Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa — Local services in Fredericksburg

I was very disappointed with my visit to LaVida. Let me start by saying that I am in no way angry with my therapist, she was as sweet as could be, and did her job to the best of her ability. My problem lies with the MANAGEMENT. My experience started out with me calling to schedule an appointment due to being very dis- satisfied with a local competitor, JUST ONE DAY PRIOR. I SPECIFICALLY asked to be scheduled with ANYONE who would be able to remove the muscle knots from my back (particularly my shoulder blades) as this was my biggest problem area. The receptionist said that she would leave a note in my appointment slot saying that I needed someone to do whatever it took to get my knots out of my back. I stressed to them countless times that this was all I was worried about and if they could accomplish this then everything beyond that would be icing on the cake for me. During my massage this was NOT taken care of and when I asked if they could please get rid of my knots, my response was "Sorry, that will require more time." and "Try stretching that should help." So you can probably imagine my frustration getting up from the table for the 2nd time in a row and my problem STILL not being taken care of. I then talked with a manager, who I also believe to be one of that stores owners, and asked her to please read me what was in my appointment notes. She read them to me and wouldn't you know that they said that I NEEDED MY KNOTS TO BE TAKEN CARE OF. I then asked her why I was standing in front of her without my problem being taken care of. My answer was a story about her visiting Hawaii and that I needed to pay for another session because the session I had was not long enough..........I'm sorry?!?! You can't get knots in shoulder blades out in 1 hour? I have a great family friend that normally works on me but she has since moved far away and she ALWAYS got me 10000000% taken care of in 1 hour. Of course they were still very happy to take my money WHICH BY THE WAY THEY MAKE YOU GIVE THEM YOUR CARD NUMBER WHEN YOU SCHEDULE AND IF YOU TRY TO CANCEL THEY WILL KEEP YOUR MONEY. In essence you are screwed into paying for the massage even if you don't get what you are expecting or what they promised you. So the real questions that need to be answered here are..WHY did you say that you would do something, and then NOT do it? WHY did you schedule me with a person who wasn't going to get my knots out because she's not classified as a therapist with that "appropriate pressure"? WHY do you not communicate well enough to your receptionists so that they can schedule customers with the correct therapist that they NEED. and finally WHY WAS THE ONLY ANSWER TO MY PROBLEM TO SIGN UP FOR A MEMBERSHIP AND PAY FOR A-N-O-T-H-E-R SESSION???? THAT IS ABSOLUTELY LUDICROUS AND A TERRIBLE WAY TO HANDLE BUSINESS. NOT ONLY DID YOU NOT KEEP YOUR WORD, YOU WERE GOING TO REQUIRE THAT I PAY AGAIN FOR YOU TO KEEP IT? HOW ABOUT THIS.....JUST DO WHAT YOU SAY YOU'RE GOING TO DO. BECAUSE THE BOTTOM LINE IS IF YOU DON'T, THEN THAT MAKES YOU A L-I-A-R. YOUR EXCUSES AS TO WHY YOU COULD NOT DO IT ARE IRRELEVANT. I would highly suggest to anyone wanting to visit here or Massage Envy down the road, that you be SO VERY SPECIFIC with what you need; and cross your fingers and hope for the best because unfortunately that is the best that either of these companies...

I am changing my score...here's why...

I like the environment and the people are very nice here. The services for the most part are fairly good too. I will say this last visit where I got the body hydration and I did the foot detox was not as up to par as prior visits. First, the technician was running a bit late and did not seem prepared. During the body hydrate, although the technician preforming the service was nice, she was a bit flighty and was not consistent with the brushing of the skin. For example, she completely missed doing the tops of my arms and then almost missed doing the top of my left thigh. I reminded her of that and she had to take the lotion off, dry it off and brush it then reapply. The massage however was fantastic. She did a great job on that. Next was the foot detox which was not set up and I was waiting around for her to get the water temperature right. Then there were a few hiccups with the machine as well. This was not remotely smooth. And afterwards, no lotion or anything applied to me feet, she wiped them off and I was on my way. After soaking your feet in salt water for 20 minutes or so minutes and no lotion makes for dry feet. So for $50...the foot detox was not worth it at all. Also, make sure you do your homework on why the water changes color...it is not because it draws out all of these toxins from your body.

Again, I have been to this location several times and have had really good experiences. Just this last one which cost me an additional $65 out of pocket, even though I have multiple credits banked there and then a tip on top of that.

This leads me to my next issue. If I am paying $59.95 a month and there is a month I am not able to make it in, then that credit or any of those monthly fees, I should be allowed to use them toward any service they provide. Instead you are limited to massages and facials, that are the basic and all upgrades are out if pocket. I seriously had $239.80 in credits and I still had to pay out of pocket? The foot detox was not included and I had to pay their discounted rate of $45 from the original $50 rate...which as a member is not much of a break especially to have to wait around to have the service then the machine to not function properly and then to be sent on my merry way.

This experience and all of their limitations are making me re-evaluate...

At the end of 2018 I cancelled my membership at Lavida Massage. This was because I was reducing expenses in 2019 not realizing that the Government shutdown would last over a month. So I have had to reduce expenses regardless. I used my last 2 credits yesterday and had a massage and facial. OMG! The facial was everything! I had been reluctant for the past year to get a facial because I have sensitive acne prone skin and it's still a thing even in my 40s. However, the facial was so relaxing, so invigorating and my skin felt soft and firmer. I am no longer a member but I will be back because I have had massages, body wrap and a facial and they have all given me life! The ladies at the front desk are awesome and depending on who is there they know you by name which feels very personal and inviting. I have had several masseuse and they were all great but a special shout out to Shannon (she is no longer there), Amy is awesome and Antoinette was my masseuse for my last visit and she was great, and Caroline who did my facial and made my face look and feel amazing! I would highly recommend Lavida Massage, I have a stressful job and all I have to say is I need to relax! I had started working out last year so I would have Amy focus on my calves because of the tightness but other than that it was all about relaxing and kneading out the knots from all the stress. I will be back one day but for now I have to get back to work and get my finances in order. (one tip for ladies of color I always wrapped my hair with my scarf like at night time to keep it out of the way during my massages so my hair would not shrink due to steam from hot towels or lotion getting in my hair, you know how it is when your...