Kiva Day Spa

Negative experience at this spa. I found an old gift certificate when I was packing to move and thought a pedicure would be a nice treat amid packing and cleaning. The pedicure was average, but the massage chair wasn’t working. The general feel of the spa was disorganized and slightly dinghy.
Post-​pedicure, I went to the front desk to pay for the service. When I handed the gift certificate to the front desk staff, she looked concern and said that she would need to contact the manager bc the certificate was older and she wasn’t sure it was still valid. There was no expiration date listed on the certificate.
After waiting about 10 minutes while she attempted to contact her manager via phone, she finally got through to him. After hanging up with him, she apologetically explained that the salon had changed ownership, and this certificate was issued under the previous ownership and couldn’t be accepted. I was upset bc I had gone out of my way to come to this specific spa to use it, but I understood that it wasn’t her fault.
My real issue began when the manager came to the front desk and started questioning me about where I had gotten the gift certificate. I explained that it was a gift, and I wasn’t sure where it had been purchased. I described the Kiva service sheet and booklet that had accompanied it. When I mentioned that it had been a gift from my sister-​in-​law, he exclaimed that I did know who it was from after all, when before I said I didn’t know. I tried to explain that I didn’t know which salon she had purchased it from, but I was wasting my breath and time. From his accusatory line of questioning and tone, he seemed to be insinuating that I was trying to cheat the spa out of a $ 25 gift certificate.
My relaxing pedicure was ruined by the management’s poor customer service. Basically, average pedicure + dinghy spa + rude manager = Kiva. Save yourself the trip.

Kiva has gone downhill since it was taken over by Macy’s. The service is inconsistent at best. As someone else said, it actually adds stress to your day.

Well, I have been going to Kiva for a long time, several years, and I haven’t written a review, but I think I will today because I’m really pregnant and I have many thoughts about many things. ha
I’ve been going to Vera to get my eyebrows waxed for a long, long time. Granted, I sometimes wait several months between appointments (I have a toddler! I lose all track of time and space!) but she always gets them back into shape, looking lovely and making me feel great after I leave.
However…
(and this is why there is a missing star)
My self-​esteem doesn’t feel great during the appointments. Pretty much everything that Vera says to me is, well, kind of unkind judgement.
«You need facial.»
«You’re breaking out.» (I’m also 9.5 months pregnant… so, yeah)
«If you don’t take care of yourself, that’s when husbands start to lose interest.» (thank you for that.)
«You really need to get facial.»
«I would’ve done your eyebrows better but this is what I had to work with.»
Don’t get me wrong. She does a PHENOMENAL job with the brows, which is why i keep going back for the verbal abuse. I wish I could book my appointments to be «silent» but that doesn’t seem like a thing I could do. So… I just steel myself for the criticism and book myself an extra therapy appointment for after the brow wax and I’m all good.

I went to Kiva @ Water Tower because I had a Spa Wish gift card and wanted a no chip mani pedi on a Sunday. I was happy to hear they were open and could get me in. I could not find prices listed online but figured $ 100 was more than enough for a no chip mani and regular pedicure.
The salon looks decent and relaxing from the entrance, but the back area where services are provided was not as clean or serene. I had adequate services, except for the fact that my nail technician kept checking her phone throughout my manicure. (I repeatedly reset my own gel dryer)
When I went to pay, I was surprised to find out that a no chip manicure was $ 45 and my pedicure the same. I paid $ 90 for both and did not feel the quality of service was worth that cost. There are plenty of places in Chicago that provide equal service for half the price. At least I want paying the bill out of my own pocket though!

I have never had a worse experience at a spa, or even a salon for that matter, than I did this past Sunday at Kiva. When the spa was located on Pearson (now it’s in Macy’s Water Tower) the actual space was relaxing and inviting, not so much now!
I get that they need to do some last minute work as they complete the move but overall the space is not relaxing, really shouldn’t be called a day spa at all and the facilities are grossly lacking. There is one bathroom (with a huge can of Lyson– very classy), one changing room, my robe hanger had the Timberland logo on it and I was given a pair of flip flops that would fit a small child.
Workmen kept wlaking through the space to fix things and kept shouting. When I asked them to be quiet they asked why…
When my friend and I said something to the attendant at checkout we got excuses and no apology. Really dissapointed and won’t be going back. It’s a shame, I used to get gift certificates for friends and colleagues there.

Came here for a relaxing spa day, however I was stressed most of the time instead. My French manicure is wavy, uniformed, and I would’ve been better off going to a cheap nail salon around the corner. Also, both my manicure and pedicure took DOUBLE the amount of time they should have– very irritating. (I had ebony as my nail technician)
Haircut looks okay, but nowhere near worth an 85 dollar price tag. A «senior» stylist shouldn’t need me to stand for 10 minutes and Check and recheck that the sides are the same length at least 7 times. (Glenn was my hair stylist).
Then, I was charged more than the prices listed online! (And more for the haircut price that i was quoted just an hour earlier when i called) Totally UNACCEPTABLE business practice.
Save your money and go elsewhere.
**EDIT**
The front of my hair on one side is more than ½ inch longer than the rest of my hair. So upset.

