I don't usually leave negative reviews because I want to support small businesses, but this…read moreexperience needs to be shared.
My mom and I were visiting from out of state and wanted a relaxing massage before heading home. The original location was booked, so we were redirected here (816 SE Cesar E. Chavez Blvd) and told there was availability.
When we arrived, there were only two staff members--Sam and Amy--and neither spoke English. Communication was extremely difficult from the start. I tried to explain that I wanted a Swedish massage, my mom wanted deep tissue, and that I preferred a female masseuse, but none of this was understood. They used a translation app, but it was inaccurate and didn't help.
There was also confusion about undressing. The room had no proper sheet--only a very small towel that could not adequately cover my body. When I hesitated, I was still told to undress.
The massage itself was painful, not relaxing. No lotion was used at first, and the movements felt like pinching and pulling on my skin. I repeatedly said "gentle" and "softer," but was ignored. When I tried to use my phone to translate, it was taken away.
The masseuse used excessive pressure, including pressing his elbow into my back with full body weight. When I pulled away or showed pain, he would reposition me and continue without adjusting.
The most distressing part was the complete lack of boundaries.
My underwear was pulled down far beyond what is appropriate--not a slight adjustment, but enough that I felt fully exposed. There was no proper draping or attempt to maintain privacy. I later confirmed my mom experienced the same, with hers pulled all the way down past her buttocks.
What made it worse was that despite my clear discomfort, it continued. I repeatedly tried to pull my underwear back up, and each time it was pulled back down. The masseuse continued applying lotion and repeatedly rubbing my buttocks area, ignoring my body language and attempts to cover myself.
At that point, I felt unsafe, overwhelmed, and completely out of control of the situation. Instead of relaxing, I was tense the entire time and just wanted it to end.
We paid and even tipped, but left feeling shaken. This was the most stressful and uncomfortable massage I've ever experienced.
The main issues:
- No ability to communicate
- Ignored client preferences and discomfort
- Extremely poor professionalism and boundaries
- Lack of proper draping and respect for privacy
If you need to communicate comfort levels or boundaries, this is not the place. There is no one to assist or translate, and they follow their own methods regardless of what you ask.
They also only take zelle, venmo, or cash
cash
This experience was not relaxing--it was painful, stressful, and at times felt unsafe. I would not return.