Kōena Spa — Local services in Gatineau

AVOID THE DEEP TISSUE MASSAGE

A day of relaxing after my partner finished up a stressful few weeks at work turned into a nightmare I’m still crying at home over a day later

I informed the masseuse that it was my first time having a deep tissue massage. When the treatment started, he made his way down to my bathing suit bottoms and started scooting them down without warning. I was shocked by it so I just apologized and helped him lower them as they were high waisted. I don’t know why he didn’t ask or warn me, especially when the FAQs say you’re allowed to undress to your comfort.

He then went right into the massage which was painful but I knew that it was going to be more intense than a regular massage as he had warned me, and I figured he’d consult me about the pressure. After about 15 minutes it’s so painful. On every movement I’m squirming around, holding my breath, tensing up, so I say “maybe a little lighter on that shoulder” he says okay but keeps going without asking me if the new pressure is okay

Around then I just started quietly crying into the table. I know I should have said stop but I just froze and tried to get through it. I should add the pillow you put your face in moves out of the way, so I was being pressed into a wooden edge. My face still feels bruised. (My partner said her therapist stopped to readjust the pillow whenever this happened)

A little longer and he says “you still okay?” I froze up and just said yes

When he starts on my legs I’m so tense and the other leg keeps bending and wiggling. He finally says “you need to relax! You’re not breathing! You’re as red as a tomato!” I apologized and he kept going without offering any sort of break or reduced pressure. He also rubbed one of my calves which we had discussed were too ticklish for me. I guess he realized his mistake cuz he didn’t rub the other one, but still held onto my calf which massaging my other thigh which was uncomfortable.

When I had to turn over he lifted the sheet up and told me to turn over. He wasn’t looking but I was fully exposed. He went on and I kept bending up my leg because it was so uncomfortable, and he just kept telling me I needed to relax.

When he got up to my arms, he rubbed a line right into the area by my armpit which made me move around a lot in discomfort. I said “I’m also too ticklish in my armpit” to this he said “okay let’s see” massaging a line very hard, right into my armpit. Obviously I moved around in discomfort. I don’t know why he had to check

At some point when I was on my back I cringed so much that the sheet dropped below my breast.

It just got to a point where I was thinking “he can tell I’m not breathing or ‘relaxing’, and he doesn’t care. He’s not going to stop” I can’t imagine being comfortable not checking in with someone or asking them if they want a break when they’re clearly in pain. I thought it was my fault but then when I talked to my partner (who had the same treatment with a different masseuse) she said that her therapist checked in with her the whole way and asked a lot if there was any pain.

The only thing he didn’t use any pressure on were my feet and hands. He lightly rubbed my palms/soles and moved on. I think this is because I was sweating, but I had just showered. They are the massages I look forward to the most. He half assed them then washed his hands after each like I was contagious

I spent the next few hours crying while my partner who was supposed to relax had to comfort me.

She slipped away at to tell a manager what happened and she said they took it seriously and were going to talk to him and gave us 2 free passes. I was happy that they seemed concerned about my treatment, as I still thought it was my fault for not communicating well enough, but I can’t imagine ever being able to trust this place with a massage again since they have people like that working there. We paid 360 to have our day ruined, and their idea was to let us come back?!

I still keep breaking down crying. This stressed us out so much more than we...

Worth the READ !!

If we could choose 0 stars we would !!

We don’t normally like to make a negative comment about a place or an experience because there is always rules we don’t know at first visit and some things take time to be great but with this experience at Keona it is needed as the manager chose to be disrespectful despite our plea about the harassment of the staff.

