Ebb & Float — Local services in Columbus

This place has taken quite a fall from the standard that I was used to. From a cute and charming retreat of tranquility, to a pump and dumb business with no consideration for the client.

We had a float appointment that was from 8-9pm. We were taken to our room and dropped off, with no relative instructions. This was fine, as we know the drill. Shower, get in, relax, music will fade away, then music will come on when the float is over, lights with follow after.

During our float there were constant interruptions of loud sounds. Whether it was people cleaning or moving equipment, loud commotions in the hallways. Seemingly every few minutes there was a new distraction interrupting our peace. In a place that is supposed to be about tranquility and mindfulness it felt very much like no one cared about such goals.

During our float the water jets turned on, thus creating even more distractions and in comfortability. Well before this time my wife had just been sitting up hoping for the experience to be over, as it was impossible to relax under the conditions. We both had been thinking “the time has to be up” but neither wanted to interrupt the other’s possible rest.

We finally hear 3 loud bangs on our door, and call out to see who it was… no response. We immediately get out of the float… check our phones, it’s 9:50!! Yes, almost 1 hour AFTER our appointment was set to end. In an essential bathtub, with no clocks, no phone, complete darkness, and no concept of time… why are we FINALLY getting summoned?

We rush to shower and get out - both of us telling each other how awful the experience was. As my wife went to the restroom I went to the “quiet area” where usually you can get refreshments and come back to. I was “greeted” by a staff member who simply said, “I’ll be in here if you need anything” and that was it. No inquiry on how the experience was, no friendly welcoming back to the outside world. Just a cold response from a seemingly bothered employee.

I told said employee no music, lights, or anything came on to wake us and why that would happen? They simply said “it should have” When I asked about a refund; said employee said they can’t do anything and I asked who I could speak with. They said their boss couldn’t be contacted because “they’re asleep because they have kids.” As parents I don’t understand this response, and almost an insult. This employee made us feel as if we were an issue. I offered to pay for the massage chairs since they were up to standards, but not the floats since essentially we were “held” in there almost an hour late with constant loud noises interrupting us.

I’ve sent a FaceBook message to the company, as well as multiple emails to the supplied correspondence for “management” this will be two weeks from the experience and not one iota of response. I’ve called the location and asked for management and have been told they’ll “write a note for management” We’ve spent money there many times, sent friends and family to this company, all to be disrespected and ignored.

I will not be back to this establishment as it’s no longer the considerate thoughtful business I once knew. It’s a money grab with no possible way to have issues or poor experiences heard or rectified. The lack of response of management tells me they’re happy with any experience a client has as long as they have you money, and don’t have any desire to be accountable for their staff’s mistakes. I’m writing this review after letting them know I’m writing it, so it won’t be a surprise. If they’re willing to respond to this, which I doubt, it will only prove that they care more about public optics than actual care for their customers.

I hope this review reaches many as an authentic representation of my experience, and when it’s read it sounds even more scathing reactions than I’m capable of...

Went here for a relaxing float at a very busy point in my semester. A friend of mine has been here before & she had a good time so I decided to book here for my first float instead of any of the other float spas in the city. When I walked in, I was pleasantly greeted by name by the woman at desk. She also confirmed my appointment time. She and the man that were there were helping another customer so I patiently waited.

I had already been greeted & the fact that I had an appointment had been verbally acknowledged so I was confused when the man turns to me a minute or two later & asks me very dryly, "can I help you?" Immediately, I felt unwelcome. After I explained that I had an 12pm appointment, he again asked me for my name. After I took my shoes off, I followed him to my cabin. He told me about how everything worked & got me some earplugs & a head pillow which was appreciated but the whole time he acted as if he was bothered to be doing anything with me.

After my session, I showered & got dressed. I even left my cabin to finish getting dressed in the bathroom in order to be mindful of next appointment. When I came back to the front, he reluctantly stood up to leave the area he was sitting in with other folks & came back to the front desk. I had already paid so I was good to go. I asked if I could have some water & he was like "well if you want some free water, there's some over there." As if it was a problem for me to simply want a drink after spending an hour floating in salt. I wasn't offered any tea or "reflection" as the info card in my cabin had said I would be. He didn't even invite me to book another appointment.

I got such weird energy from him from the moment I walked in so I was disappointed but not surprised to be treated this way. However you would like to think a place that is supposed to center wellness would do better to make sure Black women feel welcomed into their space. It's unfortunate that this man treated me this way.

The only reason this review is 2 stars is because my float itself was enjoyable even though I wished the water had been warmer. If only the rest of the experience reflected that.

ALSO NO ONE WAS...

I’m new to floating and have had a variety of experiences here. In general this is a really relaxing, spa like environment although I have some issues (see below). The float price is crazy but cheaper/worth it with a membership, IMO. The float cabins are really nice experiences! And the staff members are nice and try to be helpful, in general. A few things/details seem to have escaped them, though.

in the “meditation room,” after a float, I once sat there with a post-float customer who was literally just chatting away to people on the phone, making appts at doctors offices. Everything they use to describe this room is that it’s supposed to be a quiet meditation and relaxation space to wind down after your float.

The staff did ask her to move to the lobby once I asked (after 10 minutes of her loudly talking away) but there’s no friendly reminder signage in the meditation room, and I don’t think the staff would have done anything without me asking. Incredibly frustrating. Even in therapy offices they have signs asking you not to talk on the phone or play music/videos.

It felt like an inconsiderate waste of my money and time that the staff didn’t enforce this without me having to ask.

If they could play the relaxation music (i.e., if the rooms were soundproofed) in the tanks the entire time, I would be asleep in seconds. They say they can’t though because other rooms would hear it.

*The biggest gripe I have is that there‘s only one outlet on one side in the unisex bathroom. The first time I floated I had to stand there for like 15 minutes waiting for another girl to finish drying her hair. Now if I see another woman floating at the same time, I get anxious toward the end of my float that I won’t get there soon enough to get to use the single outlet. Super annoying...