Good to know
Frequently asked questions
The questions we get asked most, answered directly -- hours, booking, what a traditional Thai massage actually involves, and more.
What are your opening hours?
Our Porches studio is open every day, Monday to Sunday, 10:00-19:00. Our Carvoeiro studio (inside the Carvoeiro Clube de Ténis) is open Monday to Saturday, 10:00-19:00. Both studios keep the same hours daily -- there's no separate lunch closure.
Where are your studios located?
Original Thai House has two studios: Porches, at Rua Direita 28A, 8400-483 Porches, Algarve; and Carvoeiro, inside the Carvoeiro Clube de Ténis. Both are genuinely separate, fully equipped studios, not a main location and a satellite. Full addresses and maps →
How do I book an appointment?
By phone, WhatsApp, or email -- we don't currently use an online booking system. Porches and Carvoeiro each have their own phone/WhatsApp line, so it's worth contacting the studio you actually want to visit rather than either number at random. Call or WhatsApp us →
Do you offer home or hotel visits (outcall massage)?
No -- we don't provide home or hotel visits. All treatments are given at one of our two studios.
Is Original Thai House a licensed, therapeutic massage service?
Yes. Every therapist joins us professionally trained at a recognised massage institute, and every treatment on our menu is genuine therapeutic Thai massage -- nothing else is offered, requested, or tolerated, at either studio. Original Thai House operates a strict professional-conduct policy for every guest and every therapist, at all times. Meet our therapists →
What should I expect during a traditional Thai massage?
Traditional Thai massage is usually done fully clothed, without oil, and involves the therapist actively guiding you through assisted stretches and acupressure along the body's energy lines -- quite different from lying still for an oil-based Swedish massage. Our therapists are trained specifically in this traditional technique, not a Westernised spa-menu version of it. Thai massage vs. Swedish massage, explained →
Is traditional Thai massage painful?
It can be firm -- traditional Thai massage uses real, sustained pressure, not a light surface rub -- but it shouldn't be painful. Tell your therapist how much pressure you want at the start of the session; every therapist can adjust intensity to what you're actually comfortable with.
What languages do you speak?
Our website and our team communicate in English, German, and Portuguese.
Can two people be treated at the same time?
Yes -- each studio has multiple treatment rooms and beds, so couples, friends, or small groups can usually be treated alongside each other rather than taking turns. Let us know when you book if you'd like to be treated together.
What treatments do you offer, and what do they cost?
13 treatments in total: 9 standard massages (from a 30-minute Head Massage to a 90-minute Traditional Thai Massage) and our 4-treatment Original Thai Signature collection. Prices range from €30 to €120 depending on treatment and duration. See the full menu and prices →
Is there a difference between the Porches and Carvoeiro studios?
The treatments, pricing, and standard of training are identical at both -- our therapists aren't fixed to one location and work across both studios depending on the day. The setting differs: Porches is our original, standalone studio; Carvoeiro is inside the Carvoeiro Clube de Ténis, which suits guests staying near the tennis club or the Carvoeiro coast.