Thai Warrior Massage Malaysia

Thai Warrior Massage – Malaysia – Wellness Retreat

Monica Tindall

In a promise to bring world-class expertise in alternative healing therapies to Malaysia, the Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas team collaborate with international practitioners. This month, Porjai Chaiworn (Khun Sky), a professional yoga instructor and specialist in Thai Warrior Massage, visits. She will be on-site until the end of April, training staff and enhancing the health of resort guests.

Thai Warrior Massage – Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas

Native to Thailand, Khun Sky is a certified yoga instructor and massage therapist with expertise in traditional Thai massage, Thai Warrior massage, Lomi Lomi, and Ayurveda treatments ranging from Shiro Dhara to Kizhi. She has worked in prestigious hotel spas around the world, including Thailand, Turkey, Malaysia, Oman and New Zealand. In my first meeting, her presence immediately inspires confidence and calm. She carries herself with poise, and her gentle inquiry into my health is targeted and goal-oriented.

Khun Sky’s therapies are in the luxurious Anantara Spa at Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas. The spa is a separate compound assuring guests complete privacy. The reception veils pathways to six villas, each complete with a relaxation area, bathroom and changing facilities, indoor and outdoor showers, and even a Jacuzzi in the two deluxe couples’ suites. I’ve visited several times and think it’s one of the top luxury spas in Malaysia.

First-class experiences are all in the details, and not a single one is missed here. I’m greeted with a lavender-scented cold towel and blue butterfly tea that transforms into lilac with a lime squeeze. A short questionnaire checks on health, and I even get to choose the style of music to be played during the treatment with some preview sound bites. Following the session, local tradition is honoured with a hand wash, where cool scented water is poured over my hands before I’m served red date tea and mixed nuts.

The Thai Warrior Massage takes place between these rituals in a private villa. Clothing is provided, and I store my belongings in the ensuite bathroom. A large cushioned mat occupies the floor space of the treatment room, along with a chair and bowl for the foot bath. 

Thai Warrior Massage Malaysia

Thai Warrior Massage is inspired by ancient techniques once used to heal injured combatants returning from battle. It combines traditional Thai massage with Rusi Dat Ton (Thai yoga self-stretching and self-massage), where the instructor and participant move together in a series of stretches, twisting and rocking movements, including acupressure and rhythmic massage. It’s distinctly different to the more common aromatherapy style of massage, where scented oil is massaged into the skin. In the Thai Warrior Massage, guests wear loose clothing, lie on a floor mat, and no oil is used.

I’m quite comfortable being near-naked and trusting my well-being to a professional masseuse. However, the Thai Warrior Massage involves an additional level of trust. The movements become pretty intimate, with the therapist manipulating the body with hands, forearms, knees, thighs, and feet. 

Before meeting Khun Sky, the majority of my Thai massage sessions were met with some anxiety. I’m not convinced that chiropractic-like twists and pain are actually healing or safe practice, so I was concerned that there’d be sudden forced movements and joint cracking, of which I’m not enthused. Khun Sky, though, is a master. She reads my body and limitations and pushes just enough to extend my current ability but not so much that I fear injury. I find it to be as much an assisted stretch as a massage, more along the lines of physiotherapy rather than chiropractic, as a frame of reference. 

I leave the session feeling more mobile and relaxed but energised. Khun Sky also leaves me with recommendations for things I can do at home to improve my range of motion. It was an awesome session and one I highly recommend. I’d love to repeat the Thai Warrior Massage more often, but I also am grateful for new knowledge and practices I can follow up with at home.

Thai Warrior Massage is available at Anantara Desaru Coast until the end of April 2023, with sessions starting from RM600+ for 60 minutes. 

Wellness Retreat Desaru Coast

Besides Thai Warrior Massage and the chance to benefit from Khun Sky’s expertise for April, Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas embraces wellness through their location, facilities and food and beverage. Home to 111 luxurious rooms, villas and residences, the exclusive beachfront property boasts two magnificent pools, gourmet restaurants and bars, a fitness centre and daily activities (such as yoga and nature walks) complimentary for in-house guests.

