April Barton's Suite 303

09/05/2008 Posted by nicki21

On my first visit to Suite 303, April cut my much-neglected hair into an easy-to-manage, face flattering style. My subsequent visits were far less satisfying, and on the last one, April seemed disappointed that I wanted my hair shorter and I left the salon with a 'tail' a la Florence Henderson from the Carol Brady days. I had to wait three months for my hair to grow out enough to get the tail chopped off at another salon. Between the cut, color (very nice girl, but extremely unimpressive work) and tips, my bill for that disaster was nearly $700.00. Wouldn't have minded the price tag if I looked incredible- beauty has no price as far as I'm concerned, but this was like a $700.00 joke; I've been afraid to look in the mirror all summer. Finally rescued by a salon in one of the outer boros- around $200 for incredible highlights and a cut that doesn't make me look like I'm on my way to a PTA meeting.

Pros: April's dog and sometimes staff members' dogs are adorable and fun

Cons: Much ado about nothing- didn't measure up to the hype

08/14/2008 Posted by 2fromchicago

I am wondering if the folks below are talking about the same salon here? My partner and I were in New York for business and needed some pampering, so we went to April's salon. Wow! The crew here is AWESOME! So sweet and not uptight by any means!! By the way no one ever asked me what I did for a living while taking our reservation. So I'm not sure where that guy called, but I know it wasn't here! Heather cut my hair and she was such a doll :) Girl's got skills! My partner had her hair done by Chris (and let me thank you now Chris...Its the BEST haircut & color she has ever had). April was totally great....she wants to make sure everyone leaves looking good and feeling happy about the service they just received! We are SO happy we found this place... We will be back in October and you can bet your sweet buns we will visit.

Pros: Quality Service

Cons: Not closer to Chicago!

08/13/2008 Posted by WesternVisitor

I found everyone at Suite 303 to be very friendly and accommodating. In such a busy and trendy hair salon, it's good to be able to communicate your needs while there. Getting to know the person servicing you is a plus in this crazy world. April and the other stylist are true artist and when you choose an artist you have to really love and appreciate what they do. I will go back there the next time I'm in New York.

08/06/2008 Posted by JoKreeStay

I have to agree with the previous reviewer who was disappointed with Steph. I had similar experience. The first time, April came around and was all over the cut, fixing it. The second time, April stayed away, and the end result was a mess. Steph is very nice, and overall good, but I get the sense that she's not there yet-- definitely not worth the price she's asking. And as with previous reviewer, my cut was also unbelievably uneven. I think it's great to have a nice person doing your hair, but really-- this was sub-par. I could have gone to supercuts and gotten the same thing. what's with the payment thing? i asked for a receipt for paying over 100.00, and they looked at me with disdain, then scribbled something in pencil on a piece of paper torn off a piece of notebook paper. very professional. is the irs listening? what most bothered me about making the appointment-- and two other people have told me this-- is that they first ask you 'what do you do for a living?' before allowing the appointment to be made. if you say you're in a profession that's not cool enough for them, does that mean 'no haircut for you.' discrimination, anyone? that's nearly illegal, honeys.

Pros: if you think being inside the chelsea hotel is cool, you'll be happy

Cons: payment . prices not what quoted. irs needs to be summoned! don't ask someone what they do for a living before you decide if you can take their money under the table

06/21/2008 Posted by hululala

not a good experience with april barton's crew of hair stylists. they get an F for customer service and i got the distinct impression that i somehow wasnt "cool" enough for the surroundings. (i guess school teachers arent allowed) april's cutting style is not only absurd and hilarious to watch, it also strikes me as a tad dangerous. (you may want to bring safety goggles). shes more of a performer than anything else. her mission statement applauds "individual expression"--but in my experience, the 303 salon team struck me as a flock of hipster sheep. hey, if thats what you are in the mood for than this is the place for you. youll certainly get the haircut you deserve. otherwise, id seek out something a little more reliable and less shallow.

