Spa Mandalay at the Manadalay Bay Resort,
Las Vegas- 10.2.12
My birthday had arrived and it has
been a while since I have been out of town or tried a new spa, so when I booked
my stay at the Mandalay Bay Hotel in Las Vegas I was also very excited to set
up a spa appointment in conjunction with my room reservation. The staff at the hotel and the spa were pleasant
on the phone and in person. When I was
making my reservation I had the choice between 2 different spas—Spa Mandalay
and The Bathhouse. From the pictures
online you could see that Spa Mandalay was the more elaborately designed spa
with a series of whirlpools, koi fish status and Grecian decor filling the
space. The Bathhouse was much more
minimalist using materials like concrete tile and low lighting. So with my 2 choices I opted for the Spa
Mandalay, while I like the minimalist décor I really wanted to feel pampered
for my birthday so I chose the more decorative spa of the two. The website for both spas on the Mandalay Bay
hotel website was very underwhelming nonetheless the few pictures that were
available online looked amazing so I was definitely looking forward to the
experience.
The entrance to spa was on the lower level of the hotel. The space, however, still felt very light with high ceilings. It felt as if I were entering a secret, Grecian bathhouse for the gods. The front desk attendants were pleasant but not memorable. I received a quick tour of the general facilities in the space and given my locker key. The locker room was very spacious but very bright. I personally like a little bit more of a low lit environment when dressing and undressing at a spa. I do not like to feel as if the locker room is shared by the fitness facilities. I arrived early so I would have time to enjoy the whirlpool and steam room before my massage. Both the steam room and the whirlpool were very clean, spacious and tranquil. The size and the elaborateness in the spa design definitely had me feeling like I was in Las Vegas!
The massage was serene and pleasant, along with the room but I do not remember my masseuse having much personality. After my massage was complete I enjoyed the whirlpool and steam room again, and spent some time in the large vanity room they offered getting ready. They had everything you would need to feel fresh, moisturized and renewed. The underwhelming points in the visit were the relaxation room, the boutique, and the website along with the treatment choices. While it was overall a relaxing and pleasant spa experience I can say I have definitely had better. Spa Mandalay receives a gold star for décor, facilities and cleanliness but the service needs refreshing.
Bliss Spa at the W Hotel, Midtown Atlanta- 9.2.11
Las Vegas- 10.2.12
Spa Design & Decor- 3.5 of 5 blossoms
Service/Hospitality- 3.5 out of 5 blossoms
Body Treatments- 4 out of 5 blossoms
Prices- $$$
Website- 3 out 5 blossoms
Cleanliness- 4 out of 5 blossoms
Overall experience- 3.6 out of 5 blossoms
The entrance to spa was on the lower level of the hotel. The space, however, still felt very light with high ceilings. It felt as if I were entering a secret, Grecian bathhouse for the gods. The front desk attendants were pleasant but not memorable. I received a quick tour of the general facilities in the space and given my locker key. The locker room was very spacious but very bright. I personally like a little bit more of a low lit environment when dressing and undressing at a spa. I do not like to feel as if the locker room is shared by the fitness facilities. I arrived early so I would have time to enjoy the whirlpool and steam room before my massage. Both the steam room and the whirlpool were very clean, spacious and tranquil. The size and the elaborateness in the spa design definitely had me feeling like I was in Las Vegas!
The massage was serene and pleasant, along with the room but I do not remember my masseuse having much personality. After my massage was complete I enjoyed the whirlpool and steam room again, and spent some time in the large vanity room they offered getting ready. They had everything you would need to feel fresh, moisturized and renewed. The underwhelming points in the visit were the relaxation room, the boutique, and the website along with the treatment choices. While it was overall a relaxing and pleasant spa experience I can say I have definitely had better. Spa Mandalay receives a gold star for décor, facilities and cleanliness but the service needs refreshing.
Bliss Spa at the W Hotel, Midtown Atlanta- 9.2.11
Spa Design & Decor- 4.5 of 5 blossoms
Service/Hospitality- 5 out of 5 blossoms
Body Treatments- 4.5 out of 5 blossoms
Prices- $$
Website- 5 out 5 blossoms
Cleanliness- 5 out of 5 blossoms
Overall experience- 4.8 out of 5 blossoms
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| Changing room-lockers provided with robes |
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| The Vanity offers Bliss Spa products to try! |
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| Relaxation Area, read, have a snack or simply chill |
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| Bliss provides a super chic nail care area. Enjoy! |
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| The Treatment room where relaxation is cultivated |
The Spa at Peninsula Hotel in Chicago- 8.23.11
Spa Design & Decor- 4.5 of 5 blossoms
Service/Hospitality- 5 out of 5 blossoms
Body Treatments- 4.5 out of 5 blossoms
Prices- $$
Website- 5 out 5 blossoms
Cleanliness- 5 out of 5 blossoms
Overall experience- 4.8 out of 5 blossoms
The Spa at Peninsula Hotel in Chicago was definitely a cut above the rest. It had a more earthy quality in the decor than I had initially expected but overall the space was beautifully designed and done with the utmost taste. The customer service was also impeccably hospitable and gracious. But the most exciting part of the Peninsula Spa experience was the treatment I received. I experienced the body envelopment detoxifying mud wrap in a luxurious body treatment suite complete with a state of the art shower.
