I love paying people to touch me. As a rule, if it involves cash, you're more likely to walk away a happy girl. At Kobkun Thai Therapy on Essex Road (I haven't tried the one on Upper Street yet), the wonderful woman who rubbed my back, thumbed my arms and stood on my shoulders deserves a prize or trophy for her wonderful acts of humanity. I will admit, that this is the first time I have indulged in a massage in London properly. It's stressful times and after a considerable period of my body lacking attention I jumped on Tinker and cycled down here. I didn't make an appointment but as soon as I walked it, the line of knitting Thai ladies made it very clear this wouldn't be a problem. It smells lovely in here and straight away I felt the worries of the world float away. You walk in and take off your shoes off and fill in a little health form. You then tell them what kind of massage you want and you're taken down into a cosy treatment room. The rooms are lovely, very calming and toasty warm. There is a large futon and pillow on the floor, you're told to strip down to your under crackers and lie on the bed while your lovely lady leaves the room. She then comes back as you lie pretty much starkers on the futon and gives you a good rub. £30 for 30 minutes and when I left I felt like a new woman. Life changing! They told me that they are open until 10.30pm most days so if after work you feel like you need to chill out and you have £30 burning a whole in your pocket, I can think of a lot worse ways to spend your evening. read more

Kobkun Thai Therapy - Day Spas Near Me - London, XGL

This was my first professional massage, which is probably a good thing to know if you're going to take my word for the quality of Kobkun. The gals here were really clear about what little was expected of me throughout the appointment, which I really appreciated. The whole visit from making reservations on the phone to emerging blissed-out from my 45 minute traditional thai massage was comfortable and well-managed. I had a bit of a strange request (I think it was uncommon, but maybe it's not!) as I called up just the day before my monthly date night with my beau to request a time slot for both of us to get massages in the same room. They had no problem accommodating us. The room was very comfortable, infused with calming scented oils, and so deliciously warm that I forgot the winter weather outside! It was a real treat. Price-wise, it's pretty standard for London, about a pound a minute. read more

I come here all the time because of frequent pain one of my feet due to a long-ago injury. My frequent business is a sign of how much I have come to rely on Kobkun. The therapists do a great job, and listen to specific requests, which is important to me since I am coming for a medical reason, not just to relax. I usually just get foot massages but once in a while spring for a full-on Thai massage if my back is hurting. I'm no Thai massage expert, but I did go to Thailand a while back and had many massages while there (six! because they so incredibly cheap) ... and I would say the massages at Kobkun definitely resemble than what I experienced in Thailand. And they're certainly different from what I was used to in New York, which was Chinese or Swedish style. In addition, the rooms are always clean. The oil smells good. You can have water or tea after your massage. It's open late, which is a plus. And although it definitely helps to book ahead, many times I've arrived as a walk-in and they have a slot for me. I am a little surprised at some of the reviews saying the therapists are rude, as I really do come here a lot (1-2 times a month) and have not been spoken to that way. In some cases I have heard customers treat the therapists rudely, though. One note: They add 90p if you want to use a credit card, and sometimes request that you pay in cash. I can't figure out when or why this is the case. Sometimes they say cash only, sometimes not. It's a bit mystifying, but I'm from New York, where a lot of places are inexplicably, annoyingly cash only, so I guess I'm just hardened to it by now. read more

Thank God for Lizzie G! I've had a couple of rough weeks. Crazy, stressful stuff that made it necessary for my doctor to take my blood pressure three times yesterday because it was nutso high. So...this week, I'm trying to channel "Peaceful Erin." That meant today consisted of a trip to the gym, some reading, coffee with a friend, and an impromptu stop at Kobkun Thai Therapy. Walking home from that coffee date, I thought, "maybe I should check out that place on Essex that Lizzie gave a 5* review." I walked in thinking I'd go for a 30 minute back and shoulder massage, but after the woman at the front desk greeted me the words, "I was wondering if you have any appointments available for a 60 minute Thai massage," tumbled out of my mouth. At 49 quid it seemed like a great deal and, as soon as I completed the short health form, I was walked downstairs to a room with a mat on the floor. This was the first time I've had a Thai massage outside of Thailand and there are some differences (they use oil here), but it was just as good as I remember. The place is a little bare bones in terms of decoration. Sound insulation is non-existant and you can hear people chatting in the rooms above you. In the middle of the massage, the music cut out so the talking and coughing seemed even louder. That said, the massage was amazing. Simply perfect. Perhaps one of the best I've had in London. I wish I could afford to return every single day. read more

