I booked an 80-minute couples massage at Poseidon Spa in Mountain Brook through a Groupon for my mom's 70th birthday and drove 1.5 hours from Tuscaloosa for the day. Unfortunately, the experience was disappointing from start to finish. At our appointment, we learned while in our robes awaiting our therapists, that only one therapist showed up that day. I let my mom proceed while I worked with the manager, who offered a complimentary future couples massage on a later date. She had me sign my Groupon as "fulfilled," including a $94 service charge and promised a written confirmation via email that my next appointment would be completely free. After several days of follow-up, I finally received written confirmation of the future comped couples massage. When we returned a month later, the massage itself was good--but only lasted 69 minutes instead of the advertised 80. At checkout, I was charged a mandatory 22% "service charge" on top of tip, despite being told previously everything was comped. The service charge I was told doesn't go to the therapists but "covers the facilities." (There was not so much as a sauna in terms of facilities.) The front desk insisted the charge still applied, even though it was never disclosed in the Groupon terms and I had proof that it had been levied in appointment one. The manager who handled my situation was unavailable. I finally just paid it and left, but won't be returning. Between the staffing issue, lack of transparency, 11 unfulfilled yet billed minutes, and inconsistent policies, the experience felt disorganized and misleading. I'd recommend staying away, even with a Groupon. read more

Poseidon Spa - The service charges my Groupon covered for massages not fully rendered, but charged again. - Day Spas Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

This spa is tiny, very dark & has a co-ed locker room. Service is average at best & you are charged a 20% service fee so your tip is decided for you. Avoid it & visit a spa nearby instead. I expected a much better spa from this hotel for the very high cost of the services. read more

This is the first review I have ever written, and I am only writing this so others will not have the same experience as me. My wife and I booked a couples massage at Poseidon. We tried to initially book online, but noticed that two female therapists were not available for the day we wanted. I then called the Spa and asked if we could book a couples massage with two female therapists. The booking lady was very nice and said that only one lady was working that day, but that she would call and see if another female therapist could come in and do the massage. She then called me back a few hours later with great news that she was able to book the massage with two female therapists. I should have written down her name. We then show up and fill out the forms (though I already filled out the forms online) and went to a very small uni-sex changing area to get into our robes. It was just my wife and I in the changing area at the time, so it was fine, but I would be uncomfortable if I was a girl and there was a random guy in there. We then went to a small relaxation room with some chairs and waited for our massage. A lady then led us to the couples massage room and then we noticed that the other masseuse was a guy. My wife did not want a guy to be in the room when she has nothing but a sheet on, I did not want a guy to touch my wife, and I did not want to get a massage from a guy. We explained the backstory and that we expected two female masseuses. The guy, Christopher, was very rude and unprofessional. He argued with my wife about doing my massage. He clearly wanted to do my wife's massage, and that concerned me even more. I then said that I was fine just sitting in the room while my wife got a massage from the female masseuse. Christopher said I could do that but that we would still be charged for both massages. That upset me and I was not about to pay for a massage that I did not receive. They left the room and the spa supervisor came in. She was very stern and did not seem ready to help at all. I clearly spoke to someone who confirmed that we could both have female masseuses, otherwise I would have only booked a massage for my wife. It was their fault for the miscommunication, but they were unwilling to make it right. We ended up getting the massages, but I was mad the entire time. I would not recommend this place to anybody. The female masseuse was nice and professional though, and it wasn't her fault. We then went to check out and they said we were not in the system so they would have to call people to be able to charge our card. I gave the lady $40 cash to give the masseuses, even though I was very displeased. Later she called me to let me know that the charge went through WITH A 22% GRATUITY. That upset me because the service was lousy and I was trying to be generous even giving a $40 tip and now I ended up paying a $100 tip for an experience that ruined our weekend. Also, I later checked my emailed confirmation and it of course did not have the masseuses' names on it, so I have nothing but my word to stand on. I expected them to at least try to work with me. There is a reason I did not book online and just hope for two ladies, but it still felt like they did not believe me. read more

