F An oasis of wellness - jeepneyjinggoy

An oasis of wellness





After days of discovering new paths, chasing after tuktuks, navigating the vehicle-filled roads, enriching the mind with culture and diving in a sea of culinary flavors, it was time to slow down. I know just the place, no need to stray from home.

Alongside the Chao Phraya River just across the Mandarin Oreintal Bangkok stands an oasis of wellness- The Oriental Spa. It is the first spa to open within a hotel property in Bangkok. From the time it opened in 1993, the award-winning Spa has been widely recognized as a pioneer in the Thai spa industry. Its initiative to provide an all-encompassing spa experience that couples traditional 2,000 year-old Thai holistic teachings with contemporary philosophies creates a harmonic ambience that is both nurturing and rejuvenating.


The Oriental Spa reception

The Oriental Spa is housed in a classical Thai-style 4-storey building made from golden teak wood. Designing the interior was John Morford with 14 private suites promising relaxation and renewal upon entering its doors.


Oriental Spa Suite

Newly added is the Rhassoul Bath, the first and only in Thailand, based on ancient Moroccan expertise in health and beauty. The Rhassoul is a harmonized treatment that combines the basic elements - heat, water, earth and air to create a feeling of overall well-being.
From the spa menu, is an impressive list of offerings-17 facial treatments, 26 body treatments and 7 massages. Only the best will touch your skin from the full range of body care products utilizing Thai herbs and oils under the Private Collection label of The Oriental Spa. 


A refreshing welcome drink


My private oasis was one of the magnificently-appointed suites for my 2-hour therapy that began with the thirty-minute perfect preparation for my massage- the Organic Rice Scrub Organic (black sticky rice, with its abundance of vitamins and other nutrients, gently removes dead skin cells from the body, leaving it feeling refreshed), followed by the 1-1/2 hour Oriental Signature Treatment (this unique ‘Oriental’ Journey includes a signature massage with a concentrated blend of essential oils extracted from plants, which release their soothing properties into the skin. Our technique, which combines Thai and European styles, eases muscle tension and energises the body with acupressure movements and stretching. The experience ends with a localised shoulder and spinal homemade compress containing fresh Thai herbs like lemongrass, turmeric and plai.)

It was pure bliss! My weary body emerged rejuvenated and refreshed. As much as I would love to explore more of Bangkok, I opted to extend my relaxation and enjoy the comforts of my wonderful room overlooking the river. 

A different note each night made me smile as I fell asleep


Now I can say I share something in common with HRH Crown Prince Federick, Earl Spencer, Boris Becker, Elizabeth Taylor, Pierce Brosnan, Goldie Hawn and more, we all have enjoyed the pampering of The Oriental Spa. I think you should to when you find yourself in Bangkok.

For more information about Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok, visit their website: www.mandarinoriental.com/bangkok/

For more travel & lifestyle stories, visit http://jeepneyjinggoy.blogspot.com/ and http://apples-and-lemons.blogspot.com/


Published in the Sun.Star Davao newspaper on May 24, 2012.

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