Anantara Spa
Five-star pampering at
The PuLi Hotel and Spa
Situated inside The PuLi Hotel and Spa, this tranquil high-end spa is a metropolitan oasis offering ultimate five-star pampering from the best masseuses using some of the best products in town. Their secret is to infuse spices into their unique and exotic spa treatments, taking customers on a holistic journey through healing fragrances into a state of calm wellbeing. Their high-end treatments come at equally high prices. Try the white tea and avocado body wrap (¥880 plus 15 percent surcharge for 45 minutes) to moisten and buff, the rejuvenating anti-oxidant facial (¥1,080 plus 15 percent surcharge for 90 minutes) to rejuvenate dry skin, or the Oriental head massage (¥680 for 60 minutes), which can help office executives and headache sufferers. The 45-minute personalized facial at Anantara is one of the best all-around treatments in town. The process is designed to repair skin and neutralize impurities, providing some push-back to the wear and tear your skin is exposed to in Shanghai.
Find it: 3/F, The PuLi Hotel and Spa, 1 Changde Lu 常德路1号璞丽酒店3楼,
Tel: 2216-6899
Banyan Tree Spa
Tranquility and indulgence
Launched in 2013, Banyan Tree Shanghai on the Bund’s award-winning spa spans over 1,300 sqm. It has three floors, 11 treatment rooms including two Imperial Rooms with a rainmist facility and Thai Massage area, four Double Deluxe Rooms and five single rooms. Embracing the local culture and traditional Chinese healing philosophies, Banyan Tree Spa’s design concept is themed on the Five Elements—metal, wood, water, fire and earth—which translate into unique colors and inspirations throughout. With sleek lines and designs mixed with traditional elements and warm lighting, the spa’s ambiance is both elegant and comforting, offering guests a tranquil experience. Some of their signature spa treatments include the 150-minute Banyan Hot Stone massage that finishes off with a rose body scrub, a chrysanthemum body conditioner and a rose bath, leaving the skin feeling nourished and soft.
Find it: 1/F, 19 Gongping Lu 公平路19号 1楼, Tel: 2509-1188
Bijin Hair
Update your ‘do
Rebranded from Beijing Hair Culture, this famous hair and beauty salon, conveniently located inside the five-star Hilton Hotel on Huashan Lu, is staffed by a team of local and international stylists, each with more than a decade of experience who are able to provide guests with services in English, Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean and Japanese. Offering services for both in-salon as well as out-of-salon commercial styling, the team at Bijin Hair provides a full range of options for men, women and children; from basic cuts and color to hair extensions, scalp treatments, detangling protein treatments, straightening and even digital perms. Operating for over 12 years, Bijin Hair has been voted best hair salon consecutively over the past few years by various media outlets in the city. Bijin Hair is a regular winner of the City Weekend Readers’ Choice Awards. If you’re looking to revamp your look, be sure to book a creative consultation with one of Bijin’s skilled stylists. Makeup and manicure services are also available by appointment.
Find it: 4/F Hilton Hotel, 250 Huashan Lu 华山路250号希尔顿酒店4楼, Tel: 6249-7228, 6248-0000/2688
Body Concept Pilates
Sculpture the body from your core
Body Concept Pilates is one of the most personalized and tailored body sculpting experiences that one can have in Shanghai. With a wide array of trainers, state of the art equipment, and classes offered in both English and Mandarin, Body Concept aims to help you meet your fitness goals and create the body that you’ve always wanted. With a timetable and classes catered to your needs and goals, all that you need to do is commit to a healthy change for results inside and out. Having won Honorable Mention for Outstanding Fitness Center at the 2017 City Weekend Readers’ Choice Awards, they confidently boast being able to do almost everything—from improving your golf swing to correcting posture and eliminating back pain—while becoming more toned and flexible. Head to one of their many locations across the city where you’ll get a personalized physical assessment, for a more targeted and beneficial experience.
Find it: Multiple locations, www.bodyconceptpilates.com
Browhaus
Get face-fuzz free
Your ‘brows will look nice and sharp at this upscale brow salon, where services include threading, tweezing and coloring. With salons dotted all over the city, it’s a safe haven for any brow emergencies you may have. Browhaus is found at the same locations as their partner store Strip, so you can become hair-free from head to toe in one go if you choose. They also offer TLC for your lashes; you can get them extended, colored and even curled. Browhaus will also provide you with specific, easy-to-follow instructions in order to help maintain your new do for as long as possible before coming back in for a touchup. Their passion is truly your brows and lashes and with helpful, always positive service and professionally trained technicians. And if it’s your first time or you’re feeling particularly nervous, you can always request a senior specialist to pamper your brows with their years of experience. Alternatively, just ask someone to help translate your request.
