Serenity Spa

I had such a disappointing experience at Serenity Spa, and that is truly an understatement. So many issues.
We booked 6 appointments for the bridesmaids and the bride of our bachelorette party. Three of the girls got food poisoning and so couldn’t come. Me, another bridesmaid, and the bride arrived on time to our appointments.
Right away the woman at the front desk was not welcoming and had us stand and fill out our information. We sat on a hard bench to wait for our appointments.
I had a reflexology appointment– which is described on the website as work on pressure points on hands, feet, and ears. The therapist only worked on my feet– which is my only complaint of him as he was an excellent massage therapist and was great at applying a mix of pressures. However, the environment is awful. The room was cold and in the front of the ‘spa’ next to the reception desk so I heard everyone arriving and leaving.
The bride and the other bridesmaid got Swedish massages that they described as feeling rushed with way too much lotion. Also, one girl got scratched by her therapist because her nails were long.
Now for the worst part. As soon as I walked out from my appointment feeling relaxed, the receptionist asked me, in an upset tone, «where is the rest of your party?» I explained to her that they got sick and she angrily told me that they would be charged because they did not cancel in enough time. Being charged for late cancelation is understandable, however this should have been addressed either before the appointments and/​or with the person who booked the appointment (which was one of the girls who was sick– not any of the three of us who were there) and it should not have been handled so rudely and unprofessionally. I asked them to call the person who booked and not ask me to handle it.
I then paid for my reflexology and the brides massage. They tried to charge me $ 50 for reflexology, even though the website says $ 45. When I told this to the receptionist she said, «well that’s last years price.» Only after me arguing again did the receptionist call over a woman, who I assume is the manager, and after I showed her the price on her website she gave me the $ 45 price. I left while my friends were still in their massage. I text the bride to let her know her massage was paid for.
At the end of the brides massage they then charged her for her massage I ALREADY paid for. After paying she saw my text and tried to get a refund. The woman at the front desk did not offer this and told the bride to just have the bridesmaid who also got a massage to just pay her back. What??? She then proceeded to ask the bride why the rest of the girls did not arrive and harass her about the cancelation charge that I had already asked her to address with the person who booked the appointment.
Moral of the story is that serenity spa is NOT relaxing, NOT professional, and should NOT be in business. Do not go here!

Went for a couples massage with my husband. There were no complaints from either of us after our massages, they both did an amazing job! I also had a facial afterward and my husband killed time in the sauna. I was very pleased knowing that my husband had something else available there for him since I had another 30 minutes of my treatment. And I have absolutely no complaints with the esthetician, she did an excellent job! I wish they had another option for a changing room, although I loved the idea of having a locker for my clothes and purse (most places I’ve gone to have me hauling my belongings around with me). It really was a great place to go to. My husband and I are looking forward to coming back here the next time we are in Tahoe.

My wife and I got a couples massage and it was horrible. Instead of a massage, we received a back rub. It was like these therapist had no experience whatsoever. I have paid for massages at many resorts and this was by far the worst I had ever paid for. I would not recommend this place to anyone.

I have done many massages in my day. This was by far the worst and should be considered false advertising. Got a couples massage deep tissue for $ 225. It wasn’t worth $ 10 at best. I am very generous and understand people work hard to earn a income. This is the first time ever I left a place without leaving a tip. And I still felt robbed.
Now to the point I got a «deep tissue» massage, I swear not only did I not feel any pressure It felt like I was getting tickled no joke, my wife ask the massage theropist 3 times to apply pressure. It was so soft and inexperienced that me and my wife were extremely disappointed with there service at best.
My advice DO NOT GO THERE for a massage .
I would give 0 stars if I could

The front desk was uninformed and disorganized. There were several people asking the same question they over talked each other and lacked a point person. Arriving and having 3 people staring at the front desk who couldn’t answer a single question gives an unprofessional experience to your customer. We booked 5 massages in advance hoping after a long day on the slopes to relax. I laid on a table in a room that seemed to never get warm. The chatter in the hallway was equally as distracting as the lack of ability or experience of the therapists. All 5 people agreed it was not a good experience. I gave one star for the price it was cheaper than the nearby hotels.

booked same day couples massage. arrived 15 min early for paperwork/​settling-​in, appt started 10 min late. therapists were professional but definitely green. manager would not honor my Unilocal check-​in coupon even though her outfront associate originally indicated yes. ps. not a day spa, definitely a massage parlor or something like.
would not go back, there are other options in the area for similar prices.

I went for a 30 min Swedish massage and all I got was a 20 min massage. It wasn’t the most relaxing of massages and I felt cheated of my $ 70.

This was my first time getting a couples massage and they did a great job. The only complaint would be the gal at the front who didn’t want to honor the Unilocal 10 dollar off discount and I had to ask to speak with someone else. All in all it was a very relaxing experience.

