Song Body Spa — Local services in New York

I’m a nurse and I work A LOT, so my body is always hurting me after my shifts, just soreness and aches. After moving back to the city I lost my massage person from back home and needed to find a new one. I found Song Body Spa in my area via a google search and booked my first appointment with Ethan for 90 minutes (the price is unbeatable)

I’ve been seeing Ethan WEEKLY ever since. He’s amazing, and I fall asleep every time (which is a good thing haha) I leave feeling so much better and looking forward to my next massage.

The place: located on Steinway so super convenient, meter parking can be tough if you’re driving but there’s a train station nearby. Very cute place, you walk in and are in the reception area, lights are dim, it’s cozy. The rooms can be a little noisy sometimes (you can hear everything going on outside of the room) and the lights are dimmed to a greenish kind of glow, but they keep the temperature consistently warm and that’s nice since you have to remove almost everything anyway for the massage.

They get BUSY so booking ahead is ideal if you want to get a spot but they take walk ins too and I’ve never had any problem getting an appointment. I always book a day or two in advance with Ethan and it always works out. You can book on the phone by calling or you can text! (Super convenient for me) everyone is very friendly and accommodating

Overall, the massage is 10/10, the place is 9/10 (the noise outside of the room can be much sometimes) location 9/10 (parking can be tough but it’s still super accessible)

I’ll be going there weekly for as long as Ethan is still working there!

Ps. Make sure you tip your massage person, they work so hard to make you...

Just went here for the first time after moving to the area. The COVID precautions are very good (they spray your hands/shoes and take your temperature before coming in). The massage was excellent, Maggie got into my knots and was very sweet!! I would have given 5 stars but I had a somewhat embarrassing interaction during payment.

-1 one star for misleading pricing. I got the $42 60 minute massage they have posted outside and after paying, and giving Maggie a $10 tip (about 23%, which in my experience is an okay tip, she had to step out a couple of times during the hour) she looked disappointed. I immediately felt bad and double checked my math on my phone, it was then that the person at front the desk informed me that next time, there is a special for a $40 60 minute massage, with a minimum $15 tip and pointed to a sign above his desk.

That really confused me because that differed from the sign outside and is a minimum tip of 37.5%. It also would have cost more than what I paid today ($55 versus $52). Its not a big difference and the service was very good so I will definitely come again and pay the $40 + $15 tip, but the whole interaction was confusing and embarrassing. I was raised to always tip well and I feel bad about the scenario, will give Maggie a big tip next time to make up for it! I wish they just charged $44 or more for the massage though and let people tip within the standard 20% range to avoid any confusion/disappointment.

Will...

I’ve visited this spot multiple times due to the amazing masseuse, who’s very skilled, but during my most recent visit I was chastised to tip more (even though I had already given her over 20%). She suggested I add another $5–$10 next time, which was completely inappropriate while holding the cash looking offended.

On my first visit, I tipped her $20 for a massage with cupping and gave an additional $10 to the other masseuse who assisted because I was told I had to. She spent much of the cupping session chatting with the other masseuse, I occasionally received a one-handed massage, and I was never turned over for a full treatment.

A tip is a courtesy, not a requirement and it should reflect the quality of service but while we’re on the subject of tips here are a few to keep in mind before you have the audacity to request more: • Actual doors for privacy, not curtains • A proper face cradle, not a wooden plank with a travel pillow • Clean headrests that don’t smell • Relaxing music, working A/C, and a clean bathroom that doesn’t reek of wet towels • Silence during massages, and a receptionist so staff aren’t running out mid-session, leaving you exposed with the curtain open.

It’s extremely rude to ask for a tip, especially when you already have over 20%. Additionally, whoever was at the front desk was on a call and the front door was open so I could hear EVERYTHING going on outside. Work on the basics and a bigger...