Looking at a spa menu for the first time can be confusing: Thai, Balinese, Shiatsu, Lomi Lomi Nui, Abhyanga, four hands, deep tissue... Rather than asking you to memorise names, this guide gives you a way of reading the menu. Once you know it, you can tell from the name alone roughly how a massage will feel, whichever spa you are in, at home or travelling. You will find every option and session length at Beatus on our massage page; below, we describe each style through the tradition it comes from and what it actually feels like on the table or the mat.
What are the four things that set massage types apart?
Every massage tradition has its own history, but from a guest's point of view a session is shaped by four practical factors. Knowing them turns "which massage is best?" into the more useful question, "which massage suits me?"
Table or floor mat?
Most massages from the Western tradition are given on a height-adjustable massage table with a face cradle. A table suits long strokes with the palms and forearms along the length of the body. Thai massage and Shiatsu, by contrast, are traditionally given on a thick mat or futon on the floor. The mat gives the practitioner room to use their own body weight, to move your arms and legs and to guide you into stretches. A mat-based massage feels more "involved" than a table massage: you change position, your legs are lifted and your back is gently rotated.
Oil or no oil?
Oil lets the hands glide over the skin, which is why it is essential for massages built on long, unbroken strokes. In aromatherapy massage, plant essential oils are diluted in a carrier oil. The US National Cancer Institute's aromatherapy information page describes how, in massage, one or more essential oils are blended into a carrier oil and applied to the skin, and notes that prolonged contact can cause skin irritation or an allergic reaction. Thai massage and Shiatsu are oil-free: pressure and stretches are applied over your clothes. This difference matters if your skin is sensitive, if you react to certain scents, or if you are heading straight to a meeting or dinner afterwards.
Pressure: from light to firm
Pressure is the most personal part of any massage, and it can vary even within the same style. Broadly speaking, slow relaxing and aromatherapy sessions sit at the lighter end, classic Swedish and Balinese massage in the middle, and deep tissue at the firm end. In Thai massage and Shiatsu the pressure feels more "pointed", because it comes from the palms, thumbs, elbows or knees. Remember that pressure is always adjustable. The American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) stresses that even in a deep tissue session the practitioner starts with lighter pressure, and that the guest should say throughout whether the pressure feels right.
Rhythm and pace
Some massages flow without a break, like water: in Lomi Lomi the forearms draw long waves from one end of the body to the other. Some are slow and deliberate: in deep tissue work the strokes are intentionally slowed down. Thai massage has a dynamic rhythm, in which pressing, rocking and stretching follow one another. If you would like to drift off during the session, a slow, flowing rhythm may suit you; if you prefer to stay alert and enjoy being moved, a more active rhythm may be the better fit.
Massage types compared
The table below sets the most common styles side by side across the four factors. The "At Beatus" column is filled in only for sessions on our menu; for styles without their own line on the menu, general information is given instead.
| Style | Origin | Setting | Oil | Pressure | At Beatus | Often chosen by |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Swedish (classic) massage | Europe, 19th century | Table | Yes | Light–medium | No separate line on the menu | First-timers and anyone wanting a familiar start |
| Aromatherapy massage | Europe (essential oil tradition) | Table | Essential oil in carrier oil | Light | No separate line; aromatic oil is used in the Signature and Relaxing Massages | Guests who want a calm session accompanied by scent |
| Deep tissue massage | Western massage training | Table | Yes | Firm | 55 min | People who enjoy strong pressure |
| Hot stone massage | Modern spa practice | Table | Yes | Light–medium | No separate line on the menu | People who love the feeling of warmth |
| Thai massage (Nuad Thai) | Thailand | Mat | No | Medium–firm, pointed | 55 / 80 min | People who enjoy stretching and movement |
| Balinese massage | Bali, Indonesia | Table | Yes | Medium | No separate line on the menu | Guests who want an oil massage with an Asian character |
| Shiatsu | Japan | Mat | No | Medium, finger pressure | 55 min | Guests who want to stay clothed with calm, steady pressure |
| Lomi Lomi Nui | Hawaii | Table | Yes | Medium, with the forearms | 80 min | People who love long, flowing strokes |
| Abhyanga | India (Ayurveda) | Table | Generous warm oil | Light–medium | 55 min | Guests who want warm oil and a slow rhythm |
| Four-hands massage | Various traditions | Table | Yes | Medium | Mandara 55 min, Synchronised Abhyanga 55 min | Guests looking for something different |
The "Often chosen by" column is not a recommendation; it simply reflects the expectations with which guests tend to choose each style. The same massage can feel quite different in another practitioner's hands and at another pressure.
