I have been hesitant to write up my review of my last spa visit, because I really was not impressed.

For her birthday, my girlfriend requested a spa day with three of her close girlfriends. The spa she requested was fully booked the day she wanted to celebrate. After a couple phone calls to try to find a spa to accommodate 4 massages on a Saturday afternoon with short notice, I was able to book us all the same time slot at The historic Roosevelt baths & Spa in Saratoga Springs, NY.

I have been there once before, like seven years ago, and I remember not being impressed then; but trying to meet the birthday girl’s request, it’s what was available. All of us ladies met there and checked in together. While the entrance is fairly aesthetically pleasing, I was not impressed with check in. It was not streamlined well and felt a bit chaotic with the amount of guests standing in the entrance way and around the front desk.

All of us ladies met there and checked in together. While the entrance is fairly aesthetically pleasing, I was not impressed with check in. It was not streamlined well and felt a bit chaotic with the amount of guests standing in the entrance way and around the front desk.

After we all checked in, we were then led halfway to the entrance of the ladies locker facility, not guided all the way in and not shown how to operate the lockers or any other detail. Exceptional spa customer service would have done so. But in reality, it makes since, because the ladies locker area is super tiny. Getting undressed and ready for your treatment(s) when there are other ladies in there as well, is not so relaxing; it is extremely tight and you are constantly bumping into other spa guests.

Once we had our robes on we headed to the relaxation room to sip on some tea and relax a bit. The room itself was nice enough and they have a beautiful wall water fountain. They had hot and cold water, a variety of tea to choose from, as well as fresh fruit.

One of the girls and I decided to venture over to the steam room. Now, this was the highlight of my entire experience. Their steam room is fantastic. It’s actually kept very hot and steamy. I’m so unimpressed when you go into a steam room and you have to wait for it to actually get steamy. This one was optimally operating the way it should; with proper temperature right up around 110-115 and the humidity level at about 100%. There was also a spray bottle of eucalyptus water which I always love that added benefit. This made me happy.

After 15 minutes in the steam room we headed back to the relaxation room. We sipped on tea and quietly chatted among ourselves as our therapists came in to retrieve us for our massages. I was the last to be picked up by my therapist and she walked us down to treatment room. Walking down the long hallway is so stark lined with many doors that were closed. Which to note, this spa has 42 treatments rooms! That’s a lot.

Once in the room, my therapist instructed me to get on the table and she would be back in a moment. She knocked on the door quite quickly after leaving me and I was not ready. I asked for just one more moment. I climbed on table took a few deep breaths, I was so happy to be on that table and looking forward to my massage. I spoke out loud that I was ready, and nothing. I lied there for another few minutes and nothing. I was just about to get off the table grab my robe and go look for my therapist… NOT IMPRESSED. I was a little frustrated that she was taking so long. As I was about to climb off the table she knocked asking if I was ready. I said yes… but I was very disgruntled that my massage had not even started yet!

I am highly disappointment to report… my massage was awful. There was no flow to her massage sequence. It was very choppy and she was all over the place. I felt she segmented my body, there was no contiguous flow and the feeling of my entire body being massaged. It felt very compartmentalized. As she was massaging, I was thinking, “Who the hell hired you? You are awful!” Granted touch is touch and my body was craving it, as I was long overdue for a massage. And that is what is so disappointing: you spend over $135 for a 60 minute massage only to have it be a terrible. Very upsetting.

Now, I’m not one to complain, because, well, two reasons. The therapist is doing her job and working and there is someone that might, possibly like her massage; there’s a therapist for everyone.

Us four girls met back in the relaxation room. I am very happy to report my three girlfriends all LOVED their massages. They were all very happy and relaxed and talked highly of their therapists. That made me happy. As we were relaxing and quietly chatting… it was actually getting hard to hear each other, because the relaxation room, became more of a social gathering. Some of the the little cliques, were not using spa voices. We were going to relax a while longer and maybe nap on the lounges prior to our dinner reservations, but we decided if it was going to be this loud, we wouldn’t be able to enjoy. So we headed back to the women’s locker facility, played pinball with our bodies as we got dress and ready to go out to dinner.

I would like to end on a positive note. This spa is a historic landmark of the healing history of Saratoga Springs, NY. It is very well known for its mineral waters. The Roosevelt Baths & Spa was established back in 1935 with President Franklin Roosevelt’s visionary act to preserve the springs of Saratoga. The mineral water is captured cold from the underground springs that are located throughout the city, then mixed with warm fresh water to a neutral temperature for maximum, healing benefits.

I guess, I will have to go back to experience what they are most famous for, and soak in a glorious mineral bath and experience for myself “Saratoga’s signature brand of aquatic bliss.” Perhaps, my opinion will change.

Zenfully yours,

Jyll