Three glorious rubs in Samui

SANTIBURI BEACH Resort already has its Spa Koh Samui – themselves both feeling fully rejuvenated following a four-month renovation – but there’s now another healthy addition to the property, the 82-square-metre Spa Centre. 

The airy Thai-style building in lotus-pink tones with wooden furnishings offers the full range of facilities. Seven well-trained therapists attend to clients in four double treatment rooms, each with two single spa beds and a shower bed. In place of intimidating luxury there is only the sense of welcoming comfort, but the ambience is a little more posh in the two spacious pool villas adjacent, which have vanity bathrooms, rain showers and Jacuzzis, as well as 24-hour butler service.

Bhawa Spa India products are used to rebalance the body in the three treatments on offer. 

Royal Blue Lotus involves aromatherapy massage using blue lotus oil and hot stones to detoxify and restore balance. Also included are the Lotus Aromatic Steam, Pearl Lotus Body Scrub, Natural Gum Honey Body Mud, Shirodara Oil Drop and Lotus Hot Stone Pressure Points Body Massage. 

The White Thai Orchid treatment brightens and softens the skin with the Thai Orchid Serum Body Cover, Aromatic Steam, Body Scrub, Natural Body Mud and Collagen Cream Body Massage. 

And Sukhothai Treasure comprises a rubdown with chan hom oil, the Aromatic Herbal Steam and Ancient Thai Hot Body Massage. 

On my recent Samui vacation I tried the 90-minute Hot Stone Healing (Bt3,150) to recover from the long trek south. It utilises Royal Blue Lotus Oil and heated turquoise marble. 

First I was asked to fill in a form to guide the therapist – time of my last meal, problem areas in need of massaging, etc. The indulgence began with my feet being soaked in a lemongrass solution and scrubbed, followed by a good 10 or 15 minutes of massage from legs to shoulders with aroma oil and the hot stones, wonderful for easing the muscles. 

The marble is held under hot water but, surprisingly, it first feels cold, and only then hot and finally warm. I was impressed by the flow and synchronisation of the masseuse’s movements, which further helped relax me. The lotus oil is light and readily absorbed into the skin, leaving its lovely floral smell. The therapist was quite pleasant and very capable, another bonus when you want to unwind. 

I left tingling with pleasure, having shed all the muscular tension, and utterly refreshed.

 

THAT TINGLY FEELING

>>The Spa Centre at the Santiburi Beach Resort is open daily from 9 to 9. 

>>Book a session at (077) 425 031-8 or www.Santiburi.com.