Massages from the Western tradition
What is Swedish (classic) massage?
Swedish massage is also known in the West as "classic massage", and the US National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) describes it as the core of most massage training programmes. So, is Swedish massage the same as classic massage? In practice, yes.
The history of the name is a little surprising. It is often linked to the Swedish physical educator Pehr Henrik Ling, but the system Ling developed was mainly one of movement and gymnastics. The systematising and naming of the techniques we know today is usually credited to the Amsterdam physician Johann Georg Mezger in the second half of the 19th century. The French terms still taught in massage schools date from this period:
- Effleurage (from the French effleurer, "to skim lightly"): long, gliding strokes with the palms. A session usually opens and closes with these.
- Pétrissage (from pétrir, "to knead"): movements that lift and knead the muscles.
- Friction: small, circular, deeper rubbing movements.
- Tapotement (from tapoter, "to tap"): rhythmic tapping with the edge of the hand or the fingertips.
In a classic session these movements are applied in sequence and linked together; you begin lying face down and later turn onto your back. The Beatus menu has no line called "Swedish massage", but the Beatus Signature Massage (55 / 90 min), which balances firm and gentle techniques, and the slow-paced Relaxing Massage (40 min) can be thought of as part of this family.
What is aromatherapy massage?
An aromatherapy massage uses classic massage strokes with a carrier oil enriched with essential oils. An essential oil is a concentrated, strongly scented extract from plants such as lavender, orange peel or eucalyptus; it is never applied neat, only diluted. What makes the session distinctive is that scent comes along with it: the room, the oil and the touch form a single sensory whole.
There is one practical point worth knowing. The US National Cancer Institute notes that prolonged skin contact with essential oils can cause an allergic reaction or irritation, and that citrus oils applied before going out in the sun can make the skin more sensitive to sunlight. If you have a known allergy or sensitive skin, ask which oil will be used at the start of the session, or choose an unscented oil. At Beatus, the Signature Massage is given with the aromatic oil of your choice.
What is deep tissue massage?
In AMTA's description, deep tissue massage is similar to Swedish massage but uses slower strokes and more pressure. In other words, it is not a separate "tradition" but a choice of intensity. The practitioner begins with lighter strokes to warm up, then gradually increases the pressure on particular areas. The slowness of the strokes gives the pressure time to reach beyond the surface rather than skating over it.
Deep tissue massage has an honest side, too: practitioners interviewed by AMTA say you may feel some tenderness the following day. NCCIH also notes that the rare serious side effects reported have been linked particularly to vigorous deep tissue massage and to people who are frail. That is why speaking up matters so much in a deep tissue session: saying "a little lighter" does not spoil the massage; it guides the practitioner. At Beatus, the Deep Tissue Massage lasts 55 minutes and uses firm pressure focused on areas of tension.
What is hot stone massage?
In a hot stone massage, smooth stones, usually basalt or another stone that holds heat for a long time, are warmed in a professional heater; the practitioner uses them as an extension of the hand or places them on particular points. AMTA's publication for practitioners stresses that stones should be heated only in a professional heater, placed on a cloth rather than directly on the skin, and removed the moment the guest says they are too hot. The same publication states that hot stone massage is not suitable in cases such as pregnancy, diabetes, neuropathy, heart disease, skin conditions or recent surgery. If any of these apply to you, speak to your doctor before choosing hot stones.
Massages from the Asian tradition
What is Thai massage (Nuad Thai)?
Thai massage is known in Thai as nuad thai or nuad phaen boran ("ancient-style massage"), and in 2019 UNESCO inscribed it on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. UNESCO's listing describes how practitioners use their hands, elbows, knees and feet together. Among the inscriptions carved into the walls of Wat Pho temple in Bangkok between 1831 and 1841 are texts and figures on massage; this collection of inscriptions is registered in UNESCO's Memory of the World programme.
The session itself takes place fully clothed, on a floor mat, without oil. Pressing, rocking and stretching follow one another, which is why Thai massage is often described as "passive yoga on a mat". You do nothing; the practitioner moves you from one position to the next. At Beatus, Thai Massage is offered in 55- and 80-minute sessions. We walk through a session step by step in our guide to Thai massage.
