The market town of Ao Nang was experiencing a drenching when I noticed an A-frame board with an inviting massage menu. There was plenty to choose from and I had time to kill. I passed a tattoo parlour on my right and piled-up rubbish on my left as I made my way down a laneway towards the sprawling verandah where a young child played receptionist at a large desk. The child didn't smile but a kind-looking woman appeared and ushered me in to a large room, filled with recliners and small plastic tubs.
Décor: Oh dear. Nothing matched. The cushion covers clashed with the recliner covers which clashed with the curtains which clashed with the towels. Colours galore and dizzying patterns everywhere. I closed my eyes for most of the massage so it really didn't matter. The windows were ceiling to floor so occasionally I watched the rain pelting outside.
Choice: The menu was printed on a slip of photocopied paper but there was an impressive list of services to choose from including aromatherapy massage, Thai hot compression massage and foot massage, which was my selection.
Comfort: The aforementioned recliners were plump and comfy. Perfect for relaxing in while my feet were pummelled, toes pulled and calves stretched.
Service and style: I am still not convinced whether it was discomfort or effective massage that I paid for. Countless times I urged my massage therapist to ease up. I alternated between urging her to be "not too strong", and gasping with pain. She grinned and apologised, a lot.
Smell: The rain. There was not a scented candle in sight.
Costs: Massages cost between 200 baht ($7) an hour for a Thai massage to 500 baht ($18) for a Body Scrub Massage. I was charged 200 baht for my one-hour foot rub.
Extras: It was so ridiculously cheap that I added a half-hour Thai massage at an extra cost of 100 baht ($3.60). I was led to a rather dark room with king-size beds draped in pretty, bright cotton blankets and told to sit cross-legged on one of them. I remained fully clothed. The therapist wedged herself up against me and stretched my upper body and neck into positions previously unknown to me. I giggled a bit. It didn't hurt but I felt on the cusp of suffering an injury a couple of times.
Address: Ban Ao Nang, Krabi, Thailand. Telephone: 075 810 695
I decided that some more pampering was needed, so preceding an exquisite cocktail "hour" at the Pullman, watching the sunset from the sunken lounge overlooking the ocean, I figured a spa treatment was in order.
My therapist greeted me with a sweetness and shyness that belied her vigorous talents I was imminently to experience. Led to the enormous change room with individual wardrobe, I popped on a delightfully soft white robe and was invited to take off all jewellery and clothing. Happy to oblige.
Décor: The waiting room was enormous with scented candles flickering. I sipped the tea served as I chose my treatment from a comprehensive list. The treatment room itself had a sleek, modern vibe with light-coloured wood finishings and traditional massage table. Loads of white towels. And a pretty bowl of fresh flowers to look at through the table's face hole.
Choice: The menu was overwhelming. Swedish, aromatherapy, head and scalp, expectant mother, fusion bamboo, Balinese, Thai, warm milk compress, red wine wrap and so many more "massage" styles were offered.
Comfort: The room was a little on the cool side. I felt relaxed right up until I was flipped on my back and rubbed down, from top to toes. Not expecting the circular motions (applying the finely ground tea sea salt) across my exposed breasts, I squirmed a tad and did all in my power to relax … relax …RELAX!
Service and style: My softly-spoken therapist had a delicate touch and was tremendously talented. I did feel invigorated yet relaxed afterwards and not once had to urge her to be "not too strong". The pressure was perfect.
Smell: The scented candle in the corner didn't go unnoticed but what I especially loved was the spritz of floral scent that wafted under my nose at the very beginning of the treatment as I lay with my eyes shut.
Extras: A welcome and surprise inclusion was the soothing mask placed delicately on my puffy eyes for a short period.
Costs: The various massages cost between 1000 baht for a one-hour foot massage ($35) to 4000 baht ($141) for a four-hand massage. My Evening Tea Sea Salt Scrub was 2800 baht ($100) for 90 minutes.
Address: 22/2 Moo 4, Naithon Beach, Saku Thalang, Phuket, Thailand. Telephone: 076 303 299
I really enjoyed both treatments for different reasons. The sense that I was partaking in some kind of tradition meant the street massage felt like a must-do experience. My feet felt wonderful afterwards. Meanwhile, the supremely luxurious hotel massage left me with incredibly soft skin (from the scrub) and tremendously de-stressed and relaxed. And considering the hefty cost a similar hotel treatment would cost in Australia, certainly reasonably priced by comparison.
The writer travelled as a guest of Qantas and Accor Hotels.
