Impromptu Massage on a Weeknight

Tucked in the hushed residential area along Wilson Street in San Juan, the relaxing haven lay silently in the dark, seemingly awaiting our arrival. It was a spur-of-the-moment decision on our part to look for this talked-about Ahavia Lounge Spa since we were already in the area. And it's a good thing we were far from disappointed. It was nicer than we had imagined, with a simple elegance. The lobby was small, yet impressive. The pale light coming from the attractive chandeliers filled with round, black capiz pieces softly illuminated the black-and-white modern interiors. A minty aroma of flowers infused the room, beginning to relax our tense muscles and ease the throbbing pain in our heads that was a remnant of the heavy week that had passed. It was definitely the right choice, to spend the evening here instead of at the movie house.

There was a good variety of massages, scrubs, and other services offered that all seemed so inviting. After going over the choices, my fiance and I availed their oriental massage, which was quite affordable compared to the usual spa rates. We were led along dark, narrow hallways designed with plain black walls and lighted pieces of sculpture that were really beautiful. The floor was a series of black rectangular tiles with muted, yellow floor lights surrounded by white pebbles. And on the sides were curtained partitions for the rooms.

The oriental massage supposedly had Thai origins, which consisted more of deep, soothing caresses with the use of massage oil for the whole body instead of focusing on pressure points. I was thrown into blissful relaxation, at times falling asleep and at times feeling surreal. When it was finished, I wanted to just lie down on the bed and drown into an oblivion of uninterrupted sleep.

The feeling of serenity wrapped me in comfort as I sipped the hot tea served after. It was certainly a calming experience that was perfect for ending a regular tiring work day. We will surely be back for more.