10/30/09

Wonderful Spa!!

by Sweat

I Love, Love the staff and service at Sanctuary.

Shannon the best esthetician I ever had. I have a teenage son and will be back to see her. After my facial I had a massage with Androulla, what a passionate therapist, she took care of all my body aches and pains. Lunch was wonderful, pasta pesto chicken salad served with love. I asked who the owner was and I just want to say Brea the love shows in your Spa and staff. I will be back

• Pros: Best facials and massage
• Cons: n/a

Response from this business

breaji– November 01, 2009 at 08:36:11 PST

Thank you "Sweat"

Our foundation is based on relationships with all of our clients. "Love" has been expressed by many of our clients since the late 1980's so it looks like the tradition has maintained through the years. We are a dedicated group of professionals that truly love working with each other and love one another. We are like one big family. We appreciate that you feel and see it and thank you for expressing it so publically.

Brea

10/26/09

Some People Need Lessons in Customer Service

by houstonian01

I have gone to Sanctuary Spa D'Sante a few times.

I have always had great services from the estheticians there. The facials are wonderful. I love how they incorporate a great deal of body massage into the facials--even the shorter 30 minute facials. I really felt like my esthetician cared about me and my skin. She educated me on proper products to use, and even told me some ingredients to look for or avoid if I chose to use products other than the ones they sold. She acknowledged that there are other good brands out there--not just what they use. I think that's important.

I think I really can get a handle on my skin now.

The massage therapist, however, wasn't much short of a bitch. I recognized her voice when we met as the person who took my phone call when I booked the appointment. When I asked for an hour and fifteen minute massage (which they offer on the brochure) she told me that she doesn't DO them. When I asked for a deep tissue, she told me that she would decide what my body needed, and do only what it needed. I can respect that--it would help me not spend extra money on something un-necessary but the way she said it was very abrupt and sort of bossy. She wasn't very polite, and hung up the phone abruptly before I had the chance to confirm my appointment time with her.

When we met, she did use some endearing terms like "sweetheart" and "baby". I wonder if she overuses them to make up for her inability to relate to people on an emotional level.

The massage was great, and I do feel it was what my body needed. But what I needed was someone that was a bit more nurturing. My state of mind was not relax or at peace. I also felt like she was judging me after she began dispensing advice about my body's supposed "water retention" and told me I should be watching my sodium levels (I do take good care of my body, and it felt like she was accusing me of negligence)

Even though the massage was great, I also feel like it was shortened. My esthetician has always given me a full hour and fifteen minutes with the facial--she says they are booked out additional time afterward to get ready for their next client so they don't have to cut in to your actual treatment time for you to get dressed and undressed. My entire massage only lasted 45 minutes.

It is unacceptable. In my opinion, I will just keep getting the Restorative facial which includes plenty of leg, foot, back, arms, and chest massage instead of getting separate massages. I was really disappointed with Androulla. I could not remember her name at first, but saw it in the other reviews. I'm glad to see so many other people find her services indispensable...

If what you need is a little love and relaxation, I'd recommend a facial NOT a massage. You can't seem to go wrong with the estheticians.

• Pros: some friendly employees, beautiful facility, great services
• Cons: some VERY unfriendly employees

05/02/09

receptionist with attitude

by mitski

Receptionist indicated I would get 10% off services after I inquired about birthday discount. However, she gave me only $10 off instead of $25. She was rude when I was explaining this to her and later said it is 10% off only one service, which still didn't add up correctly and I wasn't told this in advance. She then hung up on me without any closure. My birthday is special and it certainly didn't feel like it going to this place. A pity, because the facial was fabulous.

• Pros: wonderful facial
• Cons: receptionist, price

Response from this business

breaji– September 08, 2009 at 11:12:12 PDT

Dear Mitski

I am disappointed this happened to you. I am certainly hopeful it was miscommunication. I am looking at one of our birthday cards now and here is what all of them say: "It is good for one service only ($20 maximum discount), Not valid with other discounts. Firm Expiration date of __, Card must be presented at time of service. Must be used by recipient - not transferable."

So I am hoping the $10 was correct. We never want any day to be a bad day here at Sanctuary - birthday or no birthday. I am happy your facial was fabulous.

Please call me - Brea - 713-622-7722

05/05/08

Amazing Massage Therapist!!!!!!!!!

by Ziggi

Fantastic Deep Tissue massage. I was truly impressed with Androulla, very knowledgeable and highly skilled massage therapist. I found Sanctuary to be very relaxed and friendly.

