Universal City Spa and Massage

Though The M Salon sits on bustling Rodeo Drive, its interior wraps visitors in zen-like calm. Cool, marble halls lead to the waiting room, decorated, like the rest of the space, in sparse black-and-white hues accentuated with bright orchids. A miniature kitchen lets stylists brew coffee and espresso, slice fruits, and pour wines and champagne as complimentary refreshments for their clients, and modern cabinets tuck away premium products by Moroccanoil, OSMO, Brazilian Blowout, Je Veux, Colure, and Grooming Lounge.

The carefully designed space was long the dream of The M Salon's owner, Marjan. Born in Tehran, she began to study cosmetology after moving to the United States and enjoyed her training so much she also pursued certifications in hairstyling and makeup. In addition to her newly learned specialties, Marjan has a passion for the ancient art of eyebrow threading, which uses carefully twisted cotton threads to gently remove unwanted body hair. Joining her in the salon, aesthetician Nelly draws from more than 15 years of experience to perform personalized facials.

After receiving her education in England and training in the salons of industry giants such as Georgette Klinger and Frederic Fekkai, Aban Patel decided it was time to create her own beauty legacy. So the Bombay native opened Abanara Skin Esthetics, where she calls upon more than two decades of experience in skincare, massage, and energy work to transform bodies inside and out. During facial treatments, she employs modern anti-aging technology—including ultrasonic waves and micro-currents that diminish fine lines—yet remains true to her holistic philosophy by handcrafting all-natural, plant-based cleansers and lotions, which she uses alongside professional products by brands such as Osmosis and Susan Ciminelli.

Patel also offers reflexology sessions designed to remedy physical ills and chakra clearing to restore energy flow to systems blocked by negative thoughts or swallowed construction horses. The tranquil spa is tucked inside a quaint cobblestone courtyard filled with natural light and potted plants, making it the perfect place for those looking to escape everyday tension or photosynthesize in private.

Guests at Relax Spa & Beauty Lounge, winner of Citysearch's Best Relaxation Massage 2008, unwind with head-to-toe treatments in a candlelit setting. Aestheticians exfoliate complexions with one of their relaxing facials, uncovering brighter skin and erasing war paint left over from games of capture the flag. A collection of massage services coaxes tension from muscles, and body treatments remove dead skin cells from the surface with handmade scrubs or a eucalyptus body wash that cleans off unwanted grime and attracts neighborhood koala bears.

Stationed within the stress-free confines of Glow Skincare, aesthetician Ashley helps her clients achieve a radiance all their own with microdermabrasion treatments, enzyme masks, and other facials that work to illuminate dull complexions. When she isn’t infusing skin with elastin molecules or brushing cheeks with an exfoliating lemongrass cleanser, Ashley swipes away unwanted hair on the face and body with strips of warm wax. Her 100% organic airbrush-tanning solution adds rich color to freshly cleansed skin without the risks of sitting in the sun or taking a dip in a vat of scalding hot fudge.

The massage therapists at Chiang Mai Health Spa knead away stress and pain with a service menu culled from the best techniques of the East and West. Like their teachers before them, the therapists specialize in Thai massage, a modality that combines vigorous massage strokes with guided stretching, and may be upgraded to incorporate warm packets of soothing Thai herbs. Traditional Western techniques include Swedish and deep-tissue massage—which help stimulate lymph flow for greater detoxification—as well as pregnancy massage, which helps ease the tension felt by expectant mothers or over-loaded storks. The spa stays open late seven days a week to accommodate busy schedules.

The staff at Body Lounge Spa cossets skin during rejuvenating facials and body wraps, and redefines nails while patrons recline in cushioned red pedicure thrones. Guests can sip a glass of wine at the beverage bar as they take in the earth-toned décor grounded in deep chocolate and caramel tones. Massage therapists then invite patrons to rooms illuminated with candles, where treatments such as the energizing Thai massage combat stress and render muscles loose enough to bound up an escalator that's going down.