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LIVING IT UP:
RarinJinda Wellness Spa Resort -
Tropical Lanna Perfection

Chiang Mai is abundantly provided with classic and contemporary spas that offer a host of rejuvenating and revitalizing treatments to restore the body's balance and leave one's mind in a state of equilibrium. On every main thoroughfare and on almost every side street a spa can be found, but if you do some research you'll discover that spas around the city with professionally-trained staff, high-tech facilities and beautiful settings are in short supply.

RarinJinda Wellness Spa, ranked as one of the elite health spas in the country has all this and far more besides. Impeccably located along the Charoenraj Road on the east bank of the Ping River, the resort is within walking distance from the Night Bazaar and is in the immediate vicinity of some of Chiang Mai's best known pubs, restaurants and art shops.

At the centre of the compound is a 140-year-old Thai teak-wood home that has been perfectly restored to a standard worthy of winning the Architectural Conservation Award for 2007. Upstairs, guests can have a classic Thai massage surrounded by traditional Thai furniture and antiques in one of the grand rooms, or make use of the downstairs conference room with a capacity of 40 people.

Although the spa is the essence of RarinJinda, the boutique hotel that stretches from around the plush swimming pool to the back of the teak building is in perfect harmony with the resort. The 35 luxurious deluxe and suite rooms are split into four categories: Deluxe Room, Deluxe Room with pool access, Wellness Suite and RarinJinda Villa. All rooms are in keeping with the luxurious environment, decorated in contemporary Lanna style with modern fittings such as LCD TV's and in-room Wi-Fi, and decked with private verandas, some of which have direct pool access, indoor Jacuzzis and glorious views of the majestic Suthep Mountain and Ping River.

The L-shaped four-storey spa building is magnificent, and must rank as one of the best facilities in the world. From the lush garden Chiang Mai's only Hydrotherapy Pool is visible, where certain guests of the hotel receive complimentary treatment, but which is also available for visitors of the spa. Kept at a constant temperature of 35o C the intensely warm water is ingeniously employed to dispense a soothing massage to every part of one's body at eight separate stations inside the pool. Similar treatment can be had in the hydrotherapy tub, which uses more powerful water and includes a therapist to massage neck, back and hands.

His and hers infrared saunas and a room for colonic rinse and detoxification neighbor the Vichy shower room where seven adjustable shower jets fixed above a massage table imitate a waterfall by spraying water at varying temperatures and pressure. Packages lasting three hours or more are performed on the top floor in one of the six private villas each with two massage beds, outdoor showers and Jacuzzis. Five private couple and four single rooms for aromatherapy oil massages, herbal hot compress treatments, hot stone massages, body scrubs and luxurious facial relaxations amongst a host of other treatments, and a Thai massage zone with eight rooms and nine foot massage seats, complete the make up of this expansive building.

Aside from the extensive facilities, comprehensive spa menu and state of the art equipment, what really makes RarinJinda Spa exceptional is the in-house doctor aka Spa Director who offers a free consultation; the results of which determine the guests' appropriate treatment. In his private office, an aura-bio feedback analysis is carried out by placing one's palm on a series of sensors connected to a computer and monitor that displays the body's seven chakras, aura colour and an array of graphs and information for more in-depth feedback. This contemporary method of analysis originates from an ancient Indian system of medicine known as Ayurveda, which has been practiced for over 5,000 years.

For a particularly stressed or tired visitor an infra red sauna followed by shirodhara treatment may be recommended. This is where warm oil is gently poured on the forehead, or third eye, for an extended period of time followed by an Indian herbal oil body massage to reduce stress, calm the emotions and promote sleep. The prescription of oil will depend on further tests to determine which body element is currently imbalanced; for example, vata oil would be used if the air body element is not in sync. Guests then return to the doctor for a new reading to observe the changes as a result of the treatment set, ordinarily a decrease in stress and better energy levels. A trip to a spa always leaves you feeling your spirits have been lifted, but here you can see the evidence that they have.

Having wowed my loved one on Valentine's Day last year, by surprising her with a night's stay here, I can honestly say this is somewhere that will leave you with lasting memories of unparalleled indulgence and luxury. With the Ping River in its sights, the RarinJinda is also a perfect spot to watch the fireworks and lanterns that light up the darkened sky, and glittering floats that meander down the river during Loi Kratong and New Years Eve. But if you just want to experience a spa with consummate service and unequalled facilities, then this is the place for you.

Text: Finley B. Luge
Photos: RarinJinda Wellness Spa