On my Facebook feed, I kept getting posts about this "head spa", and how they are having a special for new clients: $112 for the "Premium Japanese spa service" (scalp, neck and shoulder massage, mini-facial with a bonus exfoliation, hot stones and blow-dry hair service). (Usually this costs $140 according to their online service menu). Well, it sounded heavenly, so off I went!
The location is off Cambie, by the Queen E Park, on a very narrow, residential street. The spa is located in a house. As you walk up to the front door, there is a lot of signage directing you to the side of the house, and from there, to the back. The pathway is lined with Buddha statues and leads to a cute little private rear patio. There are 5 steps or so leading down to a basement suite, where the door is covered with two vertical drapes. I was unsure if I was in the right place, thinking perhaps I should go to the patio above and knock on the larger rear door there? But I parted the fabric panels here and hesitantly knocked, and immediately a male answered the door, greeting me.
My coat was taken and hung up, and a pair of Japanese sandals were given for me to wear. This basement suite was tastefully decorated with "spa art" (I'm not sure how else to describe it. Prints of women wrapped in spa towels, reclining, or drinking tea, or reading. A large poster of Audrey Hepburn. Lots of prints of Japanese black cats). Very Victorian-esque aesthetic, with frilly curtains suspended by the staircase leading upstairs, dainty end tables, old-fashioned sofas. The kind of decor you'd find at a teahouse.
I was lead to a back room by the male. His name was Henry and he would be my masseuse. He was super nice and polite and very professional. He gave me a wrap and explained how to ready for the massage, where to put my stuff, which of the two massage beds to use, etc.
Now, I should add that this place was totally empty except for Henry and me, and you could've heard a pin drop. I admit, I was initially a bit taken aback, as nice as Henry was, I felt a bit uncomfortable, being in a strange, new place with a total stranger who was a male, just us, totally alone. I don't know, it gave me a bit of the heebie-jeebies. Henry did absolutely nothing to lead me to feel this way. It was just the circumstances. I would have been more at ease if there was at least one more person there (male or female). Just being alone with a stranger, being somewhat undressed, it's a vulnerable position to be in. Maybe it's just me. It's probably just me.....
Anyhow, I have to say, the 75 minutes went by in a flash and Henry was incredible. My neck was less tense, and the scalp massage was heavenly. The mini-facial was great and my skin felt really good afterwards. (I don't know if he did the facial exfoliation that was supposed to be a bonus, as I did not feel any type of exfoliator at all, but perhaps it was a super gentle one? I don't know, and honestly, I didn't say anything about it as the whole experience was really nice, and I felt super relaxed when it was done).
Afterwards, I was led back to the waiting room where there was tea waiting for me, a small slice of Japanese cake (SO nice, and SO good!) and a few chocolates. It was really lovely.
Soon after, I paid and I left. If they offer future specials, I probably will treat myself to a foot treatment or another head massage, if the price is right. I felt it was a really nice way to treat myself and it was worth the price. read more