Enhance Arts Aesthetics & Spa (Yaletown) — Local services in Vancouver

I really do not like leaving reviews like this, but I am doing so because I am genuinely concerned that the masseur I had could seriously harm someone with the techniques he used and the lack of seriousness this complaint was taken in.

This is not the case of a bad massage, this is a case of a seriously unprofessional therapist who crossed boundaries and was inappropriate in the treatment he provided. I had a relaxation massage booked on Wednesday, 26th February at the Davie Street Branch.

My experience was unprofessional but also deeply upsetting and painful, leaving me shaken and emotionally distressed. The male masseuse assigned to me performed a treatment that was entirely inappropriate for a relaxation massage. His technique consisted primarily of severe pinching, excessive elbow pressure, and hard pressing, with virtually no standard massage techniques being used. I estimate that, at most, only five minutes of the 90-minute session could be classified as an actual massage.

The most severe pinching took place on my neck area which was painful and concerning, and the heavy elbow pressure was used on my shoulder with the therapist pressing his foot against the wall and applying his full body pressure. This took place for approximately 40 minutes of the massage.

Following the message, my right shoulder and neck were extremely sore with the type of pain I would not even expect following a sports massage. This pain has subsided however is still present over two weeks later.

The masseuse also undertook hard pressing on my buttocks for an extended amount of time. This is unusual and was not a technique practised by Emma with whom I had had a previous message with at the establishment, or any other massage therapist I have ever had anywhere.

Additionally, throughout the appointment, the therapist frequently used only one hand, leaving me feeling as though the treatment was not being taken seriously and questioning what was taking place with the other hand. Key areas that are typically included in a professional massage—such as feet, hands, upper legs, back, and head—were completely neglected. The overall experience was not only ineffective but also extremely uncomfortable and, often, painful.

I was visibly shaken by the time the session ended. I immediately expressed my concerns to both Emma and the receptionist on duty. Despite this, I left the building feeling overwhelmed, confused, and emotionally distressed. This was particularly disappointing given my previous positive experience with Emma, who was both professional and highly skilled. My high expectations, based on that prior appointment, made this experience all the more disappointing.

What followed was a disappointing call with the manager. The call was rescheduled several times, and when the call was taken, the manager was driving in the car and it was clear this was not an important issue to her. I felt accused of 'dramatizing' the issue, and she said that it was perhaps the fact I was pregnant that I felt the massage was not right. She also said that she had had a massage by the masseuse and it has been good - I said clearly he put on his best service for his manager and this was not a good comparison.

I had to strongly emphasise the seriousness of the situation before she began to take it seriously and not blame myself. I was told that I would receive a follow up from the manager 'within the week'. I have not heard anything, and received no follow up following the phone call.

I have had dozens and dozens of massages and I am safe to say that this was the most concerning, unprofessional, questionable massage I have ever had, and absolutely in no way conformed to any technique a trained masseuse should undertake. I am extremely concerned not only to have been through this experience myself, but to allow anyone else to have such a treatment. Please be aware...

Thank you for your reply. I must respectfully disagree with several points: The matter of someone entering my treatment room without permission while I was blindfolded and undressed is not merely an inconvenience but a serious breach of basic privacy. Your explanation focuses on why these problems occurred rather than acknowledging their significance. Whether construction noise is beyond your control or room assignment was accidental doesn't change the impact on my experience. Your response overlooks your barking dog and food odors I mentioned, which made relaxation impossible. I want to clarify that I spoke directly with Tila, one of the owners, about these issues right after my session where my concerns were similarly dismissed. My decision to write this review came after that unsatisfactory in-person conversation, not instead of it. As someone who has experienced your service five times, I've observed a consistent pattern of scheduling issues and service inconsistency. This wasn't an isolated incident requiring a private complaint, but rather the culmination of ongoing problems. _ Despite previous scheduling issues, this visit was especially disappointing, and I don’t plan to return. Construction noise penetrated the walls with noticeable vibrations, without any prior notification. A dog barked continuously throughout the session. Most disturbingly, while I was blindfolded and partially undressed, someone entered the room twice without knocking or asking and even bumped into the bed. The space also had an intrusive food odor. My therapist explained it was the manager entering for internet issues. When confronted, this manager dismissed my concerns, stating her dog always accompanies her without complaints, and the room entries were merely for technical necessities. Though they apologized, the experience was unacceptable. The reservation system remains unreliable, and therapist quality varies significantly—some excellent, but no consistency....

Disgusting and shameful lack of professionalism.

I have visited Enhance a few times for relaxation massages and was previously happy with my experiences. However, my most recent visit left me not only disappointed but injured and frankly violated.

My masseuse was incredibly rough despite my repeated requests for a lighter touch. I had also communicated a pre-existing shoulder injury, yet she continued to manipulate my arm in ways that felt both inappropriate and unsafe for a spa setting.

Before leaving, I expressed my discomfort and received nothing more than a verbal apology. In the days that followed, my back spasmed and my right shoulder locked up. I am now attending weekly RMT sessions to address the damage caused by this massage.

When I contacted the spa, their proposed “compensation” was a 20% discount on another massage—later downgraded to a free 15-minute session. Both offers felt dismissive and insulting considering the harm I experienced.

To make matters worse, the spa took the troubling step of searching my social media and attempting to use my posts as “evidence” to deflect blame. This is highly unprofessional, inappropriate, and consistent with what I’ve since seen in their responses to other negative reviews: blaming clients rather than taking responsibility for their staff’s conduct.

Needless to say, I will not be returning and strongly caution others to think twice before...