Lizzie G is right. This place is fantastic. Came here after a 13 hour flight from Cape Town, and booked for 1.5 hours for a deep tissue/strong thai massage. Right from the get go, I knew this was going to be great. The therapist asked if it would be ok to step on me, which I have no problems with. The therapist knew exactly where to apply very hard pressure, and when to hold back a little. The best part was the scalp massage at the end, which was pretty intense. I don't know if the experience is consistent from therapist to therapist, but mine was called 'O' or something like that, and works most days except Thursdays. I, for sure, will be seeing her again. My back feels reborn. read more

I had such high hopes for an hour and a half massage but it was so average! the masseuse was very nice but clearly had her routine, not actually listening to what I wanted (which was deep tissue, or at least something fairly rigorous, for my back, neck and legs which were aching from running). instead, I got the full body experience, lots of wasted time on my arms and head, nothing at all on my neck, a soft back massage and very little on my legs. towards the end I found my mind drifting off, but due to boredem rather than relaxation. up until that point the overwhelming sensation was frustration that the massage never actually got going! read more

What Is Thai Massage? Traditional Thai Massage is a fusion of eastern bodywork techniques ranging from Acupressure to Yoga for a truly Zen-like experience. A blend of yoga, acupressure and reflexology, Traditional Thai Massage, or Nuad Bo-Rarn, is designed to relax and open the body's natural energy flow. Unlike the scooping and continuous strokes of western-style massage, Traditional Thai Massage uses point pressure, muscle stretching and compression done in a rhythmic movement of gentle rocking. Sessions usually last from 90 to 120 minutes, so give yourself some extra time to experience this ancient form of bodywork. What To Expect From Your Session? Thai massage has been called Lazy Man's Yoga or Yoga For Two - because of the passive range of motion on the part of the receiver. The therapist helps stretch your body into a variety of yoga-like positions at the same time doing manual compression strokes on the muscles to further enhance the stretch and release tension. For your session, please wear loose and comfortable clothing. No oils are used in a traditional Thai Massage session and it is performed on a floor mat. Remember prevention is better than cure. Once you show signs of improvement we will continue to work with you to keep harmony and balance already achieved. A regular treatment, depending on your timetable, will stop future stress accumulating. We encourage you to have regular treatments to prevent illness and maintain a state of well being. Email or call NOW your private massage therapist 07957473617 http://massagelondon.org read more

This place is great for Thai massage; good therapists, well priced, clean and an all around good value.

Turned up at Kobkun one afternoon, hoping they could fit me in, and to my delight they could. You're filled with tranquility as soon as you step in through the door. There's a strict no mobile phone rule, and shoes must be taken off at the entrance. The Therapists were lovely and listened to what you wanted, before making suggestions based on your needs e.g. I was stressed and not sleeping well, so they suggested using particular aromatherapy oils and working on certain parts of the body. Had the BEST full-body massage I've ever had, and it was really reasonably priced. At one point, the therapist was even walking on my legs, which sounds odd, but really worked and I felt deeply relaxed after the treatment. The smells and soothing music from the massage room lulled me into tranquility, and I enjoyed a little afternoon nap as a result. Strongly recommended. read more

Terrible. I asked for a hard massage not an injury... The girl worked so hard on the neck I ended up telling her to stop, as I felt she was not doing any work on the muscle but on the bone itself! Despite my polite request to avoid the neck, she did try to massage it again! Also, I must have scared her and the massage was sloppy after that. She worked very long on my head, but practically avoided legs and spent very little time on the back. When I complained to the reception, they said at least I look I had a good time. I can't move my head today, feels like I had slept really badly.This was my 3rd time there, other 2 were average, so now I know I'm definitely not coming back.Ever. read more

What great service. Firstly the Thai massage was great and the staff was excellent too. The surroundings are peaceful and the rooms are clean and relaxing. I've been a few times and will continue to go back whenever I get the chance. read more

