I was going to start this review with an ode to happy endings.
That's until I realized that "happy endings" and "Asian massages" probably don't belong in the same review unless it's located in the seedy TL. No need for anyone boo hooing that Suchada is not a pull and tug sort of establishment if it comes up on a keyword search. For the record, it is NOT that kind of place.
From the Suchada folks that introduced and popularized Thai massages to SF comes Suchada Herbal Spa their eco-friendly spa extension offering all-organic treatments. Even though Suchada Herbal Spa has been open for nearly 1.5 years, I'm surprised they don't have more reviews and I'm even more surprised that Mr. NSS found this place to treat me for a birthday massage. If you're looking to get pampered or to pamper someone special in your life then this IS the place for you.
Suchada Herbal Spa is just a couple of doors away from their Suchada Thai Massage location on King Street, right across from Source Vegan Restaurant. There's plenty of free street parking that can be found in back of the industrial building across the way against the wire fences.
Unlike their other locations, Suchada Herbal Spa offers more "spa-like" services like aromatherapy massages, exfoliating, and hot herbal massages (~$80/hour). They also have a dry sauna and showers for use after your massage.
Earlier this month, Mr. NSS booked the Couples Escape Package (2 hours- $300) for us which includes: Sensuous Foot Spa & Reflexology' Treatment, Signature Suchada Thai-Style Deep Massage (w/ customized herbal heat compresses) and an Herbal Scrub. The receptionist will give you a drawing for you to mark the pressure (soft, medium, strong), and which spots you want massaged and what spots to avoid (if any). For the sugar scrub, you have a choice of lavender, lemongrass-mint, honey sesame, or cleansing tamarind. Fyi, if you have issues about your boobies and hiney flopping out during the massage session don't be. I'm sure these ladies have seen it all.
Upon arrival, we were greeted by the professional and warm staff, then whisked into their changing area where we were given a robe to change into and a locker to put all your belongings in. We were then led into the shared room with two raised platforms; one for each of us. The massage began with a warm foot soak before our massage therapist used a wooden stick to perform foot reflexology. Now, I've had many Chinesey Foot Reflexology Massages and this was simply not the same. Manne, my massage therapist took her time and carefully dug into all the right spots which released a lot of tension. It was footgasmic.
After 30 minutes of foot massage bliss, she massaged the front portion of my body; my head, face, neck, shoulders, arms, thighs, and legs with long and strong strokes before flipping me over for the best part of the massage: the deep tissue massage with hot oil. These ladies are tiny but make no mistake that they can beat up your body good. Manne dug, elbowed and knee'd every possible crevice with such consistent and intense force that it made me want to scream at some times. Believe me, it was in a good way. I couldn't help but giggle when Mr. NSS next to me yelped, "Ouch..ouch!" and he choose "soft" pressure. Geez, no wonder guys aren't cut out for childbirth.
Once Manne was successfully done digging, elbowing, and kneeing me, she blotted a scorching hot herbal compress around my body while interchanging with some kneading. Even though it was nearly 90 degrees outside that day, the hot herbal compress felt so good because you can feel the herbs penetrating into your body further relaxing you. The lavender sugar scrub ended the massage; gently sloughing away all the dead skin.
At this point, I was so ridiculously relaxed that I didn't want to get up. If they allowed us to sleep there, I would have konked out till the next day. Alas, I mustered enough energy to go to the showers (they have two) to wash off all the sugar scrub. Don't try to be a perv like "someone" and try to peek through the curtains because that "someone" slipped and stubbed his toe. Serves Mr. NSS right for being a shower creeper. *Hmmph*
Ladies, you will leave Suchada Herbal Spa looking like you've done the walk of shame minus the skank clothes. Expect your make up to be tore up and your hair looking like mufasa after the massage. If you can overlook this, then prepare yourself for one of the BEST massage you'll have in your life complete with a happy ending...a deliciously soothing cup of herbal tea. Mmmmm, tea never tasted so good. read more