There's no better gift than the gift of personal services. Anytime of year, indulge mom, dad, significant other, friend or even yourself in a soothing, therapeutic massage from one of Milwaukee's finest salons and day spas. While there, pamper yourself with a hair cut, manicure, pedicure or hydrotherapy treatment. Each salon and spa does it differently, so why not try them all?

Milwaukee's best salons and day spas are found all across the town. Here are some of the best ones:

St. James Place
316 N. Milwaukee St., suite 101
(414) 271-3134

Located in the historic Third Ward next to Coquette Cafe, the salon offers a range of services including hair, waxing, makeup, pedicures, skin care, body treatments, body grooming, relaxation and imported Italian and Vienese skin and hair care products.

Actaea Works, Ltd.

Stop in for massage therapy, hydrotherapy or body treatments. If that's not enough, they also offer body works, including "baby works" for expecting mothers and a full range of skin care treatments. The spa also cuts, colors and texturizes hair, and provides complete waxing, cosmetic, and hand and foot services, as well.

Actaea is open Mon., 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; Tues.-Thurs., 9 a.m.-8 p.m.; and Fri.-Sat., 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Gift certificates are available. The Bay View location (2173 S. Kinnickinic Ave.) is had a preview open house on Feb. 2, 2006.

Stella's
5050 W. Vliet St.
(414) 933-2070
stellas5050.com

Stella's is truly a neighborhood salon. Located in the historic Washington Heights neighborhood just minutes from Downtown, this bright and airy salon serves its own special blend of gourmet coffee from the nearby Milwaukee Coffee Company. With a full range of salon services like hair design, manicure, pedicure and cosmetic services, Stella's also carries top-notch products. These include Wella's Liquid Hair, Tigi's Classic and Bed Head lines, American Crew and select A.J.'s products. .

The historic but contemporary Stella's is open Tues.-Thurs., 9 a.m.-8 p.m.; Fri., 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Gift certificates are available.

The Spa at Le Grande
8653 N. Port Washington Rd.
(414) 352-6550

The Spa at Le Grande is located in Fox Point and is truly a full-service spa, offering facial and body balance. Intimate, quiet and appealing, the mood is set with fresh flowers and soothing scents, quiet music and flickering candles. The body balance comes from a complete line of massages and body treatments, including Reiki massage and reflexology. The facial balance is a range of services, including facials, eye treatments and glycolic treatments. The Spa also provides extra balance with manicure, waxing and makeup applications.

Their most unique service is the couples massage, a relaxing and unique massage experience custom made for two, complete with flowers, chocolates and champagne.

The Spa at Le Grande is open from Tues.-Thurs., 9 a.m.-7 p.m.; and Fri.-Sat., 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

groom
714 Old World Third St
(414) 298-2076

groom is located on historic Old World Third St. in the heart of Downtown. It's got class, it's got style, it's got moxy, it's in the very cool former Lee Lewis Hat Shop in the Hotel Wisconsin, and most importantly, groom gives quality haircuts that make you look and feel great.

The salon specializes in old-school techniques and ultra-modern, overtly urban and very cool results. Your appointment at groom will be like no other haircut you've ever had. It will feature a long shampoo with a wonderful head massage, an herbal conditioning treatment, a personalized haircut, waxing and plucking, an electric clipping of your bushy eyebrows, a stern tongue-lashing about those sideburns that you haven't shaved in three months, an old-fashioned straight razor shave complete with a few slaps on the face and hot, moist towel wrappings.

groom's hours are Tues-Fri., noon-8 p.m.; Sat., 9 a.m.- 3:30 p.m.

Seven Stones Center for Wellness
1924 N. Farwell Ave.
(414) 224-1074

Located on the East Side, Seven Stones is new to the area (Spring, 2002). New and full of innovation and new ideas.

In today's society of advanced technology and high-stress demands, Seven Stones wants to return to the basics of healthy living. This requires a balance of body, mind and spirit. In striving to achieve this balance, Seven Stones wants you to experience the discipline of its yoga, meditation and natural healing. It is Seven Stones' desire to be able to offer treatments that will transcend pampering to truly enhance well being. And that they do.

Stop in for holistic body treatments, spas, massage, facials, body wax, crystal healing and more.

