RainForest Relaxation Center

George worked the knots out of my neck and shoulders and restored mobility that I haven’t had in years. I can’t recommend him highly enough. As others have pointed out, the place is very bare bones, no frills, but I am completely fine with that since it keeps costs down and the services affordable. The treatment itself was stronger than I’m used to, but I’m really glad I toughed it out and surrendered. I’m so happy with how much better I feel. I’m going to make a regular habit of this treatment.

Probably the worst massage I’ve gotten in my life. I need another massage from the massage.
I had asked for Helen when I made my reservation and got someone else when I came in for my appointment.
The person proceeded to massage me and apply extra pressure on my sore points. I really wanted to hop off the table and run away.
Argh. Waste of good earned money. DO NOT GO HERE!

Not messing around.
I do a lot of powerlifting and get tons of knots in my legs, shoulder, and back that need to be regularly worked out.
If you can handle it, they’ll apply enough pressure you can see their feet come off the floor. Ahhhh.
Discounted if you pay in cash and I recommend calling ahead to confirm that they have availability.

This was the MOST UNPROFESSIONAL place I’ve been in my iife. First they lost my reservation, then they opened the curtain DURING my massage to ask random girls if they had booked a «friends» massage with me! (I booked my massage alone). After the masseuses complained loudly for more than five minutes, I gave up and left, mid massage! The worst. Never go here.

Went to both locations. My first experience was with Jason and second with George.
Both massages /​acupressure sessions were great. They hit all the tight spots on my back, shoulders, neck, buttocks, calves, and feet. Both therapist have super powerful thumbs and the use of there elbows to get those tough knots out worked great,
I recommend this place to anyone with chronic back pain from over use. I have back pain from playing sports daily this place does the trick. The price is great too.
Thumbs up!

George really is just as good as everyone says. Do not take any other colleague of his.
George is talented and well worth the very low cost of his services. I did feel much better after his work. However, the whole experience was too «cheap» in its entirety to be worthy of another visit. During my massage, he had to leave three times (twice to answer the phone and once to direct a customer to the correct location). I understand when the prices are this low, they are not paying for a receptionist, but the phone should be on silent, not vibrate, and someone who is not massaging a client should be in charge of answering it. Furthermore, the cheap tables, scratchy doctor’s office type paper, and not fully closing curtains leave much to be desired for.
I’d recommend paying an extra $ 20 and receiving a fully relaxing and quality massage.

I just want to express how amazing this man Geogre is.
Finally a place that knows their stuff and doesn’t rip you off.
I was hesitant to write a review because it’s one of those hidden gems you don’t like to share in fear of everyone coming and over booking.
My fiancé saw Wendy and she was equally great.
The décor isn’t one of those 5 star spa types but I think that adds to the secret aspect of this spot.
We will be coming back at least once a month.

Great price, place was clean, people were nice, AMAZING massage. Definitely planning to go back!

Jason is as unbelievable a masseuse as George! They’re both super nice/​friendly/​cool and über competent at providing deep tissue massage, and believe me I’ve been to many, many providers no one is better than these two. Now that I’m back working out more regularly to get in «summer shape,» I will be going to see one or the other weekly. For $ 55 an hour, you can’t beat it!