Find it: Various locations, www.browhaus.cn/m/stores/shanghai
CHI, The Spa
A true balance of yin and yang at the
Shangri-La Pudong
Voted one of the world’s 10 hottest hotel spas by Forbes.com, this 800 sqm haven of tranquility in the Pudong Shangri-La features some of the largest and most luxurious private spa suites in the city. In traditional Chinese philosophy, CHI represents the universal life force that governs well-being and personal vitality. This spa aims to give every client the services and treatment their individual body needs to find a balanced harmony between body and mind. The extensive menu offers over 35 specialized body, water, massage and facial therapies. “Spa within a spa” is the concept here, as each of the suites has its own affinity bath with color therapy, herbal steam and shower, relaxation lounge and changing, toilet and vanity areas. In addition, there are two hydrotherapy suites. Indulge in one of the spa’s signature rituals that will take you through a combination of several therapies.
Find it: 6/F, Tower 2, Pudong Shangri-la, 33 Fucheng Lu 富城路33号浦东香格里拉大酒店2号楼6楼, Tel: 5877-1503
Chuan Spa
Traditional treatments and modern
luxury in the Langham Xintiandi
Tradition meets luxury at the Langham Xintiandi
Chuan Spa—one of the most impressive spas in town—with its palatial spaces and winding pebble footpaths lined with candles, which evoke a sense of peace and serenity. This world-class spa specializes in traditional Chinese treatments, such as the signature Chuan Harmony massage, and uses traditional Chinese five-element essential oils to stimulate meridian harmony and induce a deep sense of calm. Try Chuan’s traditional Chinese medicine treatments including acupuncture, moxibustion, and huoguan (cupping), all of which are holistically designed to restore the balance of yin and yang in the body and improve your wellbeing. No Chinese spa would be complete without the traditional footbath—don’t miss Chuan Spa’s healing hand and foot treatments, which uniquely incorporate reflexology as well as standard scrubbing and nourishment for enhanced healing and rejuvenation.
Find it: 99 Madang Lu 马当路99号 Tel: 2330-2443
The Clinic
Boutique medical and wellness center
One of Shanghai’s premier private medical, wellness and performance centers is managed by International Rehabilitation Specialists. Providing Olympic-level sports medicine and physical therapy, as well as surgical rehab, the clinic offers an environment that brings together a diverse array of talented doctors, osteopaths, psychologists, barré instructors, Pilates masters, weight trainers, and yoga teachers. Far from being solely focused upon pre/post-surgical physical therapy, the clinic will uniquely tailor training or therapy to your needs and specifications. They provide sport-specific programs as well, such as golf instruction designed to improve your swing and control, running and gait evaluation, as well as speed, strength, and agility training. They also offer pre/post-natal yoga and exercise programs. The facility is beautifully appointed and state-of-the-art, with brand new exercise machines and private training, therapy, and examination rooms, and even their own in-house juice and soup bar by Favorite Squeeze.
Find it: Rm. A501, Block B, 118 Jiashan Lu 嘉善路118号明园商务中心B座A501号, Tel: 3368-8801
Doc Guthrie’s
Old school trims and shaves done right
Partners Dylan Byrne and Anna Elliot opened Doc Guthrie’s back in early 2015, bringing the traditional barbershop trend to Shanghai’s shores. Here you can get a hot-towel straight razor shave and classic haircut. White tile walls, wooden counters, and leather chairs complete the hipster vibe. It’s a place where fellow traditionalists can sit back and relax with a complementary bottle of beer or glass of whiskey. Haircuts start from about ¥200, straight razor shaves are ¥298, but jump up to ¥368 if you’re feeling fancy and opt for their Master Barber. They also sell a line of men’s grooming products, like shaving soap, straight and safety razors, aftershave lotion and pomades. Their warm, unaffected, expat-friendly service make them as good a spot to just hang out with the lads, as it is to get a quality trim or shave. We’re certainly not the only ones who feel this way; the people spoke when they voted Doc Guthrie’s Outstanding Salon for City Weekend’s 2017 Reader’s Choice Awards.
