Viva Day Spa + Med Spa | 35th — Local services in Austin

My husband booked the delicious duet couples spa package at the Viva Day Spa for my birthday. At 550 dollars, my expectations were fairly high. Unfortunately, the experience was a far cry from the relaxing spa treatment that I was hoping for.

My spouse and I try to book a massage at least once a month. We keep that regimine as a steady investment in our own physical wellness. That being said, we are no stranger to a variety of techniques and therapists. However, my therapist left me bruised for days after my visit. I had to ask her multiple times to adjust her pressure throughout the massage. There were several times that I asked her to skip areas because I was afraid of how much it would hurt. Her thumbs bruised the sides of my head, my chest, back, arms, etc. Now, I've been worked on by aggressive therapists before. In some cases, it's necessary to work a little harder to get a knot out. I completely understand that. But rest assured, there were no knots that needed tending to on the sides of my head. My arms did not carry unresolved tension that required that degree of force. I couldn't even tolerate her massage on my thighs because I was certain that those bruises would show. I didn't want to restrict my birthday girl weekend to a pants only attire. I appreciate a therapist that can adjust pressure. I love working out knots, but this experience just wasn't it. There is no reason for me to be tender to the touch days after my visit. I am going to leave her name out because she was sweet. I don't think she intended to cause harm, but if a client is asking repeatedly for adjustments throughout the massage, that should be a signal that something is amiss. If areas of the body are being asked to just be skipped over...that is a pretty big red flag in itself. My favorite massages? Are the ones that nearly put me to sleep. I want a massage that I can just relax and breathe through. I shouldn't have to be on hyper alert and ready to request accommodations. It was an awful experience.

In addition, the package that we purchased mentioned a body wrap. Now, we have both had body wraps before, and this was NOT a body wrap. Typically, a body wrap is the process in which a mineral-rich formula or oils are applied to the body. Once applied, you are wrapped up with plastic film or mylar bandages. (Feel free to check this definition as it is easily found online) The wraps that we have had in the past have all met this criteria. However, this "wrap" was absolutely laughable. The therapist rubbed lotion on us and pulled the blanket up along with what looked like a weighted sleeping bag. There was no real "body wrap" included in this package. Personally, I don't think it's fair to misrepresent a treatment. If you don't want to offer a body wrap, then don't offer it.

Ultimately, this experience was physically painful and severely overpriced for the quality of services offered. The staff is very pleasant, but a courteous demeanor is not a sufficient substitution for a genuine...

I initially wasn’t planning to leave a review, but my experience at Viva Med Spa has compelled me to share my perspective. As someone who has been getting lip fillers for the past 10 years—usually every 12 to 18 months—I have a well-established routine and a consistent approach. When I recently moved to Austin from LA, I was eager to find a reputable clinic here, and Viva Med Spa had good reviews, so I booked an appointment. However, during my visit, Kate, the injector, informed me that she was unable to perform my lip fillers because she “was not ethically comfortable” doing so, despite me showing her photos from previous treatments that clearly demonstrated my desired look. She repeatedly emphasized that I look “great just the way I am” and suggested I come back for a facial or massage instead, mentioning that Viva promotes a more holistic approach to lip enhancements. I was taken aback by her response. It felt dismissive and, frankly, discriminatory. It appeared to me that her refusal was rooted in her personal biases—perhaps influenced by her Instagram portfolio, which features significantly exaggerated and larger lips, unlike my more natural look. It became painfully clear that her refusal was based on my gender, as I am a man, which is both unprofessional and unacceptable. Following this, the manager called and explained that their clinic is “very conservative” and that none of their injectors perform certain procedures because they aim for a “natural look.” This contradicts what I saw on their social media, which showcases more dramatic transformations. It feels like a cover-up for personal biases rather than a standard practice. It is astonishing that in 2025, I still encounter sexism and bigotry in a professional setting, especially in an industry that should prioritize patient care and individual preferences over personal beliefs. Discrimination based on gender is protected against under federal law by the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination in places of public accommodation, including healthcare providers. Additionally, the Texas Anti-Discrimination Act also prohibits discrimination based on sex, gender, and other protected classes in public accommodations and services. The manager even attempted to dismiss my concerns by mentioning that the company is owned by a lesbian couple and an African American doctor, implying that these facts somehow mitigate the situation. Instead, it underscores the importance of diversity and education within the team—perhaps they should use their diverse ownership to help staff like Kate understand the importance of professional ethics and non-discrimination. Providing services to clients should never be based on gender or personal biases. It’s not only unethical but also potentially illegal. I hope this review encourages clinics to reflect on their practices and ensure that discrimination has no place...

Hi there. I booked a Deluxe pedi/mani. I was so excited and drove in from Buda for it. Upon entering, the back waiting area (which looked lovely: candles, dark, etc) was crowded they said, so I was asked to wait in the front in the reception area. The woman who was my nail tech was very nice—she typically worked at a different location so wasn’t familiar with this location or where everything was, and the front receptionist was new, so we got started about 15-20 min late. The pedicure tub filled very slowly, and then almost flooded until I turned it off. I was offered wine, which was nice, but that also was supposed to come with it anyhow. For my manicure the website says it includes a scrub and hot towels, but I didn’t receive that. The toe polish was streaky, so the manicurist needed to find a new one. Pros: very clean. Good chocolates. People were very nice and apologetic (I received a discount due to the mishaps), my fingers look great. Cons: visiting employees don’t seem to know where things are at location, not provided all services as website indicates, and appts stacked up too close so I couldn’t really experience the whole relaxation of a spa environment. I’d come back, but for the price we pay for this, I do hope that cons are addressed...