Just went for the first time with a Groupon. For a number of reasons, this place is just not nearly as good as where I used to go, Darque Tan. I looked on Yelp to see how the reviews were and I don't feel bad giving a "meh" review. I may try it again at some point just because it's closer to where I live now, but I wasn't so impressed with it. read more

I came here this past Sunday for my first indoor tan in 4+ years because I read about the Smart Beds online. The girl at the desk was so nice and very helpful. She said she was new there but answered all of my questions perfectly. I did the Level 4 Smart Bed and got some good color in just 8 minutes. I am going to Florida next week so I will be in a few more times before I leave. Highly recommend! read more

great tanning salon. however, on multiple occasions i have driven all the way there to find out they randomly closed during normal business hours. its very frustrating. read more

Great quality beds and i love the spray tan too. Never have to wait either. Clean too!

Let me start off by saying -- I'm not a frequent tanner. I came her last year before spring break so I wouldn't die when I was in Miami. The girl at the front desk was super sweet about explaining everything to me, helping me pick a lotion, and generally making me feel welcome and well-informed. A year later, I've been buying monthly packages because I got tired of people asking me if I was sick (no, just pale) and I'm in the area a lot. Every employee has been very polite, they get me in and out, and I never feel confused about pricing or what I'm signing up for. The only thing that's a little unclear to me is these posters they have outside and inside advertising deals (one free level 5 tan a month, anti-aging facials, etc.) which I wish the girls at the desk would offer/explain more -- you know, highlight the deals for loyal customers. Really, though, it's been a very pleasant experience. Only a few hiccups with both level 4 beds being occupied when I get there, but I normally just upgrade rather than wait (and I do tend to go right after 5 pm, when they're probably busy with everyone getting out of work). read more

I have been coming to this salon for over a year now. This place is FANTASTIC! Not only are the tanning beds absolutely fantastic, but there is such a relaxing ambience to each room. The beds are always extremely clean, they have awesome music blasting ( you can turn the music off, or you can plug in your own music!). Also its a great price, student discounts, and seriously the "smart tan" beds really work. Definitely combine the bed with one their tanning lotions( my favorite is the Dark 20x--silver glittery bottle), yeah they are expensive but last forever and REALLY make the tan pop. Im a big fan, i will never go to another salon-- ever. Also the front desk girls are always extremely friendly and helpful. read more

Rarely do I go through the trouble to write a review, but this place is so bizarre and annoying, I felt I must! I would give it a one star, but I have to admit I tanned well on their Level 4 bed. Now, about their ridiculous business model: pushy sales people that are constantly trying to upsell, silly practices like 'tapping your finger five times on a keypad so no one steals your account' (the $200 monthly tanning package you just purchased), the skin analysis you're forced to fill out which convinces you that your skin only tans on a smart bed, the constant reminder that tanning is good for you (on their forms, doors, TV's ahhh)!...etc. I tan only occasionally knowing that it is not safe for my skin. They seem to be trying too hard to justify their ridiculous prices. Plus, it's obvious from reading some of these reviews that they post positive reviews about themselves, ugg. Sorry, taking my business back to Perfect Tan, they are sane and affordable read more

Pesha was super helpful! I came in last minute and she not only let me tan in the bed, but also got a spray tan! With Pesha's suggestions I left the salon feeling marvelous and ready for my next upcoming event! It was my first time at smart tan and I would certainly recommend this salon to anyone in the area! read more

So I went to smart tan today and recommend people stay away .. They advertise deals on the website and do not honor them .. They say boss has been told but the deals they offer to get new customers in are not valid .. False advertising is what got me into the place .. I would call if you do try this place but much better places to go .. Deception and lying to customers is not a good start ! Ps owner did reach out and was appologetic , says it was mixup .. Does not make up for poor customer service but he is trying to make it right .. read more

This tanning salon is very convenient for students in the area! They have a discount for students on their smartbed prices, which is perfect for right before spring break! The salon is clean and the staff is very friendly and knowledgable. read more

I absolutely love this tanning salon. First off, the beds are fantastic. I go in the level 4 bed 1x/week for 12 minutes and that is enough to maintain my color. I have never burned in this bed, and I am fair-skinned. The beds are always clean, and the hours are great. I have been going to this salon for 3 years and will continue to tan there. read more

I highly recommend the level 5 smart bed. Way healthier than a typical bed... 100% tan rays 0% burn rays! You can go in for longer, and only get deliciously tan, not pink at all! Smart tan has a bunch of beds, a good environment, friendly staff, and a multifarious array of fabulous creams to optimize your glow. Go! read more

Very clean! Went in level 5 and didn't get burned (shockingly)! I will definitely be coming back.

