Château de l'Ile and Château d'Isenbourg have entrusted the management of their spas to Asian Villa, specialists in traditional Thai massage. Each member of the Asian Villa team has completed intensive training in these ancestral techniques, in order to achieve a very high level of technical skill and expertise. A warm welcome, excellent customer service and professionalism make each treatment a really special experience.

We put some questions to Marc Crozet,
manager of Asian Villa.

You manage Asian Villa, which is a partner of Spa du Château de l'Ile and Spa du Château d'Isenbourg in Alsace. What services do you offer?

We offer a complete range of beauty treatments: body exfoliation and facials for men and women, manicures, pedicures etc. As far as well being is concerned though, we specialise in traditional Thai massage. Asian Villa is in fact an accredited training centre, both in France and in Thailand.

What is the art of traditional Thai massage?
How is it carried out?

Thai massage is inspired by yoga. It is made up of muscle kneading, finger pressure on energy points and meridians and numerous stretching techniques. Thai massage has a deep and long-lasting effect on the body, and can be extremely stimulating or extremely relaxing according to the intensity of the treatment. The client is dressed during the massage (a very light silk garment is worn). The massage is carried out on the floor, which gives complete freedom of movement and manipulation. The whole body is massaged, from the tips of the toes to the top of the head. It is a very relaxing massage, which frees physical and mental tension.

What facilities do you have in the two hotels in Alsace?

In each hotel, we have the facilities to welcome 4 or 5 clients at a time for Thai treatments.  Rooms are decorated in a far-eastern style which encourages clients to relax and let their mind escape. We want clients to feel they are taking a short break in Asia during the time they spend with us.

What advice would you give clients to help them to get the maximum benefit from this type of massage?

As Thai massages techniques are based on yoga, clients have their part to play in the session by "letting go".  By this we mean relaxing completely, both physically, by not resisting or assisting the movements we make, and mentally, by closing their eyes and emptying their minds.  This is why Thai massage is also known as "yoga for the lazy"! A Thai massage is a very special experience, and the effects of a session are felt over several days.

To find out more about Asian Villa