Massage was awesome! Very relaxing atmosphere. Cannot wait to go back for more! Miguel was amazing.

What a cute place. Had an incredible massage with Miguel. Really pleased with all services. Will be back!

A perfect spa Experience. Relaxing and so very peaceful. Full service attentive for Women and Men. read more

I had a wonderful experience at this hidden gem! My sister recommended this spa as I wanted a facial treat after the holidays, and Urban Sanctuary did not disappoint! The front desk ladies were so kind, and Delaney did an outstanding job. She was actually able to target the redness I had explained to her beforehand, and the end results were spectacular. She even took the time to write out a suggested skincare routine after learning my skin type. I will definitely be back, thank you Delaney and Urban Sanctuary for your care! read more

Christina was horrible. I continuously asked her to be softer and at one point she laughed and told me that "it was going to hurt." The next day I had bruises on my neck and upper shoulders. I was in so much pain and the room was so hot. I had filled out my patient paperwork prior to my appointment and when I went into the room with her she didn't know what I was getting. Additionally, my massage was cut 20 minutes short. Normally I would be very upset at this but by that point I just wanted to leave. She was also vaping in the room during my massage. It was not a relaxing experience in the slightest. read more

Went there to get some help for my shoulder. Allison did some magic and gave me back some mobility and took away some pain. I will definitely be going back. Great people. Very cool vibe. read more

I had the best deep tissue massage here! It's hard to find anyone who can massage a headache away but my therapist managed to do just that. The place is cozy and smells incredible. Very relaxing and inviting place. Will absolutely be back!! read more

Good ambiance, good massages and good customer sservice. They deliver as Promised. Will repeat often.

The front desk attendant who scheduled my next appointment made a mistake and booked an appointment for me with the wrong massage therapist. She realized the mistake right after she booked it, and booked the correct appointment for me. I asked if she had removed the appointment I DID NOT ASK FOR and she advised me she had. Today I receive an email stating I will be charged for this appointment. This is absolutely ridiculous. If my card is charged, I will be filing a charge back. read more

Second time at this location since they are one of the only places in the Athens area that offers couples massage. We got the signature couples massage which included hot stones and body brushing. I was expecting more hot stone action, but it was only used once on my back. It was my first time with body brushing, and I did not like it much. It's just a weird feeling and I don't like the scratchiness of the brushes (except for an itch on my back). My massage therapist was amazing - strong hands and very consistent. I think his name was Cody? The price was right for the great service received. read more

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This establishment is pretentious & unreasonable. I called as soon as they opened at 9:00 am to reschedule my appointment that was later that day at 3:15, because I had been in the emergency room all night with my spouse. When they asked why I needed to reschedule I told them th about our unexpected ER visit & they said they had to charge me 50% of my service to reschedule. This place is not worth my time or business. So much for promoting health & relaxation for its customers. I'd give it 0 stars if I could. Terrible customer service! read more

I've purchased the membership for 2 years now and I have no complaints. The atmosphere is perfect and serene. They paired me up with a massage therapist that fits my needs , Derrick, and he is absolutely the best. I strongly recommend anyone looking for services they provide to try Urban Sanctuary Spa. read more

This place is the best. I've had massages, pedicures, and facials here and am never disappointed. Lovely staff, wonderful products, and exactly what I'm looking for every time I come in: the chilliest experience. I'm surprised that anyone would give 1 star when the reviewer seemed to have had a good experience overall and simply just thought they paid too much. That seems unfair, and really when you're working with someone's feet and hands, this place is actually charging the right amount. You get what you pay for, and at other places that usually means shady practices and inadequate employee treatment. read more

Was looking forward to an "urban spa day," including a mini-facial, massage, salt scrub and pedicure. I initially had an unpleasant experience with the salt scrub and pedicure, but after emailing the owner about my experience, she reached out and offered a re-do on the massage. I definitely appreciate businesses that make things right and am hopeful to have a better experience at my next massage. read more