I have also gone to Ann many times for massages and she has really helped me. Just like Jackyn K.‘s review, Ann is the best massage I have ever had and I just called to schedule an appointment with her and told me she is no longer there. Jaclyn or Ann if you are seeing this, or anyone else, can you tell me when Ann went? I want to continue going to her. I like Kiva and will continue to go there for other services or maybe try someone new, their facials are really good! Where is Ann?

I went for a facial and a massage. The staff were very friendly, the massage and facial were ok, nothing great, nothing bad. I do have a gripe though, I am a plus size girl and they don’t have any plus size robes. I was sitting in the relaxation room trying to keep it shut and it was really awkward especially when the room is coed. Kiva please get some plus size robes, big girls like to go to the spa too!

Charles (hair) and Kimberly came to my hotel with last minute notice to do my hair and makeup when a stylist cancelled on me. My makeup was natural and long lasting. My hair was beautiful. A million thanks for their professionalism and quick response when I was in a crisis!

I have seen Ann for massages several times, and she is absolutely the best. I have chronic back pain and shoulder tension, and I’ve gotten massages at a lot of different spas. But after going to Kiva, I won’t go anywhere else. I usually go for deep tissue massages, but I’ve had aromatherapy massages and hot stone massages with Ann that were nothing short of amazing. The spa itself is great too — very clean, chic design, helpful staff. I always leave there feeling like a million bucks!

Kimberly Cox for make-​up at Kiva has had experience prepping celebrities for photo shoots. She makes you look natural, but perfect. I have never had so many compliments as I did after she did my face. Mr. Charles has been my long-​time hair colorist and stylist. WHen he went to Kiva, I went, too. He is the best.

REQUEST ANN/​ANNE!!! She was amazing!!!
I was in Chicago for the month of May on business and desperately needed a massage. I am a spa regular at home and wanted to find something good/​accessible/​convenient/​somewhat reasonably priced in the Mag Mile area.
I jumped to Unilocal and saw Kiva had a good rating. I jumped on their website and they had a lot of offerings. I went expecting a good experience — but definitely left with a GREAT experience.
She is a great therapist and was really attentive to my stubborn neck and right shoulder. I left feeling a lot better and way relaxed. (I had a 50minute Aromatherapy Massage)
Once the treatment was over, she asked me if I had hyperkeratosis. I had NO idea what that even was. Then she mentioned the outside of my upper arms and the dryness is tiny blemishes. Something my mom always calls chicken skin. She mentioned she had it as well. We both had had it since we were much younger and it was never bad enough to seek out a dermatologist. I am a picker and make it worse than it actually is.
She recommended some products that have worked for her. I checked them out and also ended up getting another product that an esthetician in the lobby recommended as well. Normally I am not a sucker for salon products, but her personal experience and sincerity really got me. I haven’t yet tried the products, but I am really excited about them.
The only reason I did not give 5 stars, is because I am accustomed to spas with a steamroom, sauna, jacuzzi. But none-​the-​less, the massage itself was fantastic.

I was in Chicago on business with 2 girlfriends on ³⁄₂₄. We go to spas a lot, as we travel alot… and have hit them all over the country. Best facial, hands down, for 2 of us… the other raved about her massage.
I had Rina, so can only speak to her technique. She was amazing, quiet, superbly skilled… and gave me great advice that I used with my dermatologist, literally, the next day. I had the hydration facial. Such a wonderful aesthetician! Thanks, Rina.
Would definitely visit again when in Chicago. We have been to fancier spas… but all 3 of us agree that what we go for is really the service and the result… and we got both in abundance with our treatments. Great value. Thank you, Rina!