My wife and I went to the Serenity ll Spa in the Marriott Grand Residence. We both had wonderful experiences. I had the best facial I have ever had by Michelle. She took her time and did a fantastic job! My wife even said I looked younger when she saw me. I also had a body wrap treatment by Genevieve. Super nice person and she was excellent also! The rooms my wife & I were in were serene, warm, the music was very tranquil and the bedding & beds were warm. My wife had a 30 minute massage, body wrap & facial. Math
a (sp?) did her massage & body wrap & Sandy did her facial. My wife loved them both! They have a steam room & dry spa room if one would like to use them. They are unisex so bring a bathing suit or use the robe & slippers they provide. Excellent experience and we will definitely go back!

My friend and I had a wonderful experience at the Serenity Spa. The spa smells wonderful and was very clean. We called and told they could accommodate one massage at a time for walk ins. We both had Swedish massages from Cesar in the large massage room. He provided an excellent Swedish massage. I feel great! (I recommend that the lady at the front desk explain that the standard is to use unscented oil and we can choose to upgrade to aroma oils — I would have upgraded for $ 10 — I love the scented oils.) Great relaxing experience — thank you!

I had a great experience! Beautiful spa, friendly receptionist, and a wonderful, relaxing massage. I will definitely be back the next time I visit!

Don’t even know where to start! Would not recommend this «spa» to anyone. It’s not even a spa, like someone else mentioned it’s just a massage parlor. I had a massage in the front room which is basically in the lobby/​gift shop. Only a little glass door separating my naked self and the public! After getting undressed and lying on the freezing cold table with even colder sheets waiting for the therapist, I could hear everything outside! I could hear the blaring sidewalk music, the receptionist talking, and any customers who came in laughing and shopping. NOT relaxing or «Serene» at all. When the massage actually started, the therapist never asked me what I wanted or what kind of aromatherapy scent I like, it just started and she just picked her own scent. Never occurred to her that I might not like the smell she used? I noted on the sign in form that I wanted most attention on neck and shoulders, yet more than half the time she spent on my legs and feet. Also, her hands and the oil were even colder than the table and room. The actual massage was ok, there wasn’t really any «plan» just oily rubbing all over. It would be nice if afterwards they at least brought you a warm damp cloth to wipe down before getting dressed again. Went home all oily. This place needs some fixing. Totally NOT worth the $ 95!!!

Made the mistake of not reading the Unilocal reviews.
First… This is not a spa! The amenities are lacking from the waiting area (where you cannot relax because there people walking in and out to use the bathroom from the Grand Residence pool with their children which happens to be the same bathroom/​changing room for the spa) to the showers (needs a big remodel). I made my reservation thru the Marriott thinking that the spa and the hotel are affiliated. No… Not Marriott quality at all. The steam room is unisex so you have to wear a full length robe in there which is a bit uncomfortable. There was no water in the water container in the waiting room and when I pointed it out they didn’t seem to really care and it was not refilled while I was there.
I had a facial that was average and not worth the «spa» price I paid. Very disappointed.

DO NOT GO TO THIS SPA!!! Ridiculous! I went for a «relaxing» hot stone massage at 3:00pm and I couldn’t find the place. I called and the girl at the front desk could not explain to someone who was from out of town how to get there (??) then I get there, i apologized for being late, and they pretty much berated me for being late, told me Im not going to be receiving a hot stone massage (not because I was late, but because the girl who massaged me wasnt told that I had requested it, and never even apologized). So i got a 30 min swedish, which consisted of just my neck and back being massaged. The girl who massaged me, although very nice, talked the entire time and I would have preferred she asked if I wanted to be talked to. I went in at 3:15, at 3:50 I was standing at the front desk and they tried to charge me full price for a hot stone. Finally after about 5
people came over, they said they would let me pay for the 30 min swedish. The moron at the front counter charged me for a 30 min deep tissue, which I corrected her and she refunded my money. Its now 4:18 and my girlfriend who was also late, is still in her appointment when I was told mine would be ending at 4:00 (and it ended at 3:50). I will never be back to this place and will make it a point to tell anyone out here not to go. That was the worst treatment I have ever received and it was definitely not relaxing. Oh and i have a mark of blood blisters on my neck from the massage.

