At this time of year when we’re rushing around from shop to shop trying to buy Christmas presents for our loved ones, it’s easy to neglect ourselves.
It’s virtually impossible to find some quality ‘me’ time.But sometimes that’s just the ticket we need to relax, rejuvenate and recharge our batteries, before we can get going again. With this in mind, I jumped at the chance to review a day spa where I could get a few hours all to myself and relax. And who would’ve thought that hidden amidst the bustling streets of London’s Covent Garden, I would find just the place.
The Thai Square chain is popularly known for its rich traditional cuisine and the spa I discovered, extends this reputation to food for the soul. It specialises in bringing traditional Thai treatments to London and has various divine facilities including seven treatment rooms, two luxury copper baths and a mosaic steam Rasul suite.
Housed in a converted Victorian warehouse, I immediately escaped the buzzing shops of London, and entered into the lap of tranquil surroundings of the spa. After being welcomed by the lovely and calm staff, I was greeted by my therapist Noo, who told me she would be treating me to a Thai Hot Compress treatment. This massage she said, uses traditional herbal remedies, rolled up into a ball encased in muslin bag and heated before being placed all over my body. I couldn’t get into my silky robe and slippers quick enough, ready to bask in any heat I could get considering the sub-zero temperatures I’ve had to endure the last week.
The treatment began with a floral foot soak, whereby my feet were plunged into a terracotta bowl of soothing warm soapy water with rose petals and herbs. While Noo worked on cleansing my tired feet, I took sips from a cup of their signature tea – the Thai bael fruit tea. This fruit, I was informed, is normally used in religious rituals including healing internal wounds and getting rid of toxins in the intestines. I remember thinking I would need more than just a cup!
As soon as I lay face down on the massage bench, I was in pure luxurious bliss. Noo was clearly an expert, having trained at the popular Wat Po training school in Thailand, and applied just the right amount of pressure with the compressor, to push and stretch the tension out of my body. The pressure from the compressor was fairly hot and firm but not painful and completely invigorating. I remember thinking I would sleep soundly that night but sleep came sooner – at the massage bench!
Halfway through the treatment I nodded off and it was the sound of my own gentle snoring that actually awoke me. I was a little embarrassed to say the least, but Noo reassured me I wasn’t the first client to fall asleep during the treatment.
The Thai Square Spa use Erb products, a premium natural skincare range inspired by ancient Thai herbal remedies and rituals. The range was launched in Thailand in 2000 and is already recognised as one of the country’s top skincare brands. These natural products are dedicated to the wellbeing of the mind, body and soul and the ones used on my body were truly amazing, rebalancing and healing. Unfortunately time really does fly by when you’re having fun but I decided to savour the surroundings of the wooden relaxation with another cup of warming bael fruit tea. But it was so delicious that I couldn’t make it last much longer and before long I was dressed and returned to the real world.
For full information, treatment menu and prices log on to www.thaisquarespa.com
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