07/15/09

Didn't even get my massage

by bdine

I scheduled a last minute massage with Sothy's through lifebooker at 5:30 on a Friday. I ended up getting stuck at work, so I was running a little late. On my way out the door at 5:15 I called Sothy's to tell them I would be ten minutes late. Seeing as I only had to go two subway stops 25 minutes should have given me plenty of time to get there, however, the train was stalled and consequently I ended up being 20 minutes late instead of 10. I walked into the store and immediately said "i'm so sorry! I had train problems!" The woman at the desk just gave me an incredulous look and was rude right off the bat. I was late- yes this was my fault. But the way the woman who was the manager chose to deal with the situation made me decide I would never return. I was excited about trying it out as I had never been. She told me that I could still have the massage minus the 20 minutes. I told her I was sorry, but that was not a desireable solution. Before I could say anything else she went on a rant about how I called and said I would be five minutes late- which is not what I said. I thought maybe the masseuse would have wanted to give me a massage becuase that would mean more money in her pocket but I don't know how it works there. I would have thought that the manager would at least have checked with the masseuse to see if it was too late. But she didn't even as her/him. She just told me that the massuese had "things to do" just like everyone else and that staying an extra 20 minutes was not acceptable. That's fine, but again just her attitude was so gross. She told me she was going to charge my card for the massage no matter what because of their 24 hour cancellation policy. I explained that I had made the reservation less than an hour earlier and that I didn't think that was entirely fair. At this point I was beyond wanting to reschedule. I was so annoyed at this woman's treatment that I never wanted to return. She agreed not to charge my card, but not before saying more nasty things. Why would a spa want to employ someone with such a nasty attitude. She gave me the number of the manager in California that I could call on Monday, but I decided against it, because any company that would employ such nasty people is not a company I want to support. I never ended up getting a massage, which was sad because I really nededed it. Instead I left more stressed out than before.

• Pros: none
• Cons: Rudendess

03/30/09

Beautiful, Relaxing Atmosphere, & Attentive Staff

by triumvirate111

Took my sister here for a bit of bride to be pampering. Found this place online & loved the way it looked, its location, & reviews so between the 2 of us I booked a spa manicure, signature manicure, & a signature massage. My sister had Sarah the masseuse & we both had Barbara the nail tech. Sarah performed a great massage and new how to apply the right amount of pressure to the appropriate areas. Barbara's manicures were meticulously well done. All staff was super nice & accomodating, asking us several times if we wanted water/tea & they were understanding when we arrived 5 min. late for our appointments and did not penalize us. The atmosphere/decor was beautiful and everything is very spacious. The only cons were: outside the nail room was a bit noisy/loud and inside the nail room I had to stare at a 1/2 eaten banana the whole time I received my manicure - a bit gross. But I would go back. They treated us like royalty :-) (Which is how you should be treated when you're spending that kind of $)

• Pros: attentive friendly staff, great services
• Cons: noisy nail room, leftover food out in plain view of clients

02/28/09

The Ultimate Pampering and the Best value

by NatashaDS

Of all luxury spas in New York Sothys offers the best service for the best value. The minute you come through the door you are in the luxurious osis of tranquility and relaxaton. The staff is very attentive and skilled. The treatments are of the best technique and quality - it helps that the esteticians are trained in Paris. They use high quality products that really work. Every time I go to the Sothys salon, I leave very relaxed and rejuvenated. Warning - if you try it - you get hooked and never go anywhere else.

02/22/08

best waxing

by bettychan

I've been there several time for a full brazillian wax. Jenna is amazing! She has such good skill that it makes the entire process as painless as it should be. She used two different type of waxes for different area. Very skillfull. She is also very meticulous giving you a mirror to check for any strand of hair left. I have been a couple of places for brazillian waxing recommended by Citysearch....Sothys is my permanent home for waxing now. It is a bit pricy but I don't need to go home and tweeze the left behind anymore. Been there for massage too, Sarah is the best!

• Pros: Jenna for brazillian waxing
• Cons: a little bit costly

11/19/07

Good, but not GREAT!

by lhasty

I received a gift card for Sothys over a year ago and forgot it was even in my pocket. When I called Sothys, the receptionist told me that it was still valid and I could just pay the difference for my treatment. I had a 60-minute massage that was good, but not great. I arrived a little bit early, so I sat outside the locker room reading a magazine. There was a screen that separated this area from the front desk, but it was open to anyone coming and going through the spa. That felt somewhat weird considering I was only wearing a robe. Otherwise, the service was great. Everyone from the front desk to the therapist were all courteous and prompt.

• Pros: courteous staff, prompt service
• Cons: no showers

10/16/06

Great Service!

by laetizia123

For NY Spa Week 2006, I decided to take my mom, aunt and best friend for ladies day of relaxation. I've been to many many spas during spa week and I have to comment on the level of service I received at Sothys. I booked our appts. on the first day of Spa Week and we had mid-day appts. of massages, facials and scrubs. From the moment I walked in to 5 hours later when I left, I never received such amazing service from the technicians to the manager of the spa. The massage and scrub was a great combo and Sarah did a great job! I felt so relaxed and rejuvenated afterwards and so did my family & friends. The staff ordered and set up lunch from Mangia for us downstairs in their little cafe area. We were also treated to complimentary white & red wine, coffee, tea, cappuccino's and cookies. The maintenance staff who set up our lunch were both great! They were very patient, friendly and eager to make our day great. I'm thankful that it wasn't very busy on the day I went because the staff was better able to give us exceptional service. I would go back again because to me good service always makes a spa day or any day much more pleasant. Keep up the great work!

• Pros: Service, Treatments, Relaxing Atmosphere
• Cons: Need to replace the carpets on the main stairways.

Parisian spa palace gracing Fifth Avenue.

by Katie Heffernan

In Short
For the ultimate French spa experience in New York, the posh get pampered at L'Institut. Curvy, contemporary design over three floors hides 10 treatment rooms and a special hydrotherapy room, with a large skylight overhanging the tub. Estheticians, trained at the Paris headquarters, perform head-to-toe signature treatments with Sothys' products--the complete line of which is exclusively sold in the spa's shop. A petite French bistro calms with light, post-treatment bites.

03/16/06

Spa with no private shower facilities?!

by andreajl

Good massage but there are not showers! (so French!). The staff was confused why anyone would want to take a shower afterwards! There is one shower in a treatment room but you have to walk though the entire spa when you are done to get to the changing room to dry your hair and change. Not so private.

01/17/06

Results and profesional staff

by nadinepauwels

The Sothys Institut is one of the best Spa's I have visited in many years. Their staff is very well trained and products are of high quality> The results of a facial is immediate and long lasting.

i will return on my next New York visit.

• Pros: excellent facialists, superior products, pleasant environment