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There's a new spa in town -- Darha Spa in Central -- so I popped over this weekend to check it out. Tucked away on the ninth floor of an office building on Queen's Road Central near H&M, it's a sister branch to the original Darha Spa in Khon Kaen in northeastern Thailand.
Since Darha Spa bills itself as a place that will "bring you the true Thai spa experience," I booked (what else?) a 60-minute Thai massage. When I arrived at 7 p.m. on Sunday, the place was empty, but the staff was exceptionally friendly without being obsequious. It's obvious that the proprietors put some effort into the decor, outfitting the reception area with dark-wood furniture, live orchids and Thai art. The receptionist offered me tea or water, and brought my drink on a rattan tray along with a cool towel to refresh my face. She requested that I fill out a short questionnaire inquiring about my health, allergies, and preferences during the massage (light, medium or hard pressure).
For my treatment I was led into a dimly lit private room decorated with Thai textiles and artwork; soothing music at low volume set a relaxing mood. After I changed into a set of loose pajamas, my masseuse guided my bare tootsies into a large dark wooden bowl of warm water, added flower petals, slices of lime and salt to the bath and gave my feet a quick cleaning. It was a nice touch. Then it was on to the massage.
Traditional Thai massage does not use oil, and rather than rubbing or long strokes, the technique is more about pressing and stretching. After a hard workout at the gym the day before, my muscles were quite sore, and the masseuse seemed to home in on my aching shins and quads. Methodically, she worked up and down my spine, paying particular attention to my shoulder blades, as I had noted on the questionnaire when I arrived. After 35 minutes, she flipped me over, and attended to the front of my legs, stretching them into various positions. Then back up to my arms, shoulders, neck and back, pressing deep into the tissue. Clambering over me to pull my limbs into various stretches, I think she got as much of a workout massaging me as I had gotten the day before at the gym!
What was booked as a 60-minute massage in fact lasted about 70 minutes, not including the footbath. Dressed and back in the reception area, I was greeted with a small goblet of fresh melon balls and a glass of water. The receptionist asked me to fill out a survey about the treatment and seemed sincerely concerned with my satisfaction.
Since Darha Spa is new, they're running a "grand opening" special -- 30% off all treatments. So my massage, priced on the menu at $450, was instead $315 -- a good value for a competent massage in a nice atmosphere with a friendly, English-speaking staff. The special is on at least through the end of the month, and in February they'll be offering a Valentine's Day deal: bring a friend/partner and get 50% off on two treatments.
The list of services at Darha is quite extensive: Besides Thai, they offer Swedish, Hawaiian Lomi Lomi, hot stone, shiatsu, Ayuvedic, and sports massages, as well as manicures, pedicures, hairstyling and makeup application. Their more elaborate treatments include body scrubs, facials, a "four hands" massage with two therapists, and even a "virginity" massage that promises to "reinvigorate your sexual awareness" and "make you feel like a virgin again" (45 minutes, $550). Hmm. Maybe something to think about for the Valentine's Day special...
Darha's normal prices are by no means cheap, but the 30-50% discounts on offer seem to be a good deal. If you check them out, write in with your experience and we'll let others know what you think -- we're dying to hear how the virginity massage goes!
Darha Spa, Parker House, 9th Floor, 72 Queen's Road Central, Central, Hong Kong. Map. 2140 6311
www.darhaspa.com/Hk/darhaspa@gmail.com
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