I am very disappointed and frustrated with this spa company. I have been a customer since they opened on Milledge Avenue. My family purchased a gift card Christmas 2019 for a 1 hour massage. I am a local nurse practitioner and I was not able to use the card last year due to the pandemic and my exposure risk. I am now fully vaccinated and called to schedule the appointment but was told the 1 hour massage gift card was no longer valid. I understand during normal circumstances an expiration date should be upheld. However I chose not to use this and unnecessarily expose staff or patrons as I am treating active Covid patients. The service here has steadily gone down over the past several years but this takes the cake. I will enjoy the spa at Arbor Salon from now on. read more

I have truly enjoyed a past message at US. My husband gave me a gift certificate and it expired in May. Teaching during a pandemic, it was not directly on my mind in May. However last week when I called to ask if it would be honored, the answer was no. It is unfortunate that given the circumstances, the owner chose not to honor it. I rarely write reviews but just want others to be aware. I'm glad that there are other choices in Athens! read more

I have never personally been to Urban Sanctuary. So why am I writing a review? Or better yet, why should you read my review? Well, let me tell you. This review is written for everyone out there trying to decided whether they should get their spouse/parent/sibling/boss/significant other/neighbor/random person on the street an appointment for one of the services Urban Sanctuary offers. I have made appointments for my wife to go get massages/pedicures from Urban Sanctuary multiple times, and I am telling you Urban Sanctuary is FOR REAL. Every time my wife enters Urban Sanctuary, she emerges an entirely new person. Her normal radiance seems to have multiplied to the point there pure liquid serenity seeps from every pore. Instead of walking through our front door, she floats, leaving an effervesent trail of unadulterated zen. She also smells really good. So for anyone out there considering whether this is a good gift, the answer is a resounding yes. Urban Sanctuary is worth every penny. read more

We were visiting from Sarasota and wanted to relax. I have had massages all over the world and I have to say that Jenn gave me one of the best massages I have ever had. I tried to offer her a ticket home with me;) Then to make the experience even more memorable they arranged for the Gymdog's massage therapist Katie to come to our hotel room and take care of our girls sore from gymnastics camp! I would highly recommend this spa as a must if you are ever in Athens! read more

Urban Sanctuary Spa - Lakewood Ranch Gymnast chillin in the hotel after being treated by the Gymdog's massage therapist Katie. - Day Spas Near Me - Athens, Georgia

I would NOT suggest purchasing a giftcard from here. I was given a gift certificate and call to see if I could get it extended since I have not made it in within the year time frame during covid... they said they could not honor it so they just pocketed $100 and we are out of luck! read more

My husband purchased queen for a day for me-a very expensive gift. I tried a couple of services and was not particularly impressed. When I decided to try again I did not realize that the gift certificate expired in one year and they would not honor it at even partial value. I feel this is quite greedy and unfair and needless to say I will never set foot in there again. If you get a gift certificate be sure to use it in a timely fashion. If you are seeking massage or facial services, there are undoubtedly better choices around that are hopefully not so full of themselves! read more

This place is great. It is super relaxing. I have been there twice and have great experiences both times. the last time my massage therapist was Lauren. Since the massage had been given to me as a gift they had written down info for a massage that was not what I wanted, not their mistake but the mistake of who gave it to me. Well not a problem Lauren took the time to ask me what i wanted and gave me a great massage! This place is in a older church. Everyone is very friendly and make sure you leave fully relaxed. While you are in your massage area there are no noises like I have found at other places where you can hear people talking or phones ringing. The linens they uses are very nice as well. if you are in Athens you need to get a massage form this place. read more

Just getting settled back in after a whirlwind wedding weekend in my beloved Athens. I needed wedding make-up and nails and found a few great reviews for Urban Sanctuary and I am SO thankful I decided to check it out! I HIGHLY recommend Layne for make-up and Kela for nails!! Both these gals were beyond personable and totally chill, which made for an excellent stress free elopement scenario (and trust me, eloping is the way to go for stress free). I will upload pictures of my awesome make-up once I get them back from Twin Hearts (probably the best photographers in the southeast)!! In short, this is a great one stop shop to relax and get done up! Thanks, ladies!! read more

