O'leisure Nails and Spa — Attraction in San Diego

I visited O'Leisure while I was in town on vacation at the end of June.

Overall it was just an odd experience.

I used their online booking and when I arrived - they almost didn't take me as they appeared to be overbooked and not really following any sort of reservation/appointment system. The woman didn't even know what I wanted and had me 'check-in' at their computer system by the door.

I had booked a Japanese manicure (never had one and wanted to treat myself while on vacation) on my natural nails and a deep moisturizing gel pedicure. While very nice, I had one woman working on my feet and one working on my hands at the same time which let me know they were short-staffed and it wasn't very relaxing. Their polish selections were very limited but I made the best of it and the women began to work.

The woman doing my feet moved very fast and clipped one of my big toenails too short in one corner while prepping. I understand mistakes happen but it was quite painful for about a week afterward and I think she was just happy I didn't make more of a big deal about it and kept working. I don't think I got the Japanese manicure based on the process I thought I was getting and had read about and what I actually got but decided to just carry on as I didn't see the experience getting much better and didn't want to leave mid-service. She upsold their paraffin wax treatment on my hands and feet which was fine because I do have dry hands and again - on vacation so I thought why not?

Things ended and it was $180 plus for both services with tip and a week after I got home - nails and feet both chipped and I had to remove polish on my big toenail to make sure the nail was ok and I didn't need to see the doctor as it was still very painful.

I don't understand why they have online booking if they don't really use it once clients get to the business. I also think they need to train their nail techs to be gentle and more customer focused. Asking what nail shape I wanted would have been a nice touch. It was definitely giving a quantity over quantity vibe but not being a regular customer and from out of town - maybe it was just that day.

I agree with the review that mentioned it's very interesting they have over 1000 reviews and it's a 4.9 rating.

If I visit the San Diego area again - I wouldn't go...

I went here due to the high rating, but was a tad disappointed. They called me back to ask me to come a little later, which was fine, then I waited another 15-30 minutes when I got there, which was also okay, but not great. One lady started on me, who had a gentle touch, but then passed off to another lady who was more aggressive in her handling of me. They didn't have a subtle pink shimmery gel polish so I ended up with a fluorescent pink one (which does not suit my personality). She did a good job on them, but for $40, I could have expected better service overall. She tried to upsell me on a $70 neck massage, but I declined, as I was already running late to an event because of the delay. Besides, I''m unlikely to spend that much at a nail place, due to nail techs not being properly trained massage therapists. I mentioned that I have tendonitis in my arm & asked for her to massage that instead (which she only did lightly, with no apparent understanding of the muscular structure underneath). Despite not being super happy with the service, I gave her a good tip (since I figured she probably needed it). I gathered from the limited gel colors that the business was struggling financially & wasn't investing in buying replacement colors. The place looked like they'd ripped out all the spa chairs on one side. They had offered me wine to sip on, but I'd rather they charged me less & offered better service instead. My nails look nice (though the color's a bit jarring). ...

I visited O’leisure Nails because of the stellar reviews I read and I’m so glad I did! The manager at the Midway location, Mimi, is a professional sweetheart! She was kind, thorough, and did a wonderful job on my gel manicure. The level of customer care was 5 star! She offered me something to drink, made sure I was happy with my service several times while she was working on my manicure. I was going to try the chrome application over the color I chose, and when she showed me the sample on one of my nails, it was beautiful, but I decided I still preferred the regular color. She was kind when I told her no thanks on the chrome, didn’t make me feel bad that I chose not to continue with it, and happily changed it back to the regular color choice. And at the end of the service, she made sure to tell me that if for any reason a nail chips, because these things can accidentally happen, to please come back and they would fix it free of charge. I have never visited a salon that had such attentive and considerate customer service. I am 110% satisfied with their customer service, professionalism and work. And additionally the salon is clean, bright, open, beautifully decorated and laid out, and doesn’t smell like nail polish or chemicals. It is a lovely atmosphere that offers great service with a friendly staff. O’leisure Nails, you have yourself a new repeat customer! Mimi, you and your team of nail techs are fabulous! Thank you for creating a warm and inviting...