I agree with you about massage quality. I do not think of this as a place where one should go for proper massage therapy. These staff members are not licensed. I prefer that they use light strokes and focus on relaxation rather than therapy bc I wouldn’t want them to cause damage. (I did get some tension in my back from one of the massages.)
That said, you can always request an adjustment to the pressure.
I regularly see an incredible LMT in my home city and what’s done at Shangri La is amateurish. However, the staff members do things that my LMT does not, and it’s a wonderful environment.