Location: Absolute Spa @ the Century, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Category: Hotel spa and salon
Price Range: Massages ($85-$240) Facials ($110-$195) Body Treatments ($175-$319)
Signature Treatments: Absolute RX Facial, West Coast Gemstone Jewel Massage
Treatments Received: Moor Mud Facial, Moor Mud Foot Treatment, Circulator Anti-Swelling Treatment, Thermal Hair and Scalp Treatment
Summary: This spa aggressively promotes its celebrity following and the possibility of rubbing elbows with the stars. The reality is, star clients are few and far between, but the everyday consumer is a spa’s bread and butter and should be the one receiving star treatment. Don’t plan on it. This place is big on sizzle, but no steak.
Privacy is a HUGE problem here. Set on the corner of a busy Vancouver street, the main floor of the three-story Absolute Spa features wraparound, floor to ceiling windows that allow pedestrians outside to peer in at guests wearing robes and nothing else. What’s worse, as you climb an exposed flight of stairs to the hair and nail salon above, passersby get a free peep show UNDER your robe. Welcome to the fishbowl!
The spa’s relaxation lounge, treatment rooms, changing area and café were all located in the lower level of the spa, down a narrow staircase. Add a pair of spa sandals filled with slippery, freshly pedicured feet and you have a recipe for a serious tumble.
Services left much to be desired. The hefty spa menu offered dozens of enticing sounding treatments, but the execution was disappointing. The therapists were scattered, showing up late for the appointment, wandering in and out of the room during the treatments, and showing little concern for our comfort. That lack of professionalism extended to the receptionist and the makeup artist as well. Everyone seemed like they were on auto-pilot, herding people through like an assembly line. The only enthusiasm or polite attention we received was when a staff member was pushing us to buy product. When we declined, they went back to their lackluster attitudes.
Would we go back? NO. Would we recommend you spend your hard earned money on this overrated and overpriced spa? ABSOLUTELY not.
Category: Hotel spa and salon
Price Range: Massages ($85-$240) Facials ($110-$195) Body Treatments ($175-$319)
Signature Treatments: Absolute RX Facial, West Coast Gemstone Jewel Massage
Treatments Received: Moor Mud Facial, Moor Mud Foot Treatment, Circulator Anti-Swelling Treatment, Thermal Hair and Scalp Treatment
Summary: This spa aggressively promotes its celebrity following and the possibility of rubbing elbows with the stars. The reality is, star clients are few and far between, but the everyday consumer is a spa’s bread and butter and should be the one receiving star treatment. Don’t plan on it. This place is big on sizzle, but no steak.
Privacy is a HUGE problem here. Set on the corner of a busy Vancouver street, the main floor of the three-story Absolute Spa features wraparound, floor to ceiling windows that allow pedestrians outside to peer in at guests wearing robes and nothing else. What’s worse, as you climb an exposed flight of stairs to the hair and nail salon above, passersby get a free peep show UNDER your robe. Welcome to the fishbowl!
The spa’s relaxation lounge, treatment rooms, changing area and café were all located in the lower level of the spa, down a narrow staircase. Add a pair of spa sandals filled with slippery, freshly pedicured feet and you have a recipe for a serious tumble.
Services left much to be desired. The hefty spa menu offered dozens of enticing sounding treatments, but the execution was disappointing. The therapists were scattered, showing up late for the appointment, wandering in and out of the room during the treatments, and showing little concern for our comfort. That lack of professionalism extended to the receptionist and the makeup artist as well. Everyone seemed like they were on auto-pilot, herding people through like an assembly line. The only enthusiasm or polite attention we received was when a staff member was pushing us to buy product. When we declined, they went back to their lackluster attitudes.
Would we go back? NO. Would we recommend you spend your hard earned money on this overrated and overpriced spa? ABSOLUTELY not.
Facility: 3 Services: 3 Staff: 3
Highs:
- Luncheon salad served in spa café was delicious and appealing in presentation
- Chilled cucumber compresses
- Women’s dressing room door doesn’t automatically close leaving you exposed to male spa guests passing by
- Vichy shower water only one temperature