Open Monday 2 - 8 p.m.; Tuesday-Thursday, 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.; Sunday - Noon-5 p.m.

Azana Salon & Spa
200 N. Moorland Rd., Brookfield
(262) 784-4700

The spa at Azana offers a wide range of massage services, including Swedish, pre-natal, hot stone, aromatherapy, oriental, deep tissue and sport massages, as well as couples massage perfect for two. Get a facial, herbal wraps or other treatments.

Meanwhile, the salon serves up a full complement of hair, nail, waxing and makeup options.

Gift certificates are available as are salon and spa packages. Azana is open Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-9p.m.; Friday -9 a.m. - 7p.m. Saturday - 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

The Men's Room
4423 N. Oakland Ave.
(414) 961-9019

The Men's Room Barber Shop is the newest addition to the growing number of male specific salons opening in the Milwaukee area. But don't look for the familiar rotating red and white candy cane striped barber poll -- this is a barber shop for the 21st century.

If the name itself doesn't tell you that this place is all for guys, the pictograph of male symbol you find on the door of a public restroom should be your second big clue. You definitely feel like you are walking into a space designed for the contemporary male when you first enter The Men's Room. Once seated you will notice an unapologetically male magazine selection. No Elle or Martha Stewart here, guys. And there is always a bowl of snacks to munch on while you wait.

Unlike a traditional barber shop or local Supercuts that can have you sporting the latest buzz cut in a matter of minutes, Trish and the rest of the staff at The Men's Room try hard to make the whole experience relaxing and enjoyable.

In today's hectic lifestyles of the busy man,45 minutes at The Men's Room can be nearly as rejuvinating as a trip to the Spa for a good rub down.

The Men's Room is open Tues., 9-7 p.m.; Wed., 10-8 p.m.; Thurs., 9-8 p.m.; Fri., 9-6 p.m.; Sat., 9-4 p.m.

Neroli
325 E. Chicago St.

3885 Brookfield Rd., Brookfiel

5714 Bayshore Dr.
(414) 227-2888

With its first location set in the heart of the Third Ward, Neroli is a full-service hair salon offering haircuts, perms, colorings and scalp and hair treatments. They also offer manicures, pedicures, makeup, facials, skin care treatments and waxings.

But this is a haven for the entire body and no limb or body part is left out in the cold. Neroli also offers hydrotherapy, a whirlpool and steam room, a Vichy/Scotch shower, spa body treatments, massage therapy, bridal services and more.

Luxurious locker rooms are appointed with showers, robes, slippers and an assortment of products for your use.

There are other special services for men and bridal parties. Corporate and group packages are available as are gift certificates. There is complimentary parking in the Historic Third Ward parking structure, weekdays from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. The Brookfield location is in the sparkling Towne Center complex and the Bayshore location is a hit with customers at the newly-remodeled mall.

Hours are Mon.-Thurs., 9 a.m.-9 p.m.; Fri.-Sun., 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Kohler Waters Spa
Kohler
(866) 928-3777

Kohler Waters Spa, adjacent to The American Club, opened in 2000 and features 21 treatment rooms, a 96-degree central tiled pool with an eight-foot cascading wall of water, men's and women's lounge with private sauna and steam room, a boutique and a full-service finishing salon for hair styling, makeup and nail treatments.

The spa offers a menu of 52 services with particular emphasis on therapeutic water treatments including bathing, body treatments, massages, and salon amenities. Signature treatment rooms include a Two-gether Room, Riverbath Room, s_k Room, Renaissance Bath room, Still Waters Room and the relaxation pool located in the central area of the spa.

The Kohler Waters Spa is open Mon. – Fri. 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sat. and Sun. 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Click here to read more about Kohler Waters Spa.

Erik of Norway Beauty Salon
1505 W. Mequon Rd. in Mequon
(262) 241-5111

www.erikofnorway.com

A fixture for four decades, the salon has added a new spa, offering services such as aqua polish, aroma body wrap, customized body masque, back treatment, stone massage therapy and firmative action facials.

The environment is natural and quiet, with a smoked glass door serving as transition between salon and spa. The floors, colors, tones and textures are designed to feel Zen-like. Clients begin their treatment by creating their spa formulas at the blending bar. You can personalize the types and intensities of aromas, grades of textures and blends.