Find it: 873 Kangding Lu (near Yanping Lu) 康定路873号 (近延平路) , Tel: 185-1600-3079
Dragonfly Retreat
Urban escape just around the corner
A renowned spa chain in Shanghai and throughout China, this tranquil retreat has locations all over the city that provide busy urbanites with a nearby escape whenever needed. It’s one of the most popular beauty salons and massage parlors in Shanghai, hands-down, with services that include a variety of massage styles including oil, Chinese and Japanese. They also do facials, manicures and waxing for both men and women. The English-speaking technicians are helpful and will change the pressure of your massage upon request. If you live in Jing’an, try the lymphatic drainage aroma oil massage at the Jiaozhou Lu branch, the latest addition to the chain. Sip tea and relax as the therapists lull you into total relaxation. The veteran masseuses are extremely friendly, and the treatment is great for relieving chest congestion and muscular aches as well as treating insomnia. If you’re a Dragonfly junkie then it’s worth investing in one of their membership cards. You’ll get the money back in credit, plus discounts on all massages.
Find it: Multiple locations, www.dragonfly.net.cn
FLARE Spa
Renewal and regeneration at the
Four Seasons Hotel Pudong
FLARE Spa, located on the 41st floor of Four Seasons Hotel Pudong, is a special urban getaway where one can refresh and renew mind, body and soul. This ultra stylish, chic and exclusive spa caters to beauty, inside and out. The spa also just partnered with Guerlain to offer a unique range of treatments, which includes facials, massage, body treatment and salon services. Whether guests choose to pamper themselves with a body treatment or facial, or opt to glam up their nails at their Sparkle Nail Bar, FLARE is the one-stop spa for all your primping and pampering wants and needs. Along with four spa treatment rooms, the spa also has two VIP spa suites equipped with a whirlpool and rain shower for two. Guests can take a dip in the 18-meter-long infinity lap pool, which boasts an incredible view of the Lujiazui skyline. There is also a 24-hour fitness center featuring state-of-the-art Technogym equipment. Separate his and her “Spa Zones” allow ladies to enjoy an herbal steam and tepidarium, while the gentlemen can unwind with a Finnish sauna.
Find it: 41/F, 210 Century Avenue世纪大道210号41楼, Tel: 2036-8888
Franck Provost
Get your locks styled the French way
Get your hair cut and styled to look effortlessly awesome at this award-winning global salon. It features a luxurious (and neurotically clean) interior with leather chairs, spotless mirrors, brand name hair products and internationally experienced stylists. All branches carry the brand’s sterling reputation for service, skill and great results. Franck Provost originated in Paris and is recognized as a luxury brand that enhances the elegance and style of both men and women. This salon is known as the first pick for some of the world’s leading celebrities and supermodels, including the Queen of Jordan, Penélope Cruz and Sophie Marceau. In Paris, Franck Provost is known as the hairstylist of the celebrities. Here, top stylist Stephen trained in Australia and knows exactly what he’s doing with Western hair. Everything here is designed for luxury, from the relaxing head massage during hair-washing to the rack of Western magazines and unlimited tea and coffee.
Find it: Multiple locations, www.franckprovost.com.cn
Green Massage
Personalized therapy
Specializing in therapeutic massages, Green Massage provides a tranquil sanctuary from the stress of everyday life, and an environment that carefully considers the body’s holistic elements to fully satisfy all unique needs. It even has numerous branches around the city to accommodate guests’ schedules. Celebrating a fusion of East and West, the professional therapists at Green Massage are trained with the utmost attention to detail to provide fully customized wellness services. Green Massage boasts a range of options including traditional Chinese massages, Japanese shiatsu finger pressure, aromatherapy, foot reflexology and Oriental scalp massages as well as facials, prenatal treatments and body care services. For the adventurous you can also try a breast massage which helps relieve toxin build-up in the lymph nodes while encouraging improved blood circulation. The Green Bliss package includes a head massage, signature Oriental relaxation massage, classical Western aromatherapy, a foot scrub and massage leaving you feeling restored and completely relaxed.
Find it: Multiple locations, www.greenmassage.com.cn
New Star Korean Bathhouse
Painless on your pocket
This multi-story Korean bathhouse is a far sight cheaper than some of the other bathhouses around town and offers top-rate facilities that are sure to please all aquaphiles including hot tubs, cool baths, steam and dry saunas and showers, a restaurant and lounge. The more adventurous can enjoy a massage or skin treatment. In one building, you can find masseuses, skin care professionals, rooms crammed with more velvety-soft couches than a Laz-E-Boy showroom, a small restaurant grilling up delicious Korean food and a bathing area dedicated to all things liquid—hot tubs, cool baths, steam and dry saunas and showers stocked with shampoo, conditioners, soaps and lotions. For ¥58, you can spend the entire day preening. Extra services such as massages, skin treatments and food are offered a la carte and added to your final bill. Upon entering the building, men and women are directed to their respective bathing areas. In an experience truly unique to China, all the marble floors of the building are heated and/or carpeted so guests spend their stay walking around barefoot (sans slippers or flip-flops).
