USP An intimate Asian inspired spa in trendy Notting Hill that prides itself on highly qualified staff.

AMBIENCE This corner store conversion just off Ledbury Road, in fashionable Notting Hill, is a beautiful new bijou spa. Upstairs it has a cosy lounge, reception and manicure area. The main action takes place in the four treatment rooms - called Earth, FIre, Water and Air - downstairs in the basement which is surprisingly light and airy, if a little cramped. The decor is fashionable shades of chocolate brown and beige with lots of lovely Asian inspired touches like the water feature, statues of Budda and flowers.

EXPERIENCE The staff are professional, polite and friendly, and didn't bombard me with too much pseudo science. One of the selling pooints of the spa is that all the therapists are CIDESCO trained - a spa and beauty qualification recognised by the British International Spa Association.

My hour-long lymphatic drainage massage was gentle and relaxing. The idea is that gentle massage along the backs of your legs and back will aid the explusion of toxins. I'm not sure about the toxins, which I'm sure my liver can deal with, but the massage gave me a very deep feeling of wellbeing and relaxation.

The real treat though was the yoga pedicure which was 60 minutes of pure heaven. This pedicure is a combination of the spa's deluxe pedicure and a mini reflexology massage. My feet were covered in a hydrating mask and slipped inside heated booties which was a great look but left my feet feeling soft and squidgy. Included in the price were some wonderful Beech Sandals - yoga flip flops which by spreading the toes with four separators on each foot helps posture and balance - and also shows off your new feet nicely as you walk out of the spa.

The neatest thing, though, has to be the AromaSteam capsule - a steam bath in your very own personal space-age looking pod - choose your essential oil, sit inside on the bench for one, close the door and enjoy a 15-minute aromatic steam experience without fear of being bothered by others.

The spa uses Dermalogica and Elemis products for its facials and body treatments, and OPI products and polishes for manicure and pedicures. It also offers the option of So Yummy chocolate wax for its wax treatments which I'm told smells good enough to eat.

If I was being really picky I'd say the treatment room walls were a tad too thin which meant the generic spa music was competing with the voices of other guests, although in a spa this small there aren't too many of those.

FOOD Lashings of healthy green tea and fruit, which was balanced nicely by the chocolate brownies on offer on the day I visited.

IN CROWD You couldn't fit a crowd in here. The staff are sworn to secrecy by, I'm told, Notting Hill fashionsitas, singers and actors who regularly come here to relax and buff up. But the yoga sandal proved a big hit on Oprah, apparently.

WALLET WATCH Lymphatic drainage massage £65; Yoga Pedicure £75 (the sandals can be bought separately for £25); an hour and 45 minutes Yummy Mummies package costs £150 and includes plenty of anti-ageing treats. The spa is also availabe for private pampering parties.

NEED TO KNOW Pacifica Day Spa, 1 Courtnell Street, Notting Hill, London, W2 5BU (020 7243 1718; www.pacificadayspa.co.uk)

For more than 200 reviews of spas worldwide visit Times Online's Good Spa Guide

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