A sauna helps to detoxify the skin before a
treatment.
Rungratree Thongsai
It seems fairly common practice among Asian spas these days to advertise
techniques and products originating in Western countries. So much so in fact
that they tend to overlook the quality offerings from closer to home:
Thailand for instance grows many unique herbs that can be incorporated into
many spa treatments.
For our spa review this issue we would like to introduce you to the Avarin
Spa at the A-One Royal Cruise Hotel on Beach Road in north Pattaya. Whilst
the hotel is certainly hard to miss, with its unique ocean liner design, the
spa itself is a little more difficult to locate as it is situated at the
back of the hotel, but a bit of persistence paid off and I soon found my way
to the reception desk.
Avarin Spa uses traditional products and
techniques to leave you feeling refreshed, pampered and relaxed.
Avarin Spa is decorated in a simple but aesthetically pleasing way and upon
entering the senses are immediately hit with mild aromas of lemon grass and
camphor, both of which open the airways and help you breathe more easily.
The spa’s floor space is moderate, neither too big nor too small, and there
are 4 Thai massage rooms, 5 double bed rooms with Jacuzzi bathtubs, and one
double bed room without a bathtub.
When I visited there were 5 well-trained therapists in attendance and
Nainapa Sirilert, the Spa Manager, said that Avarin places a stress on using
natural therapies by incorporating herbs in the treatments rather than using
any chemical or manufactured products. This was especially so for the facial
treatments that utilise only fresh herbs.
The spa features 5 double bed rooms with Jacuzzi
bathtubs.
During my visit I elected to try out the ‘Touch of Avarin’ spa package. It
began by soaking the skin in mineral water mixed with milk for 15 minutes
and letting the water jets relax my muscles. With the mineral properties
combined with the milk, my skin was noticeably softened after this treatment
was complete and it was a pity I had to leave the tub when the 15 minutes
were up.
Service with a smile – Avarin Spa style.
The therapist then towel dried my skin before applying a local herbal
concoction consisting of tamarind, oats, milk powder and honey, which is the
signature formula of Avarin Spa used for exfoliating dead skin cells. While
scrubbing away the therapist meticulously cleansed my skin thoroughly,
alternating with massage techniques that are unique to the ‘Touch of Avarin’
therapy, which made the treatment quite impressive.
A team of attentive and skilled therapists await
you at Avarin Spa.
After the body scrub I had a shower before undertaking the aroma massage.
The spa staff were very attentive throughout and served me sweet fruits and
a cold herbal drink in the private reception room while letting my body
adjust for the massage.
The aroma massage began by applying fragrant oil that brought me to an
almost dreamy state. The therapist massaged my body up and down using her
palms and fingertips to circle and stress on tensed muscles, alternating
with kneading the leg tendons to increase blood circulation throughout the
body.
Avarin Spa manager - Nainapa Sirilert.
Next up was the facial treatment using fresh herbs that can be applied at
home as well, because most of the products can be found at any Thai market.
The treatment began with a cleansing of the face with yogurt, which helps
soften up the skin, and this was then followed by an application of fresh
cucumber juice, used as a toner to open up the pores. The massage itself
involved the application of brown sugar by the therapist followed by a
moistening of the skin with honey and cucumber slices. It left my facial
skin feeling both renewed and refreshed.
The spa’s treatment rooms are tastefully
decorated and infused with herbal aromas.
Along with the treatments mentioned above, the Avarin Spa also extends its
foot massage services into the lobbies of the two main buildings of the
hotel. Special promotions are now on offer, but be quick as they only last
until the end of June: Thai massage is down to 700 baht from 1,500 baht,
foot massage 400 baht from 800 baht and the Avarin Massage is only 1,500
baht, down from 2,500 baht.
In the near future, Avarin Spa plans to add the Hot Stone, Swedish massage
and Twin massage to its menu of services. For more information and
reservations, call 038 259 555 ext 4800 or visit
www.a-onehotel.com.
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Rungratree Thongsai graduated from
the Taralai Thai Massage School with professional qualifications in
Spa Management, Thai Traditional Massage, Original Western Technical
Massage, Reflexology Foot Massage, Aromatherapy Swedish Style
Massage, Body Spa, Body Lift-Up, and Business Management of Thai
Massage. She also holds a professional spa certificate from the
Ministry of Health and a Spa for Health operator’s license. |
