re:fresh, a day spa

08/13/2007 Posted by beharia00

I've come here twice and won't go back. The first time, the massage therapist was so overweight that her stomach "rested" on me as she worked on me. The second time I went - this past weekend -I asked for a good therapist when I made my appt, and had explained that I didn't enjoy my earlier experience. No such luck on getting someone better. This therapist applied no pressure, despite being asked three times to increase the pressure. I asked him to concentrate on my upper back - he barely even went to that area. Major muscle groups were not even treated. I totally wasted my money here. The "spa' experience is horrible. Showers are dirty, steam room is moldy. In addition, the staff isn't very bright. I asked the receptionist to put my friend's facial treatment on my card quietly so I could treat her. She ended up putting all of her treatments on my bill and billing me incorrectly. It just made the situation uncomfortable when we were paying. I just hated my experience there and won't go back. They bill themselves as high end, and they aren't. Spend your money at a spa that understands customer service and hires competent therapists.

Cons: massage was bad; steam rooms and showers were moldy and dirty - not worth the $$

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful

08/04/2007 Posted by littlepooh

On a recent visit to SF from NYC, I decided to treat my best friend to a day at the spa. After getting a little lost (don't trust mapquest directions!), I called and told the staff that we would be late for our appointments. When we finally got there a half hour later, we were pleasantly surprised - the reception staff was kind enough to move our double appointments so we wouldn't have to miss a minute of our spa treatments! Most spas would have just deducted the half hour from our treatment time (it helps that it was early afternoon on a Fri and therefore less busy). We both enjoyed the re:capture package of massage, facial, and mani. The entire staff was very friendly and Holly was a very good masseuse. Warm robes and accupressure slippers were provided along with a sauna and shower. The mani/pedi room had us sitting up on a dais, much like empresses, and the staff was very nice about letting us try a few nail colors before settling on one to our liking. I don't think I've ever been to a mani/pedi place that would do that with a brilliant, friendly smile on their faces! Being horrible at math, the best part was that tips were included in the package price and distributed evenly to each staff member that helped us and was printed out on our bill. All in all, Re:Fresh made everything effortless and relaxing in a friendly atmosphere. I'll be sure to make another appointment the next time I'm in town!

Pros: very accomodating, friendly staff, clean facilities

Cons: parking

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful

06/17/2007 Posted by seeni

I had the best french mani/pedi with Phuong. i have been to several nail places but she was just PERFECT. i had so many compliments from my friends and co-workers, and i told them to see PHUONG. The best Nail tech ever!

Pros: Best mani/pedi

Cons: Not professional

11/12/2006 Posted by dolphinsilver

I don't frequent spas often. Re:Fresh was recommended by my husband's boss at the time. I took my bridal party there the day before the wedding for some pampering. I had a seaweed wrap that was very relaxing and provided a good glow. The girls had various massages and mani/pedis. They certainly liked it as most of them fell asleep. My sister had a facial for the first time, which she truly enjoyed. She has somewhat troubled skin, but came out glowing at looking beautiful for the photos. I went back months later with my husband for a birthday surprise for massages and manis. We were both relaxed and enjoyed our manis in the nice high-back wicker chairs. It's a great quickie spa and love the refreshing cucumber water. It was a godsend after my wrap.

Pros: Friendly attentive staff, cucumber water, relaxing environment

Cons: A little basic on amentities

11/11/2006 Posted by rarthur

I'm not the most frequent of spa goers - I'd love to go once a month but the 401k calls, so I to go every two or three months - however I've been to Refresh several times over the years I've been in San Francisco, either alone or with friends, and it never fails to please. I've always found the reception staff cheerful, helpful and willing to please, either with treatment suggestions, or looking up past treatment or product purchases. I was also impressed that they remembered a friend I visited with in the past! I've enjoyed all my treatments too - the staff are skillful at what they do, and friendly but without being too intrusive. The locker rooms are lovely - clean and spacious, not like the challenging closets found in some spas! I appreciate the opportunity to linger as long as I want in the sauna and steam rooms before I slide into the comfy robe and relax before my treatments. I've had mani/pedi's (great to do with a friend since you can chat!) facials (I tried the ultra cleanse facial which I read about on Citysearch and it was fabulous, my skin was really soft and clean and looked great for days!) My favorite is always going to be massage, since I think this is the very best reason to go to a spa! I've tried the Refresh Massage and the Pohaku massage (their name for hot rock massage) as well as reflexology and deep tissue. I like them all :) and the prices are very reasonable, especially compared with some of the newer spas in San Francisco. Refresh is showing its "seniority" well!

Pros: Nice staff, good prices, sauna and steam, locker rooms

Cons: none to think of

09/06/2006 Posted by beach_gal

I've given re:fresh several tries due to location and that they always had appointments at the last minute. The couple times that I have been there were bad. I went once for a facial and another for a massage. I got a horrible rash from my facial and then the massage the therapist was so weird, she kept telling me strange stories about her life. I wasn't the least bit relaxed.

Pros: None

Cons: unskilled professionals, rushed

09/05/2006 Posted by dancingyel

I've been to re:fresh twice now, and have come back mostly happy. The first time, I got a 30 minute massage and a Simplicity facial, whice were both average. The massage felt a little hurried, and I wished the therapist paid more attention to my back rather than attempting to cover everything in 30 minutes, but other than that, she was very good. The facial was nice and relaxing, but my skin wasn't that much cleaner than before it. Still, the aesthician was pleasant and sweet. The second time I went was amazing. I had a 55 minute Swedish massage and an express mani and pedi. Darryl, my massage therapist, gave the best massage I've had in years. He paid attention to every little detail and made me feel very relaxed and taken care of. I'm definitely requesting him next time I go. Loan, the lady who did the mani and pedi was sweet and efficient. I got to sit in a soft, throne-chair and sip on hot tea as she worked on my nails. For such a quick mani and pedi, it was really high quality. The best part, other than the awesome massage? Sitting in slippers and a warm, fluffy robe, sipping on tea and reading a magazine. Mmm...lovely way to spend a morning.

Pros: good massage, friendly people, great atmosphere

Cons: a little expensive, changing room gets crowded mid-day

08/16/2006 Posted by tls22333

I love, Love, LOVE refresh. From the moment you walk in the door you are relaxed and feel very zen-like. The staff is very nice too!

Pros: Calming, Friendly, Clean

Cons: Parking, of course!

08/02/2006 Posted by buddhagirl39

I have been here twice and won't ever go back. The first time wasn't too bad, partly because my friend had a coupon that got us a free mani with our $60 pedi. The second time, I went here to relax and get a pedi and I left with an avg. pedi at a ridiculous price. Lounging around in the sauna just doesn't justify the price.

Pros: Free tea

Cons: Terrible pedis

07/16/2006 Posted by rchristina

I have been to Refresh quite a few times. It is a great retreat in the city, so much that it is a birthday celebration tradition with my friends. I have my favorite masseuse, which I will keep to myself (sorry). The colors and warmth of the spa relax you right away, the tea is great to sip, and the sauna feels great after your massage. On one occassion, a front desk staff person was rude, but I think that you can get anyone on a bad day. All and all, it is a great way to relax and of course refresh.