The Art of Nuad Thai

Six expressions of one tradition

Nuad Thai — traditional Thai massage — is not a single technique but a living tradition with many forms. From the clothed, mat-based original to warm-oil and herbal variations, each type has its own rhythm, setting and character. Here is how they differ, and how to choose.

Row of golden Buddha statues glowing at sunset in a Thai temple, evoking the spiritual roots of Thai massage

How to choose

One tradition, different doors in

Want the authentic, clothed experience with stretching? Choose the Traditional Thai. Prefer the familiarity of a table and warm oil? Start with the Nuad Thai Oil.

Tense, cold or run-down? The Herbal Thai works warmth into the muscle before deeper pressure ever begins.

Looking for the fullest experience? The Special Thai combines both worlds — and the Royal Thai gives it two and a half unhurried hours.

01 — The original Nuad Thai

Traditional Thai Massage

Practised in Thailand for centuries and recognised by UNESCO as part of the country's cultural heritage, traditional Thai massage is performed on a floor mat with the guest fully clothed and no oils. The therapist uses hands, thumbs, elbows, knees and body weight in rhythmic acupressure along the body's energy lines, interwoven with assisted, yoga-like stretches. Expect to be moved, rocked and gently stretched — the result is a feeling of lightness and restored mobility rather than simple relaxation.

Setting: Floor mat
Clothing: Fully clothed, no oils
Character: Dynamic, stretching, energising

30 min€35

45 min€50

60 min€70

90 min€110

120 min€150

Warm golden oil being poured into a brass bowl beside a prepared massage table at Nuad Thai Massage Athens

02 — Thai technique, Western comfort

Nuad Thai Oil Massage

Bestseller

Our most versatile treatment. Performed on a massage table with warm oil, it blends the flowing strokes of Swedish massage, the focused pressure of deep tissue work and authentic Thai technique into one continuous session. You keep the depth and intention of Thai massage, softened into a slower, more fluid rhythm — an ideal first step if a clothed mat session feels unfamiliar.

Setting: Massage table
Style: Warm oil, draped
Character: Flowing, adaptable pressure

30 min€40

45 min€60

60 min€85

90 min€130

120 min€150

A therapist pressing a steaming Thai herbal compress onto a guest's shoulder, with lemongrass, ginger and kaffir lime beside the table at Nuad Thai Massage Athens

03 — Warmth from Thai herbs

Herbal Thai Massage

A steamed compress of traditional Thai herbs is pressed and rolled along the body's energy lines. The moist heat carries the aroma of lemongrass, ginger and kaffir lime deep into tired muscle, easing tension that hands alone cannot reach. Slow, warming and profoundly soothing — the quietest of our Thai treatments.

Setting: Massage table
Tools: Steamed herbal compress
Character: Warm, aromatic, deeply soothing

60 min€90

04 — Our house interpretation

Special Thai Massage

Created by our own therapists, the Special Thai layers traditional stretching with warm oil work in a single session — the structure and intent of the mat tradition, enriched with the glide and depth of oil massage. A fuller, deeper release than either style alone, and the treatment our regulars return for.

Setting: Table & mat techniques
Style: Stretching layered with warm oil
Character: Deep, complete, signature house style

60 min€100

90 min€150

05 — Two and a half hours — our most complete ritual

Royal Thai Massage

The fullest expression of Nuad Thai we offer. Over two and a half hours the ritual moves through traditional Thai stretching, warm oil work and focused pressure on the areas that need it most, unhurried and complete. Performed, like all our signature treatments, in one of our private luxury suites.

Setting: Private luxury suite
Duration: 150 minutes
Character: Ceremonial, unhurried, total

150 min€250

06 — Exactly as in Thailand

Thai Oil Massage on Mattress

The way oil massage is truly done in Thailand — not on a table, but on a traditional floor mattress. Warm oil, long flowing strokes and gentle assisted stretches, performed close to the earth so the therapist can use their whole body in the work. Grounding, rhythmic and deeply releasing — the most authentic oil experience we offer.

Setting: Floor mattress
Clothing: Warm oil, draped
Character: Grounding, flowing, authentic

60 min€100

Specialised care

Sciatica Relief Therapy

One of our most important specialised treatments. Focused therapeutic work along the lower back, hips and legs — the path of the sciatic nerve — to ease the deep, radiating discomfort of sciatic pain. Performed with or without oil, as you prefer, with pressure adapted to how your body feels on the day.

Approach: Targeted, therapeutic
Oil: With or without oil
Character: Focused, restorative

45 min€80

60 min€100

90 min€150

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