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Thai Wellbeing, Norwich - 3 bubbles
The Good Spa Guide reviewer was invited to Thai Wellbeing for a few of hours of fantastic Thai Massage treatments. She came out of the treatment room a couple of inches taller, vowing to be back!
Was it easy to book?
First impressions?
How did they welcome you?
What happens next?
Which treatments did you have?
What were the treatments like?
How did you feel afterwards?
What happens afterwards?
Long-term effects
Was it worth it?
What else could you have?
Who do you think would like it?
Why did you give the spa this rating?
Would you go again?
Was it easy to book?
The Good Spa Guide was invited to Thai Wellbeing, but every time I rang to check something, the phone was answered promptly and politely.
Their website gave plenty of details of what is on offer, too.
First impressions?
Thai Wellbeing is tucked away up a flight of stairs on the main shopping street in Norwich. The large windows which make the reception area light and airy look down over the shopping area. It's quite fun to look out on all the busyness from a haven of calm. The place is light and bright with purple as its main theme colour. Not Zen-like, but good fun.
The waiting area has a couple of squidgy sofas. The receptionist offered me a seat and some chilled water. There were a couple of magazines to browse through.
How did they welcome you?
Cheerfully. The reception area is by the door and the sofas so you get noticed straight away and invited to take a seat.
What happens next?
I had a quick guided tour. Upstairs, there is a small bar which sells drinks and snacks. There is also a gym and a studio for exercise classes, with personal training on offer, too.
In the main spa area, there are several good-sized treatment rooms and one huge double room with sliding doors that makes it look like a pagoda. This room is used for couples' treatments. (In fact, one woman was booking an anniversary treat while I was there. She said she planned for her and her husband to enjoy a massage together and then go upstairs to have a beer afterwards.)
This large room is also used when the spa runs their highly successful teenage parties. A gaggle of girls aged 10-13 get to experiment with some basic beauty treatments. It's a cool mummy who arranges that as a birthday treat.
Which treatments did you have?
I had the Thai full-body massage and the Thai foot treatment.
What were the treatments like?
Brilliant. A delightful Thai therapist carried out both treatments, and it was obvious that she had trained and worked in Thailand. Thai massage is not for the fainthearted, but as a self-confessed massage junkie, it was perfect for me. I love strong deep massage and to feel that it really is doing me some good. My back creaked and groaned a bit, especially when my therapist climbed on the bed and used her body weight to help stretch and move my tensed-up muscles.
Even she admitted defeat when it came to my hunched up shoulders; too many hours hunched over my laptop and, when I'm not typing I'm driving. "You need several sessions," she told me. I agreed with her.
The Thai foot massage was the highlight for me. Lots of energetic prodding and massaging got my circulation going and began to tackle my horribly puffy ankles. Then my therapist started on the soles of my feet, working on the acupressure points. Some of the points had me jumping. When I asked which points they were, my therapist found a chart and looked them up. "That's odd," I thought. Then I realised she was checking the English names. The words "adrenal gland" aren't something you learn on a general English course, I suspect. We had a long chat about the energy channels in my body and how unbalanced they were and what I needed to do rebalance them. Everything my therapist said chimed in with what my acupuncturist had suggested: my kidney chi is out of balance and can be fixed with some lifestyle changes and a few more treatments.
How did you feel afterwards?
My treatments were a couple of hours of bliss. I came out of the treatment room a couple of inches taller, and much more relaxed. I need this once a month. Or maybe even once a week!
What happens afterwards?
My therapist took me back to the waiting area and offered me a glass of water. The waiting area is nice enough, but a proper relaxation area, with a choice of cold drinks and a chance to chill out would have been much better.
Long-term effects
I think you need to have these sorts of treatments regularly for any real long-term effects, but as I was facing a long-haul flight a couple of days later, I felt this was a good preventative measure. And I will be back for more regular treatments.
Was it worth it?
Yes, Yes and YES! I loved the treatments which were both well done. The body massage made me feel that the knots in my back had come unknotted at last.
What else could you have?
Quite a choice from a small spa. As well as all the basics such as manicures, pedicures, and tanning, there's a whole range of other treatments, including reflexology, reiki, Hopi ear candles, hot stone massage, Nimue anti-ageing facials, and specialist acne treatments.
They offer a hen party package which includes wine, snacks and two treatments. The fun early learners' package is for 10-13 year olds who learn how to care for their skin and apply make-up and nail varnish. Thai Wellbeing also offers men's treatments and couple's treatments.
Who do you think would like it?
Any massage junkie. Anyone who wants regular good grooming - most of Thai Wellbeing's custom is for waxing, tanning and similar body maintenance. Anyone who needs to pop in for a treatment during their lunch hour, or while shopping. This spa is great for a teenager's birthday treat or a girls' outing as well.
Why did you give the spa this rating?
The treatments at this spa were top notch, with therapists who know their stuff and deliver good results. The treatment rooms are generous and comfortable. But the spa doesn't have a relaxation area. There is water or coffee on offer, and a couple of magazines to read (OK and Hello on the day I was there) but you wouldn't want to linger and spend any real time there. And it's comfortable, but not luxurious. Plus, halfway through my treatments, a class began in the studio above me. I could hear and feel all the thumps and thuds, which was not ideal for relaxing. The changing areas are small; clean and well maintained, but quite basic. So Thai Wellbeing scores 3 bubbles.
See more on how we rate the spas
Would you go again?
Yes. I plan to have more of the wonderful Thai massages. I also think this is a good local treatment room and I will be popping in for an eyebrow tidy, a manicure or a tanning session next time I am shopping there.
See also:
* Contact Details for Thai Wellbeing
* Pedicures
* Thai Massage
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