Signature Day Spa — Local services in Carmel-by-the-Sea

My gf and I booked a package that consisted of 1 hour massage + 1 hour facial for each of us. We wanted to support our local business, this being one of the two day spas in the downtown area. We've been to the other one and loved it. The experience between these two spas in town was day and night!

I was shocked when I got there, the place looked run down, and frankly felt dingy. The manicure/pedicure stations were right at the entry area where you check in. The cushions at the pedicure stations looked like they could use a good washing.

We were offered water or wine. Nice touch I must say. We tried to be positive, since this was our afternoon out for us girls.

At the the time of the booking, we were offered a choice of male or female therapists. We specifically asked for female therapists only.

When it was our turn, we were surprised that one of our therapists was a male. No explanation given, even though we made it clear at the time of booking we only wanted female therapists.

We both shared the same room. The massage was not bad. Good pressure, but missing all the pressure points for someone with experience. Nevertheless we both felt the massages were passable. The therapists were courteous and did their best.

Then everything went downhill from there. We had 1 hour facial following the massage. It was the most bizzzare facial. There was no consultation of our skin. The light was so dim in the room that there's noway the therapists could evaluate the our skin either. Our hair was not wrapped up in hair bands.

The same massage therapists did our facials. Our eye make up was not cleaned off. The therapists dapped cream on our face and wiped off, avoiding the uncleaned eye area, couple of times. Then a mask of some sort was brushed on our face, again avoiding the uncleaned eyes area. Extractions or examining the skin was never done. After the final 'cleaning', grainy scrubs bits were left around the hair line and under the chin area. Infact our faces felt rather tacky and sticky. Yuk!

After we left, I called the spa back, and spoke to the owner, Tonya. I wanted to find out if that was indeed a facial we received. In a rather aggressive tone, she said that's how their facials are done. According to her, eye make ups are never removed as that will take away the time for other procedures in the facial. Isn't cleaning the face, the whole face, a crucial part of the facial? I did not argue with her as she sounded tirade, and bragged that she was the best in the industry and knew what she was talking about. Really?? 😂. I've had hundreds of facials in my lifetime. Never had I a facial where the makeup wasn't cleaned off entirely. Any qualified esthetician will tell you that cleaning the whole face is a must before proceeding with other steps.

If we had known the therapists weren't exactly certified or qualified to do facials, we would have booked a 2 hour massage instead. The so called facial was a poor face massage at best.

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Give the other day spa in the...

My husband, Ethan, and I recently had the privilege of enjoying a truly remarkable couples spa experience at Signature Day Spa, and I am absolutely delighted to share our exceptional journey. From the moment we stepped through the doors of this haven of relaxation, we were transported to a world of tranquility and rejuvenation.

Our day of indulgence was made unforgettable by the talented duo, Jennie and Denise, who went above and beyond to ensure our time at the spa was nothing short of perfection. While I treated myself to both a facial and a massage, Ethan opted for the deeply therapeutic experience of a deep tissue massage.

Ethan's deep tissue massage with Denise was a revelation. With her skilled hands and expert knowledge of muscle tension relief, Denise worked wonders on his stressed and knotted muscles. He emerged from the massage room not only relaxed but also feeling physically rejuvenated. He couldn't stop raving about Denise's ability to pinpoint and alleviate his muscle tension with such precision.

As for me, I had the privilege of experiencing both a facial and a massage from the gifted hands of Jennie. Her attention to detail and passion for her craft were evident from the start. The facial she administered was nothing short of heavenly, leaving my skin feeling refreshed and glowing. Following that, her massage was a symphony of relaxation. Her techniques were both therapeutic and soothing, and I drifted into a state of pure bliss.

What made our couples massage truly exceptional was the remarkable synergy between Jennie and Denise. They orchestrated our experience flawlessly, ensuring that every moment was synchronized and tailored to our individual needs. Their ability to create an atmosphere of harmony and relaxation was truly remarkable.

The ambiance at Signature Day Spa deserves special mention. The spa's serene and elegant decor, combined with the soothing music and gentle fragrance, created an ambiance that embraced us from the moment we arrived. The attention to detail and the cleanliness of the entire facility added to our overall sense of well-being.

In summary, our experience at Signature Day Spa, particularly with the exceptional therapists Jennie and Denise, was nothing short of perfection. Their professionalism, expertise, and dedication to their craft made our visit truly memorable. We left the spa feeling rejuvenated, relaxed, and deeply connected. We wholeheartedly recommend Signature Day Spa to anyone seeking an extraordinary couples spa experience. If you're considering a visit, don't hesitate to book with Jennie and Denise for a day of unparalleled relaxation and pampering. It's an experience that will leave you feeling renewed and...

Just below average when it comes to deep tissue massage. If I were to compare quality vs price it would be 2 stars. Perhaps this is the place for facials and treatments, but if this is the top massage service in Carmel I recommend you wait to go up to SF or LA. I regret coming here for deep tissue. Their hot stone massage is probably good though, so I would recommend going that route here.

What I look for in a good therapeutic massage: excellent technique, thoughtful application of technique and pressure for that particular client's muscle structure and tension points, and effective communication with the client.

The experience at Signature Day Spa: the therapist's style was simplistic, heavy handed, and fixed. They applied either a) broad strokes, repeated very briskly with significant pressure or b) very targeted pressure in one single pressure point. There was only one particular technique at one moment that stood out as highly effective, and they added hot stone to the massage which was much better since it relaxes and doesn't require as much technique, that is the only reason I'm giving 3 stars instead of 2.

If this is the style you prefer, I think you would have a better experience than me. I do not like this style - it was basically a $250 foam rolling session. Putting my neck literally in this therapist's hands was a stressful experience.

The therapist did not appear to have a habit of communicating or soliciting feedback from clients during a session. I had to prompt them to communicate, and while they did respond quickly to my request to change their speed, they seemed flustered and did not check in with me while doing any of the motions except for one stretch. They did ask me how I was doing, but only after completing the massage (any direction from the client at this point...