I always get a spray tan here! It comes out so natural. I highly recommend coming here over other places.

Tanning bed was REALLY dirty. The lower glass had been cleaned but the upper glass had all sorts of handprints/smudges on it. The plastic plaque was on the bed when I went in there, so someone had tried to pass it off as clean but wasn't actually cleaning it. I told the employee the upper glass of the bed was not clean. She didn't even apologize. She grimaced at me like I was inconveniencing her. WTF. read more

Based on some pretty mediocre reviews, I was hesitant to tan here- BUT, it seems to be the only place between Harvard and Davis to tan! So, I walked over this afternoon. Yes, the decor is gaudy. Yes, the psudo-scientific video they have playing on a giant flat screen TV about the supposed health benefits of tanning, and the superiority of their equipment, made me want to roll my eyes a little bit. That being said, I've never been to a better equipped tanning salon. They provide complementary hairties, make-up remover, jewelry cleaner, and a bunch of other stuff I didn't need but was thankful to see offered. The girl behind the counter patiently explained the different packages to me, and the psudo-science behind the factors that create "reddish tan" verses "brown tan". She answered all of my questions with no hint of impatience. She was friendly, professional, and most importantly, down to earth. Yes, this place is expensive, but you get what you pay for. I tried a level 3 bed and was very impressed. -The stereo next to the bed has three CDs to choose from, a hookup for your IPOD, and a remote -The bed is not only equipped with fans, but there is also an air conditioner that blows into the bed that you may turn on if you begin to overheat -You don't have to rush through getting ready to make it in the bed before the time runs out and the bed turns on, like a lot of salons I've been to. There is a "start" button you push when you're laying down in the bed. -There are special facial bulbs that you may turn on or off -Full size mirror, paper towels, private room Yes, it is very expensive, but I can already see a significant amount of brown color from one session. Warning: Yes, you can have unlimited tanning on level one beds for $20 a month- HOWEVER, you have to pay $30 up front, on top of the $20 for month 1. They call the $30 fee "bonus bux" or something like that- you can spend the $30 on upgrades to nicer beds, or tanning lotions, or whatever else they offer. They don't advertise this, and it is sort of a bummer to shell out $50 on your first visit, but I wouldn't call it a "scam" like another user noted. They also offer a 10% student discount. read more

Worst tanning experience I've ever had. Wayyyy overpriced, super weak bulbs, and terrible customer service. I regret not checking the yelp reviews before shelling out 30 bucks for a rip-off single visit. What a joke. read more

...first off, i wanna say i read ALL of the reviews this morning.. i just went for my appointment at 130.. its now 7 pm...second off i can honestley say idk whats wrong with you reviewers,,, the place was NOT AT ALL CLUTTERED. i walked in and was like holy s**t..was so beautiful nd relaxing.. the skin annalasis was a legit 1 min thing circle 5 things count nd sign... so idk y u would complain about that.. also im the palest person in the world i went to a level 5 yes its pricy but id pay even more.. in the sun i burn with in 5 seconds.. i was in the bed for only 6 MINS!!! i came out looked like i had a tiny tiny light chage came home i looked a mysef i was legit GLOWING!! i felt amazing nd like a new person!! also the lady who was working front desk at 130 he blode girl was very very nice told me what to do.. they were not pushy.. i mean the other girl didnt look very happy.. but i also was thinking they would be so horrible... cuz reviewers said so lol also i am NOT paid for this review.. but i mean hey if you throw me a free session id love you forever!!!! lol OH! i almost forgot! since i was a first timer there i got a huge discount.. level 1 bed is free smart beds is extra but huge discount up to 50% off.. the one flaw was the tan made my lines a bit more noticeable :( but that has NOTHING to do with them lol im soo happy!! also the t.v promoting thing? i thought it was fine..personally i think you reviewrs are idiots lol or maybe they fixed there problems u had.. oh! wait the location was a bit hard to find lol but thats w.e lol so basically they fixed all the issuses the reviewers had :) and the beds! number 5!!! if u r snow white do it!!! it works i had no burning!! :) read more

