Water Lounge Spa in San Mateo — Attraction in San Mateo

The single greatest massage therapist of my life… is Leo. I am not a rich man, but he was so good I signed up for 5 total sessions after just having him once and tipped 3 times the recommended amount, it’s a service that goes above and beyond like nothing I’ve ever had.

Back story: I am 38. Sit all day building a business, scoliosis, and lift heavy weights and train 4 times a week.

I have had 10+ dedicated massage therapists in my travels. All just.. okay or good.

Then I randomly came here one day after a series of intense pain. I had stomach issues, back pain like you wouldn’t believe, I couldn’t breathe fully since my diaphragm was blocked up, I had daily headaches from minor to rather intense, brain fog, a jacked up hip flexor, neck so stiff yoga doesn’t fix it anymore.

I literally couldn’t bend certain ways without moaning and just couldn’t fully stretch.

My body, despite my daily yoga and stretches, was wrecked from years of neglect and injuries that lingered deep, DEEP inside my muscle network.

Then, I went here and was randomly assigned Leo.

This was a gift from god.

I told him my issues ahead of time, and he agreed to go full force as long as I gave permission.

And oh boy, did he ever.

For 90 minutes, I was in pain like I’ve never been for a massage (again, this was EXACTLY the ONLY way I was going to get better) and he used compassion with long held surgically precise pressure and movements on spots that we bugging me for YEARS.

It hurt. Oh man did it hurt. I cried. I’ve seen him two times now and cried each time. But I ask for it. I can handle it.

But…. It’s gone. I can move my hips and legs again. Headaches are decreased. I can stretch SO MUCH better.

Here is how good he is: before meeting Leo, I went to a GI doctor about a stomach pain. Even had an endoscopy with no results. I couldn’t breathe. I went to the ER…. twice! Something was wrong. I couldn’t work out. I was afraid and confused. I couldn’t afford to lose time at my company, where people depend on me since we are a lean and fast growing start up.

Leo solved 70% of my problems.

Did you hear that? I just said 70 PERCENT!

I don’t ever leave reviews. Never. Ever.

But Leo is the undeniable king of massage.

He knows EXACTLY what to do and he is so Zen in his movements in that there is no wasted or “lazy” movements, and he finds the deep issues, works it perfectly, I let out a soft scream, we laugh, and he moves on to the next one.

The amount of work he did in just one 90 min session, with nonstop movement, is 2-3x what my other MTs did before.

I just couldn’t believe it.

I CAN MOVE AND BREATHE FULLY AGAIN!

I have several more sessions with him. We are going to do every muscle in my body, deep as the Amazon jungle; and it’s going to erase 20 years of injuries, neglect, and mobility issues from … well from just living life and resorting to average MTs thinking they (and my PTs as well) did something when really nothing ever changed.

THIS is lasting results kinda work.

Leo is a actual master. He needs his own reality show or YouTube Channel.

Do yourself a favor, get Leo.

Whatever is bothering you, get Leo.

If you need to get a week, book a hotel here, get him everyday… DO IT ! You’ll walk away a new person.

But promise me, if you do, you will tip him well.

This isn’t standard 90 min massage tip ($30). This is “you saved me time by doing 2 sessions in 1 kind of work and also found and fixed areas no one else can” kind of tip. $50-$80. More if you’re more well off than I am.

THAT… is what a master is worth.

If you want to tip less, go get an average MT. Don’t insult this man. He’s god‘a gift for full body relief and deserves to be paid accordingly.

When my company takes off and I get rich, I am going to hire him full time for me and my entire team. Or at least fly him out to where we are, all expenses paid for he and his family, for once a month sessions for our team.

Leo, from the bottom of my heart, thank you. I can’t wait for the work we are about to do next week.

Much...

Overcharging for service* Be very careful! Make sure they show you the price before paying!

