First of all, the services I received (Aveda Chakara Massage and Sea Mud Body Wrap) were fine. It was the on-line booking experience, interactions with staff before and after my services that were less than blissful. The review I'm about to give has been detailed in a three-page letter that was sent to the business owner and the spa manager on May 17, 2024 (one week after my appointment). Neither has responded to my concerns as of today (June 5, 2024).
I was trying to book an a la cart spa day for myself and a friend more than a month away from our chosen date. This proved to be quite problematic, took more than an hour to accomplish--and required a call to the spa the next day to confirm things and add on a service that was to be discounted as an add-on to the regular spa services. The add-on was time in the Lotus Room (online would not let me include it at the discounted price). The person I spoke with confirmed all of our appointments (who was getting what service) and added the Lotus Room at the discounted rate. She also requested the time we wanted to use the Lotus Room so the staff could go prepare the room 15 minutes prior to our arrival.
The evening before our appointments, I called the spa to confirm for both of us, get the times for each, and confirmed time in the Lotus Room. Less than 10 minutes later, I had to call back to cancel one of my friend's services. The cancellation was confirmed and then the person I spoke with said they were getting ready to call me because one of my services (I initially had three things scheduled) had cancelled for the next morning. I asked if I could rebook that same appointment for the following week--and was given a new appointment for a week later.
The next morning when we arrived for our appointments, it was as if I had not confirmed everything the day after booking or the night before. Their system had me getting two of the same service and had likewise done something similar with my friend's appointments. I also asked to pay the balance of the appointments then. That proved to be problematic because of how the online system had booked us; I ended up with three separate transactions.
My first stop was the Lotus Room. Unlike what I had been told, the room was not prepared. I had decided to relax a bit and wait for my friend to get out of her first appointment, so did not realize the steam room and sauna had not been "warmed up." Had I known this, I would have started them when I got to the room. Because of this, I was not able to fully experience the benefits of the Lotus Room before my first service was scheduled.
Because I wanted to be completely relaxed, I left my watch and phone in the locker room. Luckily, there is a clock in the Lotus Room so you can make sure you're on time for your appointments. However, it was an hour off (early). The time had changed nearly two months prior. Interesting that no one had noticed it. I fixed it.
I went downstairs for my first service at the appointed time, gave my name, and was asked to wait in another relaxation area. Someone came in and called out a name. Didn't quite hear it, but knew it wasn't my name. This person returned a few minutes later and asked for me. When I got up from the chaise lounge, the staff member said she had my friend's name for the appointment--not mine (this should have been corrected at check-in, if not before when I had called prior to the appointments). I said something about the online booking system being problematic and was told, "you'll need to tell the people downstairs at the desk." ("Not my job" syndrome--yikes!)
The only thing about the massage that I'd improve is the "consultation" that was advertised on the website. The only consulting that happened was to give me a series of cards that described conditions and listed applicable oils that would be used. I was hoping to have more of a conversation that might detail/suggest a massage "regimen" for me.
I left after my second service appointment feeling refreshed. Still missed the first service I had booked (the one that got cancelled the night before), but was looking forward to receiving it the following week.
Fast forward to my appointment the next week. I arrived a few minutes before my scheduled time. The receptionist asked my name and told me she didn't see me on the schedule. Not just for that day--but for any day. I had no future appointments booked. (All appoinment slots for that day were booked, so they couldn't work me in.)
I said that I had put 1/2 down on that appointment when I booked it more than a month prior--and had asked that I be rescheduled when I was told the therapist had called in sick for the following day. The only explanation I was given was that when I came in for the "spa day" and paid for my services, the receptionist/cashier must have "zeroed out" my balance and applied it to the services I received at my original appointment day without checking for future appointments first. So very disappointed. read more