5 Elementos SPA, IPS & Wellness Center Medellin — Attraction in Medellín

Yesterday was my birthday, so my boyfriend decided to book massages for us at 5 elementals spa. We found this spa through a google search and the reviews generally appeared decent. I called the spa and was pleasantly surprised when they said that we could be accommodated for a couples massage within the hour. Prior to appearing at the spa, I called and verified whether they accepted credit card as a form of payment and they confirmed they did. We show up to the spa, and select the relaxation massage. When we attempt to pay you had to pay prior to the service which typically in most, if not all places, you pay after the service is rendered I am told the credit card machine is not working. Mind you, the receptionist is the same woman who confirmed you could pay with credit card. Also, there’s a 5% fee if you pay with credit card, which I was never informed of until we attempted to pay. So we spend about 10 minutes trying to figure out what to do, and then the receptionist tells us there’s an atm a block away. We go to get cash, and come back to pay so we could get the massages we were looking forward to getting. I also noticed there’s services for a blow dry and I specifically told the receptionist (who I later learned was the girl who was going to blow dry my hair) that I wanted to get my hair washed and dried after the massage. She told me it was $40.000 Colombian pesos and I told her that I wanted that service after the massage.

The massage—this experience was very different from other spas I’ve ever gone to, and I’ve gone to quite a few. We were brought into a room, not provided with a robe or towel, and told to let them know when we were ready. The massage chair had one thin lining of some sort and a cheap blanket with the 5 elementals emblem to cover our bodies. Typically, when getting a massage you want it to be cozy so you can relax, but it didn’t feel that way. As for the massage, it was more of a body rub. It was disappointing because you have an expectation and it wasn’t met. It was obvious of all the knots in my back, and the masseuse barely addressed them.

Once the massage was over, and I wasn’t thrilled about it but looking forward to getting my hair washed and dried, we walk out of the massage room and the spa looked like it was closed. Mind you...the time they list they close is as 9pm. It was barely even 8 pm. The two masseuses were at the front desk and I ask where the girl is to do my hair. They said she was the receptionist and she left home—yet another disappointment.

In retrospect, I wonder if they purposely take cash so you can’t dispute it. I was overall disappointed with the service and quite frankly surprised at the positive reviews they have. I’d like to also be very clear that my boyfriend and I both got massages there. I’ve noticed the spa likes to comment to negative reviews stating they don’t have the name listed as a person who attended. I would not take 20 minutes of my life on my trip to Medellin to write a review if I was lying. I want to give future costumers a heads up so you know...

Completely disappointing and of harm to the client.

5 Elementos Spa is located in el Poblado, one of the most affluent neighborhoods of Medellin; but after walking in, the place was not what I expected. The bathroom and the waxing room were very dirty. I was one of the first customers of the day and the bathroom trash was overflowing and the floors were filthy. I had waxing and a facial done. This was 36 hours ago. I am currently at home with second degree burns from the scolding wax and with bruise trace marks on my face from the instruments used. I have contacted the spa on numerous occasions and they have undermined me and have invalidated my experience by stating that the results are normal. I have healthcare experience and can undoubtedly confirm that the results are not* normal.

After my experience from the services and more specifically, the unprofessionalism and inconsideration for my well being, I would not only abstain from recommending it but I would strongly suggest avoiding it.

Update: was guaranteed by staff that I would reimbursed for my services and have spoken again today to the staff and they refuse to do in a reasonable fashion. This was the cherry on top to an awful...

HORRIBLE EXPERIENCE!!! I booked 3 package sessions for me and 2 friends with the jacuzzi. When we checked in the attendant didn't say anything about when we would have to leave. We had a facial, massage, and were enjoying the jacuzzi when somebody started banging on the door telling us they were going to call the police if we didn't leave. We were all confused. The masseuse told us that she would return for us when our time in the jacuzzi was up. None of the 3 of us heard anybody knocking at the door until the loud bangs and threats to call the police. We were all waiting for somebody to come to let us know it was time to go. I asked to speak to the owner and was surprised to learn that it was the owner, Andres, banging on the door issuing us threats. I was shocked to be treated so poorly in a place of relaxation. The attendant claimed to have knocked 2 times before the owner threatened us but none of us heard any knocking before the banging. The attendant said that they normally turn off the music when the time was up, but there was not any music in the room. I have been to at least 100 spas around the world and have never been treated so disrespectfully. They could have opened the door to inform us the time was up. They could have informed us prior to the session that we would have to leave at a certain time. They could have given us the BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT before assuming the worse and creating an uncomfortable experience for 3 clients. For everybody involved please be more respectful to your guests, unbelievable!

¡¡¡HORRIBLE EXPERIENCIA!!! Reservé 3 sesiones de paquetes para mí y 2 amigos con jacuzzi. Cuando nos registramos, el asistente no dijo nada sobre cuándo tendríamos que irnos. Tuvimos un facial, un masaje y estábamos disfrutando del jacuzzi cuando alguien empezó a golpear la puerta diciéndonos que iban a llamar a la policía si no nos íbamos. Todos estábamos confundidos. La masajista nos dijo que volvería por nosotros cuando se acabara nuestro tiempo en el jacuzzi. Ninguno de los 3 escuchó a nadie tocar la puerta hasta que se escucharon fuertes golpes y amenazas de llamar a la policía. Todos esperábamos que viniera alguien para avisarnos que era hora de irnos. Pedí hablar con el dueño y me sorprendió mucho saber que era el dueño, Andrés, quien golpeaba la puerta y nos amenazaba. Me sorprendió que me trataran tan mal en un lugar de relajación. El asistente afirmó haber tocado 2 veces antes de que el dueño nos amenazara, pero ninguno de nosotros escuchó ningún golpe. El asistente dijo que normalmente apagan la música cuando se acaba el tiempo, pero no había música en la habitación. He estado en al menos 100 spas en todo el mundo y nunca me han tratado tan irrespetuosamente. Podrían haber abierto la puerta para informarnos que se había acabado el tiempo. Podrían habernos informado antes de la sesión que tendríamos que irnos a una hora determinada. Podrían habernos dado el BENEFICIO DE LA DUDA antes de asumir lo peor y crear una experiencia incómoda para 3 clientes. Para todos los involucrados, sean más respetuosos con sus...