I came here on a $99 Groupon deal: manicure (I paid $10 more and substituted a pedicure), European…read morefacial and hot stone massage. Even so, and even though I was the last customer before the Thanksgiving break, dress like a bum, and was soaking wet from the torrential rain outside, everybody treated me as though I was a big tipper who paid full price.
The pedicure was the best I've ever had. Sit on a sofa in a quiet little room, not one of those massage chairs, in a quiet room and get truly personal, and thorough, treatment. My feet, which were a wreck, now look and feel fantastic, and the polish work was superb. (I wish I'd got the name of the polish - something OPI that's iridescent pewter, teal, and plum.)
The facial: I've had better, mostly because of the products, which I wasn't crazy about. I can't complain much, since they certainly did the job - a day later, my face looks terrific - but I prefer the milder-feeling, more emollient products at Elizabeth Grady. But: good, very good, and I have very sensitive skin. Also a nice (and nice and long) shoulder, neck and hand massage, with something that smelled like arnica or tea tree oil.
The killer was the hot stone massage. I'm no massage neophyte - had them all over the US and in India, too - but this? This was something new. Smooth, flat stones are heated in a crockpot of water, then the masseuse (who also gave the facial) oils you up, cups a stone in each hand and rubs you until you are moosh. I'm finicky; not enough pressure and it feels like I'm being walked on by spiders, not a pleasant experience. The rocks not only provide really delicious heat, but likely make even a mediocure masseur capable of giving a serious rubdown. My masseuse was clearly a pro, so the rocks sent the whole experience over the top. So good, in fact, that I slept through the last third of this wonderful experience. Somehow I poured myself into my clothes and got home, but I don't remember much.
Would I go again? Heck yeah, whenever I'm in town and can afford it.