That bejewelled sensation

When the W Hotel arrived in Bangkok late last year, we knew we were in for a real treat. And now, with the hotel’s Away Spa finally opened, the journey to Sathorn Road has never been so worthwhile. 

The Away Spa is essentially a cocoon. You stagger in knackered and come out totally fresh, energised and “bejewelled” – as the spa puts it. 

The “metamorphosis” concept embraces you the moment you step inside. In the Welcome and Decompress Zone, a “mixologist” prepares the programme of treatments that best suits your needs. Unlike at other spas where you browse a menu to combine treatments, Away offers a more personalised consultation to zero in on your specific conditions and desires. 

Then you find yourself unwinding and preparing to get pampered in the Detox Zone, which has a shower, sauna, steam room and Jacuzzi – through the highlight is the hammam room. There you can loosen your muscles and your mind lounging on warmed stone or outside on the balcony. 

A hammam is a Turkish steam room, part of the public bathhouse. The idea is to first relax in the “warm room”, heated by a continuous flow of hot, dry air, to get you perspiring freely. Then you move to the “hot room”, and finally splash on cold water. 

At the Away Spa, though, there’s no bathing or splashing. The benefit comes from the warmth and relaxing ambience, which ready you for the next step in your treatment. Get to the spa well in advance of your reservation time to fully enjoy these facilities. 

UK-based ESPA, also know as ESPA Life, supervises the Away Spa and chose the design, treatment concept and all-natural products. 

There are seven massage oils to choose from. With sweet almond essential oil as the base, these are Fitness for relieving muscle tension, Soothing, Detoxifying, Restorative to lift the mood, and Resistance to clear the nasal passages and ease breathing. 

If you’re tired in body and mind, as in jetlag, try Energising, the oil that perks you up. If your aim is gloriously luminous skin, go for Nourishing, which penetrates deeply but leaves no sense of stickiness.

As well as touch and scent, your vision is in for a treat, because colour plays a leading role at Away. After choosing your oil, you’ll be asked to select the treatment chamber by colour. This is “chromotherapy” at work, the notion that being surrounded by the right hues can rebalance physical, emotional, spiritual or mental energy. Green is peaceful, red rouses the vitality, and, if you’re feeling blue, go for purple. Pink tends to deliver a romantic, sensual feeling. 

Your mixologist is probably the best person to pick a treatment for you, but I can recommend Massage Metamorphosis to get fully relaxed and energised from head to toe. The choreographed technique uses palms, elbows and fingers to slowly shoo away the tension and improve the blood circulation. The kneading is seamless, smooth and vigorous, and you really feel renewed afterwards. A scrub and wrap are also available. 

If you have a little more time, try one (or more!) of the facial treatments. While some spas simply slather on moisturiser, massage it in and hope for the best, the Away facials really make a difference and the effects last longer because they tackle the problems deeper in the skin with the right products. The Away Facial gently peels away dullness and impurity, revealing soft, luminous skin in just 60 minutes. 

  

WAS IN WOW

<< The Away Spa is at the W Bangkok on Sathorn Road and open daily from 10 to 10.

<< Reservations are recommended. Call (02) 344 4000.