Doesn't Recommend

Jenny N.

Joined 1 year ago

Don't waste your money or time!. I only went here because I got a kgb deal from a friend. My coupon was about to expire, so I called to make an appointment, and left a message saying that I'd like to schedule a one hour massage (worth $200)before my coupon expired (big mistake). I didn't hear back from them after a day or so so I called back. After a few days the lady finally called me back to schedule an appointment for a Thursday afternoon @ 4p.m. I had to meet my cousin around 6pm, so I'd have plenty of time to get a one hour massage and be on my way. I got to the salon @ 3:45 p.m. and the lady told me that the masseuse was running late and if I could wait. I told her that I couldn't bc I was meeting with someone soon so she rescheduled me for the next day @ noon. I show up a little early (15 minutes)and rang the bell a few times before anyone answered. When I got upstairs, she told me that masseuse was running a little late and asked if I could wait 30 minutes. I told her that I had to get home and get my ride for a blood test. I sat on a couch in the waiting area, which was small and not very appealing. The lady goes to the back and returns to cleaning. As I was waiting, a man enters and goes into the back. After about 15 minutes later, he calls me to come into the massage room to have my massage. The massage itself was a good massage ( only reason why I'm giving it 2 stars)and he got the knots in my back out. I noted that it was 12:59 after I changed and went to the counter. When I went to to pay, it was the lady at the counter and my massese was sitting in the waiting area, which is right across from the counter. I gave her the coupon, and she charged me the tax, and told me that the tip was also not included. She automatically calculated 20% tip and I felt that she had the masseuse there to pressure me into paying that amount. I've been to a much nicer spa (Oasis Day Spa)and they give you an envelop to tip @ your own discretion. I had set aside $20 to pay for the mandatory 10% which is usually the tip I'd give, so I had to dig into my personal fund to pay the extra $10. I didn't like the fact that I was bullied into paying 20% tip and that the tip wasn't done discretely. Maybe this isn't a big deal to most people, but it was to me. I have a disability and am on a fixed income, and sorely needed a massage to alleviate my pain, and I think this just added to it. I was in a rush to get home before my ride brought me to the hospital, and it was on the bus ride home that I realized that I did not even get a 1 hour massage. The guy showed up around 12:15, and by the time I was dressed and walking to the counter it was 12:59. So I was totally ripped off because I was bullied into paying for a tip for an hour massage when I only got half the service. If I actually had to pay for this, I wouldn't have and I would have made a scene, but since it was a gift and I was in a hurry to get to a more important appointment, I left. Another thing is that I while I was waiting for the masseuse to show up, a guy from KGB called her to ask how the deals were going. I'm thinking that this is the only way that she has any business @ all. She also tried to sell me cholesterol pills from Market America, telling me that they have the best stuff out there. Like I said, the only reason why I'm giving it 2 stars instead of 1 is because the massage was very good. All I wanted to do after was sleep, so it was very relaxing and he worked out all the knots in my back. I still haven;t had a chance to sleep yet, but I'm sure I will sleep soundly tonight. I just had to post this review as a warning. Be wary!

Doesn't Recommend

Cassandre F

Joined 2 years ago

Avoid at all costs. I saw their ad on Spa Week for a 70 minute hot stone massage. It sounded great so I made an appt despite all the bad reviews I read. Most of them were years old so I decided to give them a chance. Hey things change.

I arrived at 4:45 for my 5pm appt. I had to buzz three times before someone let me in. Once I got upstairs, I had to guess which door was the spa. The receptionist let me in as she was putting on her "lab coat". Then even after I told her I was there for a massage, she gave me the form for a facial peel to fill and left the room. I had to get up and get the right form myself.

So 5:05 she comes back and tells me they're waiting for the previous client to leave the room. I waited another 10 minutes and I was called into the room. The receptionist told me to undress and get under the covers. I asked if I could speak to masseuse first to ask a few questions about the massage, the cleanliness of the stones and the products used. She had me ask her. I was satisfied with her answers. At 5:18 I was all set to go.

