Stressed business people and construction workers will be able to relax and loosen up thanks to a new Thai massage centre which has just opened in Hamilton.

Kolours Thai Massage in Reid Street, which was officially launched last week, offers a range of massages, therapies and treatments, from the traditional Thai massage to a foot or hand massage.

Co-owner Nu Harris, who started the business with her husband Micah, explained that she was looking to offer something different and there was a big call for it on the Island.

"I think the real Thai massage is different and there is a need for it on the Island," she said.

"My husband has a bad back and he had a Thai massage and it got better and he can now go back to work.

"I think it is a good idea to have a Thai massage and the people who work in construction and in offices sometimes get stressed and need to relax."

The centre, which is located at the back of Kolours clothing shop, which is also owned and run by the Harris family, offers everything from the traditional Thai massage ($95 for one hour and $140 for one-and-a-half hours), which is recommended for stress, headaches and a total relaxation of the muscles, and the Thai aromatherapy massage ($120 for one hour), a luxurious massage combined with hot aromatherapy oils to the tradional Thai hot herbal massage ($100 for one hour or $145 for one-and-a-half hours), which comes highly recommended for unwinding after a long hard day's work.

Lunch-time specials, meanwhile, include the hand massage, for relaxing the hands, arms and mind on a comfortable massage chair ($60 for 30 minutes or $95 for one hour), the foot massage, which is one particularly for the ladies to increase circulation for long walking and standing time in high heels ($35 for 15 minutes, $60 for 30 minutes or $95 for one hour) and the shoulder and head massage ($50 for 30 minutes), a favourite of reporters for dealing with stress and headaches offering total relaxation.

The Thai massage is certainly unlike any other massage you are likely to experience, having had the chance to experience it first hand at the centre, with the pressure points in your body getting a good workout, your back, neck and head receiving a vigorous kneading and your arms, hands and fingers being well stretched, to leave you feeling quite invigorated by the whole process.

"The Thai massage is different because you start with the feet and toes and your whole body gets massages to the top," said Ms Harris, who learnt how to do a Thai massage through her family back in her home country before coming to Bermuda five years ago.

"Everyone who has been in here so far have all enjoyed the massage and I can say that 98 percent of my customers have said they will come back again after their first time.

"Business has been very good in the first week — people are very curious and if they have never had a Thai massage before they want to come and give it a try for 15 minutes then say they want to come back and have a hour after that.

"It is so convenient for people who work in town because they can call us and can come in here and we can give them a massage to relax them and check for any knots in their back.

"We also try to make it affordable for people by offering the different types and lengths of massage."

The centre is run by a highly-experienced team of five, including four full-time Thai masseuses and one part-time Bermudian masseur, complete with two massage rooms and two massage chairs and a sofa to relax on while you wait.

It is open from 9.30 a.m. to 8 p.m. so people can go for a massage during their lunch hour or break time or even after work. The centre also lays on a pick-up and drop-off service in Hamilton for customers to come and get their massage at the cost of $3.

To book a massage or for more information contact 292-6456.