Hot stone massage in Sheraton Bratislava
Believe it or not, but until the end of January 2013 I had never experienced a hot stone massage. It was definitely on my super long bucket list and one of the things I just had to try for Adventure and Spa project this year.
So when staying in Sheraton Bratislava I was more than happy to find out they do offer hot stone massage in Shine spa there. I was all up for it already on the second day of my stay.
This massage was diametrically different than the algae treatment I got the previous day. Not only it was great for both women and men comparing to the slimming anti-cellulite algae treatment suitable mostly for women, but the hot stone massage was also done by a male masseur.
Matus Szabo, the only masseur with the license for hot stone massages in Sheraton Bratislava, was supposed to be one of the best masseurs in the field.
To tell you I was not worried at all about being just with that massage tanga on in front of a man, would be a lie!
Until then, I only got foot massages in Thailand when the rest of my body was fully dressed, and also back massages/whole body massages done by my ex boyfriends!
And now, I had to be 99% naked in front of a complete stranger?
That was the only thing I thought of once Mary told me it was Matus who was going to do my hot stone massage… not a pleasant thought, especially after almost month of no exercise when I was going through a very tough detox.
But I let it be. I got undressed in my room, put a white Sheraton bath robe and slippers on, and walked into the Shine spa.
Matus was waiting there for me already with a smile from one ear to another. I was hoping for getting the same smile after that massage too!
We walked into a different massage room. This time I could only concentrate on the massage itself and not to think of famous Kevin Costner pampering himself on the same table once.
I put on the familiar massage tanga again and lay down on the massage table covering myself with a huge white towel while Matus waited outside of the room.
Then my hot stone massage in Sheraton Bratislava started.
Matus explained me there are different types of hot stones all heated up to a different temperature (some say there are just 3 different types, others say even 5 – from 35 to 70 Celsius degrees). We were going to use those heated up to 60 °C. The basalt hot stones rich in iron retain heat when heated in a Stone Heater filled up with water which was what Matus started with.
Massage Stone Heater
While the stones were getting to the right temperature, Matus gave me a massage with a special oil. Legs, back and arms were massaged before he put a small towel on my back and began placing the hot stones in the middle of my back.
He was very careful, asking me if the heat was bearable all the time. I was sure there was no better way of beating up the cold winter weather in Bratislava those days.
I also found out I am a tough girl as many men cannot stand the heat and sometimes Matus has to move the hot stones very quickly for them to bear it.
ready for hot stone massage in Shine spa Sheraton Bratislava
Termotherapy is based on ”heat is healing” when the heat from the hot stones gets to your muscles to release the tension and harmonize the energy flow in the body.
The muscles are so clever that they get more heat where needed the most.
hot stones
After a while, Matus moved the stones to a different place and let me chill out for a bit with the relaxing music on and just candle-lit room.
I almost felt asleep when my masseur came back after a few minutes. He put away the stones, heated them up again and then started with a massage with just 2 hot stones in his hands.
falling asleep
This time with no towel in between my skin and the hot stones.
First my left leg, then the left side of the back and left arm, leaving a hot stone to finish its mission in my hand.
Then he did the same with the right side where my back is in a much worse condition so Matus had to use different hot stones as they got cold very quickly.
Afterwards, we also took a few photos with the not so hot stones on my back.
getting a hot stone massage
Matus was super professional and I completely forgot about my initial fear of nakedness. I didn’t even realize I was there in just that string tanga showing more than I was willing to until the massage was over and I had to put on the bath robe again.
Relax room in Shine spa
Then Matus walked me to the Shine spa relaxing room where I could chill out for a little more sipping on fresh water with lemon. I was advised to drink at least a liter of water/herbal tea before going to sleep to help all the toxins get out of the body.
drinking and relaxing
My Shine spa experience with hot stone massage in Sheraton Bratislava was a press trip and part of Adventure and Spa project 2013. However, all the opinions in this post are mine. Thanks so much to sweet Matus for the amazing massage!
Crazy Sexy Fun Traveler
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Comment@ Atika Quraishi:
Thanks Atika for your opinion! I know you have a very different culture there so I highly respect the fact you commented saying the truth :)
Atika Quraishi
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hot stone therapy is very relaxing, i had it once when i was in Dubai some time ago.. though the going naked part wasn’t accepted well with my family :-P
Crazy Sexy Fun Traveler
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Comment@ Faisal:
Super happy to give you a new massage idea :) I hope you will enjoy it!
Faisal
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I’ve never had a hot stone massage but I’m a big fan of massages in general, I’m going to try to find a place that does it locally, it sounds pretty interesting and gives me another reason to get a massage.
Crazy sexy fun traveler
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Comment@ Gina:
That’s so cool, Gina! I am already looking forward to get more hot stone massages this year :)
Gina
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I also recently had my first hot stone massage this summer while on my honeymoon and loved it! I told my husband if we ever move back somewhere cold (we live in San Diego) we are going to have to budget so I can get one of those once a week. ;)
Crazy Sexy Fun Traveler
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Comment@ The Guy:
Yes, the stone in my hand was super cool! So relaxing! And the feeling after was just unforgettable! I felt much much better :)
The Guy
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It sounds like an amazing experience. Did you feel any benefit after the treatment? I also noticed a stone in the palm of your hand, was that relaxing too?