"Tonight you will sleep well," the massage therapist said prophetically.
And indeed I did have a peaceful slumber, not only that night but a few more afterwards, waking without the usual taut neck and shoulders which I had somehow got accustomed to over the years.
Being polished head to toe with a rose, gold-dust essence followed by a full-body massage with geranium and grapefruit oils does work wonders!
Well, to be more specific that was the Eternity treatment I had at the Ayuthaya Spa, one of two specially created packages for Valentine's Day, with its counterpart cheekily named Thai-Me-Up.
The Eternity package starts off with the client being "lathered" full-body with a salt-based gold dust mixture, with fragrant rose oil mixed in. As the massage therapist worked the concoction firmly into the skin, a mild "abrasive" sensation was felt, and unlike most rubs, this one did not leave a warm after-touch, but rather a cool tingling sensation.
Being lavished head to toe with a certain amount of deliberation resulted in a feeling of being "cleansed", which was both therapeutic and soothing.
As I was to discover later, real gold dust was being used, and it was not just some catchy name whipped up for Valentine's Day. Gold is actually an excellent non-toxic skin treatment, and we can sometimes find sprinkles of it in traditional Thai desserts.
Preceding the massage segment of the treatment was a bath and right then, after washing off the gold dust oils, one could feel a difference in the suppleness of the skin.
The Full Body Romance Massage kicks off with a personal selection of oils, which was geranium and grapefruit for me, and if that is not your 'poison', there is always frankincense and rosemary, tea tree and lavender, or rose and ylang ylang up for choice.
This part of the treatment was slightly more intense, but the results were gratifying. I went on to enjoy many restful slumbers over many nights.
As I was also to discover later too, my therapist had previously worked in a medical spa for nearly 15 years, and she took great pride in identifying "difficult" spots and working on them to get them un-knotted and loosened out.
I walked out of the 40-minute session feeling taut in the back and calves, but for the next few mornings I woke up feeling like a well greased machine, with joints and neck nimble and without a hint of stiffness.
The treatment ends with a cup of matoon tea, which is made with the thai matoon fruit boiled with brown sugar.
As I settled down with the refreshing drink, I noticed how the design of the reception area of the spa utilises the natural sunlight for lighting, giving the whole place a warm and invigorating outlook.
It was a good way to end the day, sipping tea on a sofa and chatting with others, and Rosalin Montrisuksirikul, the director, took time out to share more on spa treatments and the ingredients used.
For the best effect, she says, all ingredients are sourced and prepared in Thailand before being imported to Singapore, and they are exclusive to Ayuthaya spas only.
And just for Valentine's Day, the ladies will receive a specially made heart-shaped soap with a tingle of gold dust inside, together with a body cream prepared using virgin coconut oil.
"How about the men?"
"They get to pay!" she chuckled.
Valentine's Day Packages for February
Ayuthaya Spa's Eternity Package for Two is available at S$298, which consists of a Rose Gold Dust Body Polish and a Full Body Romance Massage, lasting for an hour and a half.
The Thai-Me-Up Package for Two at S$288 consists of a Royal Thai Massage (one and a half hours) or a Combination of Royal Thai Massage (one hour) and Thai Herbal Heat Compress (30 minutes) at a specially designed "Tang" - a Thai Massage Bed at Gallery Hotel.
All clients get a special Valentines Gift Set if they visit from February 10 to 20.
Call Ayuthaya Spa at Gallery Hotel at (65) 67360998 or Negara on Claymore at (65) 62388227 for bookings.