Terrible, terrible service. I've been tanning for years, so I know my stuff, and I just moved to the area and was looking for a reliable location. I checked out the website and saw a bunch of promotions including 30 days free and free weekend tanning for new customers. I was very excited to try it out. 1) When I mentioned the promotions to the sales person, she discouraged me from using the promotion, complaining about what a hassle it would be for me to invite all my Facebook friends. Shouldn't she be trying to recruit new customers, especially long-term tanners? 2) I was promised two free tans because I wanted to try the Smart beds for myself before committing. When I went back for the 2nd tan, I was told I could not get the 2nd tan, and that the girl who promised me 2 was "new" and didn't know what she was doing. No attempts were made to make it up to me for the waste of my time going all the way in for the 2nd visit I was promised. --The one "free" tan wasn't even free!! The girl said it was going to be free, then I was charged $28 for the session and a tiny lotion packet. 3) The reason I went in for the 2nd visit was because I got NO color from the level 4 "Smart" bed, despite not having tanned for a month prior. I was recommended 8 minutes of the 15 min max after an absurd questionnaire was filled out with the sales person regarding my skin and hair color. I was asked to rate my tan from 1 to 8 with no color chart for matching...1 to 8 compared to what? 4) On the website, prices seem phenomenal--under $20 per month! Don't be fooled, this is only for the level 1 bed, which is warned as a "dangerous" "burning" bed. A level 1 bed is a level 1 bed is a level 1 bed, and unless you are super pasty pale, you will get nothing from a level 1, so the membership for that is a waste. If you want the "Smart" bed, prepare yourself for a$12-20 copay PER VISIT. If you know nothing about tanning, don't mind being lied to and treated like a wallet instead of a person, and are made of money you don't mind throwing away, this is the salon for you. I will not be going back to this salon because I do not appreciate poor customer service, false advertising, rediculously inflated prices, and poor results. Even though this is right down the street from my house, I would rather commute to find quality and to be treated with respect. Not very "Smart" of you, Smart Tan. Train your customer service representatives to serve customers. read more

This is a great place to go tanning. Sure it is a bit expensive, but you get what you pay for, as the beds and interior are really nice. Other reviewers wrote about bad customer service, but I've only had good experiences there. Anyway, I recommend it! read more

I have been going here for years. The staff is great. Nice selections of beds at reasonable prices. The beds a super clean. Best tanning salon I've been to anywhere in the greater boston area. read more

Hands down the best tanning salon in Boston. I recently relocated to the area and after being disappointed by multiple salons I was thrilled to find Smart Tan. The facility is super posh and clean, the staff is friendly and they have the best beds around. The only reason I wouldn't give them five stars is because they are a little pricey, but you are absolutely getting what you are paying for. Overall I highly recommend Smart Tan! read more

This place is great! The inside looks better than other places I've seen and although it can be a little pricey, you get a natural looking tan in a good amount of time that is SAFER than most tanning places :) read more

I think the decor is perfect. It's a lot of look but it works for me. They have a really well timed promotion going on right now (Jan/14) that includes FREE unlimited tanning for the whole month. Since many people are going to warmer places and worried about burning, the place was pretty busy when I went in. Em was behind the counter. She handled the entire line (which was all new clients) quickly, efficiently, and pleasantly. Hopefully you go there on a day she's working. I know next to nothing about tanning and she walked me through the whole process and figured out which bed I should use and for how long. The speakers crackled which was annoying (first bed to the right of the door). I went with a friend and he just shut them off (not sure which room he was in). They advertise an aroma therapy body mist, but I neither smelled or felt it. I'll ask next time because I really like aroma therapy. You get free after tan lotions which is nice. I was happy that the place was very clean. I would definitely recommend it to a friend. Actually, I already sent my cousin in. They offer a lot of amenities, I snapped a picture of the menu. TLDR: pretty good Tips: bring your own ipod, free after tan lotions, parking is the davis square situation / limited read more

