I soon found out, the oil instils a refined feeling. Readily absorbed into the skin, it leaves no greasy sensation.
A therapist prepares a freshly mixed scrub based on your selection from a list including Silver Bamboo Charcoal Power, Sugarcane Peel, Corncob and White Stone Power.
All are cream-based except for salt-based Silver Bamboo Charcoal. “The only shortcoming is that it’s black and rather difficult to wash out of any fissures in the skin,” a therapist points out.
I opt for Corncob and settle down for a preliminary 30-minute milky body scrub. (The therapist asks if you want to skip the breasts and tummy.)
After a shower I’m ready for the massage, which uses circular “vortex” rubs and is gentler than a Thai massage – no heavy pressing. It’s aimed at increasing blood circulation and smoothing the skin with the oil. You can have another shower, but it might not seem necessary since you don’t feel greasy at all.
Shin Shin products are on sale, the most popular being the so-called “bath bombs” – colourful balls used for cleaning the feet and a big one to toss around in the tub. There’s also a facial soap that combines “silk essence” with gold. “At Bt100 per bar, the soap is very popular here – it costs a lot more in Japan,” says Wannapa.
It’s a friendly atmosphere at Shin Shin, thanks in part to just a few treatment rooms occupying the ample space. The hotel is a mere five-minute walk from the Phra Khanong Skytrain station. It doesn’t own the spa, but you do need a key-card from the front desk to ride the lift to L Floor. It’s all very convenient, especially for anyone living along the BTS line.
BOOK A SESSION
<< Shin Shin Spa is on L Floor of the Jasmine Resort Bangkok between Sukhumvit Sois 67 and 69. Use BTS Phra Khanong |station’s Exit 1
<< Find out more at www.ShinShinSpa.com or |(02) 335 5022.