David is out of this world, this is my second massage by him and I feel like I've had an out of body experience! My saved pennies are now reserved for a monthly visit to Urban Sanctuary and a 1 1/2 hour massage by David!!!! Thank you!!!!!!! Urban is such an amazingly relaxing atmosphere! read more

As with other customers who lost money to Urban Sanctuary because of Covid, I was informed that the gift certificate my daughter bought 3 mths prior to the shutdown would not be honored. Shame on them for pocketing so many people's money and providing no service. Will cost Urban Sanctuary Spa much more in future purchases from our family! Poor, poor customer service decision!! read more

Ally just gave me the BEST deep tissue massage I've ever had. I am a hairstylist with some very deep knots in my shoulders and back and she was able to give me relief and relaxation at the same time! I will be back SOON! read more

My girlfriend and I have been so stressed! I work on my feet and she is finishing a PhD. We did a one hour massage and it was awesome. I even set our next appointment before we left. Jan was great! I also purchased some lovely relaxation gifts for my mama! read more

The overall atmosphere is really relaxing and nice and I feel like it'd be a great place to get a massage. I got my eyebrows waxed and though everyone was nice and the experience was good, my eyebrows weren't shaped at all and the wax really didn't do much. I wanted to give them another try, but after my second time getting my eyebrows waxed, which they still didn't shape correctly or at all, my brow/eye region starting swelling- I think I had a bad reaction of some kind. My face was swollen for days and when I called them about it, they offered no helpful advice, apologies, or refunds/complimentary services. Would not recommend this place for any facial wax. read more

I love urban sanctuary. The spa is clean, quiet, and the staff are friendly. I've gotten a couples massage here before and loved it. Recently I went in for a prenatal massage. The atmosphere was perfect. One thing I would caution pregnant women on -- my massage therapist did not seem to understand how to work with a pregnant woman. While the first twenty minutes of the massage I was placed on my side -- the expectation was that for the last forty I would lay flat on my back. As most pregnant women know the recommendation is that pregnant women after the first trimester do not lay on their back for more that 5-8 minutes because the weight of the uterus cuts off blood flow to the heart and then in turn the baby. When I mentioned I didn't know if I could handle it the response was "we could skip rubbing your shoulders etc, it's your massage". While she was nice, this is problematic since I specifically signed up for a paid for a prenatal massage assuming certain accommodations would be made. I will return to urban sanctuary for a regular massage but at this point would not recommend for a prenatal without further conversation and exploration. Since the above review the owner has been more than helpful! She scheduled a do-over and placed me with an expert in prenatal massage Allie -- Allie was wonderful! She made sure that both the baby and I were comfortable! She was fully equipped to accommodate and work around my pregnancy needs. Allie also knew exactly what trigger points to work given my particular stage of pregnancy! After my massage was over I slept through the night for the first time in weeks -- my hip pain and back pain were significantly reduced and I felt so comfortable! Next pregnancy I'm definitely scheduling another visit with Allie! read more

I've had several services done at Urban, and have been so happy! Love the atmosphere and decor! The staff was so friendly and accommodating! Very relaxing, would recommend to anyone! read more