I hate to be that customer that goes on and only reviews if she had an amazing experience or the complete opposite. This is a review strictly based on my experience only, at this location Rainforest Relaxation Center 2
261 13^th Street (Between 4^th and 5^th Ave). This place has two locations in walking proximity from each other.
I left this location with my body feeling a lot more flexible then what I came in, but I did not like my massage what so ever. The personality of my masseur wasn’t personable. She also didn’t disclose how I wanted my massage to be. (meaning the levels of intensity). I didn’t think anything of this at the moment I just laid on the massage bed thinking this is probably a by trial basis if she goes too hard I just tell her and then she knows what pace to work in.
I told her about 4 times that she was extremely rough, and I don’t think she cared… My butt is still soo sore from her massaging it for minutes very intensely (I’m not sure why she focused so much on that area…) This was on Sunday… It’s not a pleasant feeling at all. My neck is still sort of stiff after her rubbing it for ever. She also spend wayyyy too much time on my left side of my upper body. It definitely was not consisted with the right side of my upper body.
I work in customer service and you always want to be personable, caring and as well consistent with your services. I also felt the 5 minutes on each leg was such a brush off that she could of spend more time on them to have a complete balance for her service. She had 45 minutes to do so…
I stand about 8 hours a day on my legs and really needed a rub down more on my legs then just my upper left side of my body.
This was for a couples massage. So my other half was next to Me getting the same treatment. Given, He felt a lot more better (He suffers from more back pain anyway). But He also felt that they could of consulted us first in the area we needed more focus on. The two messeaurs at the beginning of our session not only did they not consult with us, but instead came in gossiping about something in cantonese for a straight 5 minutes and my masseur had to tell the other one to be quiet… Again, awkward.
This was not a relaxing experience at all. I definitely have had better! My neck is still sore. My butt hurts from all the extreme pressing. (I mean what’s up with that!?)…
Will not recommend or go back.

I just got home from my first massage with George, and I feel like a new person already. For weeks my shoulder has been so bad that its felt like I couldn’t take a deep breath without the pain shooting deeper and radiating to the front. I was getting desperate. George took the time to ask lots of questions about what was bothering me, what my daily lifestyle is like, etc. The massage was great; definitely the kind that makes you wince with the good kind of pain, like you can feel things getting fixed. It wasn’t like a «spa massage» with lots of unnecessary frills; George’s massage seemed more like physical therapy, which is exactly what I needed. I know I’m not totally better from just one session, but this is the most relief I’ve felt from a massage in my whole life. Oh, and the price point was great, even on my musician’s budget.
I will definitely be back, many many times. Thank you George! I’m breathing way easier tonight.

My friends like this place

I have never in my life left a review on Unilocal,but what I had originally intended on being a half hour Tui Na massage quickly became an hour plus at my thrilled request. Lily is incredible, such a brilliant masseuse! I feel better than I have in years! I will definitely be going back.

I have had a stressful year and I was hoping my shoulder pain would go away. After waiting two months over this week that I had off I decided I could wait no longer. I went on Unilocal and discovered the Rainforest relaxation center and saw glowing reviews for George. I called up and asked to make an appointment with George and this was a great decision. He listened to my concern and really helped relieve tension. I plan to go back once a month as I feel so renewed.
Book an appointment with George!:-)

I go to George once every few months, and every time I leave I think «why in the world don’t I do this more often!!». I’ve been to spas all over the city, and I can say, without exaggeration, that George is the best massage therapist I’ve ever experienced. You won’t find lemon water, or crackers and cheese here… but you will get an incredible, deep massage by a therapist who has a kind demeanor, and a nearly psychic ability to hone in on the source of your pain. Not to mention, this all comes at a fraction of the cost of going to places like Great Jones Spa or Bliss.
I’ve also seen Helen when George is booked and while George is my favorite, I’d say she’s a close second… and she uses hot stones which is a nice touch. I feel very lucky that RainForest is within walking distance of my home… who knew heaven was on Fourth Ave?!

I stopped in here a few weeks ago on the recommendation of Unilocal and asked for George. I had been having persistent lower back pain after running a marathon and suddenly injuring it, presumably twisting my back carrying groceries. After seeing multiple doctors and medical professionals, George was able to explain to me, in plain English, what he thought was going on with my body.
I got a 30 minute massage, and I wished I would’ve gone for more. On top of the great massage, he gave me plenty of exercises to do at home to help with the pain. Definitely going in soon for a follow up massage!