• Pros: comforting

Response from this business

breaji– November 18, 2008 at 13:04:00 PST

Hi Comforting

Thank you. We have three fabulous massage therapists and I invite you to try them all. Each one has many years experience and I am confident you will like them all.

Thank you for taking the time to tell the "city searchers" about us.

Brea

Owner

05/05/08

Fantastic Massage!!!!

by sagapo

WOW!!! the best massage I ever had by Androulla, what a loving, wonderful and friendly therapist. Awesome atmosphere and great staff. I will be back.

• Pros: FANTASTIC massage
• Cons: none

Response from this business

breaji– November 18, 2008 at 13:05:48 PST

Hi Fantastic Masage

Thank you!!!!! ;) I love to hear and read such awesome reviews. Go to the mountain and tell them all. Sanctuary Spa in Houston rocks!!!

Brea Gratia

Owner

04/27/08

Phenomenal

by texskiss

I had my first facial at Sanctuary D'Sante yesterday and it was one of the best I've EVER had. I can't say enough about Lindsey. She was wonderful and friendly. I thought the spa had a wonderful atmosphere. I am eager to go back!

• Pros: All thumbs up - no pressure to buy anything - fabulous facial - lovely staff!
• Cons: None

04/07/08

Awesome facials!!!

by meliro629

If you're looking for a great facial, go see Lindsay at Sanctuary. She is absolutely awesome and I can honestly say that, after having 2 facials with her in the past few weeks, my skin looks better than it has in a long time. She really takes her time and customizes the facial to your specific needs. The facials are a little on the expensive side but worth every penny!

• Pros: Great facials. No pressure to buy products, but help if you need it.
• Cons: None

Response from this business

breaji– September 08, 2009 at 11:14:22 PDT

Hi Meliro629

Just wanted to thank you for loving our work. Also, Just to let you know, all of our technicians perform the same protocol for the facials - it is standard here at Sanctuary Spa.

Brea

09/01/07

Excellent Massage - ask for Kristen

by happydachsies

My friend gave me a spa gift for my birthday this year. I had a massage with Kristen and I have to say that this is the BEST MASSAGE I had to date! Her technique is very flowing and smooth. I came out of the massage totally relaxed and stress free. For my husband birthday, I booked a massage for him with Kristen and he totally loved it. While he had his massage, I had a facial. To be honest, facial is not really my thing since my skin is so sensitive. But the chair that you lay down on while having a facial is AMAZING. It's so comfortable and the service is excellent. Both my husband and I would go back just to get a massage from Kristen again!

• Pros: I gave 5 Stars for the EXCELLENT Massage
• Cons: N/A

08/19/07

Beautiful day spa with highly qualified staff

by texrobin

If you want a truly wonderful experience this is the place to go. I went for a salt scrub, vichy shower, and massage. My overall experience was five star. I just moved to Houston from Austin and am a massage therapist myself. This spa is truly dedicated to do things right. From the time I made my appointment over the phone to the time I checked out I was very pleased with my experience. I loved how the vichy shower went from cold to hot. This is how hydrotherapy is supposed to work, but not many places actually do it this way. My massage was fantastic too. I'm glad I work close by because I will want to go on a regular basis. I'm not big on facials but I'll have to try them out since facials is what the spa is actually known for! If they are half as good as the body treatments I'll be spending lots of time there!

• Pros: beautiful, skill, customer service
• Cons: no locker room/showers

04/26/07

WONDERFUL PEOPLE AT A WONDERFUL SPA

by chunlisa

I came to this spa first for a great facial (The Cure, with Michelle) and it was phenomenal. It had a great massage built in and the Source Vital products are fantastic (a bit strong smelling at first if you're not used to it, but fabulous nonetheless). I didn't like the water bag that they had me lay on . . . it felt like a water bed and made me a bit uncomfortable but I would just ask for it to be removed next time and I'm sure it'd be no problem. Everyone at the Spa really wants to please the client.

I've gone in twice for the Shiro Byhanga with Reyne Nix and she is fantastic FANTASTIC massage therapist. I went in today for an 85 minute massage and I felt so relaxed afterwards. This is not some fluffy massage where you're just being touched. The girls at Sanctuary D'Sante really UNDERSTAND your muscles and how they interact and they really work to heal alleviate soreness and tightness from every day stress. Androulla is also fantastic. My favorite, however, is Reyne because not only is she a great therapist, she has a great attitude and always puts a smile on my face. She seems to really love her job and her clients and it shows.

• Pros: Parking, Experienced Staff, Ambiance
• Cons: Somewhat pricey (but worth it for the services)