As I waited another 10 minutes for the masseuse, I set the alarm on my phone to 645. I figured she'll arrive in 10 minutes and it should end by that time, since it was suppose to be a 70 minute massage. Vivien got there and I asked her if she got a chance to review my form, since she didn't have it with her. I soon learned Vivien spoke very little English and my high school Spanish wasn't flooding back to me in that moment. I struggled to tell her about my form and my trouble spots. She finally understood and went to get the form. I pointed them out and all was good.

If I had to use one word to describe the massage overall it'll be: weird. Pressure was ok but she seemed like she was rushing. At times it felt more like a skin rub down. The stones felt really nice even after she almost burned my lower back with two of them. However every time she massaged my collarbone with her hands, I had to brace myself for pain. It felt more like she was pinch my muscles rather than relaxing them, which is a shame cause my collar bone was a top priority for me.

Then she asked me to turn over. By then she had already stole my blanket. I asked for it back to cover my breasts. I got a flash back of my last gyno appt and didn't like the feeling of getting a breast exam at a spa. She covered my girls and went back to business. It felt pretty good.

Then she uncovered my breasts and started rubbing my stomach and rib cage. I was a little put off about that but it felt good so I didn't say anything. At least she didn't directly touch my breasts. After a few minutes she started wiping me down. I had to ask her to massage the soles of my feet. She did it and ended with slapping my feet a few times with her palms.

Then she had me abruptly sit up and stretch forward a few times. Very very odd I thought. Although it felt good to stretch, I was a little dizzy after having to get up so quickly. Then it was all over. I got up and checked the time and guess what... It was 615. I got robbed off 30 minutes!!!

Pros:

Soothing music and aroma

Clean

Friendly staff

When not being burned by the stones and the hot towel, the heat is pleasant.

Cons: Did you read the above?

I also don't think my masseuse really cared about stretching my muscles at all. She was just going through the motions to get to her next appt.

Also the head massage was a little weird and not soothing.

Did I forget to mention the woman who came out after her massage to sit next to me in the front and put her socks, shoes, and hoodie on? I didn't even get a chance to put my jewelry on. Vivien was already tidying up the room.

Overall:

Very disappointed. I paid $55 and tip for a lousy experience and a waste of time.

I definitely will never go back. My collarbone hurts more than it did before I got there.

Oh well, you get what you pay for but at least I didn't pay full price.

Recommends

lazaro12345

Joined 2 years ago

WOW! WOW! WOW! THE BEST!. Aqua Vitae Spa is exactly what I was looking for many years. They use the most amazing SUGAR HAIR REMOVAL, My Back and shoulder feels like BABY SKIN.

Bottom line: Professional, friendly, extremelly clean.

I don't think I'd ever go back to some of the places I used to go for waxes, facials and massage after experiencing what I have at Aqua Vitae Spa. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED defenetly the best treatment I ever had.

Recommends

haleysmith

Joined 2 years ago

AMAZING!. My name is HALEY and this past friday I sent my girlfriend Susan and two of her friends to your spa for a relaxation day in NYC spa experience for her birthday. Aqua Vitae Spa made Susan and her party feel wonderful, and I wanted to thank you for helping give Susan a 28th Birthday . She will never forget how amazing was. I highly recommend!

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emily9

Joined 2 years ago

"WOW!!!. I treated myself to a 90 minute facial and it was the mos unreal experience ever! My facialist was so attentive to all of my needs. I was treated like a princess for the time I was there. I loved the service and the entire experience and highly recommend.

Recommends

nicolepattison

Joined 2 years ago

I really like this place. I got a 90 min. massage at Aqua Vitaes Spa and had a pretty good experience. The space itself is calming and clean. After a long week of work. This was an absolute treat!!!

Recommends

NatalieWi

Joined 2 years ago

Best Facial Ever!. This was the most fabulous treatment I have ever had! I love that my skin was glowing and refreshed when I left. I felt like a new person. My skin is so sensitive and my esthetician was so caring to all of my needs, and I was not at all red or blotchy. I really felt like the staff cared about me and my needs. I recommend this to anyone looking for personal attention and a caring hand.