I'm giving this spa 4 stars because of the quality of the devices I received. I came on a Sunday for a massage and pedicure. The entrance is really nice and has that spa feel. You fill out a card that asks about why you are there, any issues you are having, and any allergies. After that we were taken to the locker area where you can change into the robe and slippers that they give you. The changing area is very small with a couple of private rooms to get undressed. I was surprised to hear that this area is co-ed. No separate rooms for men and women. Fortunately, the one gentleman that was there waited for the ladies to leave before he went in but he was less than thrilled that there wasn't a separate men's area. The waiting area was nice but nothing special and not very big. You can ask for adult and regular beverages if you'd like. My massage was very good and I enjoyed it very much. After my massage, I went for my pedicure. My sister was with me and we were both getting pedicures. There was only one nail technician so we each had to wait while the other got her pedicure. However, we didn't mind the wait and I felt like I got a really good pedicure. So the cons here are that the spa is very small. Definitely call ahead if you are wanting to use any of the services. The coed changing room is a negative. And the price is exorbitant. There are definitely nicer, larger spas in the area that are a lot more affordable and offer more services and amenities. read more

Update: I was contacted by the spa manager and the cost of my wife's service was refunded. While I'm still hardly happy with the experience, I do appreciate that they attempted to make things right. Came here as part of an anniversary getaway. We were staying at the Grand Bohemian hotel, with spa services planned in the early afternoon before check in. They were very busy, so we were unable to get a couples massage and had to stagger our appointments. That was all fine. We arrived after 4 hours of driving, ready to relax and unwind. I hadn't had a massage in ages and desperately needed it. My wife's appointment was first, she was taken in back and things proceeded. My appointment was 30 minutes later, so I was waiting in the waiting room. 10 minutes before my appointment was to start, the receptionist came in and told me there was a problem. A couple had booked the couples room and then decided they didn't want to get their massage together after all, so they split them up. One of them was put in the room intended for me. There were now no rooms available for my massage. Their next availability was over 3 hours later, but we already had other plans. So my entire afternoon was wasted, and I didn't get a badly needed massage to relieve pain. I couldn't leave because my wife was in her appointment and had a follow up facial afterwards. We couldn't cancel the later service because we would have been charged anyway. No compensation was offered for my wasted time and ruined afternoon, nothing was done to try and make it right. Just "so sorry, we screwed up, but you can come back some other time." It was too early to check in to the hotel and I couldn't leave. Absolutely miserable start to my weekend. If the situation was reversed I'd have been charged full price regardless of my excuse. Clearly customers are not people to this place, just a payday. Since they were already booked solid they didn't care about losing my business, plus they already had my wife locked in! Additionally, when I booked the appointments the person I spoke to quoted me the costs and said that price included a gratuity for the massage therapists. When my wife finalized the payment she was told "oh no, gratuity isn't included, that's just a service fee." I was outside and didn't discover this deception until later. Would not recommend this place to anyone unless you enjoy being fleeced and treated like trash. Not remotely what I'd expect from a spa attached to one of the priciest hotels in Birmingham. Go somewhere else, get treated better and save money at the same time. read more

Unaccommodating spa with selfish staff, specifically Shifiquat A. I will never patronize this non full service spa again after not experiencing satisfactory customer service. I had an appointment scheduled with the mentioned therapist above @ 2:30 pm on a Saturday and a family emergency arose the day before. I sent an email to the facility at my earliest acknowledgment of the emergency the Friday evening before my appointment and after a few emails back and forth with the third party booking service, I was advised to go by the facility to speak to someone since the booking service was not on-site. I also tried calling the spa numerous times from the start of business at 9am until 12pm when finally my call was routed to the booking service and was advised to physically go by the spa. I rushed to the facility and spoke to the front desk receptionist Alexis, and explained to her that I had an emergency and she said let me speak to your therapist once he gets out of his current session. I asked if she thought there would be an issue in rescheduling and she stated no there shouldn't be. Shortly after leaving I received a call back from the receptionist and she stated the therapist Shifiquat did not want to reschedule my appointment to another therapist since he would not get paid. It was with that comment I knew I wouldn't even feel comfortable with such a selfish individual performing any service on me. I was willing to reschedule with him for another day or move the appointment to another therapist prior to hearing this statement. I asked The receptionist to have the manager Felicia Dubose reach out to me. Yet no one ever called me back or tried to follow up. I then received an email at 12 showing that my appointment had been cancelled when I never verbally cancelled the appointment. At 2pm I started to receive notifications from my Bank that the spa was trying to charge my card. They attempted 8times. They were unsuccessful of course bc I had already taken measures to ensure I wasn't personally charged for a service that wasn't performed. I understand policies but retention of clients should be important and If this spa is not willing to accommodate extraordinary events that arise, then please remove the voicemail asking clients to reschedule or cancel appointment for circumstances such as COVID. Terrible customer service and poor management. read more

