Hello Aimee - I misspoke - it was a full day at the GF. It consisted of the normal full day stuff... including the lunch. First the bad:
Eating lunch in the middle of the external shopping part of the lobby was wrong.
The waiting lobby was too small.
The steam room, whirlpool, sauna area was too small and the clear glass door to the waiting area impacted me negatively, although I can't remember how.
I believe when someone has a full day treatment they should not have to go back to that lobby, all the noise and people - hover about for 10 mins and then get shepherded back to the therapy areas. That waiting area could be so full at times there was no where to sit. There should be another area to make oneself comfortable while waiting for the next therapist. I realize that it could make logistics difficult, but for $500 or more, one should be not herded about as much as i was.
This was especially irritating when i went back to the same room I had just left. I believe that was the transition from facial to massage. No sheets needed changed etc. it was a case of "Ok, rouse yourself, this treatment is done" - refreshing spray to the face (for the 3rd time) and back to the cattle room. tic toc "Hello, i'm your therapist, I'm taking you back for your massage" and by golly - it was the room I had just left.
SOMEHOW everyone who treated me that day should have known I was there for the whole day. I should not have had to tell each of them that. I blame the management. I am a little worried the SSR is owned / managed by the same people. I will say the appointments I made are no where near the full day that I would normally have done because of my fear that I would have the same mostly bad experience.
Can I make it clear enough? I doubt it. A spa should be a relaxing environment. The transition room should be better. If they insist on taking clients back and forth and forth and back that area needs improved. My day of relaxation ended up being short spurts of relaxation for a very hefty price.
GOOD STUFF -
The therapists.
It was not their fault that management had not done their bit to make the day feel like a full day of relaxation. Instead if felt like 6 or 7 different appointments all crammed together.
The treatments - all first class and individually well worth it!!! I would go there for a massage and pedicure again. Never will I do a full or even half day there.
If anyone needs a good example of good client transition management and waiting room and sauna etc... I can give many - my most recent being the spa at the Renaissance Chancery Court in London. I doubt anything that I can afford could ever mirror that. Their transition room is a therapy room unto itself.. individual chaise lounges, dim light, soft music, fruit and juice.. it was lovely to go to.
Thank you Aimee for soliciting more information. it would be lovely if something good might come out of this for future clients.
