Swan Spa

Everytime that I have visited Swan Spa, I have left feeling refreshed, tension free and relaxed.
I don’t normally write reviews but this time it was a must. I suffer from chronic pain due to an injury that usually acts up in the winter months.
The combination of deep tissue massage and traditional Chinese massage has greatly help with alleviating the tension in my problem areas to the point that when I walk out of the spa I am pain free
I usually go in for a 90 min massage. What’s great about the spa is its convienent location in Coal Harbour, most rooms are equipment with a full shower, and they have their own infra ray sauna too!
Regular customers can also take advantage of their value massage packages.

Went for ‘reflexology’ it was not reflexology it was a foot rub, and not a very good one at that

If I could give zero stars I would. My back muscles were sore and tired and I booked a last minute appointment for a swedish massage. When I entered, my masseuse was on the phone. While she was on the phone she took me to the room and closed the door without a word to me. Since I was here for a massage, I did what I usually would do and started to undress. While I was undressing, the masseuse opened the door without knocking and while I was half undressed!
The masseuse then spent 40 minutes moving oil around my back eventhough I told her my neck and shoulder blades were sore. I was so upset with the massage that I almost walked out after 30 minutes. When I was paying the masseuse told me that the cost of the «tip» is $ 10. I flat out told her that this was the worst massage I have ever had and I wasn’t paying a $ 10 tip. I left this place feeling more stressed and tense then when I came in.
I won’t be coming back!

My first visit… what a Great place for a body treatment; friendly reception check me in within 5 minutes for a great body massage, from head to toe, I am treated with great care & professionalism… well worth a visit!

Swan Spa accomodated me within hours, precisely the time slot I requested. 1hr foot reflexology for $ 40. Great promotion! It was a soothing, relaxing indulgence and very beneficial.
Happy feet :)

I’m not here to give false reviews… The place wasn’t the nicest but it was clean. The service was good and my masseuse Lilly was amazing… I had a very relaxing ¹¹⁄₂ classic massage with no complaints … People who get all these packages and write all these long shitty reviews have way too much time on their hands.

This place has potential but my first visit there was a disappointment. I bought an online coupon when it first opened few years ago. I was really excited because it was new and it’s located in a prime location near Canada Place. Now this place is owned and run by mostly Chinese. Now don’t get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with Chinese. In fact, I am Chinese. But their way of running a business is abit different than what we do in North America.
When I arrived, I was immediately greeted. I don’t remember if I needed to sign any waivers. Even if I did, I don’t think my masseuse could read English. She guided me to the massage room with a shower stall. She handed me a towel. I wasn’t sure if I needed to shower prior or after the massage. So I asked her. Huh? Was her answer. She didn’t understand a word I was saying.
Anyway I’m a positive gal and was looking forward to a good massage. Asians give the best massages, well most of the time. But this one, well I think the girl is too tiny and weak to work on me. I think she was trying but maybe her technique was wrong. I didn’t feel relaxed at all. There was this one time where she sat on my back and tried to stretch my upper body. Woah dangerous stuff.
Overall this place could have potential if they hire more skilled masseuse that can also speak some English. I feel like the people there were hired straight from China because I guess their wages cost a lot less.

Been here a few times, love the couples room it has a sauna inside and shower.
The massages were ok… The girls don’t really listen to what you ask for and one time she sprayed really cold essential water on my back which the first two times was cold enough it frightened me and she kept on spraying after …

I never thought I would actually go back but the manager convinced me because she offered a massage on the house. She was very sincere and apologetic about how bad my previous massage. So I went for another aromatherapy message today.
The manager Kristen greeted me upon arrival and shortly afterwards my masseuse name Alison took over. I could definitely see improvements to the place because the decore was somehow different. It had that spa feeling. The rooms were way nicer too. Alison did an amazing job. Her techniques were good and periodically she would ask if the pressure was good for me or not. I was blissed out. Throughout most of the massage I was wondering how much I should tip her because it was really good and professional.
In the end the massage went over time because she didn’t ask Kristen the manager or me until later how long the massage was suppose to be. She worked on my back for a very long time. Yet she didn’t rush the other parts of my body to compensate for the overtime. I think my tip reflected how good it was. I’ll definitely go back!

