The Bell Tower Salon Spa

I got Allison, and she truly did an amazing job! I feel like a movie star, she did exactly what I asked for and even went a bit further to show me the simplicity of the style, for the same price as lords and ladies but a much better deal!!! And the place had an excellent atmosphere good music and even better company! I will be coming back and bringing friends!!!

The staff is very friendly and helpful. I always have great experience there.

As always, Angel did a fantastic job on my waxing and Almond Manicure/​Pedicure. She consistently exceeds expectations and is the reason I have been a regular customer for the past couple of years. Keep up the great work!

Audra has magical scissors and an uncanny way of knowing just how to transform hair from blah to beautiful.

I’ve never been here to get my hair done; my review is based solely on my «spa day» experience.
I had purchased a package deal for three services & I also used a gift certificate that I had from my Discover card. I got a microdermabrasion, a massage, and a Brazilian wax. Let me preface this by saying that this was NOT my first microdermabrasion but it WAS my first Brazilian wax.
I felt like they did things out of order. I would have preferred to get the Brazilian wax done first, then the microdermabrasion, and lastly, my massage. The Bell Tower Salon/​Spa did not do it in that order.
The lady started off by doing my microdermabrasion. As I previously stated, this was not my first rodeo. I know what to expect. For those who have not had this done, it feels as though 20 cats are licking your face. It didn’t feel like that at all this time; I was very confused.
Next came the massage. That was the best thing of the day.
Last was the dreaded Brazilian wax. Prior to having this done, I did my research. I didn’t think that it would be a fun and/​or pleasurable experience by any means. HOWEVER, I did not expect to be doing the ugly cry (you know the one where you’re kind of hyperventilating with snot bubbles coming out of your nose) The lady was from a different country (European I believe) so I’m not sure if it was a cultural thing, but she was NOT friendly — at ALL. There was no countdown, no nothing. She didn’t explain what she was doing so I had no idea what was going on. She used soft (terrible!) wax and just YANKED it! She didn’t hold my skin to keep it taut or ask me to. I was in visible pain and she decided it was a good idea to slap the inside of my leg in an attempt to get me to stop. EXCUSE ME?! WHAT IN THE —- IS WRONG WITH YOU?!
I was in so much pain I couldn’t even let her finish. She told me that there was only a few more spots to go but I literally could take no more. I have 8 tattoos as well as two piercings on places where babies eat from so I think I have a pretty high pain tolerance. I left the salon sobbing.
I wake up the next morning and my face is COVERED in blisters. It hurts to the touch. I call the salon numerous times and could not get in touch with a manager. I email them a couple of times throughout the next couple of days. I finally hear back from someone and they want me to come in for a complimentary service with another esthetician. I just paid over $ 100 and I’m now unable to leave my house because of how terrible my face looks in addition to my lady bits being on fire. I personally thought the appropriate thing to do would be to offer a sincere apology for my piss poor experience in addition to their lack of returning my phone calls and emails in a timely fashion, get a refund, and ask that I come back to the salon with services provided by different people. I asked for a refund; they only gave me my money back for the microdermabrasion and the Brazilian wax. Really? Wowersz. I will not be coming back here EVER and I told each and everyone of my neighbors about my horrible experience at Bell Tower.

I just moved to the area and Bell Tower has been my go to for all things beauty. I have used their hair services, Style lounge and waxing services and have nothing but positive things to say. Everyone is incredibly nice and I always leave ecstatic with how I look and feel.

Make no mistake– I go to The Bell Tower because it is the single luxury I give myself.
It is pricey, but a wise client knows exactly what to schedule and how to buy «in bulk» at times when specials are offered. I do wish they offered more specials aimed toward long term client-​needs, however, why do I spend the money? Simply put: this place is on par with the likes of salons in Europe and LA. There is no comparison in even a long-​range area.
My suggestion is to find out from other clients beforehand who are the best stylists before booking. Yes– level 1 may be better than a level2 or higher. It depends who is there. The facials are also exceptional, with much of the staff having been with the company for 10 – 20 years or more. They are knowledgeable and courteous.
The only issue I have with Bell Tower is that the lobby area is «high pressure.» The glamazons behind the customer service desks seem unable to smile and send the welcoming area into a dark frost. There is no joy in the waiting area. The glare at incoming clients and dodge direct questions with one word answers or glazed over looks that are too cliché for reality.
No warmth and welcoming, just taking a guest name and staring blankly. Twice this month, I was checked in and then stared at, …silently,…rather than directed to the seating area. *Knock knock, hello?* (Past this area, with the professional services, the customer experiences completely the opposite– warm, friendly, professional). However, even on check out, the glamour girls at the desk lack the small talk skills and are all about the bill. They seem irritated if asked about anything other than the bill or other appointments.
After the massages, facials, and beauty fun… this end to end treatment by the front desk staff is rather like throwing a bucket of cold water on the entire experience. I hope the management pays attention and adds color, warmth, and personality training to the front desk staff.

