If you’re looking to splurge, The Ritz-Carlton offers everything from facials to massages and pedicures.

While staying here, you’ll have access to their luxurious sauna and steam room before and after your treatment. The intimate rooms for two with candlelight are particularly romantic. Tucked away on the 17th floor of the Eastside Ritz-Carlton is their new spa, which promises a sophisticated retreat from the stresses of life in Beijing’s CBD.

Their chic, classical decor offers a marked contrast to the contemporary Asian style favored one on the other end of town at their hotel’s Financial Street spa location. Sharing the floor with this spa is the rather impressive state-of-the-art gym (luckily only open to hotel guests).

The advantage of the spa’s lofty location lies in the glorious light that bathes the entire floor. Whilst the current views from the treatment rooms’ balconies that tend to look out over vast construction sites, the landscape should improve as the city moves closer to the Olympics.

As far as what the spa offers, it certainly does not disappoint. With everything from basics such as foot massages (400 RMB) and manicures (300 RMB) to high-tech treatments using some fairly terrifying-looking equipment, you’re literally spoiled for choice. We decided to forgo the science bit and opted for the Ritz Fusion signature treatment (980 RMB), a 90-minute package which featured a soothing massage using a pack of heated Oriental herbs.

During our trip, the therapist here was friendly and professional, honing in on problem areas rather than sticking to a set pattern, which was greatly appreciated.

All in all, the spa offers a very civilized and soothing retreat. Spa lovers should definitely check it out.

Address: 1 Jin Cheng Fang Street East, Financial Street, Xicheng District,Xidan/Financial Street

Phone: 010-6629-6907, 010-6601-6666

Price: Traditional Chinese Massage RMB600/hr; Thai Massage RMB900/90mins;Spa pedicure RMB330/hr, Spa Mnnicure RMB280/hr; Aromatherapy Facial RMB 700/75mins

Website:www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/BeijingFinancialStreet/Spa

Free Wi-Fi internet access

Other location in Beijing:

Address: 83A Jian Guo Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100025

Phone: 010-5908-8888

Fax: 010-5908-8899

Open Hours: 11am-11pm daily

Website:www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/Beijing/Spa