I love this place. It really is effective and gives you a darker glow even after one visit. Especially if you are using the smart beds there, you would most likely never get a sun burn. If I were to go tanning with PaulyD and Snooki then this would be the place they would take me. I'm going here regularly to get my base tan before summer. So I recommend coming to smartt tan as it seems healthier for your skin, very relaxing, and clean. Just know that you really are payinggg for what you are getting... I thought sales were a bit misleading read more

Really great service and super clean store. Victoria was super nice and very helpful. A+

Smart tan is a CLEAN, FRIENDLY and PROFESSIONAL establishment equipped with a wide range of luxury tanning beds. I have been a customer here for three and a half years! When I tan, I prefer to use the level three bed, the level four standup, or the level five bed. These beds allow me to get very bronze, very quickly and I always leave satisfied! The staff is knowledgeable about the different levels of beds and will place you in the right bed/standup and for the right amount of time for your skin type. I would recommend this salon to anyone looking to get an awesome tan in a short amount of time in the Boston area. The prices are fair and the outcome is amazing. :) read more

This place is great. The equipment is all pretty new and the staff is great. Never a wait either because they have a bunch of beds. Good music in each room. read more

I have been going here for a few years on and off. They have the best level 2 old school bed in Boston (the black one - I forgot what it's called). You'll get the best tan in there, though it's more of a reddish tan at first. It turns brown though. It is my favorite bed for a lot of reasons, and I think it is a lot safer of a tan than the UVA high pressure beds they try push(more on this later). My pet peeve with this place is their (mis)interpretation of the research on tanning. I know I am gonna get skin cancer - end of story. So, they need to watch the "benefits of tanning" and the "way to tan safely" stuff. Some customers are molecular biologists and cell biologists (or students of such scientists) at Harvard and nearby schools. And we know - No tanning is safe, but there are ways to make it safer theoretically. First, Smart Tan invested a lot of money in very expensive high pressure beds which are virtually all UVA. These beds will age your skin by going deeper than UVB. It is associated with melanoma (far more fatal than UVB induced carcinoma). The 1990s finding that only burning leads to cancer is not the whole story. You can *absolutely* get skin cancer if you don't burn - yet they still claim their UVA no-burning tanning "safe". UVB tans tend to just shed quickly and you don't cause as much cell damage as you do with UVA. All the research supports this. ..and it's not a "conspiracy by the sunscreen industry" for basic PhDs to do this research funded by the National Institutes of Health. Also, UVA doesn't induce vitamin D production...yet they promote this as a benefit. The high pressure beds will lead people to make less D than the sun itself (UVB makes vitamin D - not UVA). UVA high pressure beds cost more than the older standard beds for them and you. However, the tan DOES absolutely last longer in a UVA bed (but only if you have a base to begin with from a low level bed). So, be careful with their sales pitches about tanning safely, and just start in a level 1 and gradually work up to a level 2: I would avoid the high pressure beds unless you don't see results (based on your skin type) or MUST go to have a 2-3 week tan. Think about it this way: The human body evolved in an environment where we just had the regular sun...do you think we can actually cope (on a cellular level) with exposure to 100x the normal level of UVA outdoors? That's what the high pressure beds (that they push) do to you. They have all the UVB filtered out- and if they didn't-- and this were like the real ratio in the sun of UVB-UVA you'd be injured serious burns. The real sun's UVA doesn't deliver a 2 week tan in 8 minutes -- it's much stronger than the sun...with the burning rays filtered out. Now, one thing I LOVE about this place is they DO tell you the ratio of UVA to UVB (roughly) in each bed (behind the door). They want you to go in the higher UVA beds naturally, but still they are the ONLY salon I've ever seen to be blatantly clear about what beds deliver what. (Update: I have moved so I am not sure if this still is the case.) Their pricing is wacky and to this day I cannot figure it out but it appears the only way to get a decent price is a package. It's not cheap here - but not that much different than others. Also, I think this is the most customer-centric salon I've ever seen - and I've been to 20+ over the years. They even have a telephone to call the desk if you have a problem in your room... I saw one bed where they added their OWN in-room air conditioner to cool it down. It was not part of the bed design. It was in the ergoline classic 600. Total genius move, and I wish they did it with the super hot black level 2 bed which BAKES you when you're in there (the fans suck in there). They have personal CD players in each room... and I think they used to have some aromatherapy thing in the beds but I am not sure what the deal is with that now. They had slightly weird decor noted in other reviews but I'm not there for any other reason but to tan. There are also no level 1 stand ups here which is a common problem in all 3 tanning salons I go to in boston. I don't know what that's about. You cannot tan the sides of your shoulders in a lay down and there are other areas that end up lighter as well. Level 1 stand ups are cheap too & make good money from what I hear. Long story short... this is a great salon with really good beds - just ignore the sales pitches and tan based on common sense and your skin response. I used to take the T 10-20 minutes to get here, so I liked it a lot. read more

