I had been wanting to try a float session for the last few years and was happy to find a LivingSocial deal to introduce me.
The staff were very professional, and the sign-in process was pretty quick. I heard the receptionist tell another spa-goer that they try to get 4 people per time slot, so 4 of you will sign-in and be taken to a separate area to view an 11-minute video on the benefits, instructions, etc, together. It was a good video to see on the first visit, albeit strange to watch in a group setting. Could the iPad be loaded with that video?
From the video viewing room, your group is taken on a guided tour. The current format of this tour is somewhat awkward for both yourself and the people in the lounge already partaking in their post-float services. Perhaps it would be better with an explanation of what we were going to see while in the video room, then be able to walk by the other spa-goers quietly, without a tour guide standing there explaining what they are all doing. OR, perhaps a guide could be waiting near the lounge to greet spa goers after their float and show them to the accoutrements? Just a thought.
There is an area with a men's and women's restroom, and a "getting ready area" all in the same nook. It is really an L-shaped counter with 1 sink, 1 hair dryer and a few bottles of lotion, Qtips, etc. My biggest suggestion will be about this piece. It really should be that there's a men's room and men's getting ready area separate from the women's area. There is some discomfort attending to blow drying your hair while a man hangs out waiting for his wife at the same counter. Note: everyone is dressed in this area. Its just that personal care is typically done differently in other spas, and that format seems to be what is most comfortable. (I shared this with a friend on the phone who also agreed.)
The guide shows everyone to a suite and walks through all of the details. Walking in, you are greeted with a nice warm temperature and well-appointed. Roomy, nice finishes, and clean. However, it would be nice if the shower were a slight level lower or so to keep the water from going ALL over the floor. Proves tricky in keeping pants totally dry when changing.
After the demo, everyone is shown to their own suite. There's an opportunity to go back and visit the restroom, then you shower before getting in your pod. The shower products were amazing. I was very pleasantly surprised. Bravo! The amount of time in the pod is perfect. Some float companies do a 90-minute float and my personal opinion is that would be too long.
Some areas for improvement: I noticed a long hair on the spray bottle inside my pod that is to be used for rinsing eyes should salt water get in them, etc. I noticed another hair on the teak shower bench near the shower. I noticed hairs on the floor of the womens' restroom. I think what happens is, the salt encourages hair that is ready to shed, to shed. We know that epsom salt (magnesium sulfate) draws things out. The entire facility was very clean, yet the sight of a stray hair is not super awesome. This didn't ruin my experience but I certainly noticed it, as I mentioned.
Overall, a nice treat. Maybe next time I'd go after a massage... read more