Senso Massage

Senso Massage (“顺道” SENSO) has made a concerted effort to hit all of the aspects of a massage experience that are important to western guests.  First, the location on Nanchang Road (南昌路) is perfect after a day of boutique shopping in the neighborhood.  More importantly, the interior is clean, warm, and creatively decorated.  Guests are welcomed in and invited to sit on couches in front of a faux fire place, which lets out heat created from a hidden electric heater. Above the fire a flat screen TV shows relaxing seascapes while guests browse a menu of massages.  Music lightly plays in the background, helping you completely remove yourself from the bustling Chinese world outside.
  
The “menu” of massages is displayed in an upscale handmade book with options written in Chinese and English. While the prices may be a little higher than the average, the ambiance makes it worthwhile. I also feel that the massages I have had here have been of superior quality to other places I have tried. I recommend the Oriental Full-Body Massage at 128RMB for 1 hour (全身128元一小时).  For those new to Chinese massage this choice is the easiest to enjoy, as the masseuse uses a towel between her hands and your body wherever she touches you.  Furthermore, you are completely dressed. Senso provides clean, pre-packaged two-piece pajamas. Other massage parlors usually provide bathrobes.  Another popular choice is the Aromatic Oil Massage, where guests can choose from several choices of aromatherapy to alleviate various ailments. (Full body, RMB368/hr，全身368元/小时)
 
After making a selection, guests are led upstairs to one of two rooms. One room is more private and used when two guests come in together.  The other room has more beds, three or four, divided only by curtains, but the space is still very quiet and private.  After changing, the masseuse will appear with a clock to ensure that guests receive a full hour.  First lay on your stomach first for a full back side massage all the way down to the feet. Then turn over for the legs, arms, head and neck massage. The masseuses are extremely sensitive to guests’ requests, so do not hesitate to ask them to avoid or concentrate on a specific area.  Part of what I like so much about Senso is that their goal is your utmost comfort. There is nothing questionable about what services they provide.  I’ll leave it at that.
 

Take Metro Line 1 to Shanxi Rd. Station.  Exit onto Shanxi Rd., and then head south one block to Nanchang Rd. Take a left on Nanchang Rd. and walk four blocks (about 10 minutes).  Senso will be on the left side of the street.