The NOW Massage Boulder — Attraction in Boulder

Please do not hold my rating against the masseuse, I had no issues with the masseuse, they seemed very kind and considerate. It is the business I take issue with. The overall pricing, value, and business model is very subpar.

They claimed all over their website that their "the now" massage is this amazing "total relaxation" thing when really it's your run of the mill massage. Maybe I needed to pay 30 dollars extra for deep tissue, but if your main massage ($125 dollars) is not worth it without add-ons that's no good.

There’s an old pizza hut commercial where they were introducing their pasta, and so they did a hidden camera thing where they put their mediocre pizza hut pasta in fancy bowls and they sold it in a fancy Italian restaurant, and lots of the patrons fell for it. Several customers were so fooled by the setting that they raving about how the mediocre pizza hut pasta was so fancy and decadent. That’s what “The NOW” massages are, mediocre pizza hut pasta given to you in a fancy bowl in a fancy restaurant. The NOW is not actually a fancy high end massage, but if you are fooled by the environment, you can play pretend it is.

And all that brings it down to like a 3/5. Really you could go 2/5 on an overpriced mediocre massage, but I was fine giving it a 3/5.

But, the business model is pretty scummy tbqh.

They require a 25 dollar gratuity, but if it's required why even call it a gratuity? I don’t mind paying that, and honestly would have probably paid more gratuity had they not required it, but if they are going to require it they should be up front. Plus the whole process they are trying to upsell you. You want a massage? Great, what about these add-ons? Are you sure you don’t want to add them? As you leave they try to pressure you to get a membership. Lots of upsells like that.

And if all that wasn’t bad enough, what really pushed it over the edge for me is that there is this mandatory form you have to fill out AFTER you’ve already purchased your massage where they require lots of information they couldn’t possibly need, and they require you consent to not being able to sue them in a class action lawsuit. I’m not even sure requiring somebody to sign away their right to class action lawsuit is legal AFTER the purchase is made but before the services are rendered. But yep, they do it, and as far as I can see there is no upfront warning about it or the form. Their whole business model is greedy, manipulative, and in the case of the mandatory lawsuit waiver kinda messed up.

Greedy, low value, style over substance, never going back, never gonna recommend to others. 2/5

You want a value massage? Half a mile away is “Relaxing Station” it’s all substance, minimal style. You get pressure point deep tissue massage without paying any upcharge and their most expensive price is 49 dollars for an hour. They don’t require gratuity (but you should tip them, they deserve a good tip because they are awesome) and honestly I went there for a 30 minute chair massage after the NOW completely let me down.

For 57 dollars (including the $25 gratuity I chose to give) I got a 30 min chair massage that was miles better than the NOW and didn’t once try to scam me, demand too much personal information, or require me to sign some creepy class action...

This review is not a reflection to the Massage Therapist or the staff. The staff and Massage Therapist were actually wonderful.

My issue is with this facility.

This is by far not a cheap massage, but walking into the facility was one of the most unwelcoming experiences I’ve ever had. I felt like I walked into a warehouse. The staff was in the back because I got there early, but I didn’t even know where to sit. There is one awkwardly positioned and uncomfortable chair and the one bench was completely covered with pillows to where only a corner could be sat on awkwardly and uncomfortably. The smell was so overwhelming from the overly powered and too many scented candles burning that if it had not been for the cancellation fee, I would’ve walked out immediately. I had picked up from the receptionist that it seemed I was not the only one who had had this concern, but she explained the corporate office dictated the lobby must be set up this way per their guidelines. I always thought a massage facility should be comfortable and welcoming, but OK.

The massage room itself was just that, one giant room with some sheets hung up as barriers. You can hear everyone talking around you and all the noises, no privacy.

Again, the massage itself was great, luckily the smell was only in the front lobby, I actually did enjoy myself. But walking back through this massage lobby left my stomach in such nausea and my eyes actually feeling the burn from the smell that I could never go back.

If this was a reasonably priced massage for the community and lower experience the are offering, I would not be leaving this review like this. But considering I just paid spa pricing for a community massage that is barely more private than something you could get at a mall or airport, I think they’re out of their element a little bit.

Although… I’m also the one who thinks people buying designer jeans for $200 are crazy and you could just go to Goodwill if that’s what you want so take from me what you will, this place is obviously successful so I guess I’m probably...

I was pretty underwhelmed with my experience. I work in the beauty and wellness industry and have many many massages. This would rank amongst the bottom. I am traveling and booked this appointment for general muscle relief and to address knee pain I was experiencing. I chose to add the Eye Mask treatment for an extra $15 as I felt I could use a refreshing perk. Key points I found disappointing: As a first time guest, I was not given an understanding of how the space worked and the rules of the open shared space. When asked my desired level of pressure, I replied moderate. I was met with a doubtful look and told I could let him know during the service. I know what I want, thanks. I arrived 5 minutes prior to the appointment, filled out a brief questionnaire and used the restroom. I was told I likely would not receive the full experience because I was ‘late.’ I looked at my watch and it was 5 past the appointment time and the service had started. If service time does not include a consultation and disrobing without cutting into massage time, that’s just bad business. When my massage therapist entered the room to begin, I attempted to explain a detail of how my body was feeling, I was told I was not supposed to talk in the space… but he could answer any questions. Huh? The energy and greeting from this therapist were super off. Needs some training on guest service. I felt uncomfortable and couldn’t relax throughout the service. The massage itself was meh. Felt like a first year post training level of skill. Better than nothing but nothing I’d recommend. The ‘Add On Eye Mask’ were literally the under eye treatments that I have at home. Total disappointment. I shared this after my service and was not charged. Overall, it’s not the experience I expect. I would not go back or recommend...