SSR Spa....Facial & Pedicure

[dbprimeaux]

I was so excited and ready for my big Spa treatments!!

I had a facial & pedicure last week....

Well, I won't be doing either treatment again...

It was very expensive, and neither of the thearpist seemed to care at all, maybe it was because I was the last client ?? My facial was suppose to be 60 minutes and I was done and back in the lounge in about 45 minutes and the pedicure....I have had much better at the local exotic nail place close to my house for $25. The massage I had last spring was MUCH better at SSR

IMO - definitely not worth the $$$.

 

[javamom]

Awww sorry you had a bad experience.

 

[The Disney Bunch]

Thanks for the headsup! I was going to book a pedicure while I was there but maybe I will rethink it!

 

[sajetto]

The last time I was there my pedicure was fabulous, but the massage wasn't because the therapist wouldn't stop talking.

My husband, had a GREAT massage though. I can't remember her name, but she was really young with long brown hair. My therapist was lady in her 50s.

 

[Aunt Michelle]

I was so excited and ready for my big Spa treatments!!

I had a facial & pedicure last week....

Well, I won't be doing either treatment again...

It was very expensive, and neither of the thearpist seemed to care at all, maybe it was because I was the last client ?? My facial was suppose to be 60 minutes and I was done and back in the lounge in about 45 minutes and the pedicure....I have had much better at the local exotic nail place close to my house for $25. The massage I had last spring was MUCH better at SSR

IMO - definitely not worth the $$$.

I'm so sorry you didn't have a good experience at the SSR Spa! Did you feel that they cut something out of your facial or just rushed?

Thanks for the headsup! I was going to book a pedicure while I was there but maybe I will rethink it!

The last time I was there my pedicure was fabulous, but the massage wasn't because the therapist wouldn't stop talking.

My husband, had a GREAT massage though. I can't remember her name, but she was really young with long brown hair. My therapist was lady in her 50s.

I have had many great experiences at SSR and other spas, and if I could be so bold as to offer a piece of advice - I never, ever, book a manicure or pedicure. You can get better and much cheaper mani/pedi at your local salon where they do nothing but these services.
sajetto - next time mention to the therapist first that you would really like a quiet experience, they are generally very accomodating. Did you and your husband have side by side or separate? If they seem over enthusiastic - I just say I have a headache and that usually does it.
One more piece of advice - be adventurous and book one of the wraps or scrubs! Although I love the spa at SSR - I often splurge and head over to the Dolphins Mandara Spa. I hope you all have many happy and relaxing spa experiences!

 

[buckeyebill1995]

Hi! I'm new to the board! We are going to SSR and was thinking of doing a mommy/daughter spa visit (my dd will be 8). What would you recommend? She comes with me often to get her nails done with me, so I don't think that would be a big deal to her, but she may be too young still for a full blown massage. On the other hand, she's a total princess...

 

[Aunt Michelle]

Hi! I'm new to the board! We are going to SSR and was thinking of doing a mommy/daughter spa visit (my dd will be 8). What would you recommend? She comes with me often to get her nails done with me, so I don't think that would be a big deal to her, but she may be too young still for a full blown massage. On the other hand, she's a total princess...

Are you taking her to BBB?

 

[buckeyebill1995]

Not this time. She did it last October for not-so-scary and loved it, though!

 

[Aunt Michelle]

Not this time. She did it last October for not-so-scary and loved it, though!

Maybe you could explain a massage to her and see what her reaction is? My two oldest nieces are 11 and 10 (I have 7!), and the 10 year old was with me on our Christmas trip in December. I think she is very mature but I have not taken her to the spa yet. That may just be a selfish action on my part as I always think of the spa as an adult escape. I also know that my treatments would be less relaxing because I would be concerned about them. I'm so terrible!

 

[buckeyebill1995]

Maybe you could explain a massage to her and see what her reaction is? My two oldest nieces are 11 and 10 (I have 7!), and the 10 year old was with me on our Christmas trip in December. I think she is very mature but I have not taken her to the spa yet. That may just be a selfish action on my part as I always think of the spa as an adult escape. I also know that my treatments would be less relaxing because I would be concerned about them. I'm so terrible!

Seven?! Oh my goodness! You're not terrible -- I think of it as an adult escape too, but she really wants to go with me this time and I was trying to figure out if there was a way to let her have the experience without taking away from my own (extremely rare) pampering. I thought I remembered 'my first facial' packages at GF, so I thought they might have something similar at SSR, but haven't found anything yet. Going to be our first time as official DVC owners, and for her birthday, so want to do something special.

 

[Aunt Michelle]

Seven?! Oh my goodness! You're not terrible -- I think of it as an adult escape too, but she really wants to go with me this time and I was trying to figure out if there was a way to let her have the experience without taking away from my own (extremely rare) pampering. I thought I remembered 'my first facial' packages at GF, so I thought they might have something similar at SSR, but haven't found anything yet. Going to be our first time as official DVC owners, and for her birthday, so want to do something special.

I believe they do. Here's the link to the spa:

http://www.relaxedyet.com/saratoga_springs_spa.asp

Yes, seven nieces. The oldest is eleven and the youngest just had her first birthday. I have only one nephew. My poor dad had three daughters and then five granddaughters before he came along!

