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Discover the beauty pick of the week from Essence, The Spa on Mission Bay at the Hilton San Diego Resort.

The Balinese massage at Essence Spa in Mission Bay was the perfect total relaxation solution to my hectic week. My Balinese massage consisted of Asian acupressure technique and Swedish strokes, a universal offering of everything one could want in a massage.

Did you know:

The Asian focus applies pressure to various points of the body to relieve stress and give energy, while the Swedish approach is to apply long strokes and rolls throughout the whole body.

My visit at Essence began by sipping deliciously refreshing lemon water in the relaxation room. A giant sectional sofa covered with oversized pillows stuffed with down feathers outlined the relaxation room, along with a beverage cart offering assorted teas, water, and coffee. As I lounged on the sofa, Olivia, my masseuse, welcomed and whisked me away to the woman's locker room, which is just as impressive as the relaxation room.

The locker room resembles a celebrity dressing room, with a fully stocked vanity, a tile-adorned shower, and a steamy sauna. I quickly changed into my white robe and slippers, and met up again with Olivia, who then escorted me up a short flight of stairs to a balcony, where a single room awaited my arrival.

The room was adorned with a delicate massage table fitted with brown satin-silk sheets and scattered rose petals. The lights were perfectly dim and I opted for a ginger-scented oil rub.

Now, for the best part:

Face down in the cool sheets, Olivia began the Balinese ritual with dry acupressure in my upper back and neck area, where most of us carry tension. What was truly fascinating is when she touched particularly tight pressure points on my back, I felt the tension exit through my head. I felt a brief headache for about one second, followed by instant relief. It was amazing. From there on, it was pure enjoyment and relaxation, as scents of ginger filled the room.

After my massage, I sat in the sauna for 15 minutes, followed by a refreshing shower. I walked out of Essence, The Spa on Mission Bay, rejuvenated and ready to conquer new challenges.

Did you know:

In traditional Hindu culture, forty days before a woman is married she is given a Balinese massage every day, as a cleansing ritual, until the day of her wedding. Lucky ladies!

Want to be a San Diego beauty insider? Read our weekly San Diego spa and salon exclusives to stay up to date with the hottest beauty trends. Try the Balinese massage at Essence, The Spa on Mission Bay, and more top San Diego spa treatments for only $50 during Spa Week, September 17-23, 2007.