Centara Grand’s Spa Cenvaree, at Central Plaza Ladprao Bangkok, is the first in the hotel family to employ two blind therapists.
by Maia Kara.
Being a spa junkie, I have tried quite a few different places, from local massage shops to five-star luxury spas since I moved to Bangkok a few months ago. Always looking for a new experience, I was excited to read about “blind massage therapists who, due to their lack of sight, are considered to ‘see’ through their hands, channeling their energy through other senses and feeling the flow of energy through their sense of touch.” Thus, I made an appointment for a one-hour Royal Thai Massage (THB 1,300++ per person for 60 minutes and THB 1,600++ for 90 minutes) to start my weekend at Spa Cenvaree at Centara Grand (Central Plaza Ladprao Bangkok, 1695 Phaholyothin Road, Chatuchak, Bangkok, 02 541 1234, www.centarahotelsresorts.com/centaragrand/cglb).
Upon my arrival I was welcomed by the scent of orange with a drop of lemongrass. The spa adopts a lotus zen concept, taking design cues from lotus flowers. It has seven multi-function therapy rooms, a Thai massage room, a manicure and pedicure suite and a relaxation room. While enjoying a cold towel and a glass of gooseberry tea, I was asked about my individual preferences and wishes to guarantee a tailor-made treatment.
Paranee Fongta, my therapist, did magic with her hands while stretching, pulling, and expertly searching for “problem” points to apply pressure relieving muscular pain and stress. Thai royal massage covers a whole body, starting from toes, moving up your legs, up to the back and shoulders, finishing with head massage—it leaves you completely relaxed and rejuvenated. The massage was accompanied by the soft tranquil music and soothing scent of lavender.
Spa Cenvaree in Centara Grand at Central Plaza Ladprao Bangkok is the first in the Centara hotel family to employ two blind therapists. Another two treatment packages these therapists perform are a 60-minute Traditional Foot Massage (at THB 1,100++) and an Aromatherapy Massage (THB 1,600++ for 60 minutes and THB 2,000++ for 90 minutes). The spa’s staff of highly trained seeing therapists is also available to offer service on these and other various packages and treatments, including body therapy, facial care, ayurvedic treatments, and many more.
