Spa Alila — Local services in Carlsbad

The front staff are nice, but the facility is majorly lacking and the quality of my massage was awful. When you’re spending over $800 for 2 people to have a massage you expect the best. My therapist was very inconsistent with pressure and seemed to not know what she was doing. For most of my massage she did Swedish style instead of the deep tissue sports massage I paid a lot extra for. I was not even able to express my dissatisfaction through the tip, because a 22% gratuity is automatically charged. That is probably why she did a poor job, as there is no incentive to work hard and do the full deep pressure. The only spa amenity they have is a sauna. The facility has no steam room, uses low quality soaps in the shower, and they did not have infused water to drink like most spas (just plan room temperature tap water). The relaxation room was comfortable, but for the cost of the therapies there I’d expect more and better quality for the snacks and tea products that are organic. No one refilled the tea pot water though, so I was unable to get the non-organic tea they provide. This was not a luxury experience and absolutely not worth the high prices...

My husband and I had our first set of massages at Spa Alila when we stayed at the hotel to celebrate an anniversary in May. We had back-to-back 50 min Talisman appointments with Natalie, and they were by far the best massages we have ever had. Our usual monthly spa membership spot wasn't doing it for us after such an incredible experience here, so we decided to cancel and try to come here more regularly. We booked our second visit as a couples 80 min massage and were sooo excited to be back. Per usual, the space was clean, beautiful, and very relaxing. Unfortunately, our massages didn't live up to our first experience. We both had a different therapist this time around, so that could definitely have played a role. Despite that, we've scheduled another couples massage in a month and are hoping to give it another go. The spa offers an annual membership, but it primarily offers discounts on services. I would love to see a monthly membership option, especially for locals, so that we can book more seamlessly. Overall, I still...

I did a facial and prenatal (“nourish”) massage during my stay at the hotel.

I almost didn’t book a facial, but then I decided to add on the 30 min Glow facial last minute and I’m SO glad I did! I wish I would’ve just done the facial.

Shara, the esthetician, was especially remarkable and the facial felt so divine and calming. I loved the extra and unexpected body work and sound healing, as well as a few simple gestures she made to ensure my pregnant body felt comfortable. My skin felt so soft and clear following the facial too.

I’ve yet to find an out-of-this-world prenatal massage and the one at Alila was just okay (why 4 stars). The last portion was spent on my back, supported with pillows, and that was lovely, but the first portion on my sides didn’t feel great. It felt like the therapist couldn’t use her strength as much from the side. For the price of the massage, I would’ve loved if they had true prenatal pillows so I could’ve laid...