Came back again after nearly 2 years, first time helped by Vivian and instantly fell in love with her hands! Love the ambience, the soft relaxing mellow music, her soft touch was in synch with the flow of music therefore it was truly relaxing! What I connected with Vivian most was that she could communicate in Cantonese when majority of the spas I've been to staffs could only converse in Mandarin, but aside from that Vivian's english was also great and not very limited at all. She personally said she takes pride in doing a great job so she could have more returning customers! I'll definitely be coming back! As for her massage, she touched my soul when she massaged my head, neck and face, she was able to tell my neck needed to be loosened up, sounds like a massage guru there! She gave my hips and feet a great stretch too! Towards the end she pointed out there's still 8 mins left out of the hour, anywhere that still needs work on? I simply said "idk" and she decided to massage my head and face once more because she knew she hit gold! Didn't missed any limbs and went the full hour! Just take my money again! Thanks again Vivian! read more

Great quality full body massage. They are the best and deserve good tips for the high quality massage. I been there many times and always was impressed by their quality service. read more

Absolutely beautiful! The massage was amazing, and the massage therapist was great! Will definitely be back

One of the best spa I've been to in Alameda people they are very nice very friendly and very professional

Last night I took my mother out to dinner for her birthday. She told me her Groupon story and like many others it was a horrible experience. I can handle unfairness and bad service when it is directed towards me but when I hear of someone taking advantage of my mother I turn psycho mode. She purchased a $99 Groupon for three one hour massages. Went into the establishment to check it out and returned the next day for a massage. The owner told her all three massages on her Groupon had already been used and she could no longer honor it. I truly wish I could have been there to stand up for my mom, she was angry and confused and left knowing she had been cheated but luckily Groupon gave her a refund. I have never seen my mother so angry at any one or business in my life and felt compelled to write a review, which if you look at my Yelp history I rarely do. Please do not support this business. There are good people in this world and I am convinced the people running Gold Spa are not in that category. read more

This was quite possibly the worst professional massage I've ever gotten in my life. It was maybe better than my husband's free massages (which are terrible), the woman was genuinely very nice, and it was cheap ($45 for an hour massage). Hence, the 2nd star. There is nothing serene or spa-like about this place though. There was a clock ticking in the massage room the whole time, phones ringing (including the therapist's cell phone which she answered , but at least did say she was busy and couldn't talk), everything just felt dirty. Including... the restroom (a toilet) which did not have a sink to wash your hands. For my own sanity I had to talk myself into believing there was a sink somewhere else on the premises that I just didn't see, where the employees must wash their hands in between massaging all the customers and using the restroom. But I did not see that sink. I'm fairly confident this nice woman had no formal training, and there were just some bizarre techniques used. I normally LOVE head massages, this was more like she was trying to wash my hair without water or shampoo, for example. read more

My friend gave me a groupon as a gift for an hour massage. The groupon does not expire until April 24, but when I called to make an appointment, the lady said she would not honor it because she was losing money, and that I can either pay the difference or get a refund from Groupon. Very disappointed, and it's a little awkward because now I have to ask my friend to get a refund for herself... Guess I won't be going here ever... read more

Yes this is not the fanciest place at all. My husband and I come here he a lot because the price point is good and its only two doors down from the tattoo shop he owns there. SO he stops in through out the week to get fixed. I go when I need an in-between my deep tissue place I go. I like them. Yes its not the most relaxing place you can hear everything but the owner who usually does my massage is really good at what she does. The place is clean and thats something that I found not every place has. I always do the soaking tub as well afterwards and for me that is the best for my knot ridden body. Paying $80 for the 1 hour massage and soaking tub is very affordable. I like this place for a quick need help im in pain place. Not a place if you want the relaxing spa environment. read more

I will never go Back here. Groupon sold so many of these and I feel sorry for anyone who came here with no reviews to refer to. I dont think they are real therapists. Phone was ringing the whole time I was getting massaged and the massuese was also the secretary answering every call. I heard some clapping going on in the background and couldnt tell if it was massage or body clapping. I dont think she even washed her hands after my back rub and ran straight to the front desk to shake someones hand. The massage was under 1 hr even though I paid for an hr and she didnt start til 15 min after. Baby oil and a couple firm pats on the back. not worth it, maybe go for the facial but not the backrub. Even then, it might be dish soap and water your cheeks read more

