Touched by heaven

Dusit Resort and Polo Club Hua Hin and Hua Hin Hotel Articles

Devarana Spas are located at The Dusit Thani Hotel Bangkok, the Dusit Resort in Pattaya and the Dusit Resort and Polo club in Hua Hin plans to open a Devarana Spa by mid 2003. In the future, Devarana Spa plans to expand its operations overseas taking the garden of heaven and the ancient arts of Thai massage and hands-on healing to more destinations.

The therapist, started at the feet, applying some essential oil to her palms before gently massaging away the tension. She applied pressure to selected areas, using fingertips, knuckles and thumbs, secretly healing numerous parts of the body through reflexology. It had been close to 60 minutes of dreamy relaxation when she found "the spot", the point on my lower-right scapula where it seems that all my worries and tension converge to cause me pain. I neglected to tell her about "the spot" as something of a test of her abilities. In a show of quiet professionalism she sensed my reaction and, without a word, proceeded to focus on "the spot" with gentle care, kneading the muscles with appropriate force, tapping into energy lines to alleviate the pain.

The full body massage lasted for the next 30-minutes and with "the spot" relieved, I quietly drifted in and out of heavenly slumber as the therapist, Khun Malee, continued massaging and kneading away pinches, aches and pains. The Devarana Massage is comprised of five techniques including Swedish, Ayurvedic, Aromatherapy, Shiatsu and Thai massage to give clients the benefits of these different schools of practice as well as a soothing, pampering experience.

The facial began with a deep cleansing treatment and a gentle exfoliation designed to expel impurities and other nasties from the skin. My face was then steamed and softened for any additional extractions necessary. Lulled back to sleep by soft Classical Thai music, the steamy warmth of the towel and the rhythmic strokes of the therapist�s soft hands I awoke only as she applied a cool mineral-rich purifying mask. Within minutes, I could feel the mask firming my very relaxed muscles and the sensation was glorious. As the mask was left to do its work, Khun Malee focused her attention once more on "the spot", as well as my shoulders, neck and arms. When the time came to peel the mask away, I could almost feel each pore dancing a revitalized jig on my face. The brochure boasted of a treatment which leaves you with a "lucent glow and soft, healthy skin." Well my skin certainly felt good, as did my whole body, but it would take a couple of people inquiring if I had been to the spa, to enlighten me to the new glow I had adopted. To these people I simply answered, "Yes, touch of heaven." I had experienced and reaped the benefits of the Devarana Spa�s Touch of Heaven package.

Devarana comes from Thai Sanskrit meaning, "garden in heaven" and dates back to a piece of ancient Thai literature called Tribhumphraruang written by Phraya Lithai. In this literary work, the writer described a garden situated at heaven�s gate, surrounded by ponds and colourful flowers, with a heavenly scent and a nurturing environment. In the garden people can hear soft, melodic music played by the harp and the flute and the whole garden, glimmering with silver and gold, is filled with precious stones and gems. Taking inspiration from the concept of the "garden in heaven" the environment at Devarana Spa is one of simple elegance. Luxurious healing treatments are offered in a soothing, stress-relieving environment. With an east-meets-west emphasis on pampering and wellness, Thai health and beauty practices have been sourced from age-old therapies and updated with modern knowledge to bring clients the best treatments available within an environment of traditional Thai hospitality.

The interior decoration at the Devarana Spa at The Dusit Thani Hotel Bangkok is stylish to say the least. The reception area features a long, narrow reflective pool alongside which are consultation lounges where therapists meet with their clients to ascertain which treatment best suits their needs. All treatment rooms are well appointed and provide beauty, comfort and privacy with double rooms available for those who wish to share their spa experiences.

During my visit, I was lucky enough to have been appointed the grand suite. Cleopatra herself would have been thrilled with this suite; soothed with shaded natural light with white cotton drapes billowing from the ceiling, the grand suite features a private steam room, floral bath, massage area for couples, a lounge and a spacious shower room complete with a rain-shower shower head.

The range of treatments available at Devarana Spa is impressive. In addition to the therapies of reflexology, Ayurvedic massage, traditional Thai massage and aromatic detoxifying massage are a number of body treatments that draw on the goodness of natural ingredients such as salt, mud, rice, Algotherm products, fresh herbs and essential oils to cleanse and purify the skin. Facial treatments include an anti-stress renewal facial, a men�s vitality facial, and a number of treatments that are shorter in duration but just as effective, using the world-renown products of Jurlique from Australia. Water treatments exude romance and glamour with a luxury milk and roses bath, honey and oatmeal bath or a seaweed bath being just a few of the treatments available. Special packages have been created that combine popular treatments to serve the whole body. I experienced the signature Devarana Touch of Heaven package, there is also a traveller�s recovery pack, an inner balance package, a body beautifier, body bliss and pure pleasure packages. The spa menu advises guests that if they cannot see a spa package to meet their needs, the staff will create one specifically to attend to these needs.