Got a full body massage the other day by Dreya and it was absolutely amazing I felt so relaxed and comfortable I highly recommend asking for her if you are coming in for a massage. It's a beautiful spa very friendly staff, a little pricey but the services they offer speak for themselves. I will definitely be coming back the next time I'm in town. read more

Poseidon Spa - Wonderful spa day - Day Spas Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

I struggled with my rating for this. I wanted to give 1 star, but you'll see why I ended up giving two when you continue reading. It pains me to write bad reviews, but I want to make sure others benefit from my experience. I purchased a Groupon for a 100-minute spa package (50-minute massage with hot stone enhancement and 50-minute facial). The deal also included a free glass of champagne and valet parking. Total cost for this was $195, which is a decent deal with regular prices being $120 for massage and $125 for facial. The spa itself, while beautifully and tastefully decorated with turquoise and aqua colors of the ocean, is very small with a very small locker room and vanity area. They do provide robe and slippers and the robe was plush and soft. The locker and relaxation rooms are unisex (both males and females use the space together) so they instruct you to change in one of the two bathrooms, which of course I did. ***If you're not comfortable sitting in a room with only your birthday suit under your robe, then you'll want to keep something on or know that this probably isn't the spa for you. I knew about this before going so I was prepared, but I'm not a fan of it, especially when the areas are SOOOOO small and confined. Thankfully, I only saw two other women there the day I went - whew! I've been getting massages for over 30 years now and I'll have to say, this was the absolute WORST massage I've ever received. Ever. Seriously, everrrrr. I usually choose to get deep-tissue massages because I have chronic pain, but I knew this would be a "regular" massage and always set my expectations appropriately when I'm not specifically getting a deep tissue. That being said, this was more like having massage oils rubbed all over my body for 50-minutes. EXTREMELY light pressure with quick back and forth motions. I kept thinking this was just the "warm up", but before I knew it, it was time to turn over and then it was over. Such a let down and unsatisfying. The therapist asked if I wanted her to avoid get oil in my hair and I told her I really didn't care because I knew I wouldn't be going anywhere after and was going to wash my hair that night, but boy was that a mistake! I looked like I had been caught in an OIL SHOWER and my hair looked disgusting. I've had some oil in my hair from massages before, but this was like a heavy, deep oil condition. I wish I heard the therapist's name because I would definitely say NOT to go to her. The facial was "a-okay" - not bad, but nothing special and I've definitely had better ones. The esthetician was very nice and asked if I had any allergies or if there were any scents I didn't like and explained everything she was using on my face during the treatment. When the spa called to confirm my appointment, they asked if I wanted to add a manicure or pedicure and I opted to add a pedicure. Lisa, did my pedicure and was a doll! The massage chair was comfortable and she did a great job. I would consider going back for a pedicure and ask for her. However, the color choices on their polishes is limited so I would probably bring my own. I didn't read the fine print carefully and was shocked that they add a 22% service fee to all spa services! When I asked to clarify what is was, I was told it's a fee that's applied and split among different areas of the resort (weird) - the therapists get a small portion but it's not gratuity. I've been to many spas at resorts like the Ritz and to many Relais and Chateaux spas all over the country - I don't recall ever having a service fee added like this. I did still tip my therapist on top of that - maybe I shouldn't have, but I didn't feel like I could leave without leaving anything. The facial and the pedicure is what caused me to bump the rating up to 2 stars instead of 1. Maybe I just drew the short straw and got the WORST massage therapist in existence, but I can definitely say I would NEVER get a massage there again even if someone else paid for it. Even with the discounted rates, I don't believe it was a good price for my experience. I may go back for a pedicure, but like I said, other than that I would't go unless it was on someone else's dime. read more