Two stars is for friendly staff. Bought a Groupon for a hour professional massage. I guess you get what you paid for. I'm not sure the lady massaging me had any professional experience. I did feel relaxed, but I really didn't feel that my kinks and knots were being worked. I would spend the few $ extra and go to Massage Envy at South Shore. read more

Cheap and alright. The lady is very sensitive about the tips. Better give her a lil more if you wish see a smile on your way out. Lol

What a great place for a massage! Super nice people, very professional and skilled. This is an actual massage place, not a sketchy one. Ask for Gina! A really great deal. Be sure to make an appointment. They get very busy. read more

Great professional service and reasonably priced. I've been about ten times and have always had outstanding service.

Gold Spa on Santa Clara is definitely not closed, although they may want certain customers to think they are...my boyfriend and I saw the sign for the spa on the sidewalk this past weekend and decided to get massages. We tried opening the door, but it was locked, which was already a red flag, but he called the number on the window, and they let us in. The prices were higher than I had expected - $50 for an hour massage. They ushered us into our separate rooms, and made sure my boyfriend went in the room with a hand towel to use as a cover instead of a sheet, like I was given. My massage was relaxing but also actually painful at times. After it was over, my boyfriend gave me a recap of his experience - tiny towel, discomfort, no communication (his 'massage therapist' did not seem to speak English, and was therefore not able to instruct him on whether or not she was coming back when she left during the massage and if it was over - she was, and it was not). There was nothing outright "happy ending" about it, but it was certainly suggestive and inappropriate. I wish I would have thought to read the Yelp reviews before making the impromptu decision to take our business here. We will not be going back there, and I'll gladly tell everyone else I know not to go as well - unless they are looking for something borderline illegal. read more

Well, I took my groupon there today, and I love the place! Sure, I had all the same feelings when I came through the door and found out that getting naked and having oil used, instead of a clothed massage, was $10 extra... and saw the humble surroundings. Apparently, she reads yelp, because she went out of the way to point out the sink to wash your hands in. It's in the room next to the bathroom. The woman does double as the receptionist, but he was only interrupted once during my massage, which was a whole hour. You lie on a towel and are covered in sheets. The room is very dark, and there is no discussion--you lie face down, and she does her thing. No clock ticking in my room. Forget all your preconceptions about what a massage should be. She probably doesn't have a license to do massage in this country. I've only had a little Tui Na Chinese bodywork, but I'm thinking that's what this is. The oil is nice and warm. The bodywork is vigorous, fast moving, and involves sometimes percussion of the body, movement of the limbs, and so on. When the oil was done, she scrubbed it off my limbs with a rough washcloth--it felt great! She found all the problem spots in my body and worked them without me having to tell her about it. I found it very therapeutic, and would go back again. It's not a place to go if you are a sensitive little flower. read more

Wish I could give zero stars. WORST massage ever. The "therapist" knows nothing about massage. The "therapist" is evidently also the receptionist. She spent most of the session taking phone calls and leaving to talk to co-workers. Apparently everything you would expect in a massage is extra. "Oh, you want a massage with your shirt off? $10 more; you want oil? $10 more". read more

Worst! Do not waste your money in this place.. The massage therapist doesn't seem like they have a license.. The therapist are not dressed appropriately, she looked like she will go for a walk or something.. It just doesn't feel good to be in this place.. I would have spent a few more and get a better massage.. read more

I bought a one hour massage on groupon for the same day. I called to make an appointment but nobody answered so I left a message. Two hours later still no return call so I decided just to go there. The woman at the desk said she was very busy but would take me as a walk in. The massage wasn't bad although e woman constantly left the room and came back, also she had many conversations with her co worker who was somewhere outside the room. I checked the clock when I had fist arrived and the massage ended about 40 minutes after it had started. That lost twenty minutes plus all the time she was out of the room meant that the hour massage I had paid for was actually a half hour massage. When I left I didn't feel like tipping her but she insisted. I pointed out that it wasn't a full hour and she denied it. Finally she promised if I came back she would give me 70 minutes. I feel this place is not very professional and lacks integrity. read more

Worst massage I have ever had. Therapist spent half her time on her cell phone.