I would definitely recommend this tanning salon. It is very clean and has a very nice set up. The smart beds work well and they have red light therapy. Best place to go around this area. read more

Tonight was my first indoor tanning experience. My experience at this place couldn't have been more pleasant. The woman at the desk was very polite and helpful. Also, the facility was modern, offered many beds, private and very clean. There are fantastic specials available to any newbies looking to try it out. I would recommend this place to anyone looking for an indoor tanning salon. read more

Smart Tan is the best! Unlike other tanning salons, they actually care for your health and wellbeing. The staff shows you a smarter way to tan. The prices might be steep but you get what you pay for! The salon is very clean and staff knows what they are talking about. I highly recommend this salon. read more

Just had my first tanning bed experience at Smart Tan last week. The people worked were very friendly, gave me a tour of the salon and explained to me the differences between different level. I tanned 9 minutes in level 4, didn't get any darker, next time i'll def try level 5 with more minutes. read more

I love the smart beds they are a little pricey and they need more of the level 5 beds.There needs to be another salon closer to Boston with parking. I love how the LED light is in the beds. I feel better going here because of the UB lights. The other problem is parking there are two spots and one is taken by the person who is working there. You pay all this money to go there parking should not be a problem. I don't like the fact that you have to listen to whatever music the person working there is listening to. I know you can use your phone but ever time I tried that I couldn't get a signel and then I get stuck listening to tecno music. There should be a radio in the beds. Also I hate the fact that you have to ask for a key to go to the bathroom. read more

This is the best place in the area for tanning. Super clean, modern decor, and friendly staff. Their smart beds are great. I recently tanned in the level 5 and got darker after just 1 session! I highly recommend Smart Tan. So much more than just your average tanning salon. read more

I've been going to Smart Tan for several years, using the Level 4 beds, and it has gone downhill dramatically in the past two years. Beds are breaking and are never fixed. One Level 4 bed has had all the electronics including the clock broken for years. This year the other Level 4 has a broken fan so you roast and burn. Several times I've been there recently when the business didn't have the air conditioning on or it was broken, so it was like being in a sauna. Also, the staff this year is untrained, lazy, and rude. For the amount of money they take in for their packages, it amazes me that this business cannot make the small necessary improvements needed to make it the difference between 2 stars and 5 stars. It also amazes me that I continue to shell out over $100 a month and still go there. That'll change now. read more

Although Smart Tan has relatively new equipment, their customer service is terrible. The women working at the front desk are usually (though not always) friendly, but management is terrible. They have misleading promotions that they fulfill as they see fit, and often end up turning away good business. The prices are ridiculously expensive for beds that aren't much better quality than other salons half the price. Definitely do not recommend. read more

Like the reviewer below, I bought the passport package under the impression that it was terminal three-month deal. Thankfully I did notice that Smart Tan continued to withdraw money from my account, and I called and canceled but not after paying for a month I did not intend to purchase. I'm very careful about what I purchase, and the information on this particular package was misleading. read more

I love this place. I've got great results from them. The ladies that work there are so sweet. The equipment they have there is top notch too. I love that they have the little things like fans and hair ties! The waiting area is nice too, so I don't always mind waiting for a bed. This place is worth it for sure. Tanning is such a luxury so I don't understand why there are other people complaining about this place. Awesome location too! Oh and all of their lotions smell so good! I wouldn't tan anywhere else. read more

Smart tan has friendly staff and very clean beds. I have almost never had to wait for a bed to be available. Whenever there has been a problem (ie broken stereo in bed) it was fixed quickly. Slightly overpriced, but you are paying for the quality. read more