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Visiting from Charlotte, NC and my friend from Birmingham scheduled us a signature massage and facial. My therapist for the massage was Dreya. She was fabulous!! Very professional. I asked for her to focus on my shoulders and she had a great technique to get all the knots out! Regina did our facials and the time went by too quick! Super relaxing! The dressing room is co-ed, however they inform you prior to entering and there are private changing rooms. It wasn't uncomfortable just a little strange and thought I should mention. Don't let this deter you from visiting this little gem. read more

Hands down the BEST massage I have ever had in my life! I have had countless massages and have extremely high expectations because of it. I have severe neck tension and myofascial knots in my upper back. Because of this, over-commercialized massage parlors have always fallen short. The tension in my neck and back was so out of hand that I was desperate to find somewhere local that would provide the attention to detail and therapeutic treatment required. My 80-minute, fully-customizable massage with scalp treatment add-on was exactly what the doctor ordered. My masseuse, Dreya, was an absolute delight. She patiently and meticulously worked through every knot in my back and neck, while checking often to see how I was doing. Using a combination of traction (stretching), warm compress, and traditional massage techniques I left feeling (and seeing) a noticeable difference in my posture and in the length of my spine. I'm already checking my calendar to see when I can schedule my next appointment. To address the complaints in a previous review: I was told upfront about the added 22% service charge and had no qualms about it. Further, when checking out, I was given an unsolicited discount that essentially covered the additional service charge. Yes, the dressing room and waiting room are on the small side for spas in the same price point. However, the quality of service provided, the politeness of staff, and the cleanliness of the facilities more than make up for anything the floor-plan lacks. It should go without saying that I wasn't there to spend my time in the dressing or waiting rooms. All in all, whether you are a Birmingham local or a hotel guest looking for a relaxing break from it all, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND giving Poseidon Spa a try. IT'S WORTH EVERY PENNY. read more

I am a frequent spa visitor, and this spa is the greatest one I have visited. Their massages are top-notch, and their therapists and other staff members always provide exceptional service. I came today with my sister, and although we were running a few minutes late and feeling rushed, they made sure we had a pleasant experience. My therapist was Susan Kennedy, and she went above and beyond to cater to my requests and needs. She also explained every product she was using and made sure it was to my liking. Superb experience! read more

Just had one of the best massages ever with Chris. I recommend the dry brush add-on...you even get to keep the brush!

I came here for my birthday and overall had a very pleasant experience. The Signature Massage was very relaxing, although it was a bit shorter than the 80 minutes I signed up for. The spa is beautiful albeit quite small and the locker room is surprisingly for both ladies and gentlemen. It was a little uncomfortable. There's only one shower so I did not feel totally relaxed using it as I was afraid of monopolizing it. However, I get the impression that most weekdays, you'd have the entire spa and locker room to yourself. The relaxation room is furnished with lemon water and nuts and the staff is friendly. I've been to spas at island resorts and while not totally comparable (no hot tub, sauna or steam room), this spa quenched my desire for a relaxing spa experience. read more

The ambiance to this place is great. I opted for a massage and a facial. I did purchase a Groupon and was aware of the 22% charge. The massage therapist was highly professional and made me feel very comfortable. The massage was relaxing and perfect. Followed by the massage, I got the facial. I have had facials done at other higher end places, and I have to say I loved it here. I wish I could remember her name, but the person did a great job. She did extractions without bruising me and I left feeling great! I am definitely going back! This time I'll stay at the hotel! read more

Very easy to schedule. Had a facial and massage from Annie and Regina. Both were fabulous! Both were thorough in asking about specific needs or concerns before treatment. Only negative is that the changing room is co-ed. The staff did tell me this before hand, but could be a little awkward if on a busy day. read more