So unfortunately after my first great experience, my second wasn't that great. Like I previously said, I bought a Groupon for this establishment. I used it and and I enjoyed it. A month later another Groupon deal came up for the same merchant. Since I enjoyed my first service, I bought another separate Groupon. There was no way to know this was under the same deal as before... Like I said there was a month's gap between when I bought the 2 Groupons. I just thought the business decided to run another promotion. They were advertised separately. So I bought and paid for another Groupon. I tried using it today almost two months from when I bought it. Unfortunately I was told by the owner that I was not able to use it. Only one per person. The Groupon does say "limit one" but since these were two separately advertised Groupon deals I purchased, that shouldn't apply. If this is what they meant, it should say something like "only one Groupon allowed in your lifetime, ever, no matter if it is a different deal". I was told I would have to pony up and pay the difference. Since the Groupon promotion, this business has ratcheted up their price. I'm not interested in that. Pretty disappointing. And by the way Gold Spa, I don't need a run down about how much you pay your employees or how much your overhead costs are. If you decide to run a Groupon - you should honor the certificates. And if you decide to run ANOTHER Groupon a relatively short time after the first one - you should honor those certificates too. That's not my problem. Maybe the problem is because of the way you have your account set up with Groupon, idk. Giving you the benefit of the doubt got you the second star. Probably should look into how your deal is listed to avoid future problems. In the meantime, Groupon refunded my money. read more

This place is open, but they can only accommodate one person at a time. I had to sit out front and wait for my friend to get her pedicure, then she had to wait for me. Very odd.... read more

Paid for a "Therapy Massage" and was given a regular massage. When I asked for a refund the owner wanted me to pay for the regular massage I didn't want. I didn't pay $50 to have oil rubbed on my body when I only wanted my neck pain to be addressed. I eventually received a refund. read more

I have been here a few times now for massage only. Each time I was very happy with the massage I received, especially considering the price and not having an appointment. Communication is a little difficult but the techniques used were effective and beneficially to me. Yes, the facilities are not the newest, but I felt like everything was clean and very the entire staff was very professional. I will go back again. read more

I received a groupon to gold spa as a birthday gift for a 1 hr massage and just called today to set-up an appointment to use it before the promotional value expires. The woman who answered the phone said that she was the owner and they were no longer accepting the groupons. She said she would give me a special deal and I could pay $10 extra if I still wanted the hour massage or I could get a refund. It was hard to understand her, and I know that she did not completely understand me. I explained that I am 8 months pregnant and was wondering if they had someone who could do a prenatal massage. She did not understand what I was saying. She also said they were a professional massage place and if I wanted to come give them a try I could pay $10 more. She said that groupon made a mistake and wasn't supposed to run the ad that long and she had paid them and she wasn't making any money- I am a small business owner as well and feel like these are all things that need to be thought out in advance before agreeing to do an online coupon. Normally, I am not one to write negative reviews, I just won't post something. I do not agree with the way that she is handling this issue, it is very unprofessional, and not the consumer's issue. Big bummer!! read more

Don't... just don't. I don't give one stars lightly. Everything unprofessional top to bottom, quite literally. My boyfriend was given the treatment - no covering, on his back, and they went for it, man. Not talking happy endings but I am saying total discomfort, wishing-it-would end, what's their deal with my junk-style panic. Would they give happy endings? Not for me to say, but judging from the way they ran out onto the sidewalk after me wondering if I'd left a tip (I had)... they'd probably consider it. read more

By far the worst massage ever! The owner did my massage and she was on her cell phone or running down the hall for something or other during the whole appointment. All the while telling me how great her massage was.The atmosphere was not relaxing and the massage was more like kneading bread. She would not give me my change but said that was her tip, which I did not appreciate. Have not been back since. Just not worth the money. read more