I had an awesome massage by Joan. The spa is nicely decorated, the atmosphere is relaxing and the treatment rooms are far enough away from the hair salon section to be quiet. Joan gives a fabulous massage!

Joan gives the BEST prenatal massages! I have had 2 prenatal massages by Joan during my pregnancy. She is very knowledgeable on massage techniques. I can’t wait to come back after baby is born to get a regular massage from her!

I feel so spoiled every time I get my hair done here because I always leave happy with my hair and with what I asked for. The receptionists are as sweet as pie and my hair dresser did an amazing job adding ombré to my hair. After my latest appointment I went to the mall and within an hour someone came up to me asking where I got my hair done because she went to lords and ladies to get ombré and they gave her something completely different. I definitely recommend. The whole experience is really enjoyable.

My mother and I came in for the South Beach Experience (facial, massage, reflexology, Suisse shower.) I think the only reason I am not giving 1 star is because my facial was quite nice.
It was a problem from the beginning– we couldn’t get in contact with anyone but the «answering service,» then never got a call back after leaving our information with the person who answered. Two days later (after when we were first trying to schedule), we called again and tried scheduling again. Finally we were able to make appointments.
We waited for about a half an hour after our appointment time, then I was taken up to the spa. My mother, though, waiting yet another 30min until she had to remind someone that she was still there waiting.
The woman doing my facial– I wish I could remember her name– was great. She talked me through what she was doing and critiqued the products I use (of course she mentioned that I should use the one that the Bell Tower sells, but I can’t blame her for that; I did ask her opinion.) The facial ended with a wonderful face and shoulder massage. It was the most relaxing part of the day.
Then my massage therapist came in and everything went downhill fast. She started a scalp massage and I thought she was using one of those wire thingys– nope, it was her fingers. It felt like prodding, not a massage. This continued throughout the session– I wasn’t so much rubbed as prodded and squeezed here and there. I was coming back from a shoulder injury and told her as much but she insisted on using firm pressure around the area. I let her know it was uncomfortable but it didn’t stop. The same thing happened while she was working on other areas. The pressure was far too rough and in the wrong places (I am not a masseuse by any means but I have had wonderful massages before and know a muscle should not be pressed painfully into a bone.) She worked for maybe 5 minutes massaging my scapula bone, convinced it was a knot. When I tried to politely tell her otherwise she hushed me and talked about the «release» I would feel.
I could go on and on but I will summarize to– worst massage ever. My shoulder came out worse than going in and I was achy everywhere she worked. There was no reflexology either.
Finally the Suisse shower came. The shower was missing tiles and mouldy. I spent maybe 5 of the 10 minutes it was supposed to last trying to overlook it, then got out and was over the entire experience.
I would not recommend Bell Tower for a massage or spa treatment. I cannot speak to their haircuts and nail work, but I had a very bad experience. The receptionist was responsive to my complaints about the shower but not to my comments about the therapist ignoring my requests for a different pressure.
(Later I found out my mom had the same therapist years ago and all the same problems…)

I have my hair cut here and it was the best one I’ve ever gotten! I’m really here to review their café, which I feel like not many people realize they have. Their chicken tomato orzo soup is amazing, love the pasta salad. Hummus was delicious, really good shakes. I’m telling you to try it, the food is GREAT!

I just got a cut done by Carolyn and I am very impressed with her layering skills. I told her what I was looking for and did not have a photo to show. She analyzed my hair texture and gave me exactly what I wanted. She also explained the products very well to me and did not pressure me into purchasing them. Her assistant Audrey was also very helpful and professional. Carolyn is one of the more experienced artists there but is worth the money.
I did get a massage about a year ago and loved it. It definitely has that spa feel in terms of the rooms, décor, and process. The only thing I wish they had was a little lounge area to relax and hang out with friends after a massage like the other spas I’ve been to in the past. That’s they only reason why I am docking off a star.