Wellness Menu & Healthy Food & Beverage

Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas Restaurants fully support a wellness weekend or longer stay. Both Turmeric (Malay & Thai) and Sea.Fire.Salt. (seafood grill by the beach) have a multitude of recipes to suit various dietary goals. As most dishes are made on the spot, the kitchen shows flexibility in catering to specific preferences, such as leaving chilli out of hubby’s dishes and making items nut-free. 

Turmeric

Turmeric restaurant provides one of the best hotel breakfasts we’ve come across in Malaysia. Health shots greet guests at reception (ingredients change, but ours was a mix of turmeric and black pepper). There’s a choice of milk alternatives, overnight oats, chia puddings, fresh fruit, eggs and noodles made to order. Everything is slightly more elevated than the hotel standard in Malaysia. For example, salad is not a dreary provision of red coral lettuce, julienned carrots, capsicum and canned corn. Instead, there’s a variety of greens such as mizuna and baby spinach, avocado and watermelon and feta salad. Coffee is made on a double boiler by a barista who takes time to texture foam, not a push-the-button automatised machine. Staff pass around pastries, puddings and drinks of the day, such as salted mocha and passionfruit yoghurt parfait.

Further into the day, Turmeric’s general menu already lists many plant-forward and lighter dishes, but a dedicated Wellness Menu makes finding something to suit your goals even easier. From here, I’m delighted with several vegan options. Thanks to the fruit, the Watermelon & Pepper Gazpacho (RM 40) is bright, fresh, and a little thinner than tradition. It’s made even more interesting with an almond nut crumble, basil, and a few drops of vanilla-infused balsamic. It’s quite a generous portion, and three thick slices of rye bread on the side could make it enough for a light meal. Marinated Baked Cauliflower (RM 55) is an awesome choice as a main supported by sweet potato mousseline, spicy mixed nuts salsa and tempeh crumbles. I can even eat dessert guilt-free with Watermelon & Papaya Mille Feuille (RM 55), layering mixed fruit salad with roasted coconut snow. Happy.

That’s not to say a perhaps not-so-health-conscious partner couldn’t enjoy a meal here. There’s a solid local and international selection. Hubby finds the Sup Ekor Lembu (RM 45) – oxtail broth with local spices, potatoes, carrots and celery “absolutely delicious.” For the main, he tosses around the idea of char kway teow. Still, he resolves to go with something from the Wellness Menu, Thai-style Marinated Baked Barramundi (RM 60) served with vegetable ragout and shitake mushrooms, which also scores high remarks. 

No restraint is shown when it comes to dessert, as there are so many choices, and well, they contain fruit, so they must be healthy, right? Hubby’s “played tennis” and ate a “healthy main” – there are all sorts of justifications for the two desserts ordered. We’ve heard some local celebs hold Turmeric’s Tab Tim Krob (RM 38) in high esteem, so there’s another reason it must be tried. And, of course, I’m going to have a few spoons of his Kao Niew Mamuang (RM 38) – mango sticky rice – (he’s right), so he wouldn’t really be eating two whole desserts. The first, red rubies in syrup with jack fruit and coconut granita, is cooling and refreshing, and the second classic Thai sweet, is made to a high standard. Despite the amply-sized starters and mains, all desserts disappear right down to the last drop.

Additionally, Turmeric regularly sets up themed buffets. This month there are special dishes to honour Ramadan. Each kitchen member has shared a recipe close to their heart and labels tell the story of the dish above each giant metal container. They’re tales of fond memories, family reunions and recipes made with love. The evening is just as heartfelt as it is full-flavoured. The menu is available nightly from 6:30 pm until 10:00 pm and runs until April 21, 2023. It’s priced at MR168+ per adult and RM 84+ per child. 

Sea.Fire.Salt.

The showstopper kitchen at Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villa is Sea.Fire.Salt., a seafood grill restaurant by the beach. I’d be happy to return on any occasion, but a recent menu change is a good enough excuse for a revisit. 

