Francesca Syz reveals where to go in the world"s fashion capitals for the best pampering treatments

MILAN

Armani/Spa, Armani Hotel

Best for: body treatments

Giorgio Armani personally designed every aspect of this hotel, which opened last year on Via Manzoni in Milan"s fashion district. The result is ridiculously slick, with rich, sensual textiles in muted, dusky colours, beautiful marble floors and striking, sculptural furniture. The spa has all this, with the most amazing panoramic views of Milan thrown in. Located at the top of the hotel, it has floor-to-ceiling windows through which you can spot your favourite iconic buildings. "Ah yes, the Duomo," you can purr from your city-facing daybed by the heated pool. De-stress with a detoxifying Fluidita massage (€115 for 50 minutes), which uses jade body oil to boost lymphatic circulation and flush away toxins, leaving you feeling svelte and gorgeous.

00 39 02 8883 8888; www.armanihotels.com. Doubles from €605

NEW YORK CITY

Auriga Spa, The Setai Fifth Avenue

Best for: body treatments

Just two blocks north of the Empire State Building, The Setai soars more than 60 storeys above the city"s most exclusive shopping street. The holistic Auriga Spa has partnered with the brilliant British Organic Pharmacy to offer four treatments focused on phases of the moon. We love the fragrant Full Moon treatment ($555 for 180 minutes), a total toe-to-head makeover which includes a delicious rose-oil foot massage, a zingy body exfoliation, a deep-cleansing rose wrap and, to finish, a relaxing massage and lymphatic facial. Don"t miss a stint in the rather extraordinary ice cave (Manhattan"s first).

00 1 212 695 4005; www.capellahotels.com/newyork. Doubles from $1,032

PARIS

Spa My Blend by Clarins, Le Royal Monceau-Raffles, Paris

Best for: facials

After some astonishingly imaginative wand-waving by Philippe Starck, this hotel emerged as an utterly decadent, art-filled riot of colour, pattern and texture - his interpretation of 1930s Paris. Then came the spa: an ethereal, snow-white world of plush lounging spaces, the longest swimming pool in any Paris hotel and fabulous treatments by Clarins. Try the Balance of Power face treatment by My Blend (€295 for 105 minutes), which uses a combination of eight creams and seven boosters, chosen by the therapist from a possible 400.

00 33 1 42 9989 00; www.raffles.com/paris. Doubles from Ј650

LONDON

The Bulgari Spa, Bulgari Hotel

Best for: pedicures

With its impossibly glamorous, polished black granite floors and glossy sapele mahogany walls, first impressions of the Bulgari are that it"s very masculine and businessy in that inimitable Italian way. The two-floor subterranean spa, however, is a more serene affair, lined in sandblasted Vicenza stone and green onyx. The marble alone is resplendent, like crazy webs of backlit brilliance. There are 12 treatment rooms, where you can indulge in ESPA classics or one of the therapies created specifically for Bulgari. Spoil yourself with a fabulous Luxury Medical Pedicure by Margaret Dabbs (Ј175 for 70 minutes).

020 7151 1055; www.bulgarihotels.com. Doubles from Ј600