From the moment we stepped foot in our first hot spa bath a thinner blonde staff member told us to keep quiet. Since it was our first time at this spa we were very shocked as we have been many times to other spas and NEVER had this happen. In total we were a group of 6- 3 couples however for the most part the three woman were together as well as the three men. At some times we barely said any words and the staff still proceeded to tell us to “quiet down”. We were talking so low we were reading each others lips. We noticed the staff followed us anywhere we went to keep telling us the same thing “ to quiet down” It was starting to get out of hand so much that other people near us in any spa bath we were in also were getting annoyed as the staff members were telling people that just walked in a spa bath and haven’t said a word yet! It was getting to the point where we have been at the spa now for 6 hours spent well over $100 each couple on snacks and drinks ( I just add no one was intoxicated) plus the entry fee when a staff member came to say we are receiving a warning …. We just walked into this spa bath and were quietly talking ( the group of women that were behind us were talking louder then us and we said oh boy they will be in trouble soon) of coarse as a normal person we were very insulted and stated why would we be receiving a warning ?! So not only did the younger gentleman that gave us the warning walk away two woman came over to continue the conversation. They were not very pleasant and chose to cary a terrible argumentative look on their faces the moment they walked over. One of these woman was the spa manager as we came to find out. We explained to them we are not 5 years old we under stand the rules we are in our 40s and all have young sick children at home and we chose this spa day to treat ourselves for one and the harassment of the staff is unacceptable and inappropriate. We have now spend well over $700 to enter and have snack and drinks that we couldn’t even enjoy because we constantly had 2-6 people hovering us at any location. We attempted to explain this to the manager instead of her listening to what we had to say she repeatedly stated the rules …. We advised her since the entire staff has spoken to us multiple times we understand the rules and we do not deserve unfair treatment. Instead of enjoying our spa day like we should when going to a spa we had to constantly watch over our shoulders to be aware is staff harassment ! We told the manager we would be happy to leave if they refund all the money spent there and the manager originally Asked if that is what we wanted. As we were discussing this with the manager we pointed towards the pack of employees standing near us ( the same group who followed us the whole day) one gentleman came over with steam blaring and was rude the manager immediately stopped them. This was glimpse of what we experienced all day, we notes this to the manager. Many other people who we do not know came over to tell the manager that we were not loud they couldn’t even hear what we were saying. Done get us wrong this place is gorgeous and it’s truly unfortunate that every person working there looks no older than 25 besides the manager, they must not realize how much of an impact they made on us. We truly believe that you shouldn’t be rude or disrespectful because you never know what people are going through in their lives and for us parents we planned this day for months and was totally ruined by the staff. We will be contacting for a...

A Refreshing Retreat with a Touch of Elegance: A Review of the New Spa

Nestled away from the hustle and bustle, the new spa presents itself as a serene sanctuary for those seeking relaxation without breaking the bank. At half the price of the renowned Nordic Spa, this hidden gem doesn't just promise a day of indulgence; it delivers an experience that's both delightful and distinctive.

Upon arrival, the ambiance greets you with open arms, enveloping you in an atmosphere that's lively yet tranquil. The spa's rituals, a nod to time-honored traditions, offer a journey of rejuvenation for the body and soul. The indoor pool area is a haven of relaxation, complete with an array of cabanas, double lazy beds draped in shade, inviting hammocks, and an abundance of sun chairs to bask in leisure.

The spa's salt room stands as a testament to its commitment to holistic wellness, though I opted to save that pleasure for a future visit. For those seeking a more hands-on approach to relaxation, massages and treatments are available, promising a bespoke pampering experience.

Culinary delights await at the three on-site restaurants, each offering a taste of the spa's dedication to quality and service. The sauna rooms beckon with their warmth, and the adjoining hotel and golf course suggest a getaway that extends beyond a day's visit.

The staff, a team of attentive and gracious individuals, ensure that your every need is met with a smile. The ease of access to the circuit spa zone without a reservation, coupled with the affordability of the full-day pass—$133 for two, inclusive of robes and tax—speaks volumes of the spa's commitment to accessibility and value.

However, every rose has its thorn, and this spa is no exception. Its modest size, when compared to the sprawling expanse of Nordik, may leave some yearning for more. The recent overcrowding at Nordik, though, makes the new spa's intimate setting a welcome respite.

A word of caution to the unwary: the change room floors are treacherously slippery, a hazard that must be navigated with care. The change room itself, cramped and lacking in seating, becomes a battleground during peak hours. An overzealous cleaner, armed with chemicals that clash with the day's aromatic pleasures, only adds to the chaos. A simple shift in cleaning schedules to after-hours could easily remedy this disruption.

The spa's alcohol policy, particularly regarding shooters, is a curious conundrum. While fancy cocktails and wine bottles are displayed with pride, a request for a celebratory shooter is met with a firm no—a decision that seems at odds with the otherwise adult-oriented offerings. This inconsistency, especially when hotel and restaurant patrons are exempt from such restrictions, dampens the spirit of celebration and personal choice.

In conclusion, the new spa is a place of contrasts, where the joys of relaxation meet the edges of refinement. Despite its few shortcomings, the spa has woven a memorable tapestry of experiences that have left an indelible mark on our hearts. As we look forward to our next visit, we carry with us the memory of a birthday where we have a traditional shooter, so we had to go somewhere else, that wasn't in the plan figuring there wouldn't be an issue. We will reserve trips to this spa for other celebrations. We will be back soon and recommend...