Time travel has never been so refreshing

THE ANANTARA Siam Bangkok Hotel’s Anantara Spa has a wonderful new array of treatments named for the year Siam became Thailand. It’s called “Siam 2482”, using the Buddhist calendar equivalent of 1939.

The hotel is the former Four Seasons and the Ananatara Spa was formerly known as The Spa, so it seems fitting that the new spa menu would have a fond glance backward as well, but the facilities have been completely refurbished and the therapists are just as skilful and well trained as ever.

Luxuriously designed in an exquisite classical Thai style and suffused with exotic scents, the Anantara Spa is a soothing yet sophisticated escape from the fast pace of city life. First impressions – lotus blossoms floating in a charming pond – are fulfilled in the serene ambience throughout. While discussing your specific needs and wishes with the staff, there is the pleasant aroma of rice-stuffed poultices being prepared for customers, which only serves to awaken your senses and prepares you to be pampered.

The Siam 2482 menu entails the Ancient Siam Massage, exclusive to this hotel and evoking the Kingdom’s diverse cultural heritage through various healing traditions. 

As well as representing that important year in history, each of the four numbers has its own meaning. The “2” is for the two bamboo sticks used in the treatment, the “4” for the four techniques – bamboo-stick massage, herbal compress, herbal-oil massage and foot reflexology – the “8” for the number of poultices employed, and the last “2” for the ritual use of two pieces of gold leaf to promote mindfulness.

The bamboo sticks of different lengths are first warmed, ready to be stroked and rolled across the torso to stimulate blood circulation. Then you’ll be stretched and kneaded at the pressure points for better flexibility and energy flow. 

The herbal compress uses healing indigo, in a handmade cloth dyed blue with extracts from the sweet pea petals. And, after the oil massage and reflexology, there’s a 90-minute session in which layers of gold leaf are placed on the left arm and left chest to quiet the mind.

The Traditional Thai Massage, sometimes called “passive yoga”, entails pressure-point rubs and stretching to release tension, increase flexibility and enhance vital energy. The Thai Herbal Compress Massage harnesses the healing power of remedial plants using that lovely-smelling poultice during a full-body massage, chasing off negative energy, soothing tense muscles and relieving fatigue.

The 60-minute Chakra Crystal Balancing relaxes the body through the careful placement of semiprecious stones at key points and a rub with crystal-infused oil. Rose quartz is believed to be good for the heart chakra, amethyst for the crown of the head, tiger’s eye for the solar plexus and lapis lazuli for the throat. 

There is much more on offer. Other body treatments lavish the skin with highly prized ingredients. Scrubs polish and nourish with cleansing and refreshing lime, energising ginger and detoxifying green tea. Wraps deliver replenishment and moisturise with exceptional results. 

To redefine the figure or smooth the curves, the Elemis Body Sculpting Cellulite and Colon Therapy targets stubborn cellulite and uses specialised massage techniques to detoxify and add firmness, stimulate the blood and reduce fluid retention.

Then there are the luxuriant facials, personalised according to your needs, which incorporate lifting techniques, breakthrough technology, anti-ageing formulas and the powerful active ingredients of plants to firm up, repair and brighten the skin and boost moisture levels. These too utilise world-renowned Elemis product and techniques.

The perfect prelude to any treatment is a relaxing bath in mud, therapeutic herbs, milk or exquisite floral essences. The salon services also include manicures and pedicures in purpose-built chairs that move as they massage you.

The spa’s two regular suites and one deluxe suite for couples and its four single-treatment suites all have private showers and some have Roman-style tubs and steam rooms.

 

ANY TIME OF DAY

Siam 2482 costs Bt4,900 and Chakra Crystal Balancing Bt4,000.

The Anantara Spa is open daily from 10 to 10, but treatments are also available from 10pm to midnight with advanced reservations.

Book a session at (02) 651 9314 or Spa.Anatara.com.