For anyone visiting Chiang Mai, or really any part of Thailand, I think getting a massage is almost always part of the itinerary. It is one of those experiences that people always recommend, but to be honest, I would not have thought about it seriously until one of my colleagues advised me to try it.
He had already been to Bangkok before, and he told me that during his visit, they went for a massage that only cost around THB 200. That sounded very affordable to me, and maybe Bangkok has a lot of competition when it comes to massage shops. Here in Chiang Mai, the place that we visited offered Thai massage for THB 450, while the Aromatherapy massage was THB 800.
Since it was my very first massage experience in Chiang Mai, we wanted to try something more relaxing. So we chose the Aromatherapy massage. I thought this was the safer choice because Thai massage is known to be a bit more intense, and sometimes even painful LOL. For this first experience, I wanted something subtle, calm, and relaxing.
The place we went to was Calm Massage and Spa. Just from the name alone, it already sounded like the kind of place I needed after days of walking, exploring, and traveling around Chiang Mai.
Booking the appointment was quite simple. I just gave them a call and booked our slot. At first, we planned to come at 1:30 PM, but because I had to do some errands, I needed to postpone it by an hour. Thankfully, the staff were very friendly and allowed us to adjust the booking time. That was a relief because we also underestimated the travel distance from Chom Tong to Somphet Market, where Calm Massage and Spa is located.
When we finally arrived, we were welcomed by the friendly staff. The first thing they served us was iced tea with mint, and it was really refreshing. I thought that was such a nice way to welcome guests. After being outside and moving around, a cold drink immediately made the experience feel better.
The interior of the spa was also very nice. It had a warm and calming design, with soft lighting, wooden accents, and a clean minimalist look. There was a zen feeling to the whole place. Even the small details, like the scent bottles, the stone sinks, the private rooms, and the simple decorations, made the atmosphere feel peaceful.
Before the massage started, we were asked to choose our aromatic oil. There were different scents available, and I chose lavender because I think it has the best smell for relaxation. It was the kind of scent that makes you feel calm even before the massage begins.
After choosing the oil and confirming the duration, we were escorted by the masseuses to the private room. We took a quick shower first, and then the massage started.
At first, it was very gentle and relaxing. I thought to myself that I made the right choice. But as the massage reached the halfway point, it slowly became more intense. Some parts were still okay, but some parts were actually painful LOL. I guess even the relaxing type of massage can still find the tired spots in the body.
But honestly, after it ended, I felt really good. There was a feeling of lightness, like some tension had been released. It was the kind of tiredness that feels refreshing at the same time.
After the massage, they served us hot tea and a candied nuts bar. That was a nice final touch to the whole experience. It made the visit feel complete, from the welcome drink to the relaxing treatment and then the warm tea at the end.