I’ve been to the Bell Tower many times but lately everything seems to be getting messed up. They booked the wrong amount of time for my massage, booked me for the wrong massage, used the wrong oils and overall have just had poor customer relations. The people who work at the desk are stuck up and try to help you the least amount possible. They never take any responsibility for anything. I complained about not getting my facial that was included in one of the massage specials and they told me they would honor the facial and call me back to schedule a date. When I called questioning about when I was to get my facial (since I paid for it!) they pretended to have no idea what I was talking about and didn’t do anything to correct the issue.
Every time I book a special they use the unscented oil (probably because it’s cheaper) when I specifically request their special of ginger oil. You have to check about every small detail with the masseuse or you will not get what you paid for. The last massage I had was very fast paced and actually made me more stressed by the end. It was almost as if they were ticked for having to do their job and were trying to do the worst job possible. The girl was nice but did not know how to give a relaxing massage. I felt as though I was man handled. To top it off they used the wrong oil again for their special! When I said something they told me that the oil didn’t really have a scent anyway. That’s false advertising!!!
WILL NOT GO BACK!

I went for my first ever massage, and my goodness I’m kicking myself for waiting so long! (I can do that now… my legs are quite limber after my amazing massage!) My masseuse was fantastic, the girl who did my nails was fantastic… there were 7 of us out for a girls’ day and they accommodated all of us and they did it brilliantly! All of us spent the rest of the day lounging in relaxed bliss, and I can’t wait to go back!

Being newer to the West Reading area I went to Bell Tower for several different services from nails to waxing to hair and makeup. Not all of the services were perfect but many of them are. The service at Bell Tower overall is amazing, the customer service I have received has been impeccable and they have certainly appeared to want to make me happy.
I received wedding services (hair and makeup) that was so perfect I almost cried before the ceremony. Carly who managed all my wedding services was always available and quickly would get back to me leaving nothing to worry about.
Every day services I get are mani/​pedi and color/​cut. Leah Perlman is my hair specialist and she is amazing in every sense of the word, wants to make you happy and she makes me happy every time I am there. I use multiple specialists for nail service and have never been unhappy.

OH MY, I went there for another time and was never so upset at the «chop job» that I had. I should have listened to myself and not returned!
I asked for a shaping of a short cut and was SPECEFIC at what I wanted and this «level“1 stylist — who should never have a pair or hair shears — ruined my hair!
It will take weeks, months to grow out!
NEVER will I return and all of you out there — dont go there!

Gorgeous spa built in an old farm building. Completely redone, the spa is beautifully laid out with a hair salon, med-​spa, massage, facials and nail services available.
It is the perfect spot for both men and women who are seeking upscale spa services at affordable prices.

The Bell Tower was once in the city in an old mansion with a brick tower, hence the name. It is known as one of the best in town, quite the status symbol if you went there at one time, though Berks has tons of great salons now. Its new location is in what looks like a former carriage house on Penn Avenue and State Hill Road.
My spouse goes for his hard-​to-​manage Russian hair. Laura understands his needs and always gives a great cut. I’d give them a try but am loyal to my own salon. They have the amazingly scented Oribe products, but at $ 50 each, he doesn’t buy often. I almost did once, with a $ 10 coupon but then was bummed to find the coupon was only for their boutique. So no Bumble curl crème for me.
They finally let you tip on a credit card, hurray.
Their apothecary has plenty of neat things to keep you sniffing and spritzing if you have to wait, which is rare. There is a coffee bar and café in a small building in the parking lot. It can be a bit tricky getting in and out of here, despite the convenient geography.

Whenever I’m in Reading, I stop here to get my hair done by a Level 1 stylist, usually Hayley who is just fantastic. So I decided that I would come here for my wedding, bringing two bridesmaids along. If you’re not having a huge princess wedding be prepared to fight with them. I had to explain, multiple times to multiple people, that no I would not being paying for a trial styling because I live four hours away. The receptionists believed that the trial was absolutely required, because it was a wedding, and told me that I had to get permission to skip the trial. The fact that I was told I had to get permission was absurd, but I stuck with it because I knew that I absolutely wanted to get my hair done by Hayley.
I left messages, and played phone tag, with the very curt woman who manages the reservations that I seemed to be inconveniencing with my questions. I gave her the names of my bridesmaids (and spelled my friend’s last name which was short but unusual) and what they needed, and when I asked for a confirmation email and found that their names were completely butchered, that the services I asked for were wrong — maybe I wasn’t being clear enough. I was almost afraid to call back and deal with that woman again, but I was able to fix everything via email.
Luckily that’s where my bad experience ended. Day of, my manicure and pedicure were the tops and my hair looked AMAZING. I would recommend Bell Tower again, just not for anyone who has a group. Including a bridal party.