Pros: cheap thrill of hip atmosphere

Cons: terrible customer service, shoddy work

05/13/2008 Posted by pleasetryanother

I got my haircut at suite 303 by April herself after reading good reviews but felt a little dissapointed so i decided to finally post something here so that other people looking for good haircuts can get another side to the stories. I walked right in because the door was slightly ajar and noone seemed to be watching it and felt a little lost until a nice person greeted me and sat me down with a glass of water. I met with April who gave me a quick evaluation of my hair and was sent to get my hair washed. P.S. i don't know if she's the only one who washes hair, but the girl who did me did a fantastic job with a head massage. Anyways, getting my hair cut by April felt a little like being pruned by Edward Scissorhands. It was interesting, she just lifted up chunks of hair and cut like crazy. I was intrigued until she stopped for almost ten minutes to pluck the eyebrows of a friend who had just walked in. She then continued to cut and then got a little too into it and poked me in the eye pretty hard. She apoligized but in my head I counted off another demerit. After about 15 more minutes of cutting and some partial drying she said i was done, and I was a little surprised because it didn't look "done" to me. I will credit her for giving me an easy to care for haircut, but it's pretty boring and I'm sorry I spent $300 on it when I could have gotten someone else to do it for 100 or less somewhere else. When I got home my boyfriend didn't notice I had a haricut until I told him an hour later. Last week my sister looked at me from the side and said I had a mullet. Today I am getting another haircut to chop off some hair to fix that. All in all, it was an interesting experience but I think the money would be better spent on some shoes or a months worth of groceries!

Pros: nice people, good location

Cons: $300 spent in 30 minutes, never again

05/08/2008 Posted by MattB72

I just got the best hair cut at 303 Salon and just got three complements on the way home from the salon. I'm going out tonight...

Pros: pretty lady cut my hair and listened to my hair needs "curly"

05/08/2008 Posted by 27heaven

I started going to Salon Suite 303 about 6 months ago and have been there for different hair appointments from a hair fix to a highlight cut about three times since and every time I get really amazing hair. They really have the intuition, experience and great taste(from my classic dos to my styled dos) in hair. My most favourite stylist is Stefani. I saw her about a week ago and got my hair cut and colored . My cut is really feature complementing and I have the prettiest shades of reds and browns I've ever had in my life! and they look really natural. I would recommend 303 to anyone who wants their hair tastefully done with style. *another plus is the home like atmosphere, you feel like you're at your friends house hanging out getting your hair done!

05/07/2008 Posted by shimmyjazz

i've been going to stefani for over a year and have walked away beaming every single time. i've taken friends, family, even coworkers to her and all were thrilled with their cuts. in fact, last time i was there, two of my friends were getting a cut at the same time...word spreads when your hair looks good! i recently brought my mom who was visiting from minnesota (since both my sister, who lives in london, and i had raved) and stefani made the time at the last minute to see her. my mom left thrilled. her words "i've never had a better haircut in my 60 years...and she made me look 20 years younger!" not only did stefani listen to her and respect what look she wanted but cut it in a way that completely shaped my mom's head (no more puffy-mushroom shaped cut!) the music and vibe is always cheery, laid-back, fun. i look forward to my appointments with stefani. as i've taken pretty much everyone i love to get their haircut by stefani, i feel completely confident in referring the new york public to her. enjoy!

Pros: adorably talented stefani giving me a fresh look every time

Cons: have yet to meet those hottie single male clients i keep hearing about!

05/07/2008 Posted by donniewy

I've been coming to suite 303. more specifically, Stefani for over 2 years now. At this point, I don't trust anyone else with my cut. First, the atmosphere and vibe is perfect, not overstuffed with chairs everywhere and assistants running with scissors. The vibe is well maintained with good tunes and good people, both cliental and stylist. The salon doesn't do massive advertising in periodicals, for one reason, they don't need to. Word of mouth is enough to keep the chairs filled, which makes it feel like you stumbled upon a real cool party that not everyone is savvy to. I can say I've recommended all of my friends that have now become regulars. Stef is the future of the comb and sheers. Your haircut is more like a collaborative piece, your idea, and her crafting. She has her finger on the pulse of city fashion, as does everyone else who works there. (I've often seen uptown folk coming this chelsea gem just to get a shot of modern, tasty style) I've never walked away disappointed, i actually get compliments not from just women, but men. (It must be a good cut if a straight guys asks another straight guy where he goes.) Go there, relax, have a cup of coffee, go smoke a cigarette on the balcony of the Chelsea hotel, soak up the history oozing out of the walls of the place. I say go now before this beautiful salon gets pushed out the doors like all the residents. This is a small piece of pre MacHattan NYC that is well kept by all the stylist there. Besides, this might be the only room in the Chelsea you'll ever get in. Its a real cool club, be a part of it.

Pros: men's cuts done by hot women

Cons: the hot women have men already