I got the Paradise Package. 3 stars for massage / overall experience and 5 stars for the facial.
I booked a package service yet the appointment was not treated as a package, but rather 2 separate services and very disjointed among staff & process. I was greeted by my masseuse, May; she checked me in. I turned my phone on DND & after the massage I saw I was called by the owner 45mins into my massage saying my facial was rescheduled to later because they were running behind and "see you when you get here!". May had me dress up after the massage. I walked out of the room and the person who turned out to be the esthetician greeted me and politely showed me to a waiting area, after I informed her I was to get a facial next. She remarked she was probably the one to give the facial she just needed 10mins to get room ready. May then found me and seemed confused why I was sitting where I was. Once getting facial, I was asked to dress down again.
critique: need better cohesion with packages to make the experience optimal for the customer. Why not have the customer stay undressed after the massage and offered/directed to put on the facial towel and then given a robe to wear and THEN escorted to waiting area or directly to facial room with their belongings in the basket? There's a big disconnection with how this spa delivers package experiences.
Massage: I usually book with Jiji but she wasn't available. I saw positive reviews for May on Yelp under their other location. I've had massages for over 20yrs all different types & I appreciate a well-trained masseuse but I also find diamonds in the informally educated! It's not easy work.
May asked what pressure I want, asking "hard or medium?" and I said "medium-to-hard" and elaborated I had a few knots to work out but not too crazy. First, there was no aromatherapy offered in the supposed aroma massage! May started off good over the sheet with getting pressure points to alleviate knots and tight muscles, but what I initially thought was momentary deep pressure to do so turned into a whole 90mins of constant deep pressure. I kept giving benefit of doubt and waiting for the relaxing point, especially once the hot oil was applied. There were certainly moments, particularly with the hot stone part, but it seemed to always go back to painstaking deep/firm and over-massaging the same areas to the point of pain. I don't usually get a lot of focus around my spine(mid and lower) so initially I was grateful, but it just became too much. A properly trained masseuse would know you cannot overwork a knot, or area, because muscle bruises CAN happen. There's a point in massage where you work the muscle, and then let it go for the day, so inflammation doesn't override. Even after I asked to lighten up- at one point yelling out and kicking my leg away because twice she went too hard on my right calf, she would apologize but go back to firm/deep pressure elsewhere on the body. I think a good masseuse would have intuition to read body language and if a client's body is tense andholding their breath- it's too much!! I also questioned her technique part way in and that she relies too much on her elbows- which in hindsight, explains why she was too firm! How can you let up on a muscle or feel how tense a person is during massage when youre using your own boney-body part to 'do the work' over and over. It was not great technique and may indicate that she is worn out and shouldn't be doing deep tissue? I kept hoping it'd get better! I also don't like the back of my neck getting grabbed like it's a sack of potatoes or a stray cat that needs to get moved- the way she grabbed at it was rough and not therapeutic. The scalp massage- not even sure you can call it that. Suffice to say, at home I drank tons of water and soaked in a bath, but had to take an nsaid because it literally hurt to lay on my back- like laying on sticks! I know my muscles are bruised, you just can't see it on the surface.
I had a few days to reflect and analyze, so it seems super negative, but there were areas much needed to be "worked" and I appreciate that. I also appreciate the effort it takes to do deep tissue (even though I asked for medium) for 90mins. So, I tipped very well in cash to her (after she found me) because I always tip service workers well. I am sure these workers really are living on the tips. I tipped her well, but I won't book her again.
Facial: I had Marlen for my facial and it was the 2nd time booking her and she was/is phenomenal. Great customer service. Her touch was the perfect amount of soft and gentle, with enough pressure to stimulate circulation. She explained what she was doing, the products she was using, and their benefit. I'll definitely book with her again.
Afterwards, I checked out and the owner was confused because there were "two Amandas"... yes, going back to the package not being a package! I spent $400+ between services and tips and my body just hurts, even 4 days later. read more
