Lovers Only massage at Dragon Fly Retreat
Best for a bona fide bargain.
Price: 988RMB per couple.
Dates available: Vouchers on sale until Tuesday 28 February.
What’s included: A 60-minute aroma oil massage and a 60-minute aroma oil foot massage.
Despite wearing huge paper panties in front of your partner, things don’t get much more romantic than the Lover’s Only treatment at Dragonfly’s VIP suite. All soft lighting, cushy beds and aromatic smells, the atmosphere sets the mood before the two-hour treatment gets underway. Starting with the aroma oil full-body massage, massage therapists deftly work their way down your bodies, carefully teasing out knots you didn’t even know you had. Next, it’s a foot reflexology massage that’ll leave your feet feeling like warm putty. Combining knuckles, guasha (a TCM scraping tool) and even more essential oils, massage therapists work over the feet and legs to hit key pressure points and get your blood pumping. The Lover’s Only treatment also comes with a bonus ten-minute massage lesson so you and your beau can learn the tricks of the trade.
Dragon Fly Retreat 25, B1 South Retail, Kerry Centre 1515 Nanjing Xi Lu, near Changde Lu, Jingan district.
Saint Valentine's Day Special at CHI the SPA
Best for an out-of-this-world head massage and some unbelievable ginger tea. Seriously, this tea was ridiculous.
Price: 1,888RMB, plus 15 percent service, per couple.
Dates available: Until Tuesday 28 February.
What’s included: A 90-minute Couple’s Harmony Massage, ginger tea and some sweet Valentine’s treats, plus two pairs of Lotus Spring Slippers to take home. Guests also have access to the health club facilities including the steam room, Jacuzzi and relaxation room.
This offering from the Jing An Shangri-La (West Shanghai) takes place in a sweet-smelling, dimly lit room, accented with the sound of calming music that instantly relaxes your senses upon entering. Designed to release tension, restore peace and harmonise the flow of energy between lovers, the full-body massage starts at your feet and gradually (and expertly) works its way to the back of your neck. The front body portion of the treatment may not be for everyone – we find the stomach part a bit odd – but it climaxes with a wonderful head and scalp massage that leaves you near delirious with relaxation. There’s also more tea waiting for you on your way out. Yeah, we liked the tea…
CHI the SPA Fourth Floor, Jing An Shangri-La, 1218 Yanan Zhong Lu, Tongren Lu, Jingan district.
The Peninsula Valentine's Signature Offer at The Peninsula Spa
Best for serious spa-aholics.
Price: 3,680RMB per couple.
Dates available: Friday 10 February to Sunday 19 February.
What’s included: 30 minutes in a 'romantic rose' bath, a 60-minute holistic body massage, a 60-minute ESPA facial treatment and an aromatic candle to take home.
This bumper Valentine’s treatment session at The Peninsula kicks off with a relaxing Romantic Rose Bath with your beloved, complete with artfully placed rose petals and soothing bubble streams. After a consultation with a master-masseuse – you can even choose your own smellies – you’ll enjoy an hour-long Holistic Body Massage with the pressure and intensity of your choosing and a sinfully relaxing ESPA facial and reflexology treatment. Round off the experience with a well-deserved chill out session, replete with chocolates and a glass of Champagne, in one of the dedicated relaxation rooms. You and boo will be looking and smelling good enough to eat.
The Peninsula Spa 32 Zhongshan Dong Yi Lu, near Beijing Dong Lu, Huangpu district
Romantic Valentine Retreat at Anatara Spa
Best for smooth operators.
Price: 2,999RMB, plus 10 percent service, per couple.
Dates available: Until Tuesday 28 February.
What’s included: Floral foot ritual, 30-minute DIY citrus lavender and sea salt scrub and golden mask, 90-minute aromatic massage, one Astara skin care product.
Shanghai’s spoilt when it comes to spas, but if you want to really spoil your special someone then The PuLi Hotel and Spa is the place. You and your boo will have your feet washed before having the luxurious room to yourselves whilst you apply the citrus lavender and sea salt scrub to each other, and there are showers for you to rinse off afterwards. You hit a gong when ready for your 90-minute full-body massages – beforehand you can say what areas you want given attention or avoided. The massages are excellent, as is the ambiance, and we leave feeling refreshed and thoroughly pampered.
Anatara Spa Third Floor, 1 Changde Lu, near Yanan Lu, Jingan district.
Couples Spa Journey at Waldorf Astoria Spa
Best for indulgence on all levels.
Price: 2,500RMB plus 16.6 percent service for two people.
Dates available: No end date. Whoop whoop.
What’s included: Three hours in the VIP Spa Suite, an aroma flower bath, 90-minute Oriental Stress massage, 30-minute ReFa facial treatment, a bottle of Perrier-Jouët Champagne and a Red Velvet Afternoon Tea set.
The Waldorf Astoria has really done it right with its spacious VIP Spa Suite, which at around 300 square metres feels larger than most Shanghai apartments. There's a walk-in closet and massive bathroom, with its own steam room and a whirlpool bathtub, both made for two. The Couples Spa Journey begins with a 30-minute soak in the aroma flower bath with your partner, and since you can choose to crack open your bottle of champers whenever you'd like, lean back and just enjoy all of the bubbles. After a shower and a steam, should you wish, the masseurs start in on your 90-minute oil massages and half-hour-long facials using high-end ReFa products. Each treatment is tailored to your needs, and you'll come out feeling refreshed – which is just how you want to feel before tucking into full set of The Waldorf's Red Velvet afternoon tea.
Waldorf Astoria Spa Third floor Waldorf Astoria Tower 2 Zhongshan Dong Yi Lu Guangdong Lu Huangpu district.
