TuSuva

Glad they could accommodate my last minute appointment. This is the last time I will ever go to a non licensed massage therapist. I don’t care how nice they sound on the phone, how soft the blanket is or even how many stars they receive. I don’t trust my body under the hands of someone who isn’t licensed, because serious damage can be done. (Note: I am a professional dancer). There were moments that either felt like she was hastily slapping lotion on me or stretching my bones (bones don’t move. Unless you’re at a chiropractor). Other times it felt like she was bruising my muscle and when I moved and asked her to lighten the pressure (note: she asked me if the pressure was okay and then went deeper after I okay-​ed the initialpressure) she reluctantly stopped and explained way she was deeper pressure. It shouldn’t matter why I’m asking you to stop if it hurts. Just stop. Anyway, now I have a headache and feel tighter than before. I’m gonna take some excedrin and take a nap. For free.

I’ve been going to Tusuva for years now for a quarterly facial. It was the first step, after manipedis, that I realized that it was normal to need/​want professional help you out with these beauty/​self care things that you were supposed to learn as a teenager from magazines that never featured people with your hair or skin in it. Anyway, I digress.
Tusuva doesn’t have a fancy online scheduling system, so you’ll have to call for your appointment. Located between Adams Morgan and Columbia Heights, it’s not the easiest place to get to, but it’s well worth the trip. The Circulator also stops close by. I always look forward to the fruit water available in the waiting area.
Also, if you don’t have time to run to Lush in Georgetown, Tusuva has a wide array of bath bombs, in addition to the usual beauty products. They aren’t super aggressive about pushing products, but if you need recommendations they will definitely have a variety of options to suggest and sell.
Additionally, treatments are 10% off if you pay in cash. $ 81+ tip for a high quality facial in DC? Can’t really ask for better than that.

I came back for another deep tissue massage. I was able to make an appointment for the very next day. This time I had Sellye and she was FANTASTIC. I’m like jelly. Definitely will continue with Tu Suva.

I’ve been receiving massages and facials for the past two years here.
Their service and employees are WONDERFUL.
I usually opt for the seasonal special, which includes an hour facial + hour signature massage.
Thus far, all of the estheticians get my vote.
Carlos has magic hands as a masseuse.
I always leave relaxed, happy and looking forward to the next appointment.

Just left after doing a couples massage. It wasn’t what I expected with all the stars I’d seen. Whatever confirmation system used was pretty outdated in needing to know my wireless carrier to send me a confirmation of appointment. The décor was nice. Massage tables pretty basic. Spa music was good until one song came on with actual words !!
The masseuse who did my friend’s back was totally disappointing. Bluntly telling her she’s breathing wrong and asked her if the pressure was too much and when the response was «yes», she replied «sometimes you just have to grit down and bear the pain in order to get the knots out».
The biggest pet peeve of mine was when I finally paid for my service and the lady at front desk handed me my card back on the table instead of in my hand like I gave it to her. If this is one of the best in DC I will take a break for a while from massage places.

I’ve been to TuSuva about four times, and the experience has been reliably good. Of course some massage therapists are better than others, but all were professional and provided a great service. I have also had a facial done with Nina and was very pleased with the quality and attention.
Beyond that, there is usually good availability and I have been able to book same-​day appointments, which is a treat. The staff is friendly and accommodating. The space has become prettier and more inviting as they grow into themselves. They don’t push products or add-​ons, which is nice. I definitely recommend.

This was the worst massage I have ever had.
Pros: the staff were SO friendly– really nice, which is why I am going with two stars instead of one. They also have a lot of available appointments. There is fruit flavored water in the lobby– seriously, strawberries in the water, it was tasty.
Cons: The massage was so bad the massage therapist actually injured my shoulder. Not kidding– I actually went straight to another walk-​in place right after because it hurt to use my arm. Not exactly relaxing or therapeutic. They made me pay and TIP before my appointment, and there was no front desk staff there after, so I couldn’t even talk to anyone about the problem. Personally, I prefer to tip after a service, not before.
Takeaway:
This might be a good spot for other spa services– but beware of just booking a massage with whoever is free. There are way better options for your money in DC, and the risk of injury is real.

There is a reason this place has such great reviews. They are fabulous! I got a 1 hour massage from Carlos and it was fantastic! I could not have asked for a better one and I consider myself a bit of a massage snob. I will go back to him for sure.
Also got a facial and microdermabrasion. Very professional. Fingers crossed the results are as good as the experience.

I went in for my first facial last week and it was the best that I’ve ever had even though I’ve never gone anywhere before. I will never go anywhere else when it comes to skin care!
Kaitlyn took care of me and let me tell you she was the excellent and every knowledgable about the products and was sure to inform me of her procedure before and during my facial so that I didn’t have any unexpected surprises. She took care of all my blemishes with utmost care and was sure to try to keep the pains of my extractions down to a minimum but when it comes to the pimples I had it really couldn’t be helped for some. The pain was very manageable and she was very meticulous. She gave me her card with her email so that I could send her the products I’m currently using as face wash and moisturizer for my daily routine so she could check out the ingredients and see if there was anything that could be clogging my pores for build up.
I love her and I won’t let anyone else touch my face ever again. Definitely going to make an appointment in a couple of weeks to see her again and this time I’m going to bring my boyfriend. I’ll also be trying out their massages!

Yesterday I went to Tusuva for a Deep Cleaning Facial for the first time and Kaitlin took care of me. I felt completely comfortable with her. She made a great job with my face. I have no blackheads and my skin is completely soft. While I was under the steam, she made me a massage in the neck which felt great.
The place is beautiful and clean. you really feel well in there. And the price is fair. I have been in other places, more expensive and I didn’t feel so comfortable.
I highly recommend it!