The location is healing in itself. There’s something about a gentle breeze coming off the sea that seems to cleanse the body from the inside out. The calming sound, the soft caress on the skin, and the oxygen and salt-dense air combine to create a sense of well-being.

The bread course is often a good predictor of the meal to come, and our hopes are high with Sea.Fire.Salt.’s board. A trio of soft rolls – onion, pumpkin and sun-dried tomato – with bread sticks and charcoal butter, roasted capsicum hummus and seaweed butter for spreading. An amuse-bouche of crumbed crabmeat balls arrives at the same time.

A gorgeous black round is presented as the first course. Tuna & Caviar utilises Sabah tuna marinated with chopped Japanese cucumber, ginger, spring onions, and cherry tomato confit oil. Smashed avocado, crème fraîche and micro greens break the black caviar top. It’s fresh and very pleasant in the mouth, with tiny pops from the caviar augmenting the mouthfeel.

Pan-seared Hokkaido Scallops are plated with a hairy head of shreds of crispy streaky beef and leek, which furnish a delicate crunch to the wonderfully tender flesh. They’ve been marinated with lime zest and rock salt not only for flavour but because these ingredients draw the water out of the scallop, and then pan-searing them makes them bounce back. Leek fondue and beurrre blanc form a creamy base, and droplets of green oil (kaffir lime, thyme and olive) interrupt the white palette. 

De-boned Roasted Chicken is local and organic and benefits from the chef’s special barbecue marination (he’s not giving any secrets away). It’s accompanied by rye-bread ash with smoked coriander, grilled lemon and a fresh sprig of thyme. A jar of salad and a basket of truffle and Parmesan fries are sides. 

Poached Wild-caught Grouper (or halibut depending on the quality of the catch) is slow-pouched in milk, bay leaves, nutmeg, thyme, salt and pepper, producing a moist, flaky fillet. Pommery mustard mashed potato and chive beurre blanc complement this clean-tasting recipe with confit cherry tomatoes, wilted English spinach and a chervil sprig as garnish.

Lastly, Anantara Reef showcases Chef Fahdrul’s love of colour and creative play with his surroundings. The dessert is a mirror of what you might find on the beach – sand, coral, and sea creatures. Ginger sponge cake represents coral. Chocolate soil with toasted coconut and strawberry pops represents the sand and what may have washed up on it. He leaves the passionfruit cream, meringue and “very berry” to play with your own imagination. It’s experimentation with colour, texture and flavour, meant to be all mixed together to get something in every spoon.

Wellness Facilities

Besides great food with loads of healthy options and other recipes that leave you with a happy heart, Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas supports a wellness escape with its gorgeous facilities and grounds. We could (do) spend hours by the pools – an enormous garden-bordered pool and another infinity looking out to the beach and sea. Quality speakers hum with chilled beach tunes reminiscent of a hot Balinese beach club, not the standard low-cost crackle of upcycled 80s tunes. Everything feels good here. Ice water and fruit are passed around between dips. A small gym is furnished with Technogym cardio machines and weights. Bikes are parked around the resort, enticing guests to take one for a ride. A world-class golf course is mere minutes away, and, of course, there’s the long stretch of beach waiting to be strolled or jogged along.

Reasons to visit Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas: luxury accommodations fully set up to enhance a wellness getaway with beautiful landscaping, gorgeous pools, excellent food and beverage, and a pretty location by the sea.

Reasons to try the Thai Warrior Massage: a limited-time opportunity, a gorgeous setting in the Anantara Spa, a unique experience to explore alternative wellness therapies in Malaysia, a treatment guaranteed to increase range of motion and the expertise of Khun Sky.

Thai Warrior Massage Contact Details

Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas
Persiaran Pantai, Desaru Coast,
81930 Bandar Penawar, Johor, Malaysia
+60 7 828 0888
www.facebook.com/anantaradesaru
[email protected]

Anantara Spa Opening Hours
Monday-Thursday: 10.00 am – 8.00 pm
Friday-Sunday: 10.00 am – 10.00 pm
*Reservations are highly recommended.

Find more recommendations for Desaru Coast here and stay up-to-date with the latest gourmet and travel recommendations for Malaysia here and here.