My husband and I went to Aria spa for a couples massage. When we arrived, the place was empty except for one woman who was sitting on a massage chair in the front. It turns out, she was one of the massage therapists. After checking in, we had to pay upfront. This was at a discounted rate for their grand opening. After paying, we were told to go sit and that our massage therapists would come to get us soon. The front desk worker vaguely pointed to the massage seats, so my husband and I walked over. As soon as we sat down, two older Korean women came out and called for us. When we did not get up right away (my husband turning off his massage chair and me getting my things together), they kept calling for us.
We were led to a room with two massage tables draped with a towel on the bottom, a sheet over the towel and an even smaller sheet on top. The head-rest was part of the massage table and had a towel around the head-rest which ended up irritating my face during the entire massage. With no instruction other than, "take off your clothes", my husband and I got under the sheets (and I got under the towel) and waited. When they came in, they told us we were not supposed to get under all of the sheets, just the small one draped on top. Then, the massage started. Yep - without asking any questions about health history, likes and don't likes, requests, etc.
The massage therapists talked intermittently to each other during our massage. My husband, who speaks Korean (they did not know he spoke Korean), verified they did not say anything malicious which is one good feat. They did, however, say to each other that no customers get under the sheets properly, and they didn't understand why. I don't know, because we did not get any instructions? They also commented multiple times how handsome my husband was, both in Korean and English, and how muscular and strong he was. Like, we get it - thanks.
I am pretty sure our massage therapists previously worked in a Korean spa or bath-house, . These massages are not in any way, shape, or form similar to the massages you would receive at any chain massage center or massage school in America. If you are looking for a very vague, painful at times massage that is neither deep tissue or Swedish, and love it when people stand on your back and sit on your butt while massaging you, this is the right place. If that is not your kind of massage, I would advise going somewhere else.
Now, the massage is done. We are getting dressed, and while we are still changing, they open the door and stick their hand in with two water bottles. After we leave, we go to the front desk and ask how to tip. Now let me tell you, this was the worst massage I have ever experienced, but I know tipping is important. The massage was charged for approximately $100 for two people - so I was tipping $20 total, which would be a 20% for both of them. I hand one massage therapist a $20 bill, and she looks at me and says, "That's it? You need to tip both of us!" We explain this is for the both of them, and she repeats her previous statement. So, I tip another $20 while the massage therapist and the front desk worker are staring me down.
Long story short - my husband and I, avid massage lovers, will not be returning. I would love to know if these massage therapists are even licensed, because they did not take any of our experiences into mind. My therapist asked me once - ONCE, how I was doing. And at that point, I am on the bed, and don't want an angry massage therapist doing anything to me while I am slightly unaware. We would not recommend coming here unless you are a fan of rougher, un-structured Korean spa-like massages. read more