i have been a customer of urban sanctuary for many years and in supporting our local small businesses, i have purchased numerous gift certificates. i recently purchased two gifts certificates in 2019. 11/21/19- 80.00 massage 12/20/19 - 160.00 couples massage due to the covid pandemic, cdc / state covid guidelines for social distancing and mandates for closing of all non essential businesses for two plus months, we were unable to use the $240.00 in gift cards before the expiration dates . one gift card expired 11/21/20 and the other one just expired 12/20/20. today is 12/29/20. after my daughter tried to use her certificate and was denied, i left a message for the owner to call me back. i felt sure that urban sanctuary would make this right, after all, how can you social distance getting a massage? we have been in a pandemic with social distancing..... surely they will at least extend the expiration date........athens businesses were even closed several months due to covid. when i spoke with the new owner ,he informed me that "when they bought urban sanctuary they did not make any money off the previously sold gift certificates so he will not honor nor extend the expiration on my $240.00 purchase in gift certificates" . i am appalled. this is not how you treat the community that supports their small businesses. your comment of " i will be glad to give you a 20% discount on your next purchase " is insulting! you should be ashamed of yourself but your not ,so i am ashamed and embarrassed for you for taking advantage of your patrons during a pandemic. being a native of athens , i support our small businesses and wish them prosper and a better year in 2021. for you though, i look forward to your closing. read more

They did not pay attention to my listed allergy to collagen and used products that made my face breakout. I explicitly stated my allergy to collagen, caused by a tic-borne disease making people allergic to alpha-gal. When I could feel my face react to the products the lady then checked the labels and confirmed that there was (collagen) in the products. She acted like it was no big deal, wash it, and gave me some "cooling cream". I explained at checkout what happened and the girl was mildly apologetic and offered 10% off. My face raged with redness and pain for hours and I had to put ice on it to try and cool it down. I called several time asking to speak with a manager but no one would put me through nor would they call me back. I wanted to give them a chance to explain how they won't let that happen again to other people and perhaps offer to compensate me for the stress. It was a horrible and preventable experience that cost me over $100 and could have been avoided if they would have checked the ingredients of the products. read more

From the moment my daughter and I walked in, we were welcomed by the friendly staff. The sitting are was very calming in itself. Kimberly greeted me with a warm smile and listened carefully as I spoke of my trouble areas. She was very knowledgeable and offered tips on what I could do at home to help. She was amazing! I definitely will be back. My daughter also said the same. She had Derick and said it was her best massage yet! read more

I had a wonderful express facial with Nicole! She was informative and thorough! My skin still looks and feels amazing! I booked my massage for next month! read more