Recommends

emmatompsonny

Joined 2 years ago

Very Nice. I have been going to Isabel since 2005 and each time, I have been very satisfied, she is very meticulous ang gentle, and makes sure you are completely relaxed and comfortable. I have gone to may other massagers before; only to come out limping in pain. The nuckles here do not hurt at all. I promise. You will be amazed. You will come out immaculate. I am very happy recommended.

Recommends

yaste

Joined 2 years ago

Aqua Vitae Spa with Isabel was phenomenal. "BEST HOT STONE MASSAGE, Ask for Isabel. I've gotten all kinds of Massage at lots of different locations and most are so-so at best. But the one I got at Aqua Vitae Spa with Isabel was phenomenal. She is extremely professional. And best prices!

Love it" Went to visit the spa after a long trip my back and legs were so tired and achey. I need it this massage. Of all the spas I 've been to this is one of the best. reasonable prices

Doesn't Recommend

Loveiskey

Joined 3 years ago

PLEASE DO NOT BE SHEISTED BY THESE PEOPLE!. I will never return to this "Spa".

I am 38 weeks pregnant and visibly so. I worked standing on my feet all day and then rushed here right after work for some rest and retreat. I rang the buzzer several times to no answer. Luckily I had the number still in my cell phone so I could call them to let me in. When I got into the spa a second level walk up, I was less than impressed. The establishment is is a mom and pop business(nothing wrong with that). But the space is very small, almost claustrophobic. There is not much decorum. It was actually a very cluttered space. So right there, not the best atmosphere. The person at the desk (also the owner) was ringing out one of her two customers. After she finished up with the previous client, she barely acknowledged me before I had to approach her counter to tell her what I was there for. I was not asked if I needed refreshment of water or the like. There was no offering of any kind. I asked where the bathroom was and she took me to it, a small cluttered bathroom that was a little unclean.

I had arrived 5 minutes early to my treatment and though there were only two clients there at the time who were both leaving I waited for a half hour before I was brought in for services. I was serviced by both the owner and her one other aesthetician for a facial and an eye brow wax. I asked about how much the eye brows would cost before hand and the owner stated she'd have to see how much work it would be and that she'd be doing it. This was odd to me since my eyebrows are already very sparse, just in need of some refining. While she was doing my brows she made "small talk" by asking if I'd be having my baby in the Bronx. I don't live in the Bronx I live around 98th street in Manhattan. She made an assumption because I am African American I am guessing? But then I don't want to make assumptions. She seemed shocked when I told her what hospital I'd deliver at and said, "Wow you get to choose? That's a good hospital." She doesn't know my health insurance situation. What the heck does that mean and why is she saying this? Hmmm?

I'd asked for a mirror after the eye brow job but she never brought me one. When the first aesthetician came back in to rub my shoulders (that's the only massage I was offered "since you are so far along in your pregnancy" they claimed, "usually we'd do more") I asked for a mirror and then I saw the mess. I asked her to try and fix them. She herself said they were looking odd. So, The eyebrow wax was just plucking in the end, but I was charged 20 dollars for a very bad job. They ended up uneven and one was over plucked to the point you really couldn't do much to fix it.

In the end I opted to tip them 18 percent of the total price of my services, generous to me, since the eyebrows were a flop and one of the people who worked on me was unnecessary for what I was getting. (WHY does it take two people to do a facial and pluck some eyebrows?)That percentage was 12 dollars. However when I handed over my card, (it was the owner ringing me up) she said "Oh, is that 12 each? " That brought it up to 92 dollars. She quickly added ,"Why don't we just do 100", and proceeded to run my card without hesitation. I made her refund that last 8 dollars, though at that point I should have made the tip a lot less. I could not believe how brazen she was. It was, frankly, sheisty and rude. I work hard for my money like everyone else, and like to give tips as they are due!

Overall, BAD EXPERIENCE! It left me stressed for two days afterwards it should have done the opposite.