Ok let me hold off on the party post last Saturday because this post cannot wait!!! 🙂 *Therapist will only be here until June 7!!!)
I just had the most AMAZING Thai massage at The Spa at the Mandarin Oriental Manila.
You have never heard me sing praises about a particular massage here on this blog, so this is a first. Granted I love massages and I get them on an almost regular basis, but until today, I’ve never really experienced a true massage that left me energized and alive!
Massages have often left me feeling relaxed but tired (more often than not, I feel like my back muscles just get a serious pounding from the masseuse). While there are times I’d enjoy massages that allow me to fall asleep, I’d often prefer getting them at night for that very reason– to get me to sleep after.
But there are times I would prefer NOT to sleep, and prefer to get rejuvenated instead of feel more tired. And I would like to enjoy afternoon massages that won’t leave me looking like I just woke up from a nap or leave me looking very tired. (Massages often leave you looking tired too– if you haven’t noticed :D)
My friend informed me that a Thai holistic specialist from the famous Dheva Spa in Chiang Mai, Thailand (this resort- spa received the numerous industry accolades, and also received awards from Spa Magazine from 2006- 2008 by the way) will be in town for the week. This was music to my ears. I was in for a real treat! Nestled right on the 18th floor of the Mandarin Oriental Manila is The Spa, where holistic spa specialist Trin Paleeriam will give you either a traditional Thai massage or the Tok Sen (Lanna Massage).
At 11:00, I went in for the Traditional Thai massage– my first authentic Thai massage ever. This was also my second time only at The Spa at the Mandarin. I do remember that there are 4 treatment rooms at the hotel spa. There are even suites for couples massage 😀 *perfect anniversary present, oui? hint hint hahaha* And the Mandarin Spa is a welcoming sight– you won’t even remember that you’re in the heart of the busiest city in the Philippines!
Trin, it seems, has had well over 1,200 hours of training in Massage for Healing and in Royal Thai Massage as well as wellness rituals, foot reflexology, Ayurvedic treatments, as well as Lympathic drainage from the experts! So again, this is really going to be a exquisite experience– and I’m assured too that the therapist knows what he’s doing (as opposed to regular masseuses who don’t have this much training :D)!
I changed into the Spa’s soft and loose white shirt and drawstring pants,
(hehe I didn’t put a heart on my face here, ok? hahaha) and readied my mind *I had to remind myself that I will be relaxed and not think about the text messages that beeped on my phone… so, I turned the phone off– also a first hahaha*
For 90 minutes in this very calming treatment room complete with soft, soothing music that can easily transport you into a fantasy world,
every single muscle in my body was stretched by Trin. And those sore muscle spots on my shoulders (too much “typing”, according to Trin) were relaxed through rhythmic acupressure. Trin has magic fingers! I was shocked to learn that my headaches were actually a cause of my sore shoulders!! There were these pressure points at the base of my skull that led directly to the headaches, and these points were directly related to my shoulder muscles! I cannot tell you how educational the massage was as well, because now I know how to alleviate the soreness and pain brought about by my shoulder muscles.
In the midst of the massage, Trin tells me that the best way to work with my body aches was really to do some light exercise. Hahaha, I told him I was going to go back to yoga for a week *to make me feel less guilty hahaha*.
How do I describe the whole Thai massage experience? Invigorating! It’s what you would feel after a very good workout– Sans the pain and sans the sweat! 🙂 *Who said no pain, no gain? Not true! It’s more like no pain, no sweat, and many gains :D* And before I forget to mention, this was a Dry massage, so no oils were used. Which means you can just dress up and head back to where you have to go after the massage! 🙂
I won’t lie– the massage was THAT good. If you have the time to spare mid-day, go for either the 50- minute treatment or the 90- minute treatment instead of lunch (you can just buy lunch to- go :D). Let Trin unknot all those stiff muscles!
I had the 90- minute massage which cost Php 3,688++ (trust me, you will want this– it’s worth EVERY cent!) There’s also a shorter, 50 minute treatment which will cost Php 2,400++. I can guarantee that you will leave feeling refreshed, alive, and raring to go– ready to face the usual everyday stress once again 🙂 This massage is really the next best thing to having Thailand’s best treatments– in Manila 🙂
Call the Mandarin to book your appointment (+632) 750-8888 asap, because Trin will only be in Manila til the 7th of June! If I’m not mistaken, the Spa at the Mandarin is open from 9am – 11pm daily. Or if you’re like me *always online*, you can email them at momnl-spa@mohg.com 🙂 Promise you will thank me after you’ve experienced the Thai massage there!
P.S. I was also discussing with a friend if our travel group should make plans this year to visit The Dhevi Spa and Wellness Centre at the Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi in Chiang Mai. I have never been to Chiang Mai yet, so that will be another exciting first!! And then we’ll get all the good massages there 🙂 Now that’s called a vacation! 🙂 *Already Excited!!*
x
Mrs. T