Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa — Attraction in Seattle

I thought the African themed decor was a bit odd without explanation/story. Is this an African owned business? That would make sense. If not, the owners are adopting another culture for marketing purposes which isn't ok. Also the primary lighting is cool/blue which is not calming. I recommend working on lighting throughout beyond little plug in devices. Food safety concerns with no ice in the water in the waiting room. Also concerned about the smoke device in the entry, is that chemicals? The music sounds like repetitive elevator music. Also signage doesn't feel intentional throughout, feels like they are just trying different promotional offers without intentional business strategy. The massage therapist was doing deep pressure massage to the point of almost painful where I thought she was bruising me and I would have appreciated some explanation for that. I actually interrupted her and asked about it and her only answer was that she will go softer. If the pain is actually knots that need to be worked on ok, tell me, let's try, maybe that is a sales opportunity for sessions over time. Don't just walk back and say it isn't necessary. I am getting a massage for real medical reasons that I have back tension. This was a gift message and my first massage at the business. I understood that it covered the $90 introduction rate + a very large tip and the guy at the front was pressuring me for a tip. I don't have money. I'm barely making rent. This was a gift. Idk, it's fine if you're in the neighborhood and need regular massages but it's not a destination I would recommend for a spa day.

Also, had difficulty booking through the website with a gift card and had to call to get it booked. Then they asked for my gift card again when it was time to pay. Need to work on their...

LaVida massage therapists are great and really help relax you. This however is not because of the quality of the work by the therapists. Being signed up for the membership gets you a great discount on massages and based on the understanding was only charged when a massage was given once a month. I haven’t used this service for over a year and found out that I had been charged for the entire year. Roughly $60 (a session) X 12 months = $720 I had paid. I was told I could suspend the account to help to use the ones I have paid for. I went in to talk to the front desk about my situation. The only quick response was she pulled out my registration paperwork and said are these your signatures?... you agreed to pay and just like a gym we don’t call you if you aren’t using it. For me, I work in an apartment building and have residents asking me things all the time. I have a 60 page lease which I refer to a lot of the time. But in circumstances, we do work with the resident to make them happy. If I always said no and didn’t provide the customer service they deserved or try to accommodate them in any way, I would have horrible reviews and no residents. The same experience of no customer service was given here and no care that I had paid for the sessions was given. Without any question it was no and putting it back on me rather than trying to provide any form of customer service. Horrible customer service by LaVida Massage and I will be cancelling my membership once I have used all of my paid sessions.

Follow up: the co owner called and provided great customer service and was very...

They have an amazing staff at La Vida. I think most people might only focus on the massage or the masseuse when telling friends and family but every single employee you meet at the West Seattle LaVida is always looking out for each other as well as the customers. This is a very important aspect of the overall massage experience if you only receive one every once in awhile. You don't feel like the outsider coming into their world, it's more like being welcomed back into the safety and comforts of your own house. Even the first time I went there I felt like I was joining a close community of friends which really helped me feel at ease. I've been there a few times now and I no longer just want to rush past the front desk and into the relaxation room. For those that have never been, you'll start looking forward to everyone behind the desk turning and smiling to you as soon as you walk in, even when they're on the phone, to help let you know that you're home.

I'm fairly certain I've already overexpressed how wonderful I think the massages have been by Melissa, but I also wanted to make sure that everyone who hasn't been to LaVida knows that this is the place you go to when you need to feel completely relaxed. This is the place you tell your friends about. This is the place where you don't have to worry about buying the perfect gift because you know they're going to take great care of that person just like the staff will always take great care of you.

As I say to myself each time I leave LaVida, I very much look forward to the next time I am able to return for...