SHEX Reviews: Chuan Spa at the Langham, Yangtze Boutique

A Little History
When you first walk into the lobby of the Langham, Yangtze Boutique Hotel the word opulence springs to mind. Tony Wang, the Director of Communications dispenses Yangtze Boutique trivia on a short tour before the spa treatment begins. First opened in 1934, you are immediately transported back to the highfalutin-era of Shanghai's golden age. Restored Art Deco furniture and architecture as far as the eye can see draw you to the main stair well. Above a predominantly yellow stained glass ceiling enhanced with pinks, blues and greens the feeling is epic to say the least.

Adding to the ambiance is the hotel's rich and storied history shared with locations like The Paramount. During the infamous 1930's, these competing dance halls cared for many of the same politicians, celebrities and notorious gangsters. Pop diva YAO Li performed at the Yangtze Dance Hall for five years. Her song "Rose Rose I love You" was reprised and made most famous by Frankie Laine in 1951 reaching number 3 on the Billboard Chart Top 100. Bought by the Langham Group in 2007, restored and taken from a three star government hotel to a five star Boutique hotel, the Yangtze Boutique keeps it personal with a maximum of 96 rooms.

The Spa Experience

Beautiful art deco hotel aside, we're here for a facial in the equally lovely and decidedly more Chinese Chuan Spa. Cindy manages the spa where you are escorted into the contemplation room to enjoy a cup of tea. Dimly lit, soft yellow track lighting guides you through horse-shoe archways on a soft carpeted pathway throughout. Today we will try the Harmony Massage and Yuyuan Facial, Chuan Spa's most popular procedures.

First, have a shower, a steam, a soak in the jacuzzi and a sauna. Take your time enjoying this quiet space. Go mid-week and mid-day and chances are you'll have it all to yourself! With only four rooms, two single and two couple at the very most you'll sit in relaxed contemplation with six fellow relaxation seekers. When you're ready, an attendant will take you to a small waiting area while your facialist or masseur is summoned. Heads-up in the jacuzzi. You may need to turn up the heat. A jacuzzi just isn't a Jacuzzi if it falls below 37.8°C or 100°F.

The Harmony Massage begins with a questionnaire designed to establish personality type, general mood and physical ailments. After my questionnaire Cindy reveals my metal element must be balanced. Traditional Chinese Medicine is combined with Western massage techniques to balance the five elements of Earth, Air, Fire, Water and Metal. Oils infused with TCM and essential oils designed by a TCM doctor await to bring you to harmonized bliss.

The Yuyuan facial uses a Jade stone blade to exfoliate and detoxify the skin in combination with Thalgos products derived from the sea. These French products intensely hydrate and any Shanghai dweller with free standing heating system knows how much we need this. You'll be asked if you want the exfoliating scrub. Go for it. If all the facialist's are like the magnificent Jennifer, dead skin will be gently buffed away without discomfort. Also, if they're like Jennifer, be ready for a few startled moments. Nothing intentional. You've simply woken yourself up with some light snoring. Can't say a facial has ever lulled me to sleep before. Dreamy.

A Few Things To Look Out For:

The locker system in the change room can be a trial. Poor Cindy had to join me in the men's room for a quick tutorial. Decide on a 4-digit code, close the door, type it into the keypad and push. The buzz of the locking mechanism means your belongings are secure.

Hangers in the sauna area are limited. Don't bring a towel from outside. There's plenty of plushness neatly folded on the shelves within.

After all facials the products should be allowed to fully absorb into your skin. No showering, steaming or sauna sitting. To be fair, the allure of the herbally infused steam room is strong, at least for this pleasure seeker.

Chuan Spa at The Langham, Yangtze Boutique
740 Hankou Road, Shanghai, 200001, China
T (86) 21 6080 0800 F (86) 21 6080 0799
http://www.chuanspa.com/en/shanghai
http://yangtzeboutique.langhamhotels.com

Colin Cayer is the Features Editor for ShanghaiExpat. He moonlights as a professional spa enjoyer. If you have any questions or comments about this article, please send an email to: colin.cayer@gmail.com.