Brazil Rio Spa — Local services in New York

Definitely do not recommend this place based on almost every aspect!

Honoring appointments - I made an appointment for my mom and me so it’s obvious that we will get service together. Not true. My mom’s mani-pedi began 15 minutes late and mine was 45 minutes late. I am not making this up but they painted a 6 year old girl’s (she was there with her mom who was getting a haircut) nails before me!! Very cute and all but not for a professional who has limited time and a little one at home to get back to in the evening!

The space is tiny and run down. You have to descend a steep flight of stairs into a tiny basement room - very hard for my 70 year old mom and for me with my foot injury. The walls are peeling and everything is cramped.

Equipment - They don’t actually have Mani and pedi stations like any salon you may be used to. There’s a bucket that doubles up as a soaking tub with a plastics garbage bag in it for your feet - no bubbles or anything. One of those side tables for hands. Very uncomfortable chairs that are suitable for haircuts and not for a relaxing mani-pedi

Actual procedure - They did not scrub either of our feet with a foot file to remove the dead, cracking and dry skin. Our hands were neither soaked nor massaged with any lotion at all. Everything felt rushed.

Did not offer us water or tea or anything for that matter on a very hot and humid nyc summer day.

Language - a real barrier here. Another Brazilian patron who knew English had to help.

Bottom line - absolutely not worth any amount of money to be here! I am used to very basic Chinese or Korean places so I wasn’t looking for luxury. Just...

Don’t be tricked by their Groupon offer! Even if it’s $10 it won’t be worth it. After my appointment got cancelled three times, first time the person who does manicure was sick, so my appointment cancelled on the day. Second time, my appointment was scheduled a wrong day, 3rd time the manicure person had train problem. So after going through all this, i finally got someone... but nevertheless it was the worst experience i have ever had. The place is a hair salon without proper seating for manicure. They don’t even use paper towel. So the lady out my legs in her lap on top of an old and disgusting towel. And didn’t even ask me how i want me nails shaped. At the same time, the entire place filled with people chatting in Portuguese as they are in their living room. This place has no respect for their customers whatsoever. on top of that, there is construction going on upstairs was bagging the floor all day long. So i decided not even get the color because i just want to get out of this annoying and disgusting place as soon as possible. never ever...

This is my absolute favorite place to go for a manicure. What makes bela brazil special is the amount of time they spend on your cuticles. They turn your hands into a heavenly, cuticle-free wonder. They spend like a good 10 minutes on your cuticles, (or more if the cuticle situation is bad haha) using freshly sanitized tools. The spa is clean and friendly, the prices are surprisingly good, and the women who work there are super nice. Its not like the asian nail salons where they essentially get you in and out as fast...