Swan Spa is conveniently located downtown across from the Pan Pacific Hotel. It is a nicely decorated and very clean venue. I went for the deep tissue massage to work out all the kinks that were bugging me. I like my massages strong, but Swan Spa also gives lavender relaxation massages if you prefer something gentler. The masseuse I had was an Asian lady who was able to create the right pressure in the right places. I was quite pleased with her skills, although, she could use some ESL classes. I could barely understand her! I walked out feeling completely renewed.

I hate giving bad reviews, but I feel it’s my civic duty to warn the public about this place. Beware — it’s a long one.
Having HAD to visit the spa three times now — I stupidly bought way too many Indulge Living vouchers — I feel completely confident in my single star rating. The single star is basically a pat on the back for maintaining a clean & hygienic facility.
On my three visits, I had a deep tissue and two lymphatic drainage massages (in that order). For my deep tissue massage I asked for Walter, who came highly recommended by a friend. What I got the day of was a brush off excuse from front desk that they’d switched my therapist to a small Chinese woman who gave me a sub-​par massage.
For my first lymphatic massage I again requested Walter and yet again received a small Asian lady and no explanations for the switch. This time the massage was just plain awful. At one point my masseuse climbed on to my back and started using her FEET to press into my leg muscles. Gross!
After that you’d think I’d never come back. Unfortunately, I had two more vouchers so convinced a friend to come with me and give the place one last chance. This time I called ahead and spoke to a lady who explained that I’d previously experienced the «Chinese» method for lymphatic massage, and my friend’s experience with Walter was the gentler «Western» method. She assured me that on this visit I would be assigned someone who was versed in the Western method.
I showed up on the day with my friend and we were assigned separate rooms. A soft spoken European girl showed me to my room and left me so I could strip down and get under the sheets. Good start. So what happens as I’m mid-​strip and topless? A small Chinese woman suddenly barges into the room without knocking! Apparently she’s to be my «new masseuse» as the owner had reassigned the European girl to my friend. And from there it only got worse…
After lying down on the massage table, for almost ten minutes the lady kept going in and out of the room and digging into some black bag she had for various bottles of stuff. At one point she opened the door and hit me right in the head, and yes it left a bruise the next day. The massage that occurred when it finally commenced can only be described as one of the worst and most uncomfortable experiences of my life.
The lady spent half the time literally straddling my back, again feet were used, and my disclosure about a shoulder injury was completely ignored as she jabbed her elbows into it. But the WORST part was when she proceeded to pull my arms backwards until my bare chest was lifted from the table and completely exposed. Google «Yoga Bow Pose» and tell me that’s not weird especially when the girl is TOPLESS. At that point I almost lost it, but the lady got off me and started cleaning up. Just as I thought I’d escaped, she launched one last attack — spraying me with various bottles of weird scented tonic until my hair was literally soaked with the stuff.
All of this occurred in the midst of a ridiculous amount of noise coming from reception. Mr. Front Desk had a visitor who felt the need to share her cheesy flirtations and hyena laugh with all the spa guests. Even my friend who was lucky enough to land one of the rooms at the end of the hall could hear her. Sent my girl out twice to complain — zero difference.
As a result of my experience at swan spa, I now refuse to buy massage vouchers from those deal sites. I pay full price to go somewhere reputable with certified massage therapists that actually know what they’re doing.

I echo exactly what Betty L said. My experience today was exactly the same as hers. I too booked the aromatherapy massage. I never even write reviews other than for restaurants, but this one has been bugging me all day so I thought I’d write it out.
When I arrived today the front desk lady escorted me to the room. She was the same one I had talked to when I booked my appointment and I thought she was rude. I also thought her English was too poor to even try booking appointments and I considered not even booking because I had such a bad phone experience with her. I actually had to raise my voice with her and she said she had to go and would call me back. She was nicer when she phoned me back so I decided not to lose my money. Today was the last day the coupon was valid.
Anyway, upon check-​in, the front desk lady opened the door to the massage room. Then in one sentence she told me to hang my clothes on the door hook, leave my panties on and lie down on the table with my face in the hole! Then the door closed…
The massage was ok. No choice of aroma (I got lavender), kind of unpleasant and painful at times (especially on the neck) but it wasn’t horrible. The massage on my legs was relaxing. It was better because I had that groupon and only paid $ 29 for it.
I tipped my masseuse when I left and I tipped her on the full price before the coupon. I was walking out to leave as I had given the rude host at the front desk my groupon upon arrival. So she calls after me, «Hey, you need to pay the tax». I said fine and walked back to the desk. She showed me the coupon and I said, «It’s fine, no problem. How much?» She said, «$ 3.50». So I gave her a five. When I put my hand out for my change, she slapped it in my hand and her face became angry. Then she said, «Did you tip your girl?» It came out as «Did you tipper your girl?» I laughed and said «yes, not that it’s any of your business», and then turned around and walked out. I will NEVER return here. Even if it was free I wouldn’t!
Normally when you leave a massage you have a range of feelings from warm, relaxed, happy, limp, etc. I left here feeling sore and pissed off.

