Deep Tissue Massage & Spa — Local services in Salt Lake City

First of all I just want everyone to know that this place is NOT a five star place like all the other reviews may suggest. The only reason we came here was because my girlfriend read all the "amazing" reviews they had. Somehow when you search on Google "best couples massage in slc" this place is #2 on the list. The other reviews were praising how great Francisco was so my girlfriend requested him for me. I am a massage therapist myself and it's very difficult to find someone that does great work so I was excited hearing all these great reviews hoping I could finally get a great massage. Unfortunately it was just another mediocre massage. I actually was quite disappointed when he said my massage was over because he decided to completely SKIP some main areas that should definitely be worked in every full body massage regardless if it's a 60 or 90 minute appointment. He SKIPPED my neck, pectorals, quadriceps, and my feet.... I was kind of in shock to be honest. I would NEVER skip any of those areas in a massage. I told him I wanted him to focus some more time on my mid back and hands expecting him to spend a few more minutes there not the entire massage. When confronting Francisco about all of this after I came out of the room his excuse was he didn't have enough time and I should have booked a 90 minute appointment, I couldn't believe it. So he says come back for a 90 minute and we can take care of you. However he didn't even offer me any sort of discount to come back knowing I wasn't very satisfied. To me why would I ever come back and pay even more money for a 90 minute when I wasn't even happy or satisfied with the 60 minute I just received?? The answer is I won't. Definitely will never return here. To top it all off I did not like his technique he uses either. I requested a deep tissue massage, he did go deep but his technique was flawed. He was moving extremely fast and short little strokes. I specialize in deep tissue work and I know for a fact with deep work you must move slow as possible. He seemed like he was in a rush the whole time. I also think he didn't use enough oil at all. Another thing that was irritating is he decided on his own to do "ice massage" on my back without telling me he was going to do it. It was cold and dripped all over me and not relaxing at all and I told him to stop because I didn't like it. Something like that should only be done on a regular client that you've talked to them about it and they are expecting it, never on a first time client without even telling them. I'm giving this rating 2 stars because my girlfriends massage wasn't as bad. Her therapist at least gave her the full body massage she paid for. I walked out of this place saying I need a massage, even though I just paid for one...

Thus place was great, for me, and a short notice couples massage. The wife and I decided to try our luck a d get a "spa" day in. These amazing reviews coupled with proximity, and the incredible coincidence that they could get us in around 130 had us sold.

The building is unmarked, but we had excellent directions from the staff and with a preemptive Google maps search, made it there fine.

We entered through the back and wandered for a couple of minutes until a gentleman found us. He directed us to a waiting area and we filled out what seemed to me like typical chiropractic Intake forms.

I didn't catch names, it seemed the lady and gentleman doing our massages were attempting to be quiet, but the communication was never clear.

My massage went well, the lady did an excellent job on a normal deep tissue massage, letting up on pressure as it became obvious she was using to much, though she never communicated with me about how "deep" I was looking for (something common everywhere else I've had a massage).

However, the gentleman spent the entire 60 minutes talking, and mumbling over my wife. I heard her cry out in pain more than a few times, she never asked him to stop, which I found out later was because she was trying not to ruin my massage. She told me he kept saying to "breathe through it" and was extremely rough. I had booked my wife a Swedish 60 minute. From the pain she was/is in it seems like I ordered her to be beaten across the back with a bat.

The sauna was nice, they gave us an extra five minutes to insure we were getting the maximum benefit from infrared, and left us to it. I spent the majority of the time with my wife just trying to get comfortable, which continued into this evening.

I am generally a quiet and polite person. I genuinely feel like I benefited from my experience. I feel that we should have spoken up, but neither of us wanted to mess with our "spa" day.

Unfortunately my wife did not benfit, at all. We will NOT be returning. There was potential, but when a masseuse seems more interested in inflicting pain, and his will, on a client, it is a very BAD experience.

I recommend being VERY clear if you come here. Do not leave any doubt what you're expecting, and schedule with someone you can have recommended in advance. It seemed very open-ended and unplanned, I don't know if it was a weird slow day, or because we went on Sunday, but buyer beware, and come prepared.

Two stars because for the price, and the short notice appointment, it was a great deal....just lacking in actual care.

TL;DR

Great potential, but be VERY clear about your needs and expectations, don't expect them to react appropriately to nonverbal signals.

WILL NOT...

Recently I have been experiencing some extreme lower back pain due to a recent change in careers, along with this other general soreness.

Prior to going to Deep Tissue Massage & Spa, I was nervous about having a stranger touching my body in any way. This is also due to the fact I am not a small guy. However the service as the spa was fantastic most of all Anastasia my massage therapist was accommodating and kind. She made sure that at all times I was comfortable with what was happening, and if I felt at any time I was not she immediately corrected it. This is something I respect immensely in any business and specifically of any employee. I am now looking forward to seeing Anastasia again for some more work on back, because in addition to making sure I was comfortable; My back pain has dropped dramatically. On top of her massage technique and the stretch she taught me about. She was intuitive on figuring out some changes I need to make in my life in that short period of working on my back!

After the massage I went to the private red light sauna, and bathroom. Now this part of the experience was the crème de la crème. First the bathroom was spectacular; I admit I am one of those weird people that obsessive over bathroom cleanliness. The shower had high pressure water which felt great on my muscles with a nice steady temperature; The shampoo, body was and conditioner all gave me the sense of being at a couple hundred dollar spa. I had the option of playing my music of choice over a speaker in the room. There were nice cups for a cup of water or hot cup of tea. Then the little sauna itself was lovely; As I sat in there I felt the pain bake away! Normally I am not one for high temperatures also!

All in all this was an amazing experience. The building and rooms are all gorgeous; All of the staff are fantastic.

However most of all I need to thank Anastasia my massage therapist. For taking such great care of me, relieving my pain and most of all making me feel...