I’ve gone to George here maybe 4 or 5 times. I have also seen a couple of other practitioners. When I went today, I noticed that they have made significant improvements to the physical space. The treatment room I was in was completely finished and painted — the ceiling wasn’t open to the actual ceiling as it used to be. Also, they installed a second door coming in from the street. It was MUCH quieter than it used to be. I also noticed that they have turned off the ringing phone. A woman was talking on the phone in the office area, but in a low voice, and it didn’t bother me at all. (I don’t speak Mandarin, so I can’t understand — maybe the only situation where not speaking Mandarin is an advantage.) They also have nice padded tables with clean linens. I guess that should be a given, but the tables at this place are better than at many fancier places I have been, and the massage is very reasonable.
My experience with non-​George practitioners here is that they do standard tui-​na with little customization or response to the specific issues I might have. It’s good tui-​na, but not that therapeutic — better for routine massage.
George, on the other hand, is pretty incredible. From now on, I am only going when I’ve been able to make an appointment with him personally. He is really responsive to phone and e-​mail requests for appointments.
He always addresses specific problems diligently and with a lot of understanding of anatomy. He can really tell where the problems lie based on a quick description and then manipulating the area. He is extremely talented. He is one of the best masseurs I have ever had, if not THE best. I’ve gone in with really painful muscle spasms and he works on them in a way that makes me feel like he’s not going to injure me further. This style of massage is definitely on the hard-​core end, but it really works. George is definitely the best tui-​na type practitioner I’ve ever had. I really should go more often.
I saw in some other reviews references to the OTHER place on 13^th near 5^th with a similar name. I went there once for foot reflexology and it was horrible — dirty, smelly, very sub-​par massage, and I was bitten by a bug (not a mosquito) multiple times while there. This was maybe two years ago, so that business could have changed, but I don’t think they are connected at all. This one on 4^th Avenue is clean and well-​maintained.

George is amazing. He has «fixed» me twice, and I mean that literally. His touch is super strong and intuitive. I sometimes feel like I’m trying to explain what’s wrong with my car to a mechanic, but in this case, it’s my body. Nevertheless, with very little explanation, he finds the problem and does amazing work. And the place recently had a make over and looks better than ever. Highly recommend! Can’t say enough! You won’t be sorry.

I had a hard time finding someone who practiced the specific technique my doc recommended. So I turned to Unilocal and found this place just a few blocks from my apartment (yay). George knew what I was talking about right away. (I had received a few blank stares in other places in the neighborhood when mentioning this type of massage…) He talked me through how the technique works and gave me some tips for how to keep up «the flow» on my own at home. To reiterate what’s been said before — this is NOT a «spa experience». This is a no-​frills place that gets the job done for a decent price. And they’re open late for after-​work appointments. You know the drill — bring cash to save a few bucks off the CC price.

Massage = 5. The place = 1. Annie did a wonderful job. But the overall experience was crappy. (This review is about the 13^th St. & 5^th Ave location.)
For the price point ($ 60 = 1 hr), I didn’t expect luxury. But there’s a lack of serenity, and a dinginess to the place, that made for a negative overall experience. I don’t have injuries or problem areas. I came for relaxation, balance, and de-​stressing. Regarding the massage, again, Annie is aces. Otherwise, the experience was endlessly aggravating.
A few examples: The cordless phone was in the massage room. It rang every 6 minutes. neh!-neh!-neh!-neh!-neh! On the walls hang the loudest clocks in creation, and it’s a chorus of ka-​CHANK-​ka-​CHANK-​ka-​CHANK. A sizable brass chime hangs at the front door, so when the front door opens or closes you get a blaring blankgablamlang! And, in the few quiet moments between, the other therapists hung around talking to one another in full voice. What the hey!
Also, it’s just yucky. It doesn’t feel nice to be there — that’s the simplest way I can put it. There’s an abandoned quality about it, as if they’re planning to close or move in a few months, so who cares about the space… But as far as I know they’re not planning to move at all.
I’ll say that the table did feel clean/​hygienic, and was comfortable. And honestly, I could happily overlook the dinginess, and darkness, and strangeness, all of it. If the place had a peaceful quality to match the quality of the massage, I’d definitely go back. But because of the rest, I won’t.