Hot stone massage looks simple from the outside: warm stones, a slow hour. Behind it are a few careful choices about heat, oil and timing. Here is how we prepare every session, and what it feels like on the table.
We use smooth basalt stones because they hold heat evenly for a long time. They warm in a water bath at a steady temperature, never in an oven, and every stone is tested on the therapist's own forearm before it touches you.
Some stones rest still under your back and in your palms. Others are held by the therapist and used like warm hands, gliding along the muscles with oil. The heat lets tight tissue soften faster, so less pressure goes further.
If a stone is too warm for my arm, it is too warm for your back. That is the whole rule.
Hot stones suit guests who feel cold, stiff or simply tired, and they are lovely in the winter months. They are not the right choice during pregnancy, with varicose veins or right after sun exposure. Tell us and we will suggest another treatment.
Basalt stones in a row, cooling between rounds.
Your skin will feel warm for an hour or more. Drink water, skip the sauna for a while, and rest in the lounge. Many guests say they sleep deeply that night, so an evening booking is a good idea.
More notes from the treatment rooms.