What is Balinese massage?
Balinese massage (in Indonesian, pijat Bali) is a style that developed on the Indonesian island of Bali, drawing on Indian, Chinese and Southeast Asian traditions. Its clearest difference from Thai massage is that it is given on a table, with oil. Long, soft strokes, pointed pressure with the palms and thumbs and, at times, gentle skin rolling are used together. The result sits somewhere between the flow of a classic massage and the pointed pressure of an Asian massage.
So what is the difference between Thai and Balinese massage? In short: Thai massage is given on a mat, clothed, without oil and with stretches; Balinese massage is given on a table, with oil and flowing strokes. For a full comparison of the two traditions, see our guide Thai or Balinese massage?. Balinese massage does not have its own line on the Beatus menu; Balinese techniques are used within the four-hands Mandara Massage.
What is Shiatsu?
Shiatsu means "finger pressure" in Japanese. Its roots go back to the old Japanese anma massage; it took shape as a distinct method in the early 20th century and spread with the school Tokujiro Namikoshi founded in the 1940s. It is traditionally given on the floor, on a futon or mat, fully clothed. Rhythmic, patient pressure with the thumbs, fingers and palms is the basis of the session, sometimes accompanied by gentle stretches.
What separates Shiatsu from Thai massage is pace: Thai is more dynamic and stretch-led, while Shiatsu is stiller and focused on pressure. It is a good alternative for anyone who would rather stay clothed but does not want the more active character of Thai massage. At Beatus, Shiatsu lasts 55 minutes and is given on a floor mat.
What is Thai foot massage?
Thai foot massage is the form of the Thai tradition that focuses on the feet and lower legs. You usually sit in a comfortable chair or recline; the practitioner works with pressure and gliding strokes along the soles, ankles and calves. After a long flight, a full day of walking around the city or a day of back-to-back meetings, it is a practical option for anyone who wants a session without undressing. At Beatus, Thai Foot Massage is offered in 55- and 80-minute sessions.
Massages from Hawaiian and Indian traditions
What is Lomi Lomi Nui?
Lomi Lomi is the traditional massage of Hawaii. An article published by AMTA explains that the word can be translated as "to break into small pieces", "to open space" or simply "to rub, rub". Its signature is that the practitioner uses the forearms more than the hands. The forearms draw long, unbroken waves over the body, often linking one limb to the next so that the whole body is covered in a single flow. The same article describes how the tradition was passed down in Hawaii through observation and practice from one generation to the next, and how the idea of "aloha", meaning respect and care, forms the spirit of the session.
With its rhythm reminiscent of ocean waves, Lomi Lomi is perhaps the clearest example of a flowing massage. It is a good choice if you want a long, uninterrupted session. At Beatus, Lomi Lomi Nui lasts 80 minutes, giving the strokes room to travel over the whole body without being rushed.
What is Abhyanga?
Abhyanga means "oil massage" in Sanskrit and is described in India's Ayurvedic tradition as part of the daily self-care routine (dinacharya). Classical Ayurvedic texts present this warm-oil massage as an everyday habit. The session spreads over the whole body with plenty of warm oil and slow, rhythmic strokes. The amount of oil is noticeably greater than in other oil massages, so it is worth allowing time afterwards to shower or to let the oil settle into the skin for a while.
Ayurveda's own concepts (such as the doshas and body types) form the cultural background of this tradition; we share them not as a promise of results but as the world of ideas the massage comes from. At Beatus, Abhyanga lasts 55 minutes.
Four-hands and couples massages
What is a four-hands massage?
In a four-hands massage, two practitioners work on you at the same time with synchronised movements. What makes it different is that the mind finds it hard to follow a single touch, so attention spreads to the movement as a whole. That is why four-hands sessions are often described as a feeling of "letting go". For the rhythm to work, the two practitioners need to be used to working together; their movements mirror each other.
There are two four-hands sessions on the Beatus menu: the Mandara Four-Hands Massage (55 min) brings together Thai, Shiatsu, Lomi Lomi and Balinese techniques, and Synchronised Abhyanga (55 min) is Abhyanga given by two practitioners at once. If this is not your first massage and you would like to experience a familiar style in a new way, four hands can be a good next step.
What is a couples massage?