 

[buckeyebill1995]

THANKS! They do have 'my first spa experiences' for ages 4-12 and mother-daughter packages. I have one daughter, one nephew who's a week older than my daughter, and one niece. That's plenty for me!

 

[eliza61]

.
sajetto - next time mention to the therapist first that you would really like a quiet experience, they are generally very accomodating. Did you and your husband have side by side or separate? If they seem over enthusiastic - I just say I have a headache and that usually does it.
One more piece of advice - be adventurous and book one of the wraps or scrubs! Although I love the spa at SSR - I often splurge and head over to the Dolphins Mandara Spa. I hope you all have many happy and relaxing spa experiences!

Aunt Michelle,
Do you like the dolphins spa offerings better? I'm planning a girls only trip this may. We are celebrating one of my girlfriends "breast cancer surviver" anniversary and wanted to do a spa treatment. Any recommondations? I will look into the scrubs.

 

[zalansky]

I have to say, that the Mandara Spa at Dolphin is AWESOME!!!!!
I felt like I was transported to another country in there. I will say that my massage wasn't the best I have ever had, but not the worst either. Unfortunately, its up to the experience - or lack of - the massage therapist. i do think these spas need to keep on these people though when clients are paying such big bucks. I did do an add-on to my massage that was some sort of hair oil treatment that smelled incredible and made my hair so soft. It was divine.

I will definitely give this spa another try because its so nice.

 

[Aunt Michelle]

Aunt Michelle,
Do you like the dolphins spa offerings better? I'm planning a girls only trip this may. We are celebrating one of my girlfriends "breast cancer surviver" anniversary and wanted to do a spa treatment. Any recommondations? I will look into the scrubs.

I like the overall spa experience at Mandara (Dolphin) a bit more luxurious than SSR. I've had wonderful treatments at both, and at the Grand Floridian as well. The spa at GF and SSR is owned by the same company. Here's the link to the Mandara Spa (I put the SSR one up in a previous post):

http://www.mandaraspa.com/Main/SpaView.aspx?SpaID=8

The Lime and Ginger salt glow and Aroma Stone Therapy massage are wonderful. I am addicted to hot stone massages . If I am going for facial/skin treatments I would pick Mandara over SSR.
SSR has the Maple Sugar body polish treatment . GF has a Citrus Zest scrub.
My experience is that the technician's at Mandara sometimes are over zealous in their attempt to get you to buy products. I usually tell them up front that I am not interested in anything (but I do buy the Lime and Ginger Salt Glow once a year!).
I like the food options better at the Dolphin and GF if I am adding a lunch before or after the spa.

I have to say, that the Mandara Spa at Dolphin is AWESOME!!!!!
I felt like I was transported to another country in there. I will say that my massage wasn't the best I have ever had, but not the worst either. Unfortunately, its up to the experience - or lack of - the massage therapist. i do think these spas need to keep on these people though when clients are paying such big bucks. I did do an add-on to my massage that was some sort of hair oil treatment that smelled incredible and made my hair so soft. It was divine.

I will definitely give this spa another try because its so nice.

I agree. They do a very good job at "setting the mood" at Mandara.

 

[tomandrobin]

I am sorry to read that you didn't get the treatment that you thought you were going to receive. My DW and DD had manicure/pedicure treatments on the last visit and had a wonderful experience. I am hoping your spa treatment was just a fluke and not the new "norm".

 

[LIFERBABE]

I visited the SSR spa on Dec 28 and 29.

I had a manicure the first day and went back the next morning for a pedi (booked last minute so couldnt get both together, no prob since we were staying there)

I cant say enough good things about both my experiences.

Yes it is more expensive than having it done at home, but after my last botched pedi at my local Happy Nails before my last trip that left me limping for days on vacation, I've decided to pay a little bit more at SSR and not get pedi's as often. SSR always does a good job and I have found my feet look better longer that when I had it done at home. My polish from Dec still looks new.

I normally request Conchita and she was available for my mani but she was off the next day so another lady did my pedi. She was not as personable as Conchita, but she still did a really great job.

I've also had a pedi on DCL that I will not do again. I didnt like their services at all.

I pay $35 at home (strip mall nail shop) for a pedi and $44 (discount included) at SSR. So for the difference and the experience, I thought SSR was definitely worth it.

Those that have not been, should definitely try it for themselves. I have sent family and friends to SSR and they all really loved it.

 

[dbprimeaux]

I think my "bad" experience was because I was the last client of the day. I had a massage last spring at SSR and it was wonderfull ! And, I LOVE the Mystical Forest spa products at SSR. I bought some to bring home!! I think I will try the spa at GL or dolphin next trip??

 

[aclov]

I was there in Sept for facial and massage and really enjoyed both. They were also discounted for DVC members. I didn't think it was much more expensive than the norm especially for the resort type place. I enjoyed the spa itself, the sauna and whirlpool were nice.

 

[dawngee]

i've had some of my best pedicures at SSR! Last November I had a pedicure ( and when I say I needed a pedicure--trust me) this girl worked it. My feet have never, ever, ever had a better pedicure. I can't remember her name but she just got married the first saturday in november and she was EXCELLENT!!!!! As was my manicure the next day and the massage I had.

It was money well spent. The only thing I didn't have time for was a facial and I'm sorry, now, that I didn't make time.