[Shanghai] The Ritz-Carlton Spa by ESPA

The Ritz-Carlton Spa by ESPA

Add: 55F, The Ritz-Carlton Pudong,  8 Century Avenue 世纪大道8号浦东丽思卡尔顿酒店55楼
Tel: 2020 1888
Hours: 9:30am-10pm
Website: www.ritzcarlton.com/shanghaipudong
Price: Signature Jade Qi Yun Treatment 1,200 RMB + 15%
Visited: Nov 2011

What does it take to be included in “Conde Nast Traveler Hot List Spas 2011“? Let’s find out by visiting The Ritz-Carlton Spa by ESPA, the one and only spa in Shanghai that made the list.

The decor at ESPA is clean and modern with crisp lines, dramatic angles, and Art Deco finishings. The entire place is done in white, but soft yellow lighting makes the space warm and welcoming.

At the reception, a pot of soothing tea and a simple questionnaire.

Though my appointment was at 7:30pm, I was encouraged to arrive 30 minutes prior to that in order to change, relax, and utilize the facilities at the spa, and I sure did. Included in the space are a steam room, a rock sauna, an ice fountain, and a “lifestyle experience shower” with 3 different settings of water pressure and corresponding aroma (my favorite was “rainforest”). I probably would’ve arrived even earlier if I had known there’s so much to do even before the treatment began.

Ice fountain.

After having some fun with the spa facilities, I laid down in one of the ultra comfortable beds in the relaxation room, where I waited to be collected by my therapist. With an unobstructed view of the Pearl Tower and the rest of Lujiazui up from the 55th floor, it’s hard to not feel on top of the world.

After a short wait, I was led by my therapist to my treatment room. ESPA has a total of 10 rooms, each with floor-to-ceiling windows so you can enjoy the view of Shanghai even when you are in the shower.

Love the alternating hues of amber, aqua and emerald.

Then commenced the 90-minute Signature Jade Qi Yun Treatment (1,200 RMB + 15%), a package that is designed to restore “氣 Qi”, “韻 Yun”, and relieve headaches, neck pain, shoulder tension and the effect these have on the skin. It started with a deep-cleansing back exfoliation, followed by a back massage with aromatic oils. Before I even flipped over for the facial, I was already in a half dazed state of relaxation.

Then, the facial began with cleansing, gentle exfoliation, application of a soothing eye lotion, a massage with essential tea tree oil on targeted areas, and finished with an essential mineral mask, all using ESPA products. I’m not familiar with ESPA and have already forgotten all the exact product names, but you can click here to find out more about brand if you are interested. A few times during the treatment, my therapist also used a jade facial roller to help increase circulation – I don’t know how well that worked, but it certainly felt good. Just when I thought the treatment was over, my therapist proceeded to give me a scalp massage.

Here’s a sneak peek of the Harmony Suite, which can accommodate 2 guests:

And here’s the relaxation room in day light.

Pure bliss.