My esthetician was great a explaining the entire process to me as I went through the experience. The body envelopment treatment started off with a gentle body brushing, this process felt great. I never new that I would enjoy being brushed but I did! Then the therapist moved on to a body scrub which was then gently wiped off with a hot towels. After the body scrub I was then thoroughly painted with a detoxifying mud mask. Immediately after I was wrapped in foil and then in a body warmer. I felt like I was being prepared for the oven. The process is actually very similar to preparing a magnificent roast duck. I digress. Once I was all wrapped up in mud, foil and in a thermal blanket, I marinated for about 15 minutes during which time I received a wonderfully relaxing head massage.
The process was completed by taking a shower, rinsing off all the mud and lathering with the spa's signature product line Espa shower gel. Once I toweled off my esthetician re-entered the room to massage a relaxing and aromatic body oil into my skin. While I was at the Spa at the Peninsula Hotel I also experienced the relaxation room and the steam room, both of which were greatly relaxing and rejuvenating experiences had in style.
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| Relaxation Room |
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| Treatment Room |
Dana Spa at the Dana Hotel & Spa, Chicago IL-8.22.11
Spa Design & Decor- 4 of 5 blossoms Service/Hospitality- 4.5 out of 5 blossoms
Body Treatments- 4 out of 5 blossoms
Prices- $$
Website- 4 out 5 blossoms
Cleanliness- 5 out of 5 blossoms
Overall experience- 4.5 out of 5 blossoms
The spa was not as large as I had initially anticipated when we first arrived but it actually turned out to be quite nice—cozy chic is the best way to describe it. Once we had checked in we were given a brief tour of the spa and shown to the locker room where we changed into robes and spa sandals. Next stop was the steam room, which was small but a great decompressor to prepare for the relaxing treatments that awaited. Once we were steamed and beginning to relax we were escorted to the relaxation room where we sipped on strawberry-cucumber water and lounged.
My masseur, Tim, was very polite and informative about the whole process. I was receiving an Aromatherapy massage and an Energizing Leg and Foot treatment that day. Tim relaxed my muscles immediately filling the room with the luxuriously tranquil scent that I had chosen at check-in. Wonderfully serene spa music played in the background and I was really able to completely let go of all the stresses of the outside world. I love reaching this point in a massage, because this when you know the spa has allowed you to come to a truly pure state of serenity and rejuvenation. The second half of my day was spent having an invigorating scrub and mask applied to my legs and feet. The mood was much more light-hearted and gregarious amongst the masseuse and me, but nevertheless relaxing and enjoyable.
At the end of the trip I steamed again and redressed. Best of all, I bought myself a treat! lotion, body wash, bath salts and oil from the spa product line that was used at Dana Spa, called Zents. Zents is a wonderfully aromatic and deeply soothing product line with Shea butter as the base ingredient of the product. Overall, the experience was delightful and just what I had been hoping for. Dana Hotel and Spa is a necessary extra when visiting Chicago and looking for affordable relaxation.
Sole Spa, Buckhead, Atlanta - 7.17.11
Spa Design & Decor- 4 of 5 blossoms
Service/Hospitality- 2.5 out of 5 blossoms
Body Treatments- 4.5 out of 5 blossoms
Prices- $$
Website- 3 out 5 blossoms
Cleanliness- 4 out of 5 blossoms
Overall experience- 3.5 out of 5 blossoms
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| Provided by: Sole Spa @ solespaatlanta.com |
The spa experience was definitely like no other I have had before. Where do I begin...hmmm. I will start out by saying overall it was seriously relaxing. However, I was not quite prepared for the type of treatment I was going to be receiving. I made an appointment for 2 hours, which included a 1 hour reflexology massage with a foot soak and a 1 hour body massage. When I made the appointment it sounded very exciting. I could feel myself relaxing already. When I first arrived I was not properly greeted and the receptionist seemed to be quite flustered with other duties. The waiting area was very small but quaint and the design was bright and simple. The walls were white and there was an accent wall with recesses and small sculptural pieces placed inside. It was nice but nothing to call home about. It did not tell the story of the rest of the design of the spa at all.
