Carmel Massage — Local services in Monterey

I thought long and hard about whether or not I would write a review but decided to go ahead and do it. I think you feel pressured to tell someone they were "great" when you felt uncomfortable. I booked a massage for a girls weekend. I will say both friends really enjoyed their massages. I told Noel my hips were uneven from scoliosis and I had recently given birth so my lower and midback get tight.

Noel proceeded to bring all the massages therapists in the room to look at a couple of bug bites on me and she pretty much humiliated me at the beginning of the massage. Who does this? It was like that episode of friends where Ross has a growth on his butt. Rule of thumb lady, if you see something on someone that can't be fixed in five seconds, it's rude to bring it up, so don't! I paid you to help me relax, not make comments about my skin.

She spent the rest of the time digging in my hips, rubbed my arms, and legs. Didn't rub my back barely at all. One of the worst massages I've ever had. Recommended stretches to me that were worthless and offered no real challenge as someone who is an experienced Yogi and she knew this. I felt like I paid to be embarrassed in front of my friends. Would not return, would...

I booked a couples massage for 2 good friends to celebrate one of the parties' 85th birthday. This was after a phone conversation with a lady who identified herself as the owner (Noel Mills) and a check was sent for $270 dated 9/15/2022. The massages were booked for the 7th of January which left plenty of time to send a gift certificate. When one did not arrive I carefully photocopied the cancelled check and gave it to my friends. Finding the place was an adventure -- it is a private home and not clearly marked at all. The massages were for one hour and reported as being adequate. However the real fun began when my friend handed her masseuse $20 for the tip.The reaction? An incredulous laugh and the statement "Massages cost a lot more than $20." At that point the photocopy of the cancelled check was produced and was studied in great detail before being reluctantly accepted. Neither one of the 2 women who gave the massages were aware of the treatments being pre-paid. The verdict? It was an...

I have been getting "body work" for four decades - and have gotten massages all over the world in many different types of places - and by far, Noel is in the Top 3 of anyone who has laid hands on me. She is exceptionally knowledgable about the body, knows how muscles work and effect each other, and she's REALLY strong. For me, massage is a necessity due to health issues - and while I know Noel could easily handle a "relaxing experience," I need her for technical and complex functional issues. But most of all, Noel is caring and makes sure you have the experience you want. Caution: personally, while I DIG Noel's venue overlooking the gateway to Carmel Valley, hers is not a "spa environment." If you want stupid spa music and candles and expensive bathrobes, don't go to Noel. If you want a technically sound massage that gets you back on...