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)