endota spa Ponsonby (previously Forme Spa & Wellbeing) — Local services in Waitematā

This was the worst massage experience I have ever had! I booked this for my daughter and I as a special treat, as my daughter is 36 weeks pregnant and the reviews highly recommend this place for pregnancy massage. Firstly i phoned to make the booking to specifically ask if we could have a pedicure, followed by leg waxing and then a relaxing massage in the same room, I said I wanted it to not be stress-full, but calming and gentle because of the pregnancy. I went in in person twice to book and there was no one at reception, in the end my daughter phoned and booked it and got an email confirmation. When we turned up in Ponsonby on Friday after she had driven all the way from Hamilton, they couldnt find our booking! They then tried to squeeze us in saying they couldnt do us together in the same room. Then I started a pedicure only 5 mins later to be told they couldn`t do it because I had shellac on, but she could paint in the gaps with non shellac varnish??????? I then said absolutely not and got out of the foot bath. They then said they could do our massages together, so in we went. Mine was to be a hot Stone massage and the first thing the masseuse did was to put an ice cold stone on the small of my back?? Then started massaging my legs with freezing stones, I said to her Im pretty sure a HOT STONE MASSAGE is to be done with HOT STONES? She then said oh there wasnt enough time to get them HOT? " So why on earth use them then?? So Incredibly unrelaxing and immensely disappointing. My masseuse im sure had almost never massaged anyone before, she massaged one hand on one side and not the other, went around and around in the same place, i asked for firmer a lot but it just went back to soft patting. I could hear her being told what to do by the other masseuse. This was supposed to be the utmost luxury treat for my daughter and I and its NOT CHEAP. It was the most stressful, unlaxing, and very sad experience. Even at the end the manager said she couldnt do the leg wax for my daughter which was supposed to before the massage so she would leave relaxed. she asked us to come back the next day??? I would NEVER go back, a total disaster....

Overall disappointed by my experience at Forne spa. I booked in for the autumn revival package which was for 70mins and included a 30 min massage, 30min express facial, a keratin foot soak and eye booster. First of all my session started quite late - was brought into the treatment room 10mins late but then my therapist vanished for 8 minutes so didn’t get started until about 20 mins after original Time - yet somehow managed to finish only 10 mins late! Massage was ok - only went for just under 25mins incl clean up (clock on the wall). I had specified on my booking form that I wanted firm pressure however it was definitely not that firm. Therapist also didn’t ask if there was anything I wanted focused on (but fine I should have spoken up). Post massage my back is still quite tight and sore unfortunately. Facial was also ok - didn’t feel that thorough and my skin didn’t feel or look that glowy. All in all a bit meh. Not sure I would...

Booked for 3 of us for the seasonal deal so had to do it over the phone…took several phone calls and an email to get all the details right but then thought we were sorted. Got told off on the day for showing up late as it turns out they put it in the system for 30 mins earlier! They had also put some add-ons against one of the bookings when we hadn’t asked for any. The facialist/masseuse was lovely and did a great job of making me relaxed and comfortable but it took a while to get there after being told off :/ luckily I’d kept my email with the time she had told me (and that I’d showed up for) but I still didn’t get any apology until a lack lustre one just as we were about to leave. If you can book for yourself online then this branch is probably good but definitely don’t recommend trying to book over the phone - I’ll go back to my usual branch where it’s much more organised and...