Where bliss is such a breeze
The Breeze Spa's mood menu makes it easy to decide what you want
There are times we shy away from upscale spas just because it’s too complicated to get the treatments we really need. But there’s no need to worry at the recently opened Breeze, part of the Amari hotel chain, where most of the treatments are carefully designed to meet your needs one by one, depending on the ache or the mood if the moment.
It’s “moods” that guide the spa’s selection of treatments. There’s “Dreamy – Take It E-Zzzz”, “Serene – No Worries”, “Rejuvenated – Let It Glow”, “Invigorated – Past Tense” and “Energised – Thai the Knot”.
The titles alone don’t explain everything, but manager Suchela Jackson will simply ask you how you want to feel when you’re finished and help you choose the right one.
And, as in life, you can have mixed moods. I wanted to get rid of the tension around my shoulders and back, but I also yearned for complete relaxation. My preference was massage only, no scrubs or soaks in a milk-filled tub.
“How much time do you have?” Suchela asked. I had two hours. So it was decided I’d have a body and face massage. “Your facial massage will be one of the best,” she said. “Our customers love it because it also helps firm the skin and make it more radiant. We use an award-winning European skincare brand called Comfort Zone, which is exclusive to our spa and one other leading hotel.”
Firm, radiant and exclusive suited me just fine, so off we went into the aquamarine Breeze, cleverly designed to calm the mind in Pratunam, one of Bangkok’s most bustling areas. The eighth-floor spa adjoins the hotel pool, adding to the quiet. Anyone aiming for the “Dreamy” mood would surely nod off to sleep right away once her treatment began. I didn’t, but I can’t say I stayed awake the whole time either.
My therapist, Suphinya “Nok” Pinpak, was a spa veteran of almost 10 years, another reassuring element that was reflected in her manner and capabilities. The owner has to be careful not to lose such talent to other spas.
A pair of strong hands delivered a mix of Swedish and Thai massage. “If it feels uncomfortable or too rough, please don’t hesitate to tell me,” Nok said while working on my back.
Then she used her elbows in circular motions on both shoulders. Not too tough, not too light – just right to remove the stiffness. I asked whether her foreign clients can withstand such pummelling, and she assured me that indeed they can, preferring heavy pressure.
I learned afterward that Nok is famous for her strong grip, and yet it sill felt like pampering. The same applied to my facial massage.
It started with a deep cleansing and exfoliation. Then, within a few circular motions on my face, I fell asleep! But I was back from Dreamland in time to fully appreciate the final part, “Glorious Skin Lifting Perfect by Comfort Zone”. That means “off comes the facial mask”.
“We leave it on for 15 to 20 minutes depending how fast it sets,” Lek said when I asked how long I’d been snoring.
Not everyone has time to be encased like that for a comfy snooze. If you’re in a bit of a rush, just ask the manager or receptionist for a tailor-made “Pick-Me-Up!” The therapist will spend 30 minutes focusing on the parts of the body that are crying out for attention.
In Bangkok, Breeze is only at the Amari Watergate, but it will soon be found at the Amaris in Hua Hin, Koh Samui and Phuket – as well as in Doha, Qatar. Your moods travel with you, so now you know where to take them.
INTO THE BLUE
<< The Breeze Spa is at the Amari Watergate Bangkok on Petchburi Road.
<< There’s a discount on some treatment prices daily from 10am |to 2pm.
<< Book a session at (02) 653 9000 or www.Breeze-Spa.com.
