Maitreya Retreat Spa — Attraction in Santa Cruz

Pros: Nice ground/garden area Tub and massage were decent. Nothing extraordinary.

Cons: No customer service skills Facilities and treatment are average

My biggest complaint is that the people that work here don’t really have any customer service skills at all. It was my first time here and it’s not very obvious how to get into this place. When I finally found my way in, Kyle said hello and then asked me immediately if the card on file is the card I will be using. I can think of many other ways Kyle could have begun a conversation with me. For example, “nice to have you here, is it your first time or have you been here before? How was your day going?”But no, it was all business, how are you paying and here’s your tub. I had the same experience with the massage therapist who I saw after the tub. Nothing like “ how was the tub?” Neither of them even introduced themselves. I didn’t even know there were ground to explore or other areas until I walked through them to go get my massage. Maybe a little introduction or a short tour would be nice.

I also did not appreciate that they were burning incense right when you walk in to check in. There are many people that have sensitivities, like myself. I would think they would know better and would use essential oils instead which are not toxic like incense is.

Additionally, when I went to “check out” I was asked if I would like to tip my massage therapist. and how much. She was standing right there next to Kyle when he asked me. That was very awkward. Plus I never got a receipt.

I won’t be back because there are other places in Santa Cruz I can get a tub and massage where I feel valued and can get some decent human/customer service interaction and can breathe incense free air. Also, masks are optional for all,...

This place is horrible! The owner, Essene Wolf, is rude and abusive to customers and staff. (He is from New York and has the stereotypical attitude) There's even a boycott Kiva page from previous staff and managers. Essene has verbally yelled at me over trying to use a gift certificate that my husband bought me. Essene said that he would not honor it because he couldn't afford it and went on and on about all of his problems and talked poorly about his staff and even about some of his regular customers! Essene is clearly a toxic person who has no idea how to treat customers or people in general. Plus, now you can't even buy a day pass, you have to sign up for expensive monthly memberships! I will never go here again and will instead go to Tea House Spa or Well Within. I also heard that Essene lies and says that he isn't the owner to avoid collections, lawsuits, and criminal charges. He does so many shady things that he has to hide from everyone. Call Kiva right now and ask if Essene owns it, they will claim he doesn't. Look up his fictitious business name statement, his name is on it as well as other legal documents stating he is the owner. Kiva has only had 2 owners, Jeff Wolf (Essene's father, and Essene Wolf) How many times has Kiva claimed to be under new ownership or management over the years? A lot!!! It's all a scam and Essene thinks the community will fall for it. Not me, Not today Essene.) AVOID AT...

I gave three stars because while many parts of the Maitreya experience are wonderful and 5-star worthy, other aspects are not star worthy at all. The garden is beautiful. There are 2 hot tubs, a quiet wooden sauna with a cold shower right outside, a cold plunge, and male/female locker rooms with hot showers, bathrooms, and keyed lockers. The whole property is very lovely. Staff can be hit or miss. Some staff members are very kind and welcoming. Many remember my name, and one offered me a container of her handmade herbal body cream. Others are rude and arrogant. I overheard one staff member making crude and inappropriate jokes in the lobby (I’m all for edgy humor a witty sarcasm, but what I heard was just disgusting). The cleanliness of the retreat can be iffy. The retreat looks great overall, but many of the corners of Maitreya are filthy. The women’s shower drain regularly clogs with a gross buildup of slimy gunk and hair, and I don’t think the lockers or the floor under the lockers have ever been cleaned. Conversely, the gardens are lush and well tended, the sauna is clean, and the tub water seems fine (they request that every member showers before entering the retreat). Although it could use some improvements in staffing and cleaning, Maitreya is generally a lovely experience, and I enjoy coming here and relaxing on a...