Once I was finally greeted and escorted into the back the elements of the spa's design changed completely. It was gorgeous! When you first walked in it was very dark and it took time for my eyes to adjust but the first thing prevalent thing that I noticed was a two-story high brick wall with small tea lights, candles and golden buddha statues scaling all the wall up the wall. It was beautiful and very serene. There were massage beds all out in the open in groups of two with dark wooden frames and crisp white sheets. They weren't so much massage beds as they were reclining massage chairs with an ottomans to accompany them.
Initially, I was unsure of where I was going or what to expect. The staff was of Asian-decent and the masseuse guiding me did not appear to speak much English. I saw two women getting massages together and they seemed quite relaxed. Finally, I was instructed to sit on one of the reclining massage chairs and then the masseuse left me. I didn't know what was going on until he returned with a round wooden bucket of warm water with fresh lemon inside at which time he made me recline, set my purse aside and placed my feet in the warm water to soak. It was the perfect temperature and felt great.
Once I started to feel settled and just beginning to wonder where was the masseuse a woman came out and began washing my feet and legs. Then she dried me off and proceeded to give me one of the best foot and leg massages of my life! It was the first time I had received a Reflexology Foot Massage and it was very thorough and relaxing. (See Massage Therapy 101 to learn more about Reflexology.) Once that was finished I was instructed to turn face down while they fully reclined the massage bed. They removed the pillow my head was placed on and underneath was a hole in the bed cushioned in leather for me to place my face in. It was a very cool massage bed, one I had never experienced before. The body massage I received consisted of an Acupressure technique that honed in on the meridian lines throughout the body.
Overall, the experience was quite unique, and it consisted of a lot of highs and lows. The "lows" being poor customer service and hospitality and the "highs" being great design quality and massage technique. I would recommend this spa for the quality of massage, and the prices of their treatments are very good for what you get. Just don't expect to be treated like a celebrity of even a reality tv star.
Message Heights, Charlotte, NC - 7.9.11
Spa Design & Decor- 3.0 out of 5 blossoms
Service/Hospitality- 4 out of 5 blossoms
Body Treatments- 4.5 out of 5 blossoms
Prices- $$
Website- 3.5 out 5 blossoms
Cleanliness- 5 out of 5 blossoms
Overall experience- 4 out of 5 blossoms
Sometimes you need a Mother-Daughter Day. It's a time to reconnect, share life experiences with one another and seek advice from a trusted confidant. Just this past weekend I was able to have the pleasure of my mother's company. During that time we visited Massage Heights, a franchise spa company, for a couples massage. I have been familiar with franchise spas for sometime now, and I must say that my initial impression was that it would be a less personal experience. Well, in this case, I was incorrect. The spa was welcoming, intimate and peaceful. When we first arrived we were greeted by a calming atmosphere full of light, pleasant aroma and a kind staff.
Once we were greeted, we filled out a quick survey and had a cool glass of cucumber infused water. We were then lead to the relaxation area to wait for our masseuse. Now being that I am an interior designer I have a high expectation of the decor in the entry area, the relaxation room, the treatment rooms and the restrooms. The atmosphere is very much a part of giving the client a luxurious experience and relaxing feel. While the relaxation room was indeed relaxing with some ambiance it definitely lacked decor that exuded luxury. It was very basic and needed the finesse of a designer's eye. Although I have criticism of the relaxation room that is where it ends. The rest of the experience was nothing but a pleasure. Both my mother and I's therapist were very gracious, respectful and informative. The couple's massage room was very clean and quite adorable. It possessed all the ambiance the bare bones relaxation area lacked.
The treatment I received consisted of a Coconut-Mojito Aromatherapy massage with a Hot Stone treatment and a mango-infused Foot Scrub. My massage therapist applied the perfect pressure for me throughout the entire experience and the hot stones were a wonderful way to expressly relax my muscles and relieve my stress. At the end of the massage my mother and I both felt renewed and energized . I am happy I was able to share this time with my mom at the spa and I look forward to trying Massage Heights' services in other locations.
Blue MedSpa, Midtown Atlanta-6.16.11
Spa Design & Decor- 3.5 out of 5 blossoms
Service/Hospitality- 3.5 out of 5 blossoms
Body Treatments- 3 out of 5 blossoms
Prices- $$$
Website- 3.5 out 5 blossoms
(my biggest pet pev is not listing pricing)
Cleanliness- 2.5 out of 5 blossoms
When I first arrived to the Blue MedSpa I was more excited than ever. I had passed the crisp white contemporary building with the gorgeously cool and serene water feature out front more than a handful of times now; and I was finally getting to walk past the immaculate water feature in to the front doors. Right away I was greeted by a staff member with a smile. The front reception also doubled as a products boutique. There was one simple glass table with two chairs that she placed me at to fill out a survey/questionairre on a computerized tablet based on the services I had planned to receive. Once I had completed the survey I was escorted upstairs to the relaxation area to wait to be greeted by my massage therapist. As I climbed the stairs my anticipation mounted. The relaxation area was nicely lit but ultimately less than thrilling and actually quite snug.
