Comprehensive treatment

Late last year, the Peninsula Hotel joined its sisters in Hong Kong and Chicago and began offering the chain's signature spa treatments. The Peninsula offers popular international and local spa treatments in a five-star setting with unbeatable views of Bangkok from across the river.

"The Peninsula's spa has everything you would expect from our worldly chain. We engaged British-based ESPA to design the programmes for us here," explains Kate Sim, the Peninsula Spa's director. "Even though when people think about ESPA, they think about international-style spa treatments, here in Bangkok, we also combine a lot of major Thai treatments as well as local herbal elements into our signature packages that cannot be found in other places."

The range of services offered at this spa is beyond description; they have a wide range of treatments that range from a simple pampering massage to total relaxation and beautification packages. Knowing that the therapists here have trained extensively, I was tempted into trying their three-hour Time package, which allows one to mix different treatments according to their personal requirements.

"Also, we are different for the fact that our therapists, not the receptionists, are the ones who spend time learning about each client's needs so they can fit in their treatments to suit them well," says Sim.

Thus, before taking the treatment, I was asked to answer quite a list of personal questions that cover things like my general health, skin, and physical problems I might have. I have back pain from sitting for too long in front of a computer. I also have pimple problems and muscular pain in both my arms. Also, I also have problems sleeping lately because of my having to meet deadlines. All of these problems were thoroughly discussed with De, my therapist, who asked me whether I want to be treated with a hot stone body massage for my tense back and a facial mask with ESPA products to ease my skin problem.

The dimly lit treatment room was relaxing. The silent atmosphere really put me into a sound sleep, something I just needed after many long days at work. My therapist was quiet, which was very important, and her hot stone treatment was wonderful, for the heat effectively relaxed my tense back muscles.

After the treatment, I was led to a relaxing room facing the Chao Phya River where herbal drinks are offered. The room has private corners with chairs. I took my time to relax with the beautiful Bangkok view, some magazines and fruit. It was a great vacation away from my desk that totally refreshed me in a matter of hours.

The Peninsula Spa by ESPA

The Peninsula Hotel

333 Charoen Nakhon Road

Klongsan, (02) 861 2888

Sirin P Wongpanit  

The writer can be reached at saleewong@gmail.com.