Voted one of Condé Nast's best Spas in the world last year, the Spa at Mandarin Oriental was an obvious choice to cover in celebration of this month's Chinese New Year.

As the 'ultimate in urban escapism' the Spa stays true to its oriental roots in both the atmosphere it creates and the treatments it offers. Set in the basement of the Mandarin Oriental hotel, the Zen-like surroundings ensure total calmness.

The spa experience at the Mandarin Oriental is very much about me-time. With separate men's and women's spas, (as well as a couple's area) this is the place to indulge in the ultimate in red carpet pampering. And the Chinese New Year celebrations provide no better excuse than to indulge in traditional oriental treatments, either in preparation for or recovery after the festivities.

Attention to detail is obviously key at the Mandarin – guests are served a small cup of cleansing Chinese herbal tea on arrival and small tea lights decorated with oriental flowers light the way down the stairs to the changing and treatment rooms to ensure the very first experience of the spa is true to its oriental roots.

The experience begins by allowing visitors to unwind in the Zen colour therapy relaxation areas where a large, inviting fruit bowl provides a healthy, cleansing snack before beginning the treatments. The Amethyst Crystal steam room, complete with bowl of ice to cool you down after, helps you to sweat out any stresses and the hydrotherapy pool is a great way to reawaken the senses after a relaxing facial or massage.

However, it is the Mandarin's signature treatments that really bring out the background to this fabulous spa. Their Oriental Harmony treatment is the absolute ultimate in indulgence.

After a relaxing foot scrub, two therapists work together to scrub the skin before massaging different parts of the body simultaneously. This is then followed by a head massage and simultaneous reflexology foot massage. The effect of the two-hour treatment is total relaxation, allowing the mind to really switch off.

Alternatively try their Shiatsu inspired ginger ritual. Pressure on the body's Shiatsu points helps the body's energy to flow, leaving you feel relaxed and revitalised. With a focus on the kidney's pressure points, this detoxifying Shiatsu massage is an ideal way to recover from the Chinese New Year festivities.

And if you want to continue the spa experience at home, the Mandarin also has a number of Oriental skin care products that can be taken away with you. The exotically fragranced salt scrub, bath oil and body oil allow you to hold on to that relaxing feeling just that little bit longer.

The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, is launching the services of a Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner, incorporating acupuncture and homeopathy, this month. Each session lasts one hour and 30 minutes and begins with an in depth individual consultation on the guest's lifestyle and concerns in order to ascertain what is needed from the treatment. For further information visit www.mandarinoriental.com/london.