I purchased the Groupon and upon booking mentioned this and asked if it included a prenatal massage and the receptionist said "yes" once arriving and getting into my robe and settling in the girl working came back and said she didn't realize I was pregnant and it would be an additional charge .... not big of deal. I asked if my friend and I could sit by the pool and relax while we waiting and she asked if we were "guest at the hotel" I said no just at the hotel's spa. She said no because it's so small it's only reserved for hotel guest. I told her no one was at the pool as it was a Wednesday morning and she said she would check with the hotel's manager but "don't hold your breath" The massage was good. There was a 22% gratuity added to the full price of the service and I felt pressured when checking out to add more... honestly I'm glad I had the Groupon deal if I would have paid full price I would have been upset. The spa is very small, the relaxation room is like a closet. You can get the same service at Ross Bridge 25 min away and it really feels like a spa experience. You get to use the pool there and they have a sauna and steam room. The staff made us feel more welcome there too! read more

The services provided were wonderful and I had a very relaxing time but the 22% service charge was ridiculous (over $50 for my massage and facial)! This made the price for each service much higher than going to other spas- I checked a similar hotel with spa across town and the prices were the same but there was no 22% service charge. If this charge covered the tip then I wouldn't mind it, but I was given the impression that an additional tip was still expected. I won't return unless they change this policy. read more

I wish I read the reviews of this spa prior to booking and having my services. The spa itself is very small and only has 1 very small locker room which is unisex. I felt very uncomfortable not having a relaxation area and changing area specifically for just females. The massage I had was fair, nothing to rave about, when booking I asked for a female therapist and when I was called back I was called back by a male. I voiced that I had booked with a female only and the receptionist said the masseuse I was suppose to have called out sick and I would have to reschedule for another day if I did not take this slot, they already had me in my robe being called back why would I reschedule now plus I was with my mom that was in town from another state and she was having services too. Very unprofessional to not call me earlier that day OR tell me at check in. The facial I had made my face extremely irritated and red which has never happened before at any other spa. I was also disappointed that there was some 22% service fee tacked onto my services but is NOT gratuity, it goes to the hotel. So you have to tip on top of that. Why am I paying the hotel I can't even use their facilities such as the pool but I have to pay them a fee?? I do not recommend this spa to anyone when asked, it was a very expensive nightmare of an afternoon. read more

The massage therapist was not trained and did not follow basic massage protocol and only put pressure on pressure points, never used actual massage movement. I contemplated leaving the massage midway but wanted to see how it ended (but hindsight, should have left).She became defensive when I said the pressure was too hard - so i left with marks on my face because she pressed so hard on my neck with face down. The dressing room is very small and co-ed so they encourage you to dress in one of 2 bathrooms or the one shower stall and can be very awkward. It's sad because this lovely boutique hotel should have a world class spa. read more

This was truly a spa experience. Unlike other spas/massage companies I've been to, Poseidon really pays attention to details. You walk into a clean, quiet, and tranquil lobby. The check-in process is quick and easy. After filling out a form detailing the type of massage goal you are looking for (relaxation, deep tissues, etc), you are taken to the back and given a VERY plush robe and good quality rubber slippers. In the co-ed bathrooms is where you undress (to your comfort) and they give you a locker to place your items. The receptionist brings you a beverage and invites you to relax in another room with some snacks. It's really a nice, easy process and you don't feel like you are rushed to sign-in and have everything done in 5 minutes "or else you'll lose that time during your massage"... guess that's why they request you to come in 20-30 minutes beforehand. When it's time for your massage, your masseuse guides you to another quiet/tranquil room and the massage begins. Lightning was set at a good setting, the music was nice, it smelled good in the room, the sheets were plush as well, and nice and warm! I had Chris AND.HE.WAS.AMAZING!!!! Best massage I've had in quite a while. I told him I wanted to relax, but if there were some areas that were a bit stiffer, he could go a little deep, but his pressure was pretty consistent and very satisfactory. It was such a great massage and I think I've found the place to treat myself every once in a while! read more