Julie B.
Yelp
I'm hesitant to share this review because it contrasts sharply with the many positive experiences I've read about, making mine seem like an anomaly. Yet, it remains my honest experience.
Recommended by friends in LA, I was excited to visit Tomoko, known as the go-to spot for massages. With a history of enjoying massages at high-end spas and five-star hotels, my expectations were high.
Upon arrival, I was informed I had been booked for a 90-minute full-body massage. I had actually booked a 65-minute session with a foot soak, not realizing this was part of their 90-minute treatment, which includes a 15-minute foot massage. A significant language barrier complicated the correction of this misunderstanding, and it wasn't until I was in the massage room and consulted their website that I realized the mix-up. Attempts to resolve the issue took time out of my session, starting things off on an anxious note.
The massage began well with an enjoyable foot soak. However, once on the table, I encountered a problem with the headrest. It was unstable, causing discomfort as my cheek pressed against a metal bar. Despite my masseuse's attempts to fix it, the issue persisted, leading to significant discomfort. Eventually, a solution involving a folded towel and later a pillow provided some relief, though not ideal.
The rest of the massage passed without relaxation, marred by the initial discomfort. Post-massage, I had less time than expected to shower and encountered further issues, including missing slippers, a malfunctioning rain shower, and a cold towel from an unheated warmer.
Despite bringing these concerns to the attention of the front desk and receiving a 10% discount, the gesture hardly compensated for the discomfort and the impact on my experience at what is considered a luxury spa. The resulting physical discomfort and bruising were disheartening, especially given the anticipation and cost of the visit.
While I acknowledge this experience might not reflect the norm given the spa's rave reviews, it was a deeply disappointing encounter that fell short of the high expectations set by both reputation and price.