Very disappointing for the price.
Although my manicure/pedicure are nicely done and my esthetician was polite,and knowledgeable (Lisa), I won't be returning to the Spa Ritual. For this price range, there are more relaxing, better spa experiences to be had in the Calgary area. When I booked (well in advance), I was told that I would not be able to add a massage to my package without a 2hr wait between services. How feasible is this for those that require childcare? I was also informed that I would have to bring my own flipflops (not provided), and access to the lounge area is restricted to clients with massages, so there are no chaisses or robes, or shower access. (Okay, so at this point I'm expecting just an expensive nail salon...not a spa, but I had a gift card, so I still booked.)When booking, I checked that a smoothie would be available as part of my gift card package, as my services were over the lunch hour. I was offered tea and water, but not the smoothie. Not a huge deal, but again this distracted from the spa atmosphere.
The most frustrating part of the afternoon was when another client came in with a small baby (5 months old) and sat right next to me, commenting that "I'm sure people don't come to the spa to hear a baby cry." and "Don't worry, she won't cry for long." It is not that I objected to her breastfeeding in public, or even that her child cried for very long (actual a cute, well-behaved girl), but I had gone to great lengths and expense- as a single mother desperately in need of child-free downtime- to arrange childcare for my own 6 month-old, so that myself (and other "spa" patrons) could have a few quiet hours. I felt like the staff should politely be letting people know when they book that children can not be accomodated at a "spa"....no one said anything to this other patron, though.
If I had wanted that kind of an experience, I would have taken my son with me to my usual ordinary salon (Angles in Panorama, or Groovy Nails in Beddington Mall)where they do excellent nail work for a third of the price. The Spa Ritual is clean, and the staff was courteous and friendly, but it was definitely not a high-end spa-like experience.
For special, relaxing and true spa experiences in the future, I will be recommending to friends and returning to my usual spas- The Riverside Spa in Bowness and the Fairmont out in Banff, where for the same rates, they provide robes, slippers, chaisses, drinks and fruit/cookies, more access to combined services with shorter breaks in between, and a truly relaxing quiet spa atmosphere. read more