My wonderful partner took me to Urban Sanctuary today as a surprise birthday gift, and he made an excellent choice! This was the first time there for both of us, although I have enjoyed many massages at day spas, massage studios, and massage schools (by instructors and students) across the country. Parking is in a private lot in back. Take the stairs to the right (facing the back of the building) or the sloping brick sidewalk to the left to walk around and enter through the front door. Beginning half way around the building the two of us could smell the relaxing herbal scents from inside. We entered the building and were immediately in a relaxing and tastefully decorated living room-style waiting area. 3 large black leather easy chairs and a matching large couch, complete with throw pillows the perfect size to support the lower back were clustered around a grated fireplace. The store opens to the side of this area through a wide archway, offering a nice selection of organic boutique-quality bath and body products, all of which smell delightful. The decor is clean, softly lit with lovely window appointments, with a very relaxing and appealing style of decoration. Again, the smells are perfect and immediately encourage guests to speak quietly and breath deeply while sinking into a chair. I was promptly greeted and offered my choice of tea or bottled water (complimentary) by a friendly staff person, along with a heated neck/shoulder wrap. She popped by a few minutes later to explain that they were running behind, due to an earlier client. Along with her apologies she offered me a free foot soak! Who could be upset? Massages are always running a little late, everywhere I go, but this was the first time I was offered a free treatment for it, so I suspect they're usually very punctual. A nice, thick towel was laid out in front of my chair in the waiting area, and a large red hand-made (I'm guessing) bowl was placed on it. A scoop of fragrant powder with small dried flowers in it was placed in the bowl. She then poured hot water in from a large glass pitcher. I dipped my feet slowly in, letting them adjust to the heat, and enjoyed the new rising fragrance. They really have a talent for using smells that blend well together there. My feet felt wonderful in no time, and I reclined into bliss with warm toes and steamy neck/shoulders. All of this before I even left the waiting area! They were only running 10m late, it turns out, which was a perfect amount of time for my feet to soak. By then even my rough peds were relaxed, and my skin was well conditioned and soft without being oily. My massage therapist (male) appeared, dried my feet, and placed slippers on my feet. I shuffled happily after him, through the door and down a short hall to my massage room. After a quick pee in the cute restroom next door, complete with it's own extra space heater, robes and a shower with towels, he asked if I had ever had a massage before. I did, but explained that it was my first there. He then explained what their 2 person massage was. That's right, my sweetheart had gotten me 1 full hour with 2 massage therapists! Now THAT is love! After he left, I undressed and slipped under the sheet. The room was painted muted, dark earth tones, which set the mood well. Soft Asian-inspired music played in the background there were ample hooks, chairs and table spaces for my clothing. At the same time, the room was spacious, pleasantly (softly) lit, and (of course) smelled soooo relaxing. He returned shortly after, followed by a female massage therapist, and introduced her. He started at my legs and feet, while she worked on my back, after gently entering my personal space with that nice rocking thing that massage therapists do. They are well choreographed there! They both began on the right side, then the left, with each quadrant receiving massage both by hand and with hot rocks! Heaven! Ample amounts of high quality oil were used, but not too much. I rolled over (with some effort, at that point) and he worked on my shoulders, neck and scalp, while she worked on my feet. At the end I was left to slowly pull myself together, remove a little excess oil with one of their towels, dress, and shuffle back out in my slippers. Ben returned my socks and shoes to me and chuckled as I mumbled my appreciation to the staff and to him. I was offered another bottle of water and advised to hydrate myself especially well for the rest of the day. The two of us exited down the sidewalk, as I didn't think I could navigate the stairs on the other side, and he drove me home to the best nap I have had in months. Even he slept more soundly than usual, which he chalked up to relaxing in their aromatic waiting area for an hour. We WILL return for their couple's massage to celebrate the end of required doctoral coursework in the spring. Who am I kidding? I won't wait that long. read more

Great experience! I've been really stressed lately (I'm a PhD student in a rather intense program), so I went for a one-hour Swedish massage. She worked out so many knots and worked wonders. I'll definitely be a return customer! read more

This place is fine but overhyped. Came here for a massage and asked for a lot of attention on neck and shoulders and my masseuse barely touched that area. She was so sweet and kind which is why I gave more stars. The massage didn't seem to focus on any pressure points in my body. It was fine but next time I will absolutely choose another spa for a massage in Athens. read more

A dermatologist I know really enjoys regaling women with tales of the fungi and lost toe nails that he sees as a result of manicures and pedicures. As a germaphobe, I took that to heart. Urban Sanctuary is the only place I will get pedicures because their hygiene practices satisfy even my most neurotic desires. And on top of that, my favorite masseuse (and you guessed it, I am also not crazy about being touched by strangers) Krista works there. She is amazing and the only reason I made it through law school without a more serious drinking problem. read more

Urban Sanctuary has a new location, and though I'm bummed that I can no longer walk to my visits, I think the facility is great. They now have a high frequency machine to use on blemishes, and I love the Naturopathica pumpkin enzyme peel they've started using. I think everyone should try this spa! read more

This is about as good as it gets. Today I just needed a good overall relaxation massage and was not disappointed.

I went to Urban Sanctuary to get a Brazilian wax. I was told it would take an hour although I have had numerous ones in the past that have only taken tops 30 minutes. The woman who did my wax was very nice and personable. I felt completely comfortable - until she started waxing. The room was so hot that the hot wax was not hardening, so when she went to rip it off only half the piece came off. She sometimes had to rip 3-4 times to get one piece of wax off. The wax took one hour and 15 minutes and I was sweating all over by the end. I had heard great things about Urban Sanctuary and, unfortunately, it did not match what I had heard. read more