Find it: No. 1, Lane 258 Jinhui Nan Lu 金汇南路258弄1号,
Tel: 3432-0777, 3432-1717
Orchid Massage
An authentic Thai experience
Orchid Massage stands out from other massage venues in the city in that they offer authentic Thai-style treatments. Stretching and muscle relaxation make a Thai massage unique and different from other massage techniques. Orchid Massage not only offers Thai massage treatments, but also insists on using products imported directly from Thailand, including herb and coconut oils. Furthermore, the special Tok-Sen massage method—an ancient technique nearly lost to time—has been passed down and learned by the masseuses at Orchid Massage. Their most popular services include traditional massage, oil massage and aromatherapy. The spa also offers herbal remedies to treat a variety of bodily ailments. The owner hand picks a wide range of Thai products that are available for purchase at the front desk so you can take the tropical feeling home with you. Book an appointment or pop in to experience a unique massage from some of the city’s best technicians.
Find it: Multiple locations, www.orchidmassage.cn
The Peninsula Spa
Pure luxury in a stylish setting
If you’re looking for a luxurious, stimulating body massage, this is the place to go. Guests step into a dream world where ivory and navy tones complement the heated dark wood floors. Come in for a massage, facial, wrap, make-up application or, best of all, take an all-day spa “journey” and spend the entire day lounging around and getting pampered. Bespoke treatments are designed by ESPA, a leading authority on spa design, training and management worldwide. Highly trained therapists and ESPA-created products combine to provide luxurious treatments. The large, gorgeous VIP suite boasts a vitality pool, a shower/steam room, bathroom and two adjustable heated beds. The separate male and female thermal suites feature tropical rain showers, steam and sauna rooms with spectacular iridescent lights and shaved ice fountains. The spa’s attention to detail is welcomed in changing rooms with beauty products available to use, pre- or post-pampering. Signature treatments include the bamboo harmonizer and Oriental thermal infusion.
Find it: 3/F, 32 Zhongshan Dong Yi Lu 中山东一路32号3楼, Tel: 2327-6599
Perfect Tan
Bronzed to perfection
Perfect Tan (see what they did there?) has everything you need to get your summer sun glow. With top-of-the-range imported tanning beds from Italy and a family-friendly atmosphere, staff will guide you to the right treatment. Tanning sessions will leave you looking healthier, feeling sexier and you won’t have to worry about getting sun burn either. Safety, convenience and looking sassy are top priorities at this salon. The Sportarredo tanning machines are both vertical booths and horizontal beds, and they boast Shanghai’s only high pressure tanning bed. Beyond bronzing, the salon provides complimentary eye covers, moisturizer, towel, drinks and use of the bathing facilities. It’s also conveniently located next to Carrefour Gubei, with ample parking space. Rates at Perfect Tan start at ¥46 per session. Monthly tanning packages are also available from ¥510.
Find it: Lane 19 Ronghua Xi Dao, Bldg 2, Unit 102 荣华西道19弄2号楼102单元, Tel: 6219-2225
Strip
Keep calm and strip on
At Strip, professional “Striperellas” take you from hair to bare in less than 45 minutes. Thanks to its commitment to quality, since its start in Singapore, Strip has spread across Asia and even has salons in London and New York. Their attention to quality, safety, hygiene and customer service make Strip revered in Shanghai, while their extensive list of services, including bikini wax, underarms, Brazilian shapes add-ons—and even “Boyzilians”—make this a go-to spot for waxing regulars and novices alike. You can even have fuzz-free parts for up to three years with their IPL laser hair removal treatment; completely pain-free, the only downside is that your pocket may feel the burn. With that in mind, don’t miss the membership card options (¥3,000 and ¥5,000 packages available with 20% and 25% off waxing services, respectively), which make the top-notch, albeit pricey services a bit more affordable. If tweezing and threading are more your cup of tea, visit the Strip’s sister shop, Browhaus.
Find it: Multiple locations, www.strip-shanghai.cn
Subconscious Day Spa
Au naturel spa experience
At this holistic, eco-friendly spa, the ultimate goal is to provide guests with a true balance of mind, body and soul by providing relaxing and rejuvenating services in a fresh, organic environment. Subconscious Day Spa only uses locally sourced and carefully selected organic products for all of their body and spa treatments. They also offer manicure and pedicure services that use OPI nail polish and honey-based waxing and facial services using Pevonia and Sothys products. VIP suites are equipped with their own shower and bath tub, as well as single rooms, couples’ suites, and party rooms for family and friends—this spa can accommodate pretty much anyone. Subconscious also have several membership and package options for frequent spa-goers, which offers discounts on different services and treatments, and invitations to workshops, product launches and in-house spa events. Although found in some of the busiest spots in the city, Subconscious Day Spa also offers yoga classes and Reiki sessions to help you on the journey to finding calm and inner peace in this fast-paced world.
