A.R.E Health Center & Spa

This place is very clean and the staff is so friendly, it’s very relaxing with ocean view rooms without being in the heart of the tourist part of Virginia Beach. They also offer many more holistic therapies than anywhere else around, the therapists truly care about your health and well-being…not just about giving you an average massage. I’ve been to a few places in the area and the services you get here are worth more than what you pay. Plus I like that there are other things to do there like eat at the café, meditate in the garden, or attend programs.

One interesting little gem near the higher number streets in Virginia Beach.
Edward Cayce lived an interesting life so of course the story behind this place was just as interesting. He was a Psychic who only could have visions while he was sleeping, under that trance he would speak his readings to people.
Upon entering this place, you feel an unusual calm. As I walked around and read more about Edgar Cayce, I felt myself feeling lighter and lighter, and again calm. I feel like it could be the aroma they pump into the HVAC unit or something. The meditation portion was VERY interesting even though it’s just a place where people can gather in silence and be still. I have my own actual opinions about some of the teachings here but at least I can say I came to experience this place.
I would recommend to anyone who is on a spiritual journey.

My husband and I visited the spa this weekend. The check in was a very relaxing and calm.
Our 90 minute massages were scheduled for firm.
Both of us asked several times for more pressure and never got it. the massages turned out to be more of a stretching and touching. not really what we asked for.
Scale 1 to 10 both massages were a 4!
My husband actually couldn’t wait for it to be over! We would return but we would make sure we received a firm therapeutic massage!

I’ve been here twice. The first for a lymph massage and today for a Colon Hydrotherapy session. The prices are comparable to other facilities. I think the difference here is the atmosphere of wellbeing. The staff are professional and believe in the mind body spirit connection. The lymph massage is NOT a relaxing massage. It is a massage to help your lymph system. The colonic is EXACTLY what you think!!!
The w scion lasts 40 minutes but I could only stand it for 30. It’s an odd sensation and I was a bit of a baby!!! I would STRONGLY recommend visiting this place for a holistic pick me up!

My boyfriend and I did the couples express spa package. Castor Oil pack + foot reflexology + body massage. Carshena was my person and Katherine was his. They were both great and knowledgeable! Carshena was very giggly and I liked that. I found the atmosphere comforting and professional. We will definitely be coming back!

This review is strictly for the spa. I was unable to check out the visitor’s center.
The reception area was not welcoming at all. They just seemed to be in their own little world caring less about any visitor. In fact, it was other visitors that were actually warm and welcoming towards me. In fact, one particular secretary was very friendly with me over the phone while I was making the decision of what spa services to purchase. When I called back later to reschedule the time, she became the ice queen (funny how that happened lol).
I DO NOT recommend getting your first colon hydrotherapy here. The woman (who was very friendly and down to Earth which is why I gave 2 stars) that administered this to me didn’t make me aware of anything she was doing to me. Something went up my ass without warning, she turned on the water, without warning. She barely explained the process to me and I had no idea what to do.
It was extremely awkward and to make things worse, she talked a mile a minute about The Blood Type Diet which I don’t even think Edgar Cayce recommends. She also gave me her personal brochure and asked me to spread the word about her on social media :/​
After this was my hour Reilly (sp?) massage. This woman (who was also very friendly) gave me a very relaxing rub down, but hardly what I’d call a massage. I’ve had better massages at my local nail salon.
The problem is, I did not get enough pressure/​firmness. Just rubbing here and rubbing there. It left a lot to be desired.
What is the purpose of the secretaries asking if I wanted a firm massage if they all apparently give the same light rub?
Anyway, after the massage, when I got up to put my clothes back on, I nearly busted my ass from my oily feet slipping on hardwood floors. After I was dressed, the woman was nice enough to bring me a cup of warm water. How refreshing :/​
It was a strange experience. It wasn’t terrible, but it wasn’t good either. I wish I’d saved my money.

I had a 90 minute massage and was overall happy with the experience. I think $ 100 is actually a really good price and the therapist was attentive and definitely let me relax. Be prepared that the therapists use the method taught here, so it’s not a typical deep tissue– lots of stretching involved as well but I liked that difference. The reception desk left a lot to be desired– I was barely acknowledged when I came in and when I left and never offered anything to drink until the end of the massage. Still, it was good overall though I’m not sure I’d go back unless it was to try one of the other alternative therapies offered.

I visited the spa today for a chiropractic adjustment with Dr. Schoeb. The clinic staff were extremely professional. The atmosphere was relaxing and extremely comfortable. I love coming here. A great experience every time. The view of the oceanfront from the spa is breathtaking even in the rain! I will be back.

I had the Spa Package 4 — Internal Cleanse. I had a very therapeutic experience, by the time I left, I felt like a new woman. The staff was professional and friendly — I had five different services done and each person was very nice and did a great job.
I try to treat myself 2 to 4 times a year and each time I’ve been it has been a pleasant experience for me. I have been going for about 2 years now.

So I grew up in VB and never even knew this place existed. I was in VB on a stressful weekend so I made a reiki appt for me and my bf here. The actual lobby and waiting area of this place is more like a stuffy, loud office room. Most spas separate their waiting areas from their back office staff, but not here. It was very cold and industrial, didn’t feel relaxing at all. Rather than playing Enya or ANYTHING spa-​like, they were playing top 40. O… K… (also, i don’t want to see and hear the accounts payable lady making phone calls to clients and getting into arguments about payments. I mean honestly, IS this a «spa»?)
So our «practioners» were 10 minutes late, and their policy is VERY clear about saying when you pay for the hour, it includes the time you spend undressing and to make it snappy. This means I was paying for homegirl’s tardiness, which she never apologized for. I am well-​versed in reiki and know that its more of a spiritual method than traditional swedish massage. But when I went in there, it was like an assembly line, she didn’t really ask me about any issues (which is the FOUNDATION of reiki) and just kept it cold and short. So before I could even ask for a blend of massage/​reiki, she comes into the room, no words, and just starts. Very methodical. Very removed. I felt no energy from this woman, and after hearing of my boyfriend’s experience, he mirrored exactly what happened to me. I don’t think these «practioners» are actually Level 3 (or even 2) reiki practitioners… its an actual science, people. They were just methodically and superficially going through the motions, without really even being «present». I was so turned off by the entire thing. She also finished my session 8 minutes early, so technically, I paid for an hour but actually only got like 40 minutes of treatment.
Afterwards the practitioner gave me a hug at the end, which I thought was nice to do, but as i waited for my boyfriend to come out, I noticed, like clockwork, HIS practitioner gave him a hug at the end too. So they obviously just give these practitioners the basic level of knowledge on each type of healing method without any real quality; nothing is personalized or even REAL. This place is an assembly line lacking substance. Edgar Cayce would be rolling over in his grave right now if he knew this is how his establishment was being run. Cause YIKES.
There was later a discrepancy with my credit card bill (they had overcharged $ 10) which later was found to be their fault. They bothered me about calling them back for 2 days and FINALLY issued me a refund. What a nuisance. I will never come here again.