I was not impressed. I made a first time appointment for their signature facial and probably my last.
I had an early appointment and when I walked in the first time, no one was at the front desk for 2 minutes, I walked out, grabbed a coffee, came back a second time and still no one at the front desk, just chatter coming from behind the wall.
When I was finally helped, myself another customer were whisked upstairs to the dressing room. The hostess seemed rushed in setting up our lockers, asked my shoe size for the spa flippers, I said 8.5. She disappeared and came back with a size 10 and said is this okay? I am pretty easy going so I said sure but thought really you don’t have a pile of these, and she ran out of there. Looking around I thought parts of the place were rundown, trash not emptied, robs had seen their day — didn’t know if I was putting on something clean or not.
Enter the relax room which I found tiny but wasn’t sitting long before I was scooped up by woman doing my facial. I found her to be very kind and interested to examine my skin. As soon as I hit the bed, I felt like I mind as well have been buying a car because the first 15 minutes were spent with her trying to up sell me. I just wanted to relax and get a facial worth $ 105 +. First it was the waxing which been there done that, I know this is pretty common but then it was if you want an extra mask treatment I need your consent because it’s an extra $ 30 and then came the product talk. I get the commission sales but I found it aggressive and tacky.
I have had plenty of facials so understand there are points in the facial where lotion/​mask has to soak in but I was left on 2 occasions for which felt like 15 minutes and w/​o warning. My recommendation would be for the money paid, maybe massage head/​shoulders or something during that time. Leaving a customer for long periods of time isn’t relaxing and makes it seem not worth the money paid. I think she spent maybe 15 minutes on my face.
When all was done, she mentioned she had left products for me downstairs. A good esthecian would’ve walked me out and went over the products with me. Instead I spent an extra 20 minutes with the front desk man asking questions about products she had set aside for me. I considered walking out with nothing but after my lengthy conversation with the front desk who were helpful I changed my mind. Bugs me that commission will go to her.
I did in fact think my skin felt better leaving so it wasn’t an awful facial in regards to treatment on face but an overall unpleasant spa experience. I think with a location like that especially next to the Ritz Carlton, everything could be a little better. For the money paid plus tip, it wasn’t worth it.

Who knew there was a spa here?
My girlfriends brought me to Kiva for a morning of pampering for my 30^th birthday. We had a lovely time overall with a few minor glitches that gave us a few laughs.
This location has two floors, and if I could, I would give them two separate reviews. Because they seem like two different places.
I started my morning upstairs with a hot stone massage. Their changing room is very nice, with spacious lockers, a separate shower and bathroom area, and soft and fluffy robes to make it a quite luxurious experience. It is also filled with Bumble & Bumble styling products, cotton pads, swabs and hair dryers… everything you need to get yourself together and ready to go after your treatments.
We had four ladies in our group, and the spa put us in the Serenity Room to chat and relax. It is pretty small, but comfortable and completely separate from the rest of the spa. They set out Champagne glasses for us, and were super accommodating overall.
My friends had booked a hot stone massage for me, but I opted for a hot stone/​deep tissue combination. It was just what I needed. My masseuse, Lisa, was wonderful. The pressure was perfect, and she really got to all of my problem areas. I’m feeling pretty great today. I’m used to getting more sports/​rehab type of massages, and she was great at working through all of my running related ailments!
Additionally, the massage treatment rooms are beautiful. They have hoses and showers for water treatments and the walls and floors are covered in beautiful stone tiles. I would definitely come back for more treatments again.
After my massage, I went downstairs for a manicure/​pedicure. While the upstairs treatment rooms are luxurious, the downstairs section of Kiva is not. The manicure/​pedicure area was messy and unorganized. They have a large selection of Essie and Opi polishes. However, their Essie polishes are old and thick as they are in the process of phasing them out.
My manicure was ok. Not great, but acceptable. The milk/​oil/​paraffin combination left my hands super soft. The pedicure was just ok. Not the best I’ve ever gotten! However, I was introduced to a great new OPI color (take me to Brazil).
If you’re in the neighborhood and need a great massage, definitely give Lisa a call at Kiva. I will definitely return to see her again!

I have pretty nice hair (or so I’m told). I would definitely have to agree on days that Samuel cuts and flat-​irons me. Seriously, he makes my hair look like shiny, fabulous, sheet of glass, Pantene commercial hair. And he is a sweetheart with a great sense of humor.
I have followed him from his last salon and he is now at Kiva. Because he is new to this location, he is offering $ 20 off for new client cuts if you mention Unilocal.I can’t recommend him enough. He is the best for cuts in the city.
As for the spa, I never have trouble finding meter parking east on Pearson.

A friend called and said she was needing a little «girl time», so what better thing to do than to book facials together. Kiva was my place of choice as I have never had a bad experience here, although I was a bit startled by the lack of Unilocal love in many of these reviews.
When we called to make the appointments– they could not have been nicer. We said we wanted to have some time to drink some wine and enjoy a small snack before the treatments since we were both coming straight from work. «No problem», they said. And it wasn’t.
After checking in with the friendly guy at the desk on the main floor– we were told to go upstairs to get changed. We were met at the top of the stairs by Patricia who made sure the rest of our night went flawlessly– she opened our wine, got us glasses, plates, a knife for the cheeses, and introduced us to the technicians who would be performing our services that evening.
The locker room while smallish– had all the amenities that we needed and they were quick to hand us a towel or pick up our robes when we were finished with them. If you need a different size robe or sandal (the ones that were in my locker were meant for a much smaller person– just ask and they will get you the size that you need)
Rina did my facial and she was quite good. Soothing, calming, I was instantly at ease and the waxing that she did was also almost painless (at least as painless as it can get). I also liked the arm, back and neck massage that came along with the facial. At the end, my skin looked and felt good. And there was none of the redness that often accompanies waxing.
When I stumbled out of the room in my post facial bliss– Patricia was there to lead me into a private room to meet up with my friend. This room was all set up with our remaining wine and cheese and before we knew it, we had talked our way right up to closing time!
Prices are reasonable given what I pay at other places around the city ($ 88 for a basic facial). If you drive– valet parking is available right out front for $ 18 which is a deal in this area. The parking garage around the corner starts at $ 25 and goes up from there. And if you are looking for some hostess gifts or something for a shower– check out the retail shop in the lobby. Plenty of candles, perfumes, bath products, etc, to put together a nice gift.
Glad to see that Kiva is as nice as I remembered it from my other visits. If you need a little pampering, you are sure to find it here!

