Float Boston — Attraction in Somerville

THIS IS MY ORIGINAL REVIEW-I gave them two stars in March 2016: I was in room 1. My experience was a mixed bag. While it is very nicely decorated, and very clean there is no parking other than on street, but the meters won't accept coins, or card until 8 am. I tried to put both in, but there is something blocking the way. My appointment was for 7 am... so I asked at the front desk and was assured I would be out by 8 am, so no worries. I was also told the meter person, “Doesn't come around until 8:30 or so.” I got out right away when I heard the "time to get out" music. I showered quickly, dressed, and quickly dried my super short hair, but it was 8:19 am by then and the meter person had already been around. I received a $30 ticket!!! But that was not all of the mixed review. When I got out, and asked how warm the water in the tank is, I was told the water temp was around 92-93 degrees Fahrenheit. I had goosebumps the entire time, so never really blissed out or totally relaxed like you are supposed to be able to do in this floating sensory deprivation tank… also even though I am deaf-as in for real I need hearing aids deaf, just had my appointment with the ENT, MD Mass Eye and Ear in Stoneham yesterday 3/23/16, I could hear, and feel large trucks rumbling by. The person at the front desk had suggested I put ear plugs in, but said it was to protect my ears from the salt water. I explained I would not be able to hear the wake up music if I did that. She never said it would help drown out the rumbling of traffic. So, when combined, the $60 per hour cost, the hour drive one way, the cost of gas, the $30 parking ticket all together means I won't be coming back. Wish there was someplace closer to Manchester NH with on site parking.... There used to be, but they closed shortly after we moved here.

UPDATE: Best customer service ever!! Float Co-owner responded to my issues very promptly. They paid for my parking ticket and have issued me a voucher for a 90 minute float, suggesting I book a room in the back of the building. I will be doing so this summer. I'd better book it now!! They are super booked most of the time! I will update again once I re-float!!

Second Float experience: FIVE STARS * * * * * I went back to FLOAT Boston on Tuesday, August 2, 2016, to use the comped float given to me as a result of my experience in March 2016. I was in room 3. Everything was fantastic. The helpful suggestions given to me when they comped me this float were spot on! Coming in later in the afternoon, choosing a room in the back of the facility, and parking later in the afternoon when the meters are working so I can use my debit card all combined to make the experience stellar! I chose room 3 when I booked the 90 minute float. The float room itself is large, and has a starry sky! You can shut off the lights if you prefer less light. There are also lights in the tub itself, which are also controlled via a switch on the wall of the floatation room. The toiletries provided are clean, and may even be organic, not sure. They are lightly scented, and plentiful. The towels are soft, large, and ultra absorbent. Soft clean slippers greet you as you enter the establishment! Staff is the same person who was there when I first floated. She is über helpful, kind, and patient. If you join you can share your float/s each month with up to two other people. NO, you can’t all float together silly! But if you can’t make it to your float that month, you can let one of the other two people use your float. Floats also roll over to the next month, but do expire in one year. Memberships start at $58/month for one float. I am joining! It’s a NO BRAINER!! (Just gotta confer with my partner so he is on board with the recurring expenditure-once he floats I know he will be...

After hearing rave reviews from my cousin, friends and even Buzz Feed of all places... I felt curious and wanted to experience floating for myself. (Perhaps a bit of peer pressure as well.) One of my friends noticed my interest and got me a gift card for a 60 minute float session and I was ready to go as soon as I booked my appointment. They have an easy way to redeem gift cards and book a session on their online calendar. It's staggered between 60/90 minute sessions and they have the options for 4 different tanks. I chose Summer Sky chamber/tank, which has some small lights that look like stars for you to look at while floating.

As this place is in a downtown area of Somerville parking can be tricky, but I found a spot off a random side street. I guess the park would have worked too. Once you enter there's a cubby for you to exchange your shoes for slippers (S/M/L size) and wait to enter the room reserved. They provide water and other amentities for patrons (shampoo, body wash, lotion). I was given a brief introduction about Float and what to do. They provide you with ear plugs to create suction so that salt water doesn't seep in and instruct you to shower before and after floating. They also have ointment for you to use if you have any cuts/scrapes and a neck pillow/pool noodle for support. I turned off the light and hopped in the tank noting that the temperature was quite comfortable at around 85. The tank is filled with about 1 ft. deep of salt water.

I don't ever meditate or really disconnect so actually forcing myself in the deprivation chamber was a challenge. I probably spent the first 20-30 minutes just floating back and forth and it wasn't until the last half that I actually feeling the zen then it felt like it ended so soon once I heard the relaxing music. I should have stayed longer now seeing the other reviews of the tea and coloring books as well, but I think I was getting hungry.

While I probably would never pay the full price ($60) for another session I'd be interested in looking into other places in the area or if they have some promos going on. Disconnecting for even just 1 hour felt relaxing...

I arrived at 3pm for a 3:15 Float at Float Boston. It's located in Magoun Square in Somerville and is easily accessible by the MBTA or an Uber/Lyft. When you walk in they have you take off your shoes and put on a pair of rubber slippers. If you've never been before they walk you through the experience.. shower before getting in the tank, dry off your face, cover any cuts with petroleum jelly, seal your ears with wax earplugs, and then get in the tank.

I booked the Summer Sky room..which has an easier step in for mobility issues, as well as lights that you can turn off or on during your float if needed. I got into my tank and laid back, floating in the water and the darkness... and let go.

I had a very brief period of colors.. and then it just felt like I was drifting.. the experience was like being cradled. Occasionally I'd touch the wall and re-center myself in the tank. There was one point where it got to be too much.. so I turned on the lights for the remainder of my float. I wonder if I had just fought through that urge how the float would have been.. but at the end of it, when the music came up, I exited the tank, showered off the salt, and got dressed.

I walked out to the welcome room, and got "welcomed back" by one of the staff.. and then told that there wasn't really an exit process.. there was tea and books (including adult coloring books) in the back.. and I was welcome to a cup of tea and to take my tame, there was no pressure to get out. So I stayed for a cup of tea.

Over all.. I found myself incredibly less stressed, emotionally and physically.. I'm just not carrying it in my body like I was. I also found my joint pain to be remarkably lessened. And I'm far more Zen.. my mind feels less cluttered and less distracted. It's the day after and I'm still in a much...