The Bite Magazine - issue 16

all here.The Jacuzzi was wide enough to accommodate five or six guests without compromising on personal space. I lounged there joyfully for quite some time, before drying off to go and unwind in the relaxation space. The spa’s relaxation space is ample, with two separate half moons of lounge chairs, divided by a row of Romanesque pillars as well as a few alcoves set in the walls and lined with silk cushions for an Eastern effect. As the spa space is down- stairs from the ground level reception area, phone signal was scarce, and whilst theWi-Fi code was helpfully signposted, I chose to eschew connecting my phone in favour of enjoying the momentary cutting off from the world. Instead, I made myself at home on a lounger, apple in hand and herbal tea to my side and took in the gentle music playing overhead as the low lighting lulled me into serenity. After a short while of lounging it was time for my Thai massage and I was led to a generously sized treatment room, decorated with an equal beauty to the rest of the spa. I had opted for the ‘Ritual Massage,’ an all-over body massage that encompasses multiple oriental massage techniques alongside special- ised essential oils. Depending on what you want to draw from your massage you can choose from several different oil blends: Andaman Aromasoul for soothing and anti-inflammatory properties; Royal Rachawadee to energise and invigorate; or So Sen Uplifting for deep hydration. I chose the Andaman Aromasoul blend, which included rosewood, vetiver, san- dalwood and myrrh, the various oils and herbs combined for a gorgeous scent as well as a host of healing properties. The treatment began with the Thai ritual of a warm cleansing footbath and my therapist cleansed from each toe up to my calves with care whilst I sipped on a cup of warm bael fruit tea. Along with the foot bath, the tea is another Thai specialty, used to help with digestion and cleansing, making it particularly apt for the occasion. I was then led to the treatment bed for my massage and I’ll admit that it was what I had been mostly looking forward to from my visit. Thai massage is endlessly raved about and whilst almost all spas offer their own variations, an authentic Thai massage is hard to come by short of visiting the island itself. Full of knots and being generally aching from schlep- ping around the city day in and day out, a good massage was just the ticket and my first experience did not disappoint. In fact, it was undoubtedly the best massage I’ve ever had! The therapist began by focusing on the pressure points of my back before working deep into the muscles to knead out the knots. Whilst massages are often back focused, the entire body was attended too: from my neck and scalp to the arms and legs with a much-needed deep massage of the feet and ankles that firmly dissolved away the high heel related tension that is ever present. My muscles felt stretched and elongated, in the way one does after a good hour spent doing yoga, and whilst I’d heard that Thai massages can be quite tough or aggressive, mine was gentle yet firm, ensuring that whilst all the muscles were manipulated it remained a relaxing and pampering experience. When I thought it was over, the therapist asked me to sit and con- tinued on my back for a further few minutes giving the shoulders and lower back one last adjust- ment before I slipped back into my robe. So relaxed was I that I could quite easily have fallen into a deep sleep right there, but sadly the 17.06 from Waterloo was waiting and so I had to leave my Thai sanctuary and return to the bustle of London. I will, of course, return to Thai Square Spa so that I can once again quietly slip from the heavy streets into an eastern oasis and instantly be transported to a more peaceful land. www.thaisquarespa.com bite spa