The 500-square-meter oasis is tucked away in the club of the luxurious residence, Lakeville Regency, which sits on a premium location in the city center, just a short stroll from Xintiandi.

The spa helps to enhance the well-being of the Lakeville Regency residents as well as people living and working around this area.

"Most of our customers are business people who live with stress constantly. Here is a private world to detoxify, to relax and to improve the total well-being," said the spa's Managing Director Rose Chen.

Visiting a spa is very much a sensory experience, the feeling of tranquility and relaxation that one gets when entering a spa is directly related to synergy of the atmosphere. Here, green carpets, green walls, East-meets-West decor along with proper lighting and layout contribute to the spa's sleek look.

Facilities include eight treatment rooms, a nail salon, and a hair salon. The treatment menu ranges from a powerful O.Spa signature massage (540yuan/90 minutes), acupuncture (320 yuan/30 minutes), to intensive body firming care (420 yuan/50 minutes) as well as special packages.

It is tough to choose from the wide selection of treatments available. However, having enjoyed Balinese, Thai and Chinese massages before, I decided to try a different massage technique here - Lomi Lomi massage.

Hawaiian Lomi Lomi is regarded as one of the most profound forms of massage, derived from the ancient Polynesians and more specifically the master healers of Hawaii. The intent of Lomi Lomi is to free energy flow by releasing stress and tension in the body and restore balance and harmony to mind and body.

The massage was given in fluid, rhythmic motion using the upper forearms and elbows. The long, continuous, flowing strokes and kneading were used to break up areas of congestion in the tissue and enable the body to relax in a more natural way. The massage used essential oil blend to assist stress relief, improve blood flow.

Whether a client has tight muscles, strains or is recovering from an injury or strenuous sporting event, Lomi Lomi can make a difference. It might be powerful and invigorating to the body, but the healing effects of the massage continuing long after the massage is over.

After the one-hour body massage, a moisturizing facial completed the spa journey. "Moisturizing Care" used Charlotte Meentzen products from Germany, one of the pioneers of natural cosmetics.

Today, modern technology and research document the many benefits of plant extracts in skin care products. Firming skin tissue while moisturizing, promoting circulation and cell growth and reducing the risk of infection -these are just a few of the benefits of modern plant cosmetics.

The moisturizing facial started with the make-up removing and cleansing. Peeling cream was used to deeply sweep away dead skin cells and purify the skin.

It was followed by cucumber softener toner that was to cleanse, tone and refresh dehydrated skin again and prepare it for the next steps.

The 15-minute facial massage was the most relaxing part. The mix of vitamin massage cream and vitamin skin oil cared for the skin with pure natural plant extracts and vitamins.

The 20-minute application of cucumber cream mask containing fresh cucumber extract and moisturizing complex followed. The facial was completed with the application of orchid lotion, a high content of gentle caring substances to protect and moisturize the skin. Extracts of liquorice and the lotus flower have an anti-inflammatory effect and help firm the skin.

Chen said young girls would like Charlotte Meentzen range of beauty products because its selection of high quality products can provide protection and regenerate the skin.

Women over 25 years old are recommended to choose La Colline facials. To prevent and delay the damaging effects of aging and the environment. Swiss expertise in La Colline laboratories has developed an original combination of active ingredients designed to activate cellular metabolism.

O.Spa
Location: No.598 Hengshanlu
Tel: 021-54660505