Today, it seems many salons portray themselves as day spas but
lack that day spa feel.
However, one of the Shanghai's newest spas Shui Urban Spa
surprises and satisfies even the picky spa goers with its
cutting-edge retreat of tasteful and functional design, first-class
amenities, and painstaking attention to detail.
Shui is a jewel cleverly tucked away amidst the trees, chic
shops and cosmopolitan cafes in Ferguson Lane on Wukang Road. On
the fifth floor of the charming Art-deco-inspired building, step
through the doors of Shui and enter a different world where time
ceases to matter - a 350-square-meter sanctuary filled with soft
lights, soothing, eclectic music, and inviting fragrances.
Slip into a pristine white robe, escape into private treatment
rooms with relaxing views, enjoy the face or body indulgence,
daydream or read a magazine in his-and-hers lounges - and
experience some of the best services in Shanghai.
There is even a spacious outdoor terrace where Moroccan-style
daybeds invite guests to lounge and linger amidst the lovely
tree-top view of the old former French concession area.
The design theme is "white-on-white-on shadows" combined with
playful references to its name, "shui." The white theme is clean,
pure and calming, much as a spa should be. Emphasis on textures,
shadows and mood lighting make the spa more inviting.
"Shui (water) reflects the origins of the spas we have come to
know today. Also, we deliberately chose a Chinese name because we
want to reflect the fact that we are a brand born in China, to
signify Shanghai's entry into the world-class urban spa industry,"
said owner BJ Macatulad, a former investment banker from New
York.
The Filipino partnered with Geraldine Acuna-Sunshine, a
corporate lawyer in Boston. Macatulad handles day-to-day operations
and oversees the marketing strategy, while Acuna-Sunshine is in
charge of product and service development. The two met as
university students in Harvard.
Both have been spa devotees for many years and eventually
decided to turn their passion into businesses focused on providing
luxury services for harried professionals and those in search of
greater balance in their lives.
The duo got into the business themselves in 2004 when they
partnered with the well-known Mandala Spa Resort and Villas in
Boracay Island, the Philippines, which has since won many awards
such as Best Destination Spa by Baccarat Asia. "Shui" is their
fourth spa venture.
"Our contemporary design here is a departure from the
traditional, tropical-style theme of most spas in China and
throughout Asia - our look is quite unique and we believe it is
more representative of a hip, fashion-forward city such as
Shanghai," Macatulad said.
For example, the duck is one of many design elements here
because the rubber ducks are fun and welcoming - sometimes,
design-conscious spas have a tendency to become too serious and
intimating, according to her.
"We merge the 'best in class' from what we believe to be the
best spas we have tried around the world - we combine both Oriental
and European techniques with some of the best products from the US
and Asia," she said.
The spa uses Dermalogica because their products are consistently
rated the top choice of spa professionals worldwide, year after
year. The caring and meticulously trained Filipino therapists each
have up to 10 years experience at some of the best spas in the
world.
There are over two dozen treatments to choose from, including
the Shui signature deep relaxation massage, or the Shui essential
facial, a cleansing, exfoliating, and soothing treatment that
unexpectedly starts with a back massage to melt away stress.
Targeting frequent spa-goers, Shui provides a world-class
experience at a relatively accessible price. The spa hopes to
become the favored destination for local and expat "spa experts"
who go to spas regularly and expect excellence and consistency.
Another day spa recently opened is the Village Retreat, a
tranquil space with a soothing ambience of neutral creams, grays
and white, simple clean lines, fresh aromas and calming music.
The day spa is located in the Village on leafy Dongping Road, a
new lifestyle hub which offers a chic collection of little luxuries
including mix of shops, bakery, tea salon and spa.
Using 100 percent natural products from Decleor of Paris and
Payot, treatments focus on the benefits of essential oils and how
they interact with the body. No machines are used in any of the
treatments offered and every step is performed manually with tender
loving care.
Professional advice and treatments are provided once an expert
diagnosis is performed with a special skin diagnosis computer.
Just more than 200 square meters in size, there are eight beds
in configurations of triple, double and single private rooms
focusing on facial treatments, two single rooms with shower
facilities for fully body treatments and one wet room for body
scrubs and body soaks.
The decor is simple and uncluttered using classic lines that are
all about comfort for the customer. There is a well stocked retail
section of Decleor aromessence products. A combination of regular
visits to the spa and a daily routine of using the products in the
right way will result in a more youthful and relaxed you.
The Village Retreat also offers a separate area and menu
catering to the different needs of its male clientele. Treatments
range from 220 to 800 yuan (US$30-US$108).
(Shanghai Daily December 25, 2007)