Looking for an authentic Thai massage? These are the Leeds spas you need to check out.
Thai massage is an ancient healing art. It’s not just for relaxation, but instead targets pain points, stretching, compressing and loosening muscles until you feel pain-free and light as air. It’s known as lazy yoga, as the therapist will contort your body for you, using their thumbs, palms, elbows and even knees to get you into the right position. Ready? Here’s where you can go in Leeds for an incredible Thai massage.
Nuad Thai Boran
With a name that literally translates to ‘ancient massage’, Nuad Thai Boran is as authentic as they come. It’s run by Im, a traditional Thai massage expert certified by the Union of Thai Traditional Medicine Society, so you know you’re in good hands – all the massage therapists are trained by her too. You can get everything you need here, from yoga stretching massages where your body is stretched and compressed using traditional techniques fused with deep-tissue and oil-based massages. You can even bring your other half along for a couples treatment!
Where: Nuad Thai Boran, 106-108 Vicar Lane, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 7NL.
How much: Treatments start from £65 for 60 minutes.
Phun Tawee Health & Beauty Spa
Phun Tawee Health & Beauty Spa is one of the best places in Leeds to get a Thai massage. We’re talking traditional beds on the floor, flowers and ancient Thai art. The massage therapists are friendly, knowledgable and know exactly how to put you at ease. Their yoga-style massage focuses on your energy lines, known as ‘Sen’ – your therapist manipulates them to encourage healing and to help prevent illness. But it’s not all ancient techniques here, you can get a deep-tissue hot oil massage, a full body scrub and even a session in the jacuzzi.
Where: Phun Tawee Health & Beauty Spa, 54 North Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 7PN.
How much: Treatments start from £30 for 30 minutes.
Mala Thai Massage
The accredited therapists at Mala Thai pride themselves on their ability to provide massages that are both stimulating and relaxing. The mood lighting and atmospheric Thai decor in their therapy rooms are specifically designed to create an ambience that quietens the mind and awakens the senses so you can be fully present as they work the tension from your muscles. Their deep tissue oil massages are perfect for treating stiffness and addressing stubborn pain points and they also offer sports massages to aid athletic recovery.
Where: Mala Thai Massage, 79 Street Lane, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS8 1AP and 31 Chelwood Drive, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS8 2AT.
How much: Treatments start from £55 for 60 minutes.
AromaThai Massage
If aches and pains are getting you down, only a session at AromaThai in Horsforth will do. Noi, the owner, has healing hands. She (and her team of massage therapists) can work out your niggles and knots and even discover ones you didn’t know about – that’s how good they are. Their Thai massages start at the feet and progress upwards, stretching and moving your body until you feel like you’re walking on air. They offer aromatherapy massages too, including a combo that uses soothing sandalwood, grapefruit and geranium oils on your pressure points.
Where: AromaThai Massage, 157 New Road Side, Leeds, Horsforth, West Yorkshire, LS18 4DR.
How much: Treatments start from £55 for 60 minutes.
Rosa Thai Massage
Calming rooms, highly specialised therapists and a signature style? It can only be Rosa Thai Massage. It’s owned by Rosa, a fully qualified trainer of Thai massage. She has developed her own style, combining elements of both Thai and deep tissue. It’s powerful and energising, good for releasing muscle tension and for your health in general. This is the only massage they offer across their Leeds locations – so you know it’s going to be one of the best you’ve had. They even have their own herbal Tiger Balm, which aids muscle relaxation. Get ready to go ‘oooooh’.
Where: Rosa Thai Massage, 1 Oxford Place, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 3AX; 2 New Road Side, Rawdon, Leeds, West Yorkshire LS19 6HN; 164 Kirkstall Hill, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS4 2SX and 1 Eden Drive, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS4 2TL.
How much: Treatments start from £55 for 60 minutes.
Charm Massage & Spa
Charm Massage & Spa is almost like a speakeasy. It’s on Vicar Lane, above the Thai grocery shop, Nong Fern. You go through the back and up the stairs, and you’ll find it hidden away, a little Thai oasis in the middle of the city. They offer a range of treatments, including royal traditional Thai massage. Don a set of Thai pyjamas, before you’re stretched every which way to lengthen and loosen your muscles, followed by a blissful scalp massage. Fancy something a little different? Try the Thai herbal compression massage – it promotes circulation and can help with sleep!
Where: Charm Massage & Spa, 1st Floor, 97-99 Vicar Lane, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 6PJ.
How much: Treatments start from £40 for 30 minutes.
