Best SPA?

[TheWeasel]

Of the three, Grand Floridian, Mandara & Saratoga, which is your favorite and why? Thanks!

 

[CindyIsMyFave]

While I haven't been myself, friends who have liked Saratoga better than GF.

For my own $.02, I've been to Mandara spas elsewhere and they are some of the best I've ever been to, so . . . maybe this one is great too!

 

[Cee]

I've been to the spa at SSR several times and it's wonderful. The facility is great, the technicians are wonderful, everything. Just be prepared to open your wallet.

 

[TinkrLiz]

I've only used SSR so can only comment on that. I used the SSR Spa for the first time this past Thursday. The Spa is very nice. I only saw two employees the one who greeted me and told me where to go and then my therapist. Both of them were great. I did think the room the massage was in was a bit cold and hospital like. Lots of hard tile but then they probably do other treatments in the room and can't have any rug on the floor. There was a candle on the window sill and over on the counter but neither was lit. Maybe they were the electric ones on timers and had gone off. I was the last appointment of the day. It really stuck out to me when walking into the treatment room how hospital like it seemed though. The rest of the spa was awesome looking and the look of the room really didn't detract from my massage it just shocked me when I walked in. The table was also cold but warmed up quickly when the therapist turned it up. At first I thought they didn't even have a table warmer on the table since the table was not warm. Maybe she just forgot to turn it on prior to me getting on the table.

The locker/changing room is downstairs where you change into a robe and slippers. You lock your belongings in the locker. There are facilities to shower and a big sunken hot tub down there too. When I booked the massage I was told there was a sauna but I didn't see where that was. I don't like them so I didn't inquire about it. You come upstairs and wait in a dimly lit waiting room where there is water and tea available if you want some. The therapist came to get me in about 5 minutes. The robes are all one size. There is a sign that says larger robes are available. I'm a size 14 and 5'7". The robe had more than enough room to wrap around me. I would think someone taller would want a longer robe though. It just came to my knee.

I'm a Licensed Massage Therapist in NY but didn't tell the massage therapist until the massage was over. She told me she had just finished school in December so she was brand new. She did a great job. I'm glad I didn't tell her before since she was a new therapist. If someone is new or young sometimes they get nervous if they know you're a LMT.

I thought the price for a 50 minute massage was great. I actually expected it to be higher at a resort spa, especially at Disney. I didn't check the prices of any of the other services as I was only interested in getting a massage. It's definitely something I'd like to do every trip

 

[TheWeasel]

Lizzie, thanks for the very detailed account and everyone else for their input.

 

[Bounce_Tigger]

I splurged for a hot stone massage at SSR in November. It was very pricy, but worth it, for a once in a (long) while treat.

I arrived with plenty of time until my appointment because I wanted to explore the amentities. The place was almost deserted, but I was greeted warmly by the CMs.

There was a problem with the stone warmer so I ended up waiting an extra half hour or so, but they were very up front and apologetic about it. I didn't mind, since I had plenty of time, but someone who was in a rush might have gotten peeved (they didn't offer to take anything off my bill, but it *may* have been because I was already getting a CM discount).

The therapist was great. I'm not someone who likes to talk during my treatments and after a few minutes of small talk, she seemed to sense my disinterest and remained quiet, except to ask every once in awhile if the temperature was okay and how I was feeling.

I loved it, despite the cost, it was totally worth it. They didn't rush me out of the amenities at all - in fact, they told me that I had use of them all day, so I briefly considered grabbing lunch at the SSR foodcourt and going back, but I decided against it.