Serene Massage — Local services in Channelview

I came in for a massage and was asked to pay upfront—no problem. The massage was listed as $65, but I was charged $70 for using a credit card. Then, the receptionist asked me to add a tip before I even received the service. I explained that I couldn’t tip until I knew the quality of the massage. She then started speaking in her dialect in a way that felt rude, and soon after, she handed me a paper stating I needed to tip $15. I told her I had never experienced this kind of service, where they tell you how much to tip. She walked away, leaving me standing at the front desk, then turned around and motioned for me to follow her.

She led me to a room, told me to undress, and walked off. Feeling uneasy, I went back to the front desk and requested a refund. Another lady was brought in, and suddenly, they both pretended they didn’t know how to work the credit card machine. Eventually, the new lady offered to do my massage since they "couldn’t process refunds." I reluctantly agreed and asked for a relaxing scalp massage as part of my Swedish massage.

Big mistake. The “scalp massage” felt like it was knocking brain cells loose. She started with a dry massage before finally using oil—so much oil, I swear Diddy must’ve gifted them 1,000 bottles of baby oil. It was cold, and despite repeatedly telling her I was freezing, she left me uncovered most of the time. Then, mid-massage, she answered a phone call. I clearly heard the person on the other end ask about a "happy ending." She replied that they only do massages but kept encouraging the caller to come in—at 8:30 PM. At this point, I was convinced this place had something shady going on.

Throughout the session, I was left feeling completely uncomfortable—slapped, thumped, and trampled rather than relaxed. Half the time, I was left exposed and cold. To top it all off, she offered me water and a mint at the end, as if that would make up for the disaster I just endured. This lady did seem nicer than the first one but it was just a hard experience. They need to change the name from Serene Massage to Tip First or Else Rough Massage. If a rough uncomfortable massage is your thing then enjoy.

I would never recommend this place. Zero...

Was asked to pay before the services. First thing that I found odd. This was my first time ever getting any type of massage. The room was HOT. I could barely breathe in there. Then I had to put my face into the hole that made it even harder to breathe. She kept hitting my sensitive spots after telling her over and over it hurt. Then upon leaving she tells me how am I going to give her a tip? Cash or card. I said card. Being the nice person I am I gave her $10 even though she kept hurting me and I just wasn't happy with it. Well Mia has the nerve to show me a paper with how much I should tip her for 30 mins. I said sorry that was all I was gonna give. I can't believe this place tells you how much to give as a tip. Sucks that my first attempt at a massage wasn't what I expected. Not returning...

This is my first time walking into this place. I came in with my partner, my back, neck and hips had been hurting me. This place is close to home. I didn't get the name of the masseuse. She was the receptionist. Despite the beating she gave me, the long nails that kept digging in my skin, it worked. She stretched me at the end that gave me the relief I needed. I didn't see the tip sheet so I tipped what i thought was fair. My partner told me about the tip sheet when we left. I would go back for the beating and the stretch because at the end I...