Previously, I came here with Groupon deals, and the receptionist informed me that next time, let them know the Groupon deal, and they'll honor the price. I even called them to confirm before booking an appointment.

Today, I went in and showed them the deal. The deal was for a couple of 30-minute hot tube & a 60-minute message for $175.20. The lady said, "To make the total even we will charge $176. Is that okay?" I asked why, the total is $175.20. She kept saying because "it's easier and make it even." So my husband asked to make things easier and even, make the price $175. She right away refused and said she couldn't do that.

After another customer came in. she changed her attitude and wanted to honor that price and admit it was her fault. She was definitely set and stone on charging us $176 before that customer came in after going back and forwarded about why she wanted to charge us more.

If you can't lower the price, then you ask us to pay more. This is unfair and dishonest to customers.

Fighting over 80 cents. Well, you just lost $175.20 and I hope it was worth it. Don't offer deals on Groupon if the price is too low. I know it's just 80 cents, but I'm sure I am not the only one she is doing this to. Must be doing this whenever she has the opportunity. They probably have stolen hundreds by doing this.

If you do come here, make sure you purchase on Groupon instead of asking them to honor it.

updated* got a respond from the owner from yelp. Look at photo for her reply. This is the type of business they are running. They still think it's okay to overcharge people. Support them if you like scammer.

UPDATED Got an update from the business manager and it looks like she still thinks that she did nothing wrong for overcharging! Support them if you like scammers.

Wow, are you serious? what kind of response is that?! You still think it's okay to overcharge people. What is wrong with you? At the same time,  you would say something ignorant like that to make yourself a fool.

Well done. What a great business manager and a great way to show the whole world the truth side of your business.

If it's ONLY 80cents, then why did you keep asking me for it in the first place?

You only started apologizing after another customer came in, and you know you did not mean it. You were just saying it to save face.

You have a camera right at the front. Upload the whole video. Show me I was pointing at your nose and abusing you. Show the entire world how you kept asking me for more money but wouldn't accept to charge 20cents less. If anything, you were ABUSING us for more money! It's the principle, and if you think it's right to overcharge people, you shouldn't run a business.

Don't you worry. I will be reporting you to the BBB.

Hey, at the end of the day,  YOU lost $175.20. I didn't lose...

CONCERNED WITH HOW OWNERS TREAT STAFF. The front desk lady with red/brown hair was incredibly rude. Did not tend to us for about 20 minutes when we were trying to check in. When we finally checked in she told us that we were late and that we should get there 10 minutes before next time or we would be marked late again. We asked for a robe, towel, and slippers SINCE THEY SAID THEY PROVIDE THEM in on their website and the front desk lady, which at this point I’m thinking she’s the owner, talks to us like we are stupid for not bringing our own. I asked her if we had to pay to use the items and she said it is complementary but to remember next time. They definitely rushed us out of the bathtub and almost yelled at us for not getting out the second they told us to get out. We were just grabbing our belongings. The actual staff that does the massages and facials were incredibly nice and took a amazing care of us. When we finished we went back to the front desk to return our stuff in a basket that was provided for us. The front desk lady looked at the staff and started yelling at them. Yelling so loud to them in front of everyone! Then, she turns to us and give us a fake smile and asks why we were there. We told her we were told to check out. My friend wanted to give a tip (a generous one for the staff despite the rudeness of the front desk) the front desk lady grabs the money and tells us who it’s for. We say that it’s for everyone. She GRABS THE BILLS AND COUNTS THEM IN FRONT OF US. She asks if we had a bad experience and shows us a chart she made on how much we should tip and asked if we were going to give her more money. She separate each bill at the table. My friend was pressured so much to the point where she took her wallet out again to leave more and I had to stop her. I asked the front desk lady if tips are mandatory. She said no. I have worked many years industries where I am only paid on tips and I am a nail tech that deals with tipping and what this lady did is NOT okay. Our relaxing experience turned into a stressful event. I would of taken all the money back if it wasn’t that the workers...