I’ve been going to Kiva for manicures and pedicures for more than 10 years, they’ve always done a good job.
This is not a quick in and out nail place. Kiva is a nice, quite, «can I get you a cup of tea?» spa. It’s clean, comfortable, small rooms make for a more personal and relaxing experience than some of the huge warehouse-​ish places. Nails and hair are done on the first floor, massages and other body treatments are done upstairs. I think I may have had every service that Kiva offers at this point, and I really have never been disappointed.
Ivy is my favorite manicurist in the whole world. She always does a terrific job, especially with a french manicure. She is nice and just the perfect amount of chatting and small talk.
Kiva is a little pricey, but you get what you pay for. It’s worth the price tag every time.

If I were just judging the amenities of this place, the rating would easily be higher. Throw in their hoity-​toity service and you got yourself just an ok review.
I came here after a friend generously gave me a giftcard for a Swedish massage, so I was unsure what to expect. «Oooh, you’re late» the receptionist said when I stepped up to the desk. Um. maybe if you hadn’t been arguing with the previous customer for ten minutes. So they rushed me upstairs where I was greeted by my masseuse who was anxiously pacing back and forth.
«Hrm. you’re late. You better get dressed right away. That time’s going to come out of your appointment.»
Excuse me? I thought I was the customer and you were here to work around MY schedule?
The locker area was quite small, and as if I didn’t already feel nervous the Real Housewives of Chicago were busy loitering on the bench and clucking about estates and Ralph Lauren and whatnot.
My masseuse reminded me of a Swiss milkmade– complete with pigtail braids and frilly white dress. The procedure itself was relaxing, but felt more like an oily bodyrub than a massage. She seemed nice enough, but also talked … like… thissssssss — dragging every syllable out as if that was also supposed to be relaxing.
They also have a little waiting room with magazines, lukewarm tea, ice water, and snacks. That was pretty cute. Not cute was when one of the husbands to the aforementioned housewives came in. He was dressed in a full suit, and I was chilling with a Kiva robe on my back and a Cosmo in my hand.
Awkward.
I’m not sure if I would come back if I had to pay for that experience.

After my eyebrows planned a hostile takeover of my face, I decided it was time to do something about it. I made an emergency same-​day appointment to have them waxed at Kiva, where I’d been previously. It wasn’t my first choice, but since I was returning things at Water Tower, I figured I’d kill two birds with one stone. That was my first mistake and thus began my torturous journey with Vera.
She seemed nice enough as I lay back on the table and she thrust the harsh flourescent light into my face. How quickly that changed.
Vera: «Ooo…your skin is so dry!»
Me: «Mm hmm» (Um, it’s winter, whose isn’t?)
Vera: «Oh no! You’re breaking out!»
Me: «Oh?» (I had one small blemish — that’s it. While I don’t claim to have the greatest skin on the planet, I’m pretty sure 1 pimple does not a breakout make)
More judgmental petting of my face.
Vera: «When was the last time you had a facial?»
Me: «Never.»
Vera (shocked and disappointed): «Ohhh…you need to start!»
After zero reaction from me, she actually gets around to examining my eyebrows. This is an eyebrow wax afterall, not an Extreme Makeover consultation.
Vera: «Oh these lines around your eyes… you need to moisturize! You are too young to have all of these lines. It’s so dry! Use lotion on your eyebrows or they will fall out!»
Five minutes and many insults later, my eyebrows are finally finished. I’ve barely said a word as I’m stewing quietly. As we’re walking out she tries for her last product push: 1. offers to sell me a moisturizer today 2. tries to get me to schedule a facial. I think you can pretty much tell how I answered both of those questions.
I get the fact that she’s trying to sell me additional products/​services — that happens in most salons. But doing that by insulting me? Child please. I left with a bitter taste in my mouth at having to pay $ 25 for such a horrible experience. Sorry Kiva, I won’t be back.