Ananda Spa — Attraction in Sweetwater

I want to start by saying that it takes a lot for me to write a negative review about a place/experience. This place only deserves even one star because my first experience here wasn't nearly as terrible as my most recent one (for the second experience, I would give them zero stars if I could).

I was given a Groupon for this spa as a gift by someone who isn't from Miami. When I arrived for my first appointment, I was a little bit skeptical because the location isn't the greatest. The interior when you first enter is nice, but as soon as you go to the back, you begin to realize how/why the price of the services is so cheap. The beds are not very comfortable - they're pretty hard and the room is kept cold, without a very substantial blanket or cover. That being said, the younger esthetician who did my first facial was excellent - she was extremely knowledgable, easy to talk to, and did a great job - my skin was glowing the next day and I was pleased - it got the job done.

Fast forward 2 months, and I have my second (and most recent) appointment. When I walked into the "spa" (if you can call it that), the first thing I heard was a dog barking loudly in the back (within the facility, not outside). The dog proceeded to bark throughout the appointment and was sitting in a stroller with one of the employees when I walked out. This second appointment was with a different esthetician (the name on the receipt said Reyna). I have never been to a facial (including the first one at this facility) until this one where I haven't been asked to put on a robe. The lady proceeded to crassly tell me to lay on the table (I wouldn't really call it a bed) fully clothed and paid no attention to whether or not I was comfortable. I have a pretty arched lower back and I have never been to a massage, facial, or other similar experience where the esthetician did not provide a pillow to put behind my knees to relieve the tension on my back. The sheet that she put over me did nothing to combat the fact that it was FREEZING inside of the facility. She proceeded to wander away for 10+ minutes, came back in, and then slathered something on my face. She didn't even bother to put a headband around my hair to make sure no product got in it - I had just washed and blowdried by hair that morning, and had to do so again later that day to get everything out of it. She then proceeded to wipe this substance off of my face with what felt like a dirty dish rag, which she dunked in a grimy, discolored plastic bowl. She then turned on the facial steamer, put it entirely too close to my face, causing my face to go numb from the heat, and then left the room for another 10 minutes. When she came back, she adjusted the steamer position and then proceeded to loudly type on her phone with the keyboard volume on for the next 5 minutes. When she was done texting, she turned the steamer off and began extractions. She dug into my face for the next ~10 minutes without adding any moisture/additional steam/anything else. After about 5 mins, my skin was dry and I could feel her tools literally destroying my skin (my pores have never looked more stretched out, and I have never before had hyperpigmentation and scarring on my skin following a facial). She then, in some order, cursorily ran the microdermabrasion tool and high frequency over my face (maybe 5 mins total). She finally very unevenly put a mask on my face and proceeded to leave again for the next 20 minutes (I timed it this time). The entire time she was gone, I could hear her loudly talking to the other employees in the next room. She came back in, wiped the mask off with her rag, and then told me she was done. I honestly could have given myself a much better facial at home. Do yourself a favor and spend the extra money to go to a better spa, as this one is grossly lacking in both the skincare and relaxation benefits of a facial. I personally will not...

I really want to like this place because its affordable and the quality of the facials are typically good, however, I wouldn't say its a relaxing experience by any means. The walls in each room are paper thin so you can hear all the talking going on outside, the room is cold and sometimes i'm offered a blanket, while sometimes I have to ask for one but my biggest issue is that all 3 times I have gone, the esthetician insists on having full blown conversations with me throughout the whole facial and asking me a bunch of questions when i'm just trying to relax and disconnect. One time, the woman's phone rang during the facial, and she picked it up and put it on speaker then proceeded to have the phone convo right by my ears. Appointment times can be hit or miss as well, and the estheticians ask me to pay them through Zelle instead of an official front desk situation, which isn't an issue for me, I just found it a bit strange? I might be willing to give it another shot, but if it happens a 4th time I will not try this...

A friend told me about this place. I've been to many spas for massages in the past and I can tell you I had the best experience in this one. As soon as I walked in the massage therapist was extremely kind with me and made me feel welcome, he was very respectful and asked me about my preferences and needs. The massage station is very cozy and cute. Now, the massage, that was something else my friend! If you are looking for a dedicated massagist that pays attention to details regarding your needs, trust me, this is the place! The guy that assisted me was Ariel (ask for him!) I felt like my body was floating in the air when I got out of there lol. I went 3 days ago and I still see the results and feel relaxed. Money very well spent, totally worth it! I will...