Written by Marike van Breugel, Owner-operator of Arun Thai Natural Skin Care Products
I blustered in to Cheeva Spa on the afternoon of Tuesday 17th May 2011, an afternoon of pouring tropical rain in Chiang Mai that reminded me again of how perfect a day spa can be when soggy elephants, tigers and trekking don’t appeal.
Cheeva Spa is centrally located just a few minutes walk from the moat and Central department store; it was easy to park, easy to find and the calm lobby area soothed my rain-storm frazzle instantly. Cheeva Spa is a recipient of the Thai Lanna Spa Award and, despite its modest street facade, the genuine Lanna interior décor is both subtle and impressive. I was able to peruse the spa menu over a chilled herbal drink, and was torn between the body wraps, various massages, the herbal steam room, a body scrub and a milk bath. It helped to be able to ask questions in English and, after consultation, settled on a body scrub and the Cheeva Signature massage a total of 2,900 baht (about USD $98) for well over 2 hours of pampering.
I was taken to a lounge chair in a secluded part of the foyer to finish my drink while my feet were scrubbed and washed in traditional herbal floral water. These floral waters (locally called “lustral water”) are an important part of Thai tradition and Buddhist festivals they are a demonstration of respect. My therapist, Kuk, managed my foot injury (a recently broken big toe) very professionally and checked right up front about pain levels, discomfort and any health issues. She then took me from the main building through a pretty tropical garden to a separate cabin that could also be used for couples treatments and boasted a magnificent stone tub.
The Body Scrub was pleasantly tingly and slightly warm-the therapists touch was firm enough to feel it was helping my skin to exfoliate but not to the point of “sand-paper” or irritating. Body Scrubs are challenging to remove elegantly, so I was pleasantly surprised to be helped off the table and assisted into the large stone tub behind a folding screen to shower it off with a strong and effective hand-held shower. The contrast of a hot shower after the tingly cool scrub made me feel pleasantly drowsy as I settled back onto the table for the massage.
The Cheeva Signature Massage is a graceful, almost dance-like fusion massage incorporating oil massage, Thai, Balinese, Lomi, Swedish and Hawaiian styles-thats what I remember. The masseuse was not only Thai government certified but very skilled-no annoying chatter but her attentiveness to everything from dimming lighting, checking the room temperature, ensuring I had access to tissues and to my privacy whilst undressing and turning on the table were impressive. Just when I thought I was so relaxed that I might never walk again, the therapist completed the massage with some energizing Thai elements that gave me a pleasant sense of wakefulness and energy. The touch of her doing my unruly and thoroughly mussed hair into a Thai-girl elegant chignon, complete with a frangipani blossom, was lovely.
I liked the quietly understated professionalism of Cheeva Spa and would most certainly recommend it to anyone; its a class act. In fact, as I was preparing to leave and sipping a hot cup of ginger tea, a new European customer came in and sat near me in the lobby. While the staff went to get her some slippers, she discreetly asked me if it was any good and what treatments Id had. I happily (and without a moments hesitation) raved about my treatment and suggested she have it too. I was still impressed when I got home, so I voluntarily popped on to Trip Advisor to give Cheeva Spa an extra endorsement. My little daughter squealed with delight when I collected her later: Mama, your hair makes you look just like a beautiful Thai girl!
Visit Cheeva Spa’s site for more information