Booked a couples massage for Valentine’s Day. Easy booking, text reminders, and 10% off if you pay in cash. Offered tea/​water upon arrival and the massages were awesome and targeted any problem areas. Received a 15% coupon for next booking. Will be back!

My sister gave me a 60-​minute massage and 30-​minute facial at TuSuva as a Christmas gift. This place was great! Friendly staff, great prices (I plan to return!) and a soothing atmosphere tucked away off of Columbia Road in Adams Morgan.
I’m not sure the name of my therapist but she found knots I had no idea that I had! Best massage I’ve had yet. The facial was nice too– I was a little surprised to have the extractions done by hand (another facial I had was done with a device) but my face in the end felt super clean and looked radiant.
I’m deducting one-​star because I didn’t like the smell of the facial products (and thus the towels) they used– it was incredibly strong and smelled like burnt rubber! I wish I was kidding! Even my husband could smell it on me, standing two feet away, when I came home. The smell lasted for another day and a half– despite two showers and sweating it out in the gym!

I have had a couple deep tissue massages at TuSuva with Garry (spelling?). He was awesome and every I went there, I left feeling way better. Place looks clean, and staff is friendly.

My boyfriend and I came here for our anniversary couple’s massage and it was fantastic! Everything you are looking for in a couple’s massage. Our own dimly-​lit room, spa music, hot stones, and two great masseuses. If you want to get your ZEN on, come here. You won’t regret it.

I went to this spa while working in DC. Great massage. Very relaxing and skilled therapist. Also got a facial, also very relaxing and stylist was very knowledgeable with good advice to keep my face clear. Somewhat unmarked entrance but, once you get inside and up the stairs its very nice.

I’ve been going here consistently for at least a year and am absolutely in love. I like every single massage therapist there, but April and Selly (spelling?) are my favorite. The 1-​hour deep tissue massages really help with my chronic neck pain. Don’t be afraid to vocalize what you want during your massage by the way! If you want more or less pressure, whoever you have will do it.
Love the owner. Love the space. Love the price (10% if you use cash!!)

I am hesitant to give 5 stars, but this place was perfect. My hesitation is that it means more and more people will go here, and it’ll be harder to book! Selfish reviewing is not helpful, though, so 5 it is. I should’ve written this review sooner, but, alas, finally here it is.
When arriving, I had to buzz/​ring to be let in and walk up the stairs. Cool, this means the foot traffic is reduced, and your experience can be even more peaceful. When you first enter the sitting/​main area, you are already at ease — welcomed with a beverage and a smile as you are asked to sit comfortably and await your service. The ambiance was soothing, peaceful and professional. The décor was pastel-​hued relaxation with a modern, clean yet not antiseptic feel. I had high hopes from Unilocal reviews, and the hopes continued as the time passed.
The aesthetician was careful, gentle (as gentle as can be for a facial with extractions), focused and rhythmic. All in all, the consultation from the beginning to the start to the middle to the end and the check out, the experience was perfect. Despite paying full price, I still felt like it was a bargain. During the experience, I was not prodded or poked, everything was quick but efficient, towels and products were soothing at the right time. Massages incorporated appropriately. Conversation at a minimum and focused on improving the experience. I was regularly aware of what was happening and up next due to the constant communication of the process — though most of the time, it was silent relaxation time.
This place is top notch, and you will pay for that experience. It’s your body though — why would you give it less than the best? Love this place! If I had deeper pockets, I’d go monthly!

Got a massage and facial here as part of a summer package. It was a little pricy, even with the discount, but both the massage and facial was good.

I love that this is a local, neighborhood business. I also love the personal touch with which Tusuva treats its clients. I was greeted by name when I arrived, offered a glass of spa water, and shown to a room by Helen.
She’s a great communicator. And I don’t just mean in the «this is what I’m applying now» sense. I mean in the setting parameters right at the outset sense. How often have you had an aesthetician tell you, «This is your time» and then let you choose the experience? As other reviewers have noted, you won’t be chatted up, given unsolicited advice or a product push — just straightforward answers to any questions you ask and the opportunity to zone out and relax.
In years past, I’ve gone to both Red Door and Serenity and it felt like I was being run through a pretty anonymous corporate spa mill. («Here’s your robe and your number.») As fellow Unilocaler D M. put it «The place itself is no-​frills in a good way; while they do have fruit infused water and the spa smells like a rainforest; it’s not pretentious, the staff is friendly and they don’t do the whole low whispery-​voice, synthetic zen thing.» For me, great customer service beats fancier space hands down.

There’s a lot to love about this place, but my five stars are mostly based on the facial I got from Helen. I’ve had maybe a half-​dozen facials in my life, and none have been like this one. I appreciate that Helen allowed me to relax and zone out instead of trying to talk to me and give me «tips» about my skin. I really liked how she didn’t criticize or make any comments about my skin. Helen is also amazing at extractions, somehow they were quick and painless, but also thorough? The whole experience was very relaxing. My skin looked and felt amazing afterwards– no blotchiness or irritation. My skin was smooth, glowing and feeling deeply clean.
I arrived 10 minutes late and super stressed out, but the atmosphere and attitude of everyone here quickly dispersed that. The little touches, like strawberry flavored water, a tote bag to put your things in, a robe and slippers to wear in between appointments, really make this place special.
I also had a massage from Nina. I would probably give the massage alone 3 or 4 stars, only because I prefer a little more pressure and concentration on problem areas. But it was also very relaxing and she certainly knows what she is doing as well.