The Knotstop — Attraction in San Diego

This review is about the entire experience at The Knotstop.

I booked a couple’s massage for my wife and I, and it was our first time getting a massage (both individually and as a couple).

Booked the massage via phone call about 3-4 weeks ahead of time. That process was extremely easy, and the phone operator set the tone for what to expect. Their voice was soothing, and the way they helped me book (I screwed up the reservation time and we had to redo the whole booking) and were patient with me left me pleased that they were so understanding. 5/5 for the booking experience.

On the day of our massage, arrived about 2 minutes after our booking time (street parking in the area, metered parking, may need to walk a little bit to access the facility) but the front desk person was cool, checked us in, then moved us to the waiting lobby. The wait was incredibly fast, if you need to use the restroom (which I did) the masseuse will probably be waiting for you before you even finish. Our masseuses, Itzel and Mateo, walked us both to our room, were incredibly kind and asked the right questions (any areas to focus on, how much pressure, etc.). They gave us time to disrobe and make ourselves comfortable on the massage table, then returned to massage. The entire massage is quite the experience. I’ve only ever seen this in movies and TV shows, but what you see on TV lacks the rest of the experience - scents that are relaxing, soothing music, a dark and quiet room that helps you forget there’s other people in the building besides just the 4 of us in the room. The setting/ambience was a 10/5, I couldn’t have asked for a better first experience. And Mateo was exceptional - I never needed to say a word, and every time the pressure was just about to reach that tipping point of a little too much he eased up as if reading my mind. My wife also expressed the same about Itzel’s abilities, so thank you to the both of you for a truly wonderful experience.

After the massage, they provided us time to dress and then when we were ready checked in with us about our experience and sent us on our way. The checkout process with the front desk was as smooth as when we arrived, and I walked out of their feeling like a new man.

10/5 stars, great experience, kind people, everything I’d hoped for from a massage parlor. Once again, thank you Itzel and Mateo, you...

I've been coming infrequently to the Knotstop for their one hour relaxation massage for several years, and most times I leave more relaxed and happier. On my most recent visit (3/26/19) I decided to try a newer masseuse named Orlenthia. In retrospect, it was my own fault for not being more assertive with the fact that I wanted a very simple and slow massage. It's an ongoing problem that I have; not being able to stand up for what I paid for. Anyway, she was very professional and upfront with her eclectic technique. Combining various western and Chinese therapy moves. What I didn't know was that since she wanted to use so many massage styles, she would go through her routine very quickly and forcefully so as to fit inside the allotted one hour. It was the kind of massage that wouldn't be much improved by simply asking for less pressure. I left feeling both energized/better for it, and more or less "therapeutically beat up". She was forcing relaxation and healing in such a way that it simultaneously removed old aches and added new ones. I came home and felt the need to take an after care warm bath to ease the ache from something that's supposed to be healing. To be fair, she was very professionally open to requests for different massage techniques, and gave me every opportunity to ask for her to just give me something slow and simple. Which would be best for me since my body doesn't need that much convincing to relax, especially under the right gentle touch.

If you're looking for someone who's very fast and rigorous, Orlenthia is just the masseuse for you. She is dedicated to her practice, and open to learning new styles of massage. She's very knowledgeable in her prowess, and if you want anything other than having the bad vibes forced out of your body, please make sure...

The masseur was very skillled. He was very strong and used good pressure and worked areas evenly. The 3 stars is not for his skills, he was very good. The lounge of the place was very promising, a good mixture of west elm and burning man. When guided to the massage room though it was very underwhelming. No fun scents, not much decor, a bit cramped even. Under the sheets was fine but the room was a tad cold. When the massage started i couldn't help but giggle, I'm sure I was his first client of the day, and perhaps he didn't have a hearty breakfast, but for the first 20 min his stomach sang me the song of its people as he got started. When that quieted I started to take notice of the music. Every song alternated between either instruments from around the world; romantic sounds of the pan flute and didgeridoo, or the soundtracks of 80s Lifetime movies. If I wasn't serenaded by indiginous throat singing I was suddenly inspired to overcome my battle with cancer, find my lost daughter and leave my cheating husband, none of which I actually have. Suddenly the music stopped and the soothing sounds of Starbucks took over. From the lull of the coffee grinder, to someone dumping out water and cleaning something, and then the fun conversations of several patrons sharing our wall.

If you are like me and appreciate atmosphere as part of your massage experience, perhaps a less busy location. Or at least not the room at the end that perhaps used to be a closet with...