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Relaxing Massage in Cebu: Thai Boran Cebu Spa Review
Massage in Cebu: Thai Boran Cebu Spa Review
Looking for hot stone, aromatherapy or hot oil massage in Cebu? Maybe Thai Boran is what you’re looking for. Here’s my first-hand experience with their largest branch near Oakridge Business Park in A.S. Fortuna, Banilad, Cebu City.
Getting There
Boarding off a 24G multicab just right across Oakridge Business Park in A.S. Fortuna Banilad, I couldn’t find Thai Boran at first glance.
But upon asking the barangay tanod standing by on the outpost, he pointed using his lips a few meters to the right and there it was.
First Impressions
Wow, two floors, and sure looks new. Opening the glass doors, a scent of peppermint oil in the air immediately entered my lungs and made me teary-eyed.
Telling the front desk that I was waiting for my blogger friends to arrive, I immediately targeted the inviting brown sofa and oh was I surprised with its super ultra mega soft cushioning with a pull of gravity so strong, I died a bit as I sat down. Then laughed subconsciously.
Why Thai Boran?
According to the owner, Ms. Jenny Sison, it’s actually a Thai word meaning old, ancient or historic.
Spa Offerings
Glancing around, I noticed that their reception area was clean and elegant then I read their spa offerings. Hmmm, stone massage at 600 pesos for 90 minutes, interesting. Oh here’s another one, Combo 6 meant unlimited choice of massage for two hours. Oh okay so I could do Thai, Back, Foot and Swedish massage for 30 minutes each, amazing.
And oh, there’s a free Korean face mask. I felt sad for the dude studying English who they skinned faceless.
Massage Area
Since nature was calling me, I asked if I could use their restroom. They said okay so off I went through the massage area.
First impressions? Well, it looked like a Japanese abode from the samurai movies because of its partitions. There are also white pebbles on the side of the pathway which felt like a stone garden.
Hot Stone Massage Experience
After a few more minutes of waiting, I was asked to expose my feet, which I obliged, but quickly put on some white slippers and led to the feet rinsing area. When Richie wiped my left foot signalling the end of the washing, stupid me put it back again on the wet bucket instead of the slippers. Genius.
Now I’m led to my own bed with towels shaped creatively like a flower and a folded shirt and shorts that would’ve fit ten year old me. I guess I’ll be wearing only my boxers.
Waiting for Richie, I decided to take note of the surrounding sounds. The playlist was a combination of Sitti’s album, some instrumental piano classics and the sound of crashing waves. However, it was mixed with the noise of the air-conditioning unit conveniently right above my head.
In all fairness, the room was pleasantly cool, not the type of cold Jack experienced in Titanic.
Based on my deduction of her overall strength and physique, I told Richie that I preferred medium pressure because I know deep in my heart that she could squeeze my bones to a pulp if she wanted to. And boy was I right because my muscles popped on the first minute.
Placing a towel on my back, four round objects were placed on my lumbar area. Heat building up, that’s when I realized that she was already using the volcanic rocks fresh from the microwave oven.
You need to understand that there’s a big difference when it comes to heating rocks through boiling water from a rice cooker and through the microwave. The latter heats on a molecular level which stings like burning charcoal and the heat dissipate quite a while. Nothing to worry about since the heat was bearable because of the thick towel.
But then I felt a tinge of pain, a hint of a slight burning sensation from two strokes. She was now using the hot stones on both her hands to directly massage my right leg.
This was the time to tell Richie to keep the stone in constant motion and never on standby. On the receiving end, you’ll be put on a pain threshold bordering pain and tolerability, the same feeling as that of pouring hot water on your skin in a sauna, eventually, you’ll get used to it. But I guess this isn’t the type of massage to request if you’re planning on sleeping.
When a hand towel is put on top of your shorts and rolled just enough to expose a bit of your behind, you’ll know that the back massage is getting serious. This was the moment where a point near my shoulder blades was repeatedly stroked to release something toxic building up inside me. Eight hours after the massage, I still have a souvenir of pain when I flex my shoulders.
Anyway, you’ll know when the first half of the massage is about to end when the therapist would be kneeling on both your thighs, with you face down, both your hands clasped together while your chest is being pulled off the floor, resulting in you fully stretched like an ugly butterfly.
And oh did I forget to mention one cool manoeuvre she did where she crossed one of my legs and twisted it, with her other hand on my opposite shoulder? It was like a body lock in UFC mixed martial arts.
The great thing about this experience is that when you get used to the heat, you’ll start to enjoy every moment of it even with your eyes closed, that same tingling sensation Anastasia Steele felt when Christian Grey used ice cubes to trace every inch of her body, but with hot stones.
Basically, the procedure mentioned above, along with the use of aromatherapy oil was professionally applied on all parts of my body, well except on the head massage which was my favorite.
And oh, who can say no to a hot cup of tea afterwards?
Thai Boran near Oakridge Business Park is open 24 hours with a capacity of 18 beds and 6 foot chairs. It is also the only branch that offers hot stone, aromatherapy and hot oil massage. For reservations, you may message them through their Facebook page.
Also Read: 3 Reasons Why You Should Skip Canyoneering in Cebu
Relaxing Massage in Cebu: Thai Boran Cebu Spa Review
Karlo Pacana