Where nirvana is a breeze

AS YOU STROLL up the hill from Phuket’s Patong Beach, the din of the surf, the motorbikes and the food hawkers fades, and then the peace becomes complete when you enter the lush greenery that forms a cocoon around the Amari’s Breeze Spa.

The spa has recently been given a fresh, contemporary look, as if to greet the holiday season, with bright-blue and green furniture and floral mosaic on the floor and walls. The four open-air treatment rooms overlook the Andaman Sea and its shore of white sand. 

“We wanted a livelier atmosphere that would really make our patrons feel refreshed,” says manager Chotika Aumpong. “The shades of the furniture evoke the beauty of the sea, and all of our treatments have a playful aspect. Our techniques are a mix of eastern and western, with the focus on mood therapy.” 

Each of the luxuriously appointed salas has an outdoor shower and a sun terrace, while the larger Deluxe Sala adds a steam room and outdoor Jacuzzi. Here they apply traditional Thai massage, aromatherapy oil massage, body polishes and wraps, facials, water treatments and classic beauty therapies.

Foreigners in particular seem fascinated with the 45-minute Mango Sticky Rice Body Scrub. Evidently being coated in the popular Thai dessert works wonders for the skin. It gently removes dead cells while moistening. Vitamins and minerals infuse the mango butter, creamy coconut and rice, and fresh coconut milk is spread over the body so you really soften up – and smell delightful afterward.

Women fretting about their shape tend to opt for the 60-minute Anti-Cellulite Treatment, which involves more food, or at least a spice. Chilli joins the other plant extracts and aromatheraphy oils to eliminate toxins and unwanted fluids by boosting circulation, while a rugged massage breaks down fat and smoothes out the cellulite dimples.

Men who spend too much time at the office will love the 45-minute Workaholics Reprieve, in which the masseuse really lays on the pressure to rid them of muscle tension from the lower back to the top of the head. 

Then there are the Pick-Me-Ups – shorter treatments that zero in on problem areas, like the half-hour Heads Up massage that uses ancient Indian techniques to alleviate migraine and insomnia. 

Another great way to spend 30 minutes is Steam Ahead, which melts away tension in a steam bath. The hot, moist air clears the head and opens pores to get the blood flowing, and the complexion gets a boost with botanical nutrients in the bath oils.

There are five Signature Mood Massages. “Dreamy” utilises extracts of lavender, ylang ylang and chamomile to relax the mind. “Serene” stretches muscles with rose, chamomile, sandalwood and geranium. “Rejuvenated” relies on oranges, rose and ylang ylang to drain away toxins and improve lymphatic circulation. “Invigorated” deploys rosemary, lemongrass, peppermint and neroli to relieve stress and muscle tension.

And “Energised”, which I decide to try, puts kaffir lime and lemongrass to work with Thai massage and a hot herbal compress to get rid of all the aches that accumulate when you sit in front of a computer too long.

I loaf on a comfortable “electronic bed” while the therapist runs her palms from my shoulders to lower back, with extra pressure applied along the spine. The herbal compress follows, stimulating the circulation.

I get elbowed and kneed next from chest to feet as tight muscles are coaxed to give way. Flipped over, I feel another herbal compress pushed against my stomach, shoulders and arms.

The palms and fingers are stretched to improve blood circulation and my head and neck get a terrific rub. With a final upper-body tossing from left to right, I’m feeling all shook up but as deeply relaxed as I’ve even been in my life.

 

 

BATTERIES RECHARGED

>>The Breeze Spa is at the Amari Phuket Hotel off Patong Beach. It’s open daily from 11 to 8.

>>The Energised treatment costs Bt1,600 for 60 minutes and Bt2,400 for 90 minutes. 

>>Book a session at (076) 340 106 or www.BreezeSpa.com/AmariPhuket.