324 King Street, London W6 (020-8741 0338; www.aquasculpturespa.co.uk)

Atmosphere: Wherever the good ladies of Chiswick usually go to treat themselves, there’s competition now from this urban spa set over two floors. The decor is low-key and there’s a pleasing Portuguese theme.

Products and treatments: The highlight of the generous range has to be the time thermal capsule. Do you remember the orgasmatron in Woody Allen’s 1973 film Sleeper? Well, it’s a bit like that – a big plastic capsule into which spa-goers climb and lie down (your head stays outside the lid). At this point, the resemblance between the machines ends. The capsule allows the therapist to apply wraps for all-over body exfoliation without any awkward nonsense with cling film. Your spy opted for an aromatic, pleasingly gritty spice wrap, which was then “activated” with a lovely bath of steam, followed by a gentle “vichy shower” – more like a mist shower than a normal one. Last comes “hydrocolour”, a system of lights to help relaxation.

Highs: The background music was great (is this a first for a spa?) – a soft form of Portuguese fado. Plus, the warm shells and hot stones that came towards the end of the body massage.

Lows: The spa had only just opened so the changing facilities were a bit sparse.

Marks out of five: Four.

If you have a salon that you either love or hate, e-mail sarah.vine@thetimes.co.uk

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