When I get a massage, I get one because I need those knots in my muscles worked on. So if I have to squirm a little and occasionally get pushed to the brink of having to scream in pain (good variety) during my session, I feel like I got something done. The massage I got here accomplished this, for that I was happy.
Personally I don’t look for much in the physical space of the spa, so long as the room is clean and reasonably quiet that’s fine with me. Swan Spa met this basic requirement.
Now on to the issue of value. I got the deep tissue massage which was $ 90/​h +tax and tips. I’d much prefer that the bulk of what I pay goes directly towards the massage itself, and perhaps a portion to go towards the equipment and laundry etc. What I don’t like to do is overly contribute to the well-​being of the landlord, while both the masseuse and spa owner nets little or nothing. At $ 90/​h, I’m fairly certain a sizable chunk is going towards the rent for this downtown location, which I know is not cheap. This isn’t the fault of the Swan Spa, besides that they chose to be there and have to charge a certain price point to justify the economics. At least they didn’t also go all out on interior design and professional branding too, otherwise it may have to be $ 150/​h.

I bought a lot of coupons from Indulge Living since it was to cheap for me to say no.
Because of the coupons (it was unlimited purchases), I went there twice w/​two different styles
The first time I opted for the deep tissue. Right. Most deep tissue massages I have experienced were just with a firmer pair of hands to knead deep into your tissues. I haven’t experienced a massage where the masseuse kneel her entire body weight on me (more of an FYI, I’m about 120 lbs), which really apply A LOT OF PRESSURE on my back and body. I was there to relax, but I didn’t feel that during the treatment.
The second time I opted for the hot stones and it was much more relaxing than the first time around, but comparing to other treatments that I’ve had at other locations, I wouldn’t go back there.

**Note: This is the second massage I’ve received here. I never got around to writing a review for that first massage (deep tissue), but I’d give it only 2 stars, based solely on the quality of my masseuse.**
The second time around, I opted for a hot stone massage, and I enjoyed it much more than the deep tissue. My masseuse was professional, skilled and thankfully didn’t try to chat me up during my treatment. There’s nothing I hate more than people talking to me when I’m trying to relax!
This treatment would have received 4 stars if it hadn’t been for all the noise. The walls are far from being soundproofed, meaning I could hear sirens, trucks, and customers talking at the front desk. Plus, maybe I’m being nitpicky but every time a door elsewhere in the spa opened or closed, my door would shake in its frame; it got a little irritating. Maybe noise isn’t such an issue for rooms in the back, but I was Room 6, which is in the front right past the lounge area. The warm stones were very soothing, but the clattering noises from stones being pulled out of the warmer disturbed the peace. That being said, I won’t let that stop me from booking hot stone massages!
Lastly, my massage started about 10min behind schedule, even though I arrived for my treatment 5min prior to my appointment. In all fairness to them, they did run over time to give me my full hour-​long massage, and I was offered some really delicious tea while I waited.
The only reason I came here twice was because I had bought vouchers from Indulge Living for a great price. I don’t think I’ll be jumping at the chance to return for a full price treatment. Maybe if I have time to kill while in the area. Speaking of which, great location! About a block away from Waterfront Station, so at least it’s got that going for it.

Very close to the Waterfront Skytrain station, across from PricewaterhouseCoopers building. Nice small location with friendly staff and masseurs. Clean, comfy massage rooms nicely decorated with in-​suite shower stalls and sinks.
Washrooms very clean, with hygienic toilets (the ones that automatically cover the toilet seat with a fresh sheet of plastic after each use) and a Dyson Airblade hand dryer.
Overall a great experience. My only knock is it doesn’t feel as «luxurious» as other spas I’ve been too in Canada (e.g. Spa Diva in Montréal). If feeling pampered like a queen/​king isn’t an absolute requirement, this place fits your billing very well. Convenient and perfect for shopping downtown afterwards.