Few destinations have the combination of massage, quality, price and availability that Phuket has. The island is sprinkled with local shopfront massage joints that are extremely therapeutic. They offer traditional Thai massage (a yogic like therapy in which you are folded and stretched thousand ways), oil massage (deep tissue) , aromatherapy massage (oil massage with an herbal extract kick to induce deep relaxation) and reflexology (where a foot massage meets shiatsu)
If grass root massage feels too gritty for you and if you are looking for a luxurious spa experience, check out the Six Senses Sanctuary, Phuket. It is a first wellness retreat created by Six Senses and creates the opportunity to offer Wellness through the complete assimilation of Spa, Holistic Fitness and Integrative Health. It’s Spa is perfect for those hungry a wellness infusion of nutrition, yoga, T’chi and meditation.
Six Senses has a passionate ecological ethos and one particular feature of Six Senses Sanctuary in Phuket is that all the landscaping is edible. Fruits, vegetables and herbs are all being grown in a fully organic manner without the use of non-organic pesticides, under their own supervision.
Those looking to kick start a healthy lifestyle can also combine yoga, massage and wellness at Phuket’s JW Marriott Resort and Spa which overlooks the Andaman Sea on the 17-kilometre-long Mai Khao Beach. Its extensive landscaped gardens harbour reflection and lily ponds, coconut palms and rock walls, while the property itself features ornate Thai-style roofing and combines traditional style with contemporary lines and the utmost attention to service and comfort.
The Mandara Spa covers more than 1,000-square metres, and offers a wealth of treatments, while there is also a fitness centre, teak Thai wellness sala for meditation and yoga, and many other activities and water sports to try. The spacious rooms and suites all feature garden or ocean view balconies, and all have indoor Thai salas with twin massage mats, plus rich silk fabrics and polished dark wood flooring. Dine on healthy spa dishes, authentic north Italian cuisine, the best of pan-Asian and Japanese flavours and succulent seafood while gazing at the rippling ocean.