Pecan’s Day Spa

Lowdown: To say this one is off the beaten path is to understate the situation.

Padding down the hallways of the old commercial building that houses Pecan’s Day Spa, you will find yourself wondering if you’ve got the right address. But walking through the spa door is like falling down the rabbit hole. You can’t believe what you’re seeing.

This is an oasis worthy of the best addresses in the city. The business team of couple Don Vorous and Pecan — yes, her name really is Pecan — Chamathorn straight-up works.

The outfit is professional and serene. The spa has lovely decor, dim lighting, high-end products and an aroma the couple is set to market.

After working at the Biltmore for five years, the couple opened their own spa upstairs in this building and last year moved downstairs for more space. There are four treatment rooms, a couple’s suite and a small, albeit lovely, lounge (but no showers or changing rooms). Massage beds are heated, blankets are plush and counters are granite. Every inch has been attended to, and the couple wears crisp white uniforms.

”We have some crazy crown molding in here,” quipped Chamathorn, who is of Thai origin and has placed Buddhas throughout the spa.

Services include sure-handed massages (Vorous briefly laid his hands on my neck and his expertise was immediately apparent), facials (including microdermabrasion, glycolic peels and LPG endermo lifts), teeth-whitening and cellulite tightening. About 25 percent of the clientele returns for weekly treatments, they said.

There is no revolving door of therapists or aestheticians here. Vorous and Chamathorn perform all the services themselves, and have well-vetted help on-call.

They are adamant about clients keeping their appointments. If you’re late, too bad. If you don’t cancel 24 hours in advance, doubly too bad.

”Everybody’s afraid to be late here,” Chamathorn said.

But the couple seems more mindful than rigid. A framed saying on the wall reads, “Listen to your heart.”

Neighborhood: The building is past the retail blocks on 57th Avenue, otherwise known as Red Road. Just when you think you’ve ventured into residential territory, you have arrived. Park behind the building and enter at the back. Pecan’s is on the ground floor. Take the hallway to your right.

Vibe: ”It has a cozy, sweet cottage feel,” Chamathorn said. But while there are a few homey touches, the vibe is more purposeful.

Highlights: Skin care products are by Dermalogica. You can book online in real time. Pecan’s Day Spa Signature Facial for all skin types involves steam, exfoliation and massage of acupressure points on the face, neck and head, enzyme peel, vitamin mask and 10-minute foot massage ($130 for 70 minutes). In the Sacred Hot Stone Therapy massage, hot stones are placed on strategic points on the body (chakras) for optimal effect ($145 for 70 minutes).

Full Article and Credits