The massage therapist came out to greet me and was very pleasant. She brought me into the room and reviewed the services I was to receive, which included an aromatherapy Swedish massage; she asked me what areas I wanted to concentrate on and how I like the pressure. After the very brief consultation she left the room for me to disrobe. As I was getting comfortable in the room I noticed that it was awfully chilly, I chose to just suck it up and hoped that under the blanket was much more cozy. A HUGE turn off for me was when I went to lie my face in the massage table headrest I felt the interior of the padding was damp. This immediately grossed me out. Once the massage therapist returned to the room I let her know and she immediately attended to the problem and apologized.
Overall, the massage was nice but by far not the best I had ever had. The atmosphere was appropriate but there were lots of little things that kept on distracting me from my ultimate relaxed state. 1) the cold air conditioning 2) the noise from the adjacent room; I kept hearing people talking in the room next to me and at one point I think someone accidentally tried to bring another client into my room during my massage! 3) I felt the cleanliness of the whole space was questionable, from the damp pillow to the restrooms, they were nicely designed, but poorly kept.
In all, the experience was slightly less than pleasant but not horrible. I would have to say that I have no desire to return to what seemed like "a midtown haven" that only turned out to be " midtown mediocre" experience.
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| Provided by: Blue MedSpa @ bluemedspa.com |
Serenity Spa, Panama City Beach, Florida - 6.10.11
Spa Design & Decor- 4 out of 5 blossoms
Service/Hospitality- 5 out of 5 blossoms
Body Treatments- 4.5 out of 5 blossoms
Body Treatments- 4.5 out of 5 blossoms
Prices- $$$ ( very reasonable for what's included)
Website- 4 out 5 blossoms
Cleanliness- 5 out of 5 blossoms
Overall experience- 4.5 out of 5 blossoms
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Serenity Spa is the only four star spa in the Panama City Beach area...and I know why! The Serenity Spa experience was like eating a whipped piece of heaven, absolutely delectable. The service was superior from the moment I picked up the phone to make the reservations two months in advance. Serenity Spa is a part of the Bay Point Marriott Golf and Spa Resort in Panama City Beach. Although, anyone can make a spa appoint and enjoy their services. What is unique about the spa is the quality of service that is received and the amenities they offer. When my BFF and I first arrived we checked in at the front desk and were immediately greeted by the spa receptionist. She gave us a tour of the spa, reviewed our services with us and let us know what to expect throughout our stay. As a patron of the spa, whether you receive a slew of services like we did (we were on vacation, what can I say) or a simple mani/pedi, all of the amenities of the spa are available to you. The amenities included: the relaxation lounge with 4 large chaise lounges and a beverage station, the locker room and change area, a large whirlpool, a sauna, steam room with menthol, rain showers, and an outdoor pool.
We haven't even gotten to the spa services yet! Once we were acclimated with the space we were each given our locker key, robes, and spa shoes. We had about a 10 minute wait in the relaxation room before our services began. I received a Swedish Massage, a Relaxing Lavender Salt Glow, the Essential Manicure and Essential Pedicure. This experience took half a day and I loved every minute of it. The atmosphere was very quiet and had a serene ambiance with that type of lighting that simply makes you glow in every mirror you walk past. The space was just as a spa should be. The estheticians we supremely professional and pleasant. Each esthetician I saw that day seemed to be very knowledgeable about the body and the muscular system. One esthetician even expressed to me how much she loved her job!
During the 45 minute break we had between our body treatments and our manicure and pedicure. We took the time to relax in the whirlpool and the steam room. Each felt private and luxurious. The spa was really a place where you could forget all your problems and release all your tension and become immersed in relaxation from head to toe. The final half of our stay felt a bit different from the first. The manicures and pedicures are performed in a room that is full of light, the mood was equally as pleasant but took me out of that tranquil trance the main spa had previously put me in. It was a great way to end the experience.
Oh and FYI on Friday afternoons they have a wine and cheese hour that is a fabulously delicious way to cure the hunger that is built up from being pampered all day. The experience was so fantastic the next day I had to go back and get one more spontaneous Neck, Back and Shoulder Massage before I left and that happened to be the most awesome treatment I had. Oh and a little more soak time in the whirlpool ;)
So, if you plan to visit the sugar white sand beaches of Panama City and have fun filled days in the sun, then
plan to take a retreat to the Serenity Spa. And relax!
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| Provided by: Serenity Spa @ marriottbaypoint.com |