A couples massage is not a technique but a setting: two people receive a massage at the same time, in the same room, on tables side by side. It is a popular choice for anniversaries, honeymoons or a weekend away together. At Beatus there is the Beatus Couples Massage (55 min), the Romantic Couples Massage (90 min) and the Infinity Duet (120 min), which begins in the hammam and ends with a massage in the couples' room. For locations with a couples' room and tips on preparing, read our couples massage guide.
Massage in the hammam: what is a foam massage?
Massage in a Turkish bath is unlike any of the traditions above. Once your body has warmed on the heated marble stone, you are scrubbed with the kese (an exfoliating mitt) and then washed in a cloud of soap foam, which becomes the medium for a soft massage. In some hammam rituals this is followed by an aromatic oil massage for the head, hands and feet. At Beatus, this sequence is offered within our Turkish bath rituals as the Pasha (40 min), Scheherazade (55 min) and Sultan (80 min) Hammams. You will find the history and the steps of the hammam in our Turkish bath guide. If you would like to move on to a massage after the hammam, the Jet Lag Package (120 min) combines a 40-minute hammam, a 40-minute classic massage and a short facial.
Which massage is right for you? A five-question guide
The questions below are not a quiz but a way of thinking it through. Each answer narrows the options a little further.
1. Is this your first massage? If so, start with something familiar and predictable: on a table, with oil, at medium pressure. On the Beatus menu, the closest matches are the Signature Massage and the shorter, lighter Relaxing Massage. Thai massage also works for a first experience, but be ready for the stretches.
2. Would you like oil? If you want no oil and to stay clothed, your options are Thai massage, Shiatsu and Thai foot massage. If you enjoy the glide and warmth of oil, look at oil massages such as classic, aromatherapy, Lomi Lomi and Abhyanga. Abhyanga uses the most oil.
3. How much pressure do you like? Light: Relaxing, aromatherapy, Abhyanga. Medium: classic, Balinese, Lomi Lomi, Shiatsu. Firm: deep tissue and, on request, Thai massage. In every case the pressure can be adjusted during the session; your choice is only a starting point.
4. How much time do you have? To focus on one area such as the back, neck or legs, the 30-minute Targeted Massage may be enough. For the whole body, 55 minutes is the length of most sessions on the menu. For styles where flow matters, such as Thai massage or Lomi Lomi, 80 minutes allows the movements to unfold without being rushed. The 90- and 120-minute options are mostly rituals and packages.
5. Alone or together? If you are coming as two, choose a location with a couples' room and mention it when you book. If you are coming alone, a four-hands massage can take a solo session somewhere new.
Once you have decided, you can find the location nearest to you among our spas in Istanbul or our spas on the Black Sea coast and message that spa directly. As the sessions on offer can vary by location, we suggest asking when you book.
How long should a massage be: 30, 55, 80 or 90 minutes?
Length shapes a massage as much as its style does. Short sessions are focused: in 30 minutes the practitioner gives time to one area rather than trying to cover the whole body. Forty and 55 minutes are the classic full-body lengths, and most sessions on our menu fall in this range. At 80 and 90 minutes a style can open up fully to its own rhythm: Thai massage has room for more stretches, Lomi Lomi for longer flowing sequences.
A practical tip: the session length is not the total time you spend at the spa. Add 15–20 minutes to your plans for a short chat on arrival, changing, and a few minutes of rest afterwards. For a more general introduction to what massage is, how it feels and how to prepare, read our guide to massage.
What to know before your massage
Whichever style you choose, a little preparation makes a real difference:
- Arrive 10–15 minutes early. A session you rush into spends its first 10 minutes helping you settle.
- Avoid a massage straight after a heavy meal. Lying face down and the stretches in Thai massage can be uncomfortable on a full stomach.
- Mention your health from the start. Recent surgery, an injury, skin sensitivity, any medication you take and allergies are all things your practitioner needs to know.
- Speak up about pressure throughout. Saying "lighter, please", "a little slower" or "let's skip this area" is completely normal.
- Think ahead about what to wear. For oil massages you can keep your underwear on or use the disposable underwear the spa provides; for Thai massage and Shiatsu you need loose, comfortable clothing. We cover this in detail in what to wear for a massage.
An important note: if you are pregnant, or have a long-term health condition, high blood pressure, heart or circulation problems, a blood-clotting disorder or recent surgery, speak to your doctor before a massage and mention it when you book. NCCIH advises that massage should not be used as a reason to postpone seeing a doctor about a health problem, and suggests discussing with your health professional whether massage is suitable for you. A massage is an experience of rest and care; it is not a medical service.
