After a couple of days of winter hiking, I wanted to treat my boyfriend, and myself, to a couple of relaxing massages.
Atmosphere - while the establishment was easy to find, the environment within was less than relaxing. Upon arrival, there was a static filled top 40 station playing overhead, which was not what I would expect to hear while waiting for a massage treatment.
We were early, which gave us time to complete our paperwork, and pick out our scents for our aromatherapy addition to our service. We were handed a little box full of various essential oil bottles scattered within. Some of the bottles had leaked, so the outsides of the bottles were oily and the all the scents seemed to blend in with each other. After deciding against the aromatherapy option, I needed to wash all of the excess oil off of my hands. The bathroom itself could definitely use a spruce up, as I felt I had just walked into a facility at my great grandma's senior centre.
While waiting for our appointments, we watched one of our RMT's eat her lunch, as the staff room is kitty corner to the entrance, and their door was left open for easy viewing.
My massage room was a bit cold (temperature wise, as well as aesthetically). It was also incredibly bright, due to the large windows, with no option for dim lighting to enhance relaxation. The linens were well loved. My boyfriend said his room was not at all bright, and was lit for tranquility.
Service - The welcoming offered by the front desk attendant was more of an annoyed one, rather than enthusiastic, nor did she seem pleased when we decided to forego the aromatherapy add-on.
As for the massage, mine with Michelle was average, however, I feel as though I would have enjoyed it more if the environment and experience leading up to the massage had been better. That, and if the room lighting was different. Also, the time between arriving in the room to change, and to when the RMT returned, was a bit more extended then I thought it should have been. When I purchase an hour massage, I expect to get at least 50-55 minutes worth, which I did not feel was the case here.
And to the other extreme, my boyfriends massage with Angie was excellent. He emerged from his room looking/feeling refreshed and rejuvenated, 'one of the best treatments he has had'. He also received his full one hour, as I waited for him for a good 10 minutes after my service had been completed (despite our services beginning at the same time).
As when we arrived, there was still the top 40 station playing upon our payment process/departure, which left me feeling as stressed as I was to begin, with before my treatment commenced.
At least my boyfriend was happy & beaming, which was really my main focus that day.
Atmosphere/environment = 2 stars from both of us
Massage = 3 stars from me, 4.8 from my boyfriend read more
