GF or SSR Spa treatments

[ES0412]

Can someone give me some insight to either the spa services at GF or SSR? I'd like to surprise DW and not quite sure which way to go.

Thanks

 

[Poohs Pal]

I've been to both and have always enjoyed the atmosphere much better at the GF Spa. I did like the shower area much better at SSR. The one thing that really bothered me about SSR is after you get naked and into a robe you wait in the same waiting area as the men. This just made me uncomfortable. . The men just don't sit as discretly as the women . I mean the more you try to avert your eye's the harder it is to do so, you know what I mean . Susan

 

[justcruisin]

YIKES --- I'll skip SSR and look into GF. I can't believe they'd structure the spa like that --- no way it was designed by women!

 

[Poohs Pal]

Several of us are going to the spa in december. DD called SSR hoping they now had seperate waiting area's and she was told that everyone still waits in the same room together.This just takes away from the whole relaxing experience. We made our ressie's at GF even though we are staying at SSR. Susan

 

[WDW TRIP NUT]

What about the new spa at the Dolphin? I haven't tried it (although I'm planning to in Dec.) If anyone has tried it, please post.

 

[ES0412]

Well I guess it's GF. I was hoping for SSR because it was closer to the Celebration Golf Course, which is where I'll be ! Although, maybe my DW would like the free entertainment !

Thanks for all the replies....

20 more days...Uuugh!

 

[LilyStar]

I went for a tour of the SSR including the spa when I was considering DVC. I had already been to the GF spa a few times before. I think the GF is much better as far as atmosphere and all that. SSR is very very new looking, GF has a better overall feeling in my opinion.

 

[ufgator]

I haven't been to SSR's spa, but I just went to GF's this week. I've also been to the one at Disney Institute but that's doesn't exist anymore. I liked the treatments at GF's spa. It was smaller than I expected. I had a marine algae wrap, which was great (my skin is still soft), and a manicure and pedicure. I liked the massage chair during the manicure and pedicure. I went with DH and my mom. My mom had a massage and said the table was heated, which she really liked. She also had a manicure and pedicure. DH had a massage and facial, and he said he enjoyed them. The spa had a whirlpool, sauna and steam room. The staff was friendly.

 

[lentesta]

My DW has been to both, and prefers the GF. She's also been to Canyon Ranch, and says GF is conparable to that.

Len

 

[nativetxn]

I'm going to move this to our resorts board where I'm sure you will get some great advice.

Katholyn

 

[Cinderella]

Done GF before and it was a lovely relaxing experience. Trying SSR in December. So, just how small exactly are these robes. Normally robes are pretty big, but if people are intimidated about the mixed waiting area thing - I am beginning to worry!

 

[married@wdw]

Funny -- I've done both spas and I much prefer SSR. The products used at GF are "revitalizing" while the products at SSR are "relaxing." When I'm home, I want to be revitalized because I only get a few hours here and there. When I'm on vacation, I want to relax!!! I also much prefer the spa itself at SSR -- it's not quite so "fancy, shmancy" which also helps me relax more.

As for the robes, I'm a larger than average woman who's quite shy and I had no problem with the robes, which were long, thick and covered me quite well and sitting in the waiting room. There was a gentleman there, but I never gave it a thought. I actually quite enjoyed it -- I had a very nice cup of tea.

If you're really uncomfortable with the waiting room, you can either keep on your underwear until your in your individual room. Or, you can just let the attendant that escorts you in, know that you'll be waiting in the changing area and they'll come and find you there instead. Both were options offered to me when I protested -- then I saw the robe and it just didn't matter after that.

 

[ccw]

Four of my girlfriends and I were at SSR spa yesterday (massages and facials). Not bothered one bit by sharing the lounge (waiting) area with men. We were way more covered up in our robes than we would have been in shorts and t-shirts so I don't see that that was any big deal. Loved our treatments. Would also add that we walked to the spa from OKW (and back again) and that was nice, too...a little exercise bonus. In terms of differences between SSR spa and GF spa, I asked the person doing my facial that exact question and she said services were almost identical since they were both Nicki Bryan (sp?) spas but that GF tended to use more Citrus based products and SSR used more herbal based products.

 

[kritter]

I have done the SSR spa three times and love it they have way better therapists than at GF went there tooo and did not like it at all....to far of a walk also...

 

[Sammie]

Our family group, male and female, much prefer SSR over the Grand spa. We found it more relaxing, comfortable, and the staff much friendlier and accomidating.

As to the robes we had no problem sharing the few minutes in the lounge with others and if your robe is not large enough simply ask the attendant for a larger one before leaving the locker room.

 

[Sammie]

I've been to both and have always enjoyed the atmosphere much better at the GF Spa. I did like the shower area much better at SSR. The one thing that really bothered me about SSR is after you get naked and into a robe you wait in the same waiting area as the men. This just made me uncomfortable. . The men just don't sit as discretly as the women . I mean the more you try to avert your eye's the harder it is to do so, you know what I mean . Susan

The women and men in our group did not remove undergarments until they were in the massage room. I never knew anyone went buff prior to then.

I guess I just have not been peeking under any robes in the lounge.