I had a GREAT 1 hour thai massage with Nang at Kobkun Thai Therapy. I'll be coming back here as frequently as I can budget! Nang knew just where and with what pressure to knead/stretch and I left feeling amazing. I highly recommend it. read more

I went for a 45 min thai massage. I've been twice before and it was fine - basic, evenly spread massage on my back, arms, legs and shoulders. I went this time knowing what i was getting myself into but NO....i didn't. I got a lot of time on my back, arms shoulders - even head and eyeballs! When i suddenly clocked on to the fact that time was passing and she hadn't even started my legs, i asked her -- this seems different to what i have had before -- what did i book? She said you booked Thai massage. I said ok Phew, because i thought some reason we got our wires crossed and they misunderstood that i wanted head and shoulders, but then the massage was pretty much finished. I was like - are you not going to do my legs? She said: No...you booked 45 minutes...and thai massage is mainly back and shoulders.....at this point...obviously, as you can imagine, I was really upset, because i really wanted my legs done -- (AS ANYONE WOULD) and then they brought down the girl and the front, and she said, if you want more you can add another 15 minutes...i was like ok, i guess I'll just have to do that because i didn't want to walk out without any leg work. But it was really not enough..and she barely even made it to the full 15 minutes (from the time we lost with me complaining). After the massage i went up and said i was really unsatisfied -- hoping for a TOKEN of good faith with an offering of something - discount or service -- considering i have been here before, and all of the concerns I voiced. I was really not happy to pay for the full hour when all i wanted was 45 mins of an even massage across my body, which has been satisfactory for me in the past. They went onto say that i should have told the therapist before starting, and that it's customary in thai massage to do it that way, and it's also the therapist's own style...and kept on insisting that it was MY FAULT for not saying what i wanted in the beginning. I think just general customer service is lacking with these girls and they have no idea that this industry is about keeping your customer's satisfied...not walking out angry and disheveled. Meanwhile, whilst i was talking to the girl at reception, another therapist was just sitting on one of the chairs...then a customer popped her out of her room in a towel asking if anyone was coming into the room to start! She had been left there for like 10 mins and the therapist just jumped up and screamed speaking in thai obviously face-palming herself about NOT DOING HER JOB...yeah great customer service. The receptionist girl ended up being really snarky and rude with me, giving me eye rolls. I ended up saying i would pay the full amount, but won't be coming back - and i gave my card. She handed it over to me with an extra 90p for the card charge. I said OK, out of principle, I'm not paying you a penny more, so i will just go out and get cash (usually i wouldn't give a crap about that). She said can you leave something...i left my credit card, and she said to me "you could just report it stolen." REALLY???? The audacity to then accuse me of being a potential thief?? ALL I WANTED WAS MY LEGS!!!!!!!!!!!!! I ended up leaving my phone, and then getting cash and bringing it back. As i was leaving i just asked -- "is it customary in thai massage to massage eyeballs instead of legs?" (yes i know, at this point i'm just annoyed and bitter) -- she said: In your first visit you signed a form saying you will tell the therapist when you don't want something" GAH!... SO.....if anyone decides to go here...all i can say is COMMUNICATE, they don't know how to look after their customers so you have to SPELL OUT, what you want. And you might want to confirm exactly what you are getting done with each therapist and not assume what you got last time will be remotely the same as what you will get this time. I for one, will not be going back....there are too many places in london that noone should have to put up with an experience that became so stressful, even though it was meant to be a peaceful saturday afternoon. read more

Today's my birthday. Although I have a very busy day before my party this evening, I decided to take an hour to get a massage at Kobkun on Upper Street. I made an appointment in the morning and was absolutely clear that I needed to start and leave on time. I arrived early for my appointment to a surly receptionist who pointed to a chair with a box on it, which she left me to move myself so I could sit down. She then handed me a medical questionnaire, which is quite normal, except that it asked weird and irrelevant questions like my nationality. She didn't say a word while the minutes ticked by past the time my appointment was scheduled to start, so I called her attention the fact that I wanted a full hour and had explained on the phone that I had to leave right on time. I amicably suggested that we cut my massage down to 45 mins instead of an hour, which she agreed to but did not apologize. Another fifteen minutes went by without a word from her, which mean it would be impossible for me to even have 45 mins, so I got up and left. Don't waste your time with this place; they're rude and totally unprofessional, and have made my birthday a little bit less special. read more