AsiaLIFE

Om Traditional Massage is a bit of a dark horse in the world of spas. Located on bustling Street 278, only a small yellow sign above the stairway and a few employees lounging outside the entrance give away its location.

Once up the stairs you would not believe you were on the Golden Mile. The massage parlour is serene and the semi-private rooms are pleasantly low lit, and essential oils burn throughout treatments. Unfortunately some noise from the street does penetrate into the rooms, especially on in the evening, but not to a disturbing extent. The staff speak limited English, but short menus are available for you to indicate the type of massage desired, as well as its strength. Om employs both male and female masseurs, and given availability you can indicate a preference. There are currently six types of massages available – foot (US$8), Thai (US$8), back & shoulder (US$10), head (US$10), aromatheraputic (US$16) and Thai herbal (US$16).
 
For the latter, you are taken to a treatment room, asked to remove your clothes and don a towel. Your feet are washed in floral water before laying down on the professional massage bed, which includes a hole for your face so that you are freed from the pain of a twisted neck during the massage. The oil smells faintly of lemon cough drops, quite pleasant really. The treatment encompasses your whole body, as well as your face, though without the use of oil. It’s not exactly deep tissue, but the scent of the oil and the masseuse’s skilled strength make for a highly relaxing experience. Real herbal tea is served at the end of the session, and there is a bathroom available for making any necessary re-touches to your appearance after the treatment.

For a sore neck, Om’s back & shoulder massage has few contenders in Phnom Penh. Borrowing some moves from Thai massage, this treatment focuses mainly on your upper body and is fantastic for releasing tension after hours in front of a computer screen. Ask for a male masseur if you want that extra bit of strength added to the kneading of your tired back.

The location is great, the staff are courteous and well-trained, and the prices are reasonable. During the back & shoulder massage, the masseur recognised particular tension points and focused on them, while the aromatherapy massage, though pleasant, was more of a ‘run through the moves’. Overall, Om is a fantastic little find that has attracted several customers to return over and over. It’s not strictly a spa, as only massages are on offer, but they might as well capitalise on what they are good at and leave the rest to others.

Om Traditional Massage, 3E1, Street 278 (next to Equinox). Open daily 11am to 11pm. Tel: 023 217 136.