A hotel gym not a spa!
I give my awful experience at this "spa" a D grade. Summary: I would pay more to receive treatments at a spa because of the extras. I want to be pampered by skilled technicians in a relaxing ambiance with treatments that leave me feeling amazing. R failed at all the above. I struggled to give it even 2 stars, but ultimately the treatments accomplished their intended result. I left with a glowing face, soft skin, but feeling more stressed than when I entered and completely dissatisfied. I wish I could have a full refund for ruining a relaxing spa day, but it was a birthday gift.
Facility= huge F! Treatments= C Customer Service= D
The Review
The good:
I was able to get an appt via the phone on the day I wanted- booking within the same week. I went on a weekday hoping it would be less busy. I was told to arrive early, and when I asked I was informed there was free valet parking with spa validation. It would be my 1st visit and I was looking forward to a relaxing day.
The bad:
I wanted a mani-pedi, but R didn't offer nail service, so I booked those with a new day spa in the same area. My plan was to get my nails done, go to R for a nice lunch with treatments to follow.
When I arrived at R the valet was quick. I was all ready in full relaxation mode from the day spa where I had an amazing experience (reviewed separately). I entered the hotel right at lunch time and it was full of gym goers. There was no signage for the spa, and the front desk had a line of customers. No concierge booth in sight despite being a luxury hotel. I walked along the main corridor and found the cafe. I saw a small sports bar next to it, but no restaurant. I waited in line and bought something cold from the counter. After 5 mins of sports center I couldn't wait to find the spa and get back to relaxing.
The spa was next to the gym in the hotel gift shop. I checked in and was asked if I wanted robe and slippers. It wasn't implicit, but it felt like an up charge. I was led down a dark hallway to a gym-like locker room that was dated, smelly and un-spa-like.
I received hard plastic flip flops that looked used with oily residue and some white substance. I opted to wear my own sandals rather than chasing down a clean pair, even though I think I was charged for them (no receipt offered). The robe was thin without plush and offered no warmth in the cold tiled locker room. The only amenity was a can of cheap hairspray.
The ugly:
I left the stadium lit locker room out to the dark hallway. I say dark, because the lights were turned off! No ambiance whatsoever. I wandered through ceiling high drapes to find a waiting area. It wasn't a room, it was a larger part of the hallway that they hung curtains on one end and nothing on the other. The lights were off here too, but there was a single dim lamp and some vinyl chairs. A small table held hot water, tea, and a pitcher of ice water next to plastic cups.
Then the room began to shake and vibrate from wall to ceiling!! It completely drowned out the elevator music. Have you ever stayed in a hotel hoping to get a good night sleep only to be awoken at 2am to the sound of your neighbors banging it out through the wall? It was that times 10. I sat down on the stiff vinyl with my tea. It was too dark to read the magazines on the table. There was nothing else to look at other than spa goers and staff walking through the hallway. No one greeted me.
After 20 mins of buffalo stampeding (I was later told the gym is directly ABOVE THE SPA!) I left to see if something was wrong. I was met in the drapery by my technician. I was told that she had me down for 15 mins later than what I booked (which she was 5 minutes late for judging by the digital clock in the room). And she had me booked for the wrong facial! She was gracious and switched to the facial I wanted. It was fabulous.
When I checked that my next treatments where accurate, come to find out their mistake would have cost an extra $30! Plus, now my treatments where ending later than booked, so there was no time to use the steam room or sauna. They offered to refund me the difference for the facial I didn't receive, but nothing for my inconvenience. I knew that I would NEVER come back. I just wanted to get my treatments over with and leave.
This was not my 1st sugar scrub, so I can say it was truly awful! The space resembled a hospital morgue. Red light glowed through the glass door to reveal a room with frigid tile floors, bare walls, floor to ceiling cabinets with a sink and a plastic exam-like table with body length shower heads above. She told me to lay face down with my butt covered by a thin hotel towel. There was no music, scented oils, or anything to feel relaxed about while being hosed down and briskly scrubbed under red light. I cut the treatment short. She took 15 mins from my treatment to clean. The massage was good. I left a generous tip, because the techs were decent and shouldn't be punished for horrid facilities! read more