I have to say I'm surprised at the negative reviews this place has received for service! I've gotten A LOT of massages and do so frequently. I bought the Groupon deal (like everyone else) and went in when I had a bad head cold. The place was clean, but not fancy. There were two women there, and the massage therapist was I think the owner as well. She was very friendly. Both women answered the phone the few times it rang, but they were both polite about it. Now the massage: One of the BEST massages I've ever had! It was so effective and so good in fact, that I was thinking she was using up my 3 hours all at once. She did a lot of techniques that are not in your "typical" massage, like very specific acupressure on my face and head for my congestion, and she spent a significant of time on my head which I LOVED! Normally when I get massages, I can tell when the massage is "winding down" and there's this period of depression for about 10 minutes because I know it's coming to an end. She was so thorough in her energywork and movement that I felt completely satisfied when the massage came to a close. Some things that I really appreciated that I rarely get with other massages: - she washed her hands after massaging my feet before massaging other parts of my body. (I've had massage therapists massage my feet then work their way up to my FACE without pausing to wash! YUCK!) - she took warm wet washcloths and wiped all the oil off my body when it was all finished. It's not a fancy place, but she definitely has great skills and incorporates a lot of Eastern techniques in her massages (which is maybe why some other reviewers didn't recognize her as a "real" massage therapist since it's not common). Loved it! Had to go 4 stars instead of 5 because there is always room for improvement with the decor, oil aromatherapy, and the phone ringing... read more

I, like many other reviewers, bought a croupon for the massage. I was surprised that they wanted an additional $10 for a massage with oil so I declined it. I was told, in broken English, that the manager was gone, so they would throw it in for free this time. Sandy barely spoke English, but did understand when I said the pressure was too hard, and lessened it. It was not a good massage compared to any of the over 100 previous massages I have had. She doesn't seem to have any formal training, and if she does, it is not anything I have experienced before or would want again. I felt frustrated I could not communicate with her to explain what I would like. She left the room a couple of times without explanation, but did come back with hot, wet towels to roughly take the oil off arts of my body. It was a bit cold in the small room, so they were welcome. I especially didn't like that she massaged my head, if you could call it that, with lots of oil on her hands. I left with greasy hair and was uncomfortable all day, until I could get back home to wash it the second time that day. I was surprised she did this since I made a big point if getting my air parted and off my back when she started putting on the oil. The massage was not worth even the groupon price, and the massager cut the time short, but only five minutes so I didn't say anything. She asked for a ten dollar tip, which I gave to another of the workers who gave me change of a twenty from her purse. The whole thing felt a bit slimy and I do not intend to go back again for a repeat of this performance. Very unprofessional place and staff. read more

WARNING!!! DO NOT GO HERE!!!! I bought a groupon for 3 one hour massage. I thought maybe I can use one, and gift the two. But after I purchased it, I read the fine print and Q&A and it clearly said "Services must be used by the same person" (http://www.groupon.com/deals/gold-spa/discussion) So I thought, okay fine, I'll just get 3 massage (Sweet, right?) I schedule an appointment for Friday after work. I get there and the lady at the front says:"Do you have a coupon?" I said yes then gave her my groupon. She looks at it and says:"When did you buy it?" I said sometime last year (I couldn't remember the date exactly, but it didn't expire until May 8, 2013). Then she started pointing to a printout on the wall with Groupon written on it and explaining that I can not use this because it is for 3 people to be used in one visit. I am trying to understand what she is saying, then out of nowhere comes what I am assuming is her husband. He took my groupon and started to say, yes, you need 3 people, that's the point of us offering this groupon because we want to bring in 3 different people! I tried explaining that this is not what was stated on the groupon. Then the lady said: " Oh that's okay, just go in. You will not get a comfortable massage, but you can get one with your clothes on!!"...I mean seriously!!!! Then I take a peak into the back of the place and thought to myself: I gotta get out of here ASAP!! The place does not look anything like a relaxing massage place should look like. It looks more like an emergency room triage area where the rooms are separated by sheets hanging from the ceiling! And I am not joking! So, I turned back, opened the door and never looked back. I got my groupon refunded today. PLEASE don't go to this place. I didn't even get to the stage where I got a massage, and I am glad I didn't based on how the place looked like and the other reviews from people who actually got massages. DON'T GO HERE!! read more

This place was very disappointing. $50 massage and so I guess you get what you pay for. The massage therapist left at least 5 times during the massage to answer the phone and go to the door and talked to co-workers during the massage. She also charged me $20 for a pedicure and literally only remove the polish, cut the nails and filed. I won't be back. read more

bad service，and the old lady ask me for $20 tips！and she is unprofession，always went out for calling，and seems just her one person in the spa，no other staff. bad experiance，never come back any more. read more