Zen Day Spa — Attraction in Berkeley

Update: I've been going to Zen Day now for 6 years and I am super happy with their services. I often go in with a lot of pain and leave with relief. The prices are very affordable and facilities are clean and comfortable.

////// I'm a subscriber to Massage Envy but at 7pm on Sunday evening, I really wanted a massage. I did a quick nearby search and Zen Day Spa popped up within a mile of me and they were still open (until 9pm). I called and was surprised to get an appointment for deep tissue (the other reviewers said they are pretty busy). The spa is on the second floor above the Blick Art store; parking was easy in the lot.

Their prices are pretty affordable and vary by method of payment. The woman at the front reception was very patient with me as I dug through my purse to see if I had enough cash to avoid the $2 extra for paying with a card. I upgraded my hour massage to a hot stone deep tissue with 30 minute of reflexogy for $66 -- yes, $66!

Sam was my therapist and he was very friendly and didn't force small talk on me. I laid back in the recliner for my foot reflexology. I wish they had music but everything else was pleasant: cup of jasmine tea, low lights, blanket and pillow. After my foot massage, Sam gave me a pair of slippers and took me to another room for my hot stone massage. He was more vigorous with the deep tissue than other therapists I've experienced (maybe because the stones were very hot!) but he actually dug in the spots most other therapists avoid on my shoulders (close to the rotator cuff) so I really appreciated that. I'm coming back again and even considering ending my Massage Envy subscription because $35 for an hour of deep tissue is too...

Let me tell you, this place gave me the WORST massage I’ve ever had, and the WORST customer service as well.

The massage was awful. For the most part, she just rubbed me with her elbows, which had no focus and did not help to relieve my back pain at all. The only time she used her hands was when she just ran her hands up and down my back or leg without putting any pressure. At multiple points I just wanted the massage to end and was willing to forfeit my money.

Somehow, the customer service was even worse. When I came in, before I even said what service I wanted, she said 60 dollars and wanted me to pay upfront. I tried to tell her I wanted the 30 min foot message combo, and she didn’t seem to care and just continued repeating that it’s 60 dollars for an hour. At the end, since the massage was so awful, I gave her a small tip. SHE LITERALLY FOLLOWED ME TO THE PARKING LOT, and said “you only gave me _ dollars!” When I said I didn’t enjoy the massage, she said “the minimum tip is 10 dollars”. I couldn’t believe my ears…. She followed me all the way to the parking lot just to ask for more tips after a terrible service!!

Avoid and avoid! There are much better places for about the same price in cities like Richmond and El Cerritos. Please don’t...

I arrived at 1:45pm. I told the guy I just wanted an hour FOOT massage ONLY and asked him how much he said $35. He then proceeded to sit me down while he went to the back. At this point it was 1:50. He brought back a bucket filled with water told me to put my feet in and left. He came back until 5 minutes later and started actually massaging me at exactly 2:03. By 2:35 he was wiping my feet down with a hot towel & then started to massage my shoulder. I told him I don't want a massage there ONLY my feet(Which I had stated since the beginning!!!)He then started to massage my legs. I again told him I JUST wanted my feet only. He went back to massaging my feet no lotion or anything and by 1:50 He said he was done. I told him that I'm paying for an hour service and he said that was an hour of service. He said that me sitting in the bucket of water was the beginning of service. HOW??!! I'm paying for A MASSAGE not for my feet to soak in water! Nevertheless he didn't feel like he needed to complete the hour. This is stealing of my money! Will NOT be returning. What good is the affordable price if the service is not as promised. I guess you get what...