Viva Day Spa + Med Spa | Domain Northside — Attraction in Austin

EDIT* No contact was made, despite below attempt to remediate the experience. Who is Blake? Never heard from anyone at the ‘spa’ despite what is detailed from owner below.*

This review is for the overall experience at the Domain Northside location. The photos on website are truly misleading. The sole purpose for booking a massage at a "spa" complete with spa pricing versus a parlor (such as massage envy as a example) is for the full service lounge complete with amenities such as showers/sauna and relaxation. Their site advertises a relaxing experience complete with photos of treatments, saunas and relaxation rooms. I had originally booked 3 treatments; a gel manicure, followed by 60 minute hydra-facial and last a 90 minute massage. Call it a woman’s intuition, but prior to my appointment I called to verify my start time and ask if steam showers were on site (like there are at Milk and Honey Spa’s). When the receptionist said unfortunately not, it prompted me to ask about which amenities were available considering I had 1 hour plus layover between appointments. At this point I was told that the saunas featured in the photos were not amenities that are included with services without further purchase, essentially “add on” service. Upon my arrival to my appointments ( costing upward of $500). I was greeted and asked whether I needed to use the restroom prior to my treatments. Assuming I would be escorted to a women’s locker room and offered a robe or shoes to change into and made feel more comfortable, I was brought to the women’s bathroom. It wasn’t until after my facial that I was then taken upstairs to the rooms where massages are provided that I had to ask the esthetician where the lockers were for me to stowaway my purse and belongings. The massage was pleasant, however soothing music was drowned out by the blaring music from the Rock Rose bar scene thus making it extremely difficult to ignore and ultimately unwind and fully relax. This was my first time at Viva and I typically do not leave reviews but felt compelled to share as I feel like this location has several opportunities to improve before I consider a revisit because the massage and facial were amazing! Sad because as a result of not securing my belongings as to be expected at a spa I was shuffled between 2 separate treatment rooms and 2 separate lounges, I lost my favorite pair...

UPDATE - revised to 5 stars from 1 star. The manager Jennifer, called me the next day and sincerely apologized for the situation. It was extremely genuine and I felt like I was being heard and she assured me that this is not the way that they treat their employees.

This shows their commitment to excellence and that they strive to ensure customer satisfaction. 10/10 would recommend. Thank you!

I had my first laser hair removal service today. The girl that did my service was EXCEPTIONAL. When I was done, she guided me to the check out and left. I decided to purchase an exfoliator.

The girl at the front desk asked me if I’d like to pay for both my boyfriend and my service- I let her know that I had already made payments for both when I made the appointments. She then asked me if I wanted to leave a tip for my service and I said no. Not because it wasn’t great service, but because tipping for a laser is not required especially when I have just bought a $900 package.

When I looked down at the payment pad to pay for the exfoliator, the total said $150. I asked her what the $150 was for and she proceeded to explain how gratuity works. THREE TIMES. At this point, I’m a little upset because I’ve already told her that I’m not tipping for a service that I’ve already paid $900 for. specially since I don’t even know if it was done without harm to my skin. I asked her if I am expected to pay a $150 tip every time I come in for a service and she said that is 20%.

Say what you will about tipping culture, but this appointment lasted 30 minutes and I don’t feel like I should have to pay a tip for it, let alone $150. After 2 hours of thinking and doing the math, it seems that the keypad number was the price of the service I got today, not the tip. I’m not sure why this happened, since I had already paid for the package in advance.

Instead of explaining what the payment shown on the key pad was for, she decided to lecture me on gratuity. I actually left the place feeling like I was discriminated against and she also neglected to book my next appointment for the package of 6 apts that I had bought.

I definitely will not be getting any more of my laser done with this establishment.

If you can’t afford to pay the techs a livable wage after I have paid $900 for my service- then I don’t really know...

Edit: I updated my rating to 5 because the customer service at this spa is out of this world phenomenal. (they are working with me to correct the issues / lasting effects of my morpheus treatment). They truly value their clients and go above and beyond to ensure the client's experience is nothing but positive which is so rare these days. Thank you, Viva, for caring and maintaining your work ethic!

2.5 star rating: 5 stars for the spa itself and 0 stars for the morpheus procedure. I had one round of morpheus done here on my face and neck. I wanted to share my experience because I did a lot of research on this procedure before hand and didn't find a lot of information about potential negative experiences, which is what I had. The spa is well organized, clean, staff is very friendly and accommodating. The best in Austin! Also after my negative experience the office manager was responsive and helpful in a timely manner. For the procedure itself, the first 1/2 of the procedure (the left side of my face and neck) went very well. I had heard that it could be very painful but I was feeling pretty good. Sadly the other 1/2 of the procedure (the right side of my face and neck)) did not go well. It was extremely painful and felt like I was getting little electric shocks. I smelled burning skin. I told the aesthetician that something didn't seem right - it was a lot more painful. She said this was normal, there was some skin stuck in the machine, and continued. I objected once or twice more as we proceeded but assumed all was well and just a necessary pain for the great end results. Lesson learned (again) - ALWAYS listen to your gut even when you're not the expert! Over the next week or so I looked like Quasimoto and feared the worst. My face and neck itched horribly as it oozed and scabbed. I called the spa a few times to check in and they advised me to continue with the aquafor to provide moisture. I later learned from the aesthetician that this reaction isn't normal. I would've appreciated a refund for the traumatic experience but take responsibility for not insisting that we stop and I do understand that there is risk in these procedures. It's been a year now and I have scars on the right side of my neck but am thankful it's not worse. Needless to say, morpheus isn't...