Review – A Traditional Thai Massage at Thai Square Spa, London

Located at the foot of an imposing 19th Century building a stone’s throw from bustling Trafalgar Square, Thai Square Spa is a stunning subterranean treasure.

Once you step through the spa’s marble pillar-flanked front door into the spacious and welcoming reception, it’s like entering another world. Serenity with a distinctly Oriental flavour is the order of the day, soundtracked by calming music as the scent of jasmine fills the air.

After descending a staircase, you enter a chic, darkly lit labyrinthine network of corridors, relaxation areas and treatment rooms, all converted from a Victorian Turkish bathhouse. The sumptuous decor features lots of stone, slate, dark wood and natural materials, as gold buddha statues twinkle and glossy black floor and wall tiles sparkle with quartz. Walkways are illuminated by little granite Buddhas brandishing flickering electric candles.

The changing room is small but adequate, though the glittery red tiles might not be to everyone’s tastes. And it’s a shame there are no private cubicles, though there are two showers for the bashful.

The Sen Space spa is also small, but features everything you need – large steam room, spacious sauna, ice fountain and a roomy Jacuzzi surrounded by shimmering gold-hued tiles. Visiting on a weekday, I had the entire place to myself however, which was a luxury in itself.

Before my massage, I chilled in the opulent Thai-themed relaxation area with a fragrant cup of bael tea, a delicious concoction made from dried wood apple said to have numerous health benefits. I preferred that space with its exotically elegant temple-like decor, to the slightly more brightly lit fresco and pillar-strewn Roman Turkish relaxation area, a nod to the spa’s history.

Then having changed into some loose cotton Thai pyjamas, I was ushered through to one of the spa’s beautifully appointed treatment rooms.

As you’d expect from a place owned by the same people who run the highly-rated Thai Square restaurant around the corner, the Thai massage is incredibly authentic, speaking as someone who has been previously pummelled in Phuket and Koh Phi Phi.

To start, Thai therapist Judy gave me a relaxing foot soak as she asked where my problem areas were. Then after laying down on the comfortable heated massage bed, she began, using just her hands, elbows, knees and body weight and without using oil as is traditional.

Using deep rhythmic acupressure strokes plus elbows on tight areas, Judy systematically worked her way around my body, making sure that pressure was always right – I favour a harder massage because of my numerous physical issues. You certainly get firm treatment with a traditional Thai massage, which even involves being knelt on at times. There’s simply nothing else like it, or as effective when done well – and this was a peerless example.

Despite it bordering on uncomfortable at times as Judy teased out my knots, I still almost fell asleep numerous times as her technique was so hypnotic. The hour-long treatment was completed with Judy expertly manhandling me to execute deep stretches of my upper back, legs and arms. I left literally feeling like a new woman.

If an authentic Thai massage is what you crave, you can’t go wrong at Thai Square Spa – it’s a luxuriously authentic taste of Siam in the heart of the capital.

Address: 25 Northumberland Ave, London WC2N 5AP
Phone: 020 7839 7990