Find it: Multiple locations, www.subconsciousdayspa.com
Willow Stream Spa
Old Shanghai tranquility
at the Fairmont Peace Hotel
In keeping with the old Bund beauty of the Peace Hotel, Fairmont’s signature spa Willow Stream offers a unique combination of traditional diagnostics and healing methods and modern luxury in their range of beauty and well-being treatments. This storied space transports you back to the glamor days of 1920s Shanghai, making treatments at Willow Stream particularly special. Signature Wellbeing treatments are designed for full-body pampering, such as the 210-minute Escape treatment (¥2,580), which combines all of Willow Stream’s signature therapies—the Ginseng Revitalizing Bath, Stream Stone Massage, and Anti-Aging Relaxing Jade Facial—to ease fatigue and enhance your sense of calm. The spa also offers a full range of body wraps, massages, facials, and waxing services, including innovative offerings like the Aroma Herbal Yoga Therapy massage (¥1,200), which combines the pressure and technique of tuina and Shiatsu with yoga-inspired elements to limber up tight muscles and improve balance, energy and flexibility.
Find it: 20 Nanjing Dong Lu 和平饭店南京东路20号, Tel: 6138-6818
Y+ Yoga Center
Stretch your way to inner peace
Cool down at the villa-style Fuxing studio, push yourself with the youthful and hip at the Xintiandi location, or go vintage at the Anfu Lu studio—built on the top floor of a refurbished 1930s movie theater—Y+ have space for all. More than 200 classes every week are offered at all three locations for people of all levels. As well as offering reasonably priced and delicious juices at their on-site juice bar, Y+ has decided to go the extra mile in teaming with training institution, Inspya, directed by Lance Schuler, a world renowned teachers’ trainer with over 25 years’ experience. Together, Y+ Yoga Center and Inspya boast crafting one of the most enriching programs, unparalleled in all of Asia. With lessons in both English and Mandarin, each class incorporates methods and techniques gathered from all over the world. They occasionally arrange special events, such as their International Yoga Conference in 2016, which saw yogis descend on Shanghai from all corners of the globe to learn, share and inspire.
Find it: Multiple locations, www.yplus.cn/en
Yu Massage
Affordable quality massage
In a quiet courtyard house set back off the main road, this massage parlor is in a tranquil, dynastic setting. Guests pass through a peaceful outdoor garden at the entrance. Their foot massage (¥88 for one hour) and aroma oil foot massage (¥118 for one hour) are staple treatments. All of their offerings apply traditional techniques. Also on offer is an aroma oil massage (¥188 for one hour), a rejuvenating and relaxing blend of four different kinds of pure essential oils from Thailand. All treatments are top quality, and at these prices are also very popular. Cups of freshly made Chinese sweet red date tea leave guests with a refreshing final taste. It’s super tasty, so feel free to ask for one before your massage on top of the one you’ll get right after. Yu Massage is right down the street from Zen Massage’s Wuyuan Lu location, so if you haven’t booked an appointment ahead of time at either place, pop in to each and ask if there are any openings available. Yu also opened a new branch in 2016 securing a spot in the People’s Square location of Huangpu Lu. Advance booking is highly recommended.
Find it: Multiple locations, Tel: 5403-9931 (Wuyuan Lu branch)
Zen Massage
Restore balance to mind, body and spirit
Tucked away in a quaint and lovely old Shanghai lane, Zen Massage is the perfect place to escape the busy city streets, sit back (or lie down) and just relax. Upon entering the charming space, guests are welcomed by the sweet scent of fresh flowers, the soothing smell of imported essential oils and the fragrant aroma of teas. Some of the services offered at this massage parlor include classic massages, such as their foot reflexology with essential oil (¥158 for 60 minutes) and an aroma oil massage (¥228 for 60 minutes, ¥338 for 90 minutes), but there are also special massage packages, such as their Five Flavor Experience package (¥388 for two hours), which includes a one-hour foot massage and a one-hour aroma oil massage meant to leave customers refreshed and renewed. All the oils are carefully selected for therapeutic value. So if a guest has muscle aches and pains, lavender oil is the way to go, but if skin cleansing is the ultimate goal, their Thought essential oil can be used to cleanse pores, reduce inflammation, sterilize and repair damaged skin.
Find it: Multiple locations, www.zenmassage.cn/en/home.htm