Ruth N.
Yelp
My wonderful partner took me to Urban Sanctuary today as a surprise birthday gift, and he made an excellent choice! This was the first time there for both of us, although I have enjoyed many massages at day spas, massage studios, and massage schools (by instructors and students) across the country.
Parking is in a private lot in back. Take the stairs to the right (facing the back of the building) or the sloping brick sidewalk to the left to walk around and enter through the front door. Beginning half way around the building the two of us could smell the relaxing herbal scents from inside. We entered the building and were immediately in a relaxing and tastefully decorated living room-style waiting area. 3 large black leather easy chairs and a matching large couch, complete with throw pillows the perfect size to support the lower back were clustered around a grated fireplace. The store opens to the side of this area through a wide archway, offering a nice selection of organic boutique-quality bath and body products, all of which smell delightful. The decor is clean, softly lit with lovely window appointments, with a very relaxing and appealing style of decoration. Again, the smells are perfect and immediately encourage guests to speak quietly and breath deeply while sinking into a chair.
I was promptly greeted and offered my choice of tea or bottled water (complimentary) by a friendly staff person, along with a heated neck/shoulder wrap. She popped by a few minutes later to explain that they were running behind, due to an earlier client. Along with her apologies she offered me a free foot soak! Who could be upset? Massages are always running a little late, everywhere I go, but this was the first time I was offered a free treatment for it, so I suspect they're usually very punctual.
A nice, thick towel was laid out in front of my chair in the waiting area, and a large red hand-made (I'm guessing) bowl was placed on it. A scoop of fragrant powder with small dried flowers in it was placed in the bowl. She then poured hot water in from a large glass pitcher. I dipped my feet slowly in, letting them adjust to the heat, and enjoyed the new rising fragrance. They really have a talent for using smells that blend well together there. My feet felt wonderful in no time, and I reclined into bliss with warm toes and steamy neck/shoulders. All of this before I even left the waiting area!
They were only running 10m late, it turns out, which was a perfect amount of time for my feet to soak. By then even my rough peds were relaxed, and my skin was well conditioned and soft without being oily. My massage therapist (male) appeared, dried my feet, and placed slippers on my feet. I shuffled happily after him, through the door and down a short hall to my massage room.
After a quick pee in the cute restroom next door, complete with it's own extra space heater, robes and a shower with towels, he asked if I had ever had a massage before. I did, but explained that it was my first there. He then explained what their 2 person massage was. That's right, my sweetheart had gotten me 1 full hour with 2 massage therapists! Now THAT is love! After he left, I undressed and slipped under the sheet. The room was painted muted, dark earth tones, which set the mood well. Soft Asian-inspired music played in the background there were ample hooks, chairs and table spaces for my clothing. At the same time, the room was spacious, pleasantly (softly) lit, and (of course) smelled soooo relaxing. He returned shortly after, followed by a female massage therapist, and introduced her. He started at my legs and feet, while she worked on my back, after gently entering my personal space with that nice rocking thing that massage therapists do.
They are well choreographed there! They both began on the right side, then the left, with each quadrant receiving massage both by hand and with hot rocks! Heaven! Ample amounts of high quality oil were used, but not too much. I rolled over (with some effort, at that point) and he worked on my shoulders, neck and scalp, while she worked on my feet. At the end I was left to slowly pull myself together, remove a little excess oil with one of their towels, dress, and shuffle back out in my slippers. Ben returned my socks and shoes to me and chuckled as I mumbled my appreciation to the staff and to him. I was offered another bottle of water and advised to hydrate myself especially well for the rest of the day. The two of us exited down the sidewalk, as I didn't think I could navigate the stairs on the other side, and he drove me home to the best nap I have had in months. Even he slept more soundly than usual, which he chalked up to relaxing in their aromatic waiting area for an hour.
We WILL return for their couple's massage to celebrate the end of required doctoral coursework in the spring. Who am I kidding? I won't wait that long.