USP Savana positions itself as more of a holistic health centre than simply an urban day spa. Alongside the expected facials and pampering, one can also book a hypnotherapy or CranialSacral therapy session with one of the visiting therapists.

The philosophopy is to help look after the mind, body and spirit of the local community and the majority of spa treatments use natural products. When it opened a couple of years ago, it was the only one in London that offered the organic Eminence range. It also has an exclusive Crabtree & Evelyn skin conditioning massage treatment developed in-house by the head therapist.

The opening hours, from 10am to 9pm, accommodate most folk and the spa welcomes couples, with special massage workshops. It's also unusual in having quite a high number of male clients; some 35 to 40 per cent of its customer base is male. This is in part thanks to its complimentary health offer, but also because it has designed a number of specific treatments that may appeal to men, including a jet lag relief treatment.

AMBIENCE We arrived after work, on a cold and rainy midweek night and took immediately to the lovely smell of scented candles and the calm of subdued lighting. The spa is in the basement and as we walked downstairs it felt as though we were leaving the outside world behind. It has a communal area where you can sit and relax pre- and post-treatment sipping chilled water or nibbling at fruit.

BACKGROUND

• Top 10 family spas in Britain

• London spa guide

• 5 spas for city pep-ups

East River Spa, Docklands, London

A Thameside urban retreat with express treatments for frazzled city workers and a mud bath for two

• Top 5 London day spas

You feel a little bit cocooned in the area, which is again lit with twinkling candles. The effect is that you start to unwind before you have even entered one of the five treatment rooms leading off the central spa area. The decor is neutral but certainly not clinical. In the treatment room the stereo system was playing ambient music, but you can ask the therapist to turn it off or request a different sound.

QUALITY OF EXPERIENCE As the spa is so male-friendly I decided to take my friend Anthony along to see what he thought of the experience. He had the most indulgent treatment, a chocolate rub & wrap, while I had an Eminence facial.

Savana has around 30 therapists it can call upon each specialising in their own fields – whether spa and beauty treatments, massage therapy or complementary health treatments. However, the idea is that all of the therapists learn from each other as well as attending in-house and external courses. This means that your spa therapist really knows her stuff.

Anthony was very impressed with the quality of his treatment. First of all the therapist applied the skin conditioning chocolate mixture, which he said was like having a melted chocolate wax painted onto his body. He was then covered in a special Clingfilm-type wrap, with heated towels placed over him. He described it as being tucked up in a chocolate bed and that it smelt divine.

It's not just a treatment for the chocoholic, his therapist explained, but an excellent way to purge toxins and exfoliate with the brown sugar, then hydrate the skin with the cocoa properties. The mixture was showered off, and Anthony had a full-body massage with cocoa butter, which helps to protect the skin against the weather and further hydrates it.

He said the whole session was "magical" and his skin was glowing following the treatment. He also felt that the spa was very welcoming for a man and he would happily return on his own.

My facial was equally beneficial. My skin had felt like paper for the past couple of weeks and I explained to my therapist Jemma that it was feeling quite dry but prone to blemishes. Jemma assessed my skin and declared that my pores were quite enlarged, which would account for the break-outs. But she reassured me that my skin, despite its feel, was in good condition.

After cleansing with a lemon cleanser, which would help the brightening process, she toned with a wild-plum product that helps to alleviate any puffiness. An almond and mineral mask was applied to boost the circulation and remove dead skin cells. It made my skin tingle but while it was on, Jemma turned her attention to my feet.

This was one of the loveliest treatments I've ever had. Oil was massaged into my feet, which were then covered and left to soak up the yummy smelling mixture. It's worth pointing out here that all of the products used smelt wonderfully fresh and energising.

Once the mask was cleaned away, she used a very hydrating moisturiser. My face had a great colour to it, and after a light dusting with mineral powder, I felt like I had completely new skin.

FOOD Savana does not have a kitchen on site, but it can arrange for food to be brought in if you are planning a special event.

IN CROWD As the spa offers such a wide range of treatments and is open until late in the evening, it has a broad client base. It attracts the busy city worker, couples, mothers and children and ladies who lunch. It has a crèche service twice a week and can offer child-friendly treatments. It is also very big on packages, from corporate to couple's massage workshops and hen parties.

WALLET WATCH Anthony felt the chocolate rub & wrap, at £95 for 75 minutes, was so good and so worth the money that he bought one for his mother. Before I had the facial, I thought £95 was a little overpriced - that's how much an Eve Lom facial would cost. But after the treatment, I changed my mind. As the facial also involves a foot treatment and massage, and good advice from the therapist, I thought it was well worth the money.

Of particular value is the Spa Escape package for up to 10 people. It's £130 each, but you get exclusive use of the spa and treatment rooms for over three hours and each guest has two 25 minute treatments and one 55 minute treatment.

NEED TO KNOW Savana Urban Spa, 45 Hereford Road, Westbourne Grove, London, W2 5AH (0207 229 8300; www.savanaspa.com)

For more than 250 independent spa reviews click here: timesonline.co.uk/goodspaguide

Times recommends

• The three best routes to the Med
• How to cash in on your holiday money
• 10 tips for the perfectly packed suitcase