Let’s be honest — this is not a «spa»… it is a massage parlor. That is it. There are no spa amenities. There aren’t even changing rooms (you de-​robe in your massage room). No pre-​massage relaxation techniques… nothing to get your zen beforehand.
Our massage was due to begin at 9AM. Our massage began at 9:09AM… so I was thinking, great — 50 minute massage we’d be done by 10AM. Nope! We were done at 9:51… so a 42 minute massage. I mean — doesn’t sound like a huge deal — but that means we only received 84% of our massage. And to make things worse, our price was jacked up (more on that later).
The price for a couples massage is $ 175… which is expensive — but not the craziest I have ever paid for a massage. Resorts, which undoubtedly have the entire spa, charged around the same amount everywhere in Tahoe. So we were thinking we’d get a comparable service. My wife is very pregnant, so she needed a «pregnancy massage»… which, if you know anything about that, it means they get to massage less! And focus on less areas as you can’t lay on your stomach. Well, guess what, they charged $ 15 extra! That was a joke. we didn’t know until we were checking out, of course… so the total was $ 190.
Lastly, the massage itself is just a nice rub-​down. This is not really a massage that you’d expect from a «spa»… I was never asked how much pressure I liked and with the exception of my shoulders, there was really no «massage»… I was just oiled up and rubbed. So this was literally the most expensive rub-​down EVER.
Last, but not least, I have the most ticklish feet in the world. They did ask me, is there anywhere they should focus. I told them — don’t touch my feet because it will completely ruin my zen place. Of course, she touches my foot for a rub… and I instinctively pull it away… she apologizes… moves to the next leg and when she gets to the next foot less than 3 minutes later, she does it again. I couldn’t believe it.
Anyway — I definitely would not recommend going here. The guy seemed nice who was massaging my wife. He kept asking her if she needed anything. Other than that, I don’t really have anything positive to say.
This place needs to do a couple things… MOST IMPORTANTLY, give people their full time allotment. Secondly, give actual massages. If they went to massage school, spent some dough… charged an extra $ 10 a massage, it would pay for itself.

Awful experience. My sister and I were so excited for a weekend getaway and a little pampering. To say we left disappointed is an understatement.
We asked for the 50 minute Swedish massage and 100% only received 30 minutes. My sister text her boyfriend as we were going into the massage room at 2:05PM and we were back in the locker room at 2:40PM after taking our time putting our robes on etc. We both agreed that they must have thought we wanted the 30 minute massage and wasn’t a big deal. When we went to the front desk the receptionist charged for the 50 minute– I showed her the time and told her we must have gotten the 30 minute. My masseuse came to the front and in front of a group of people called my sister and I ‘confused’ about 15 times. I showed her the time and that didn’t seem to matter to her. The poor receptionist was so sweet and understood what I was saying but it was out of her hands while my masseuse (who must have have a management role) and my sisters masseuse were literally yelling and had the worst attitude I’ve ever encountered in any customer service environment. We left so upset it was like we didn’t even get a massage. I cannot believe how rude and out of line they were. We left feeling robbed and needless to say we were not relaxed. I strongly suggest researching better spas in South Shore.

This place is so much fun to look around in. From crystals and soaps to glass art, I could spend so much money here.

What a bummer of a massage. When we first came in (I was with about 5 girls for my bachelorette party) the staff was chaotic and we felt like they didn’t really know what was going on. When we booked, they told us that we can choose our treatments when we get in-​as long as the time was blocked out. Well… they changed their mind when we got there.
I asked for a 50 min Swedish and a Detox Body wrap (to help with the night before :)) Issues: COLDDDD room. COLLLLDD massage fingers. I had goosebumps the whole time. After they massage they said the electricity went out. Weird. And the spa is also a shop, so I just hear little kids running in and out and ohhhing and aaahhiingg about the sparkly rocks or something.
After 60min or so, my guy said… take your time getting up. And I looked at him, thinking for sure someone else is coming in to do my detox wrap… and said «I don’t need the detox wrap today. i am okay with the massage». I said this, bc I was freezing. He tells me… oh– I already did your wrap! It was the lotion I spread on you and took off with a hot towel.
My eyes probably rolled a million times because I was so confused! That was my wrap?! I even got the brochure out to read the description before I started complaining. The words «wrap your body» were in the treatment. I thought I was going to be wrapped in warm towels with some fun scents that detox my body! Well… I was wrong.
If you are a spa person-don’t go here. We went down the street to the Landing and that spa looked much better. Go there or do research and find somewhere to go.

Had a couples massage January 2015!
The WORST massage I have ever had!!!
We booked a deep tissue massage… That was not even close to a deep tissue massage. So we complained at the end when they tried to charge us more and come to find out it was a Swedish massage.
Do I need to say more?
Terrible service, worst massage we have ever had, and a waste of $ 200 bucks.
On the bright side they had great soaps, so skip the massage!!!

Came here by surprise for my birthday and loved the setting but was kind of let down by the actual massage.
I like strong hands and someone to work the knots on my back. This did not happen. I asked to increase the pressure but only lasted about 10 mins. The last 20 mins of the massage was really soft and repetitive .
Not very impressed, but nonetheless it was relaxing.