So happy I found this spot during my stay in Monterey! Shae did my 30-minute relaxing neck, shoulder, and back massage. It was incredible & I really wished I booked a 60 or 90-minute massage with her! She was so kind and really focused on helping me feel better. Definitely one of the best massages I've ever received. Amy did a 45-minute mini facial for me, and that was also amazing! It was my first time ever getting a facial, so I wasn't sure what to expect. But it ended up being very relaxing and I even got a massage out of it as well. I'm excited to see the effects of all the products. Thank you ladies & I'll be sure to return next time I'm in Monterey :) read more

Cheryl at Elysium is the best you will find! She is an excellent and intuitive masseuse with a kind heart. Her massages are so good and beneficial for days/weeks after. After my first massage, I knew I had to book more and get in a regular rotation with her. I also look forward to trying the facials at Elysium as well. You won't be disappointed!! read more

This review is based on their former location. I was remiss in not doing this sooner. We haven't been to their current location as they don't have a couples room there. We went to the prior location many times. The ambiance was pleasant and relaxing and the people were always very friendly. Our massages were the best! The difference in how we'd feel was lasting. It certainly didn't hurt that their prices are reasonable! Although we'd have separate rooms, my husband and I may end up back at Elysium as no other place compares. The only drawback for us was they didn't have a place to shower, but you usually pay a lot extra anyway for places that have those amenities. read more

Beautiful relaxing spa setting for a reasonable price. Cheryl is a wonderful massage therapis. I had a significant reduction in pain and a greater range of motion after her massages. very relaxing and renewing. Brittany does amazing facials and provides other skin care services. my rosacea has significantly reduced and my complexion has improved under her care. I highly recommend this spa. read more

When I walked in it smelled so nice! Brittany was the sweetest, she was very gentle with my skin which I really appreciated. She was not rough and her extraction didn't hurt at all. I liked that she told me about some of the products that she used on my skin and told me none of them were harsh. The head massage she gave me in the end was extra relaxing. If you are in town swing by here for a relaxing facial and you won't regret it! read more

I was on vacation and my back was in so much pain that I could barely move. However after my appointment I felt much much better. She was friendly and even gave advice on how to maintain my back over time. I am very grateful to her if ever I'm in town I will visit again. My appointment was mother's day and I've been meaning to give this review so I'm glad I got to it. HUGE thanks to her for helping my back! read more

They do not return phone calls, I called and left a detailed voicemail with my phone number so they can call me back to set up an appointment for a spa package of $250 , I called again but no answer. What kind of buisness doesn't answer their own buisness phone or return calls. I guess i am not the only one this has happened to as I came across another review with the similar situation as mine. Guess I'll book at Monterey Day Spa you have the capability to book your appointment online, they answer the phone the first time you call and very nice. read more

Writing a second review but this time for Brittany, the facial I received from her was amazing! She taught me more about my skin and used products that were clean and felt so refreshing. I can't wait to book my next one. She also had great tips and suggestions for products to use for an at home routine. Great experience! read more

I first came to Elysium looking for a relaxing massage. And received and excellent massage by Cheryl. I felt comfortable and she checked in making sure the pressure was right. I came back a month later for a facial by Brittany after seeing high reviews about her. It was the best facial experience I've had and I came to learn and adopt and new skin care routine. Brittany explained the products and what they were doing to my skin. She explained things in a way that connected to my background in science. Not only did I leave feeling relaxed and glowing, but I felt educated and ready to start a new skin journey! She is very knowledgeable and the custom facial was just what I needed! She also followed up with me that evening to let me know I can ask her any questions. I can't wait to come back! read more

The space is small but cozy the beds are heated and toasty and I enjoyed my 80 minute massage and 80 min facial. I would return if I get back to Sea Side. read more

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Wow, where do I even begin. From the moment my friend and I walked in I had a bad feeling about this place. The receptionist did not greet us for like 10 minutes, as she was busy chatting. One of the first things we noticed was that there was a strong acrylic nail salon as you walked in. Once we were finally seated in the "relaxation" area, we were surprised that there were no robes or slippers for us to put on. Instead we were expected to "relax" in our jeans. Multiple times the receptionist called us "girls" and told us to be sure to take off our shoes before lounging. Her tone seemed very condescending. We then decided to have some hot tea before our massages. What kind of place doesn't have caffeine free or herbal tea? I opted for the strawberry lemonade flavor - tasted way too sweet that I couldn't even drink it! After waiting for about 20 minutes, our massage therapists finally greeted us. Much to our surprise we were separated into two different rooms. Weird because my friend said her room had 2 beds in it?!! Apparently I got the worst room with the only non-hydraulic massage bed...great. Then things got really bad. The bed was kinda squeaky and moved a lot in the beginning. Then about 30 minutes into my massage, the bed BROKE! Apparently the bed was on stilts and the right side of the bed slightly collapsed and jerked my neck. Ouch! I originally came in to ease my neck and back strain from a car accident that happened a few weeks ago... this only made it worse! I should have stopped the massage right then and there, as I was now in more pain than ever before. Instead I opted to finish the massage hoping it would feel better. Instead I felt in more pain and stressed out. I do have to say that my massage therapist (Shayna?) was very good and she felt really bad that the bed broke. It definitely wasn't her fault, but come on. What kind of spa thinks its okay to have a bed thats not functioning properly when they were aware of it! And why the heck didn't they put my friend and I together with the better beds!! When my massage finally ended, I was left covered in greasy lotion. I felt disgusting. Usually a massage therapist wipes it off for you. Instead, I was left having to wipe it off myself. I then proceeded to check out and the receptionist didn't even ask how it was. She just said she heard about what happened from my massage therapist. She wasn't apologetic at all. Instead I had to tell her I was in more pain so she offered 10% off to justify or make up for the terrible experience. Are you kidding me?! My massage therapist then came out and said "I feel really bad, we shouldn't charge her." But the receptionist insisted on charging me and didn't express any concern. The massage was originally $100, but she ended up discounting it to $75. Perhaps this was their attempt to fix things but considering it jerked my neck causing significant pain they fell short of properly addressing the issue. Feeling worse than ever, I unhappily walked out and told my friend to meet me in the car. Within 10 minutes of leaving the spa, the massage therapist called to apologize again and offered to refund me. She was very polite and considerate, which I appreciated. It just seemed like she was the only one that cared and who had a sense of customer service. I woke up today with an intense sharp pain on my neck. I'm especially concerned because now I have extremely limited movement and a stiff neck. Totally regret coming here. read more

They've moved yet again and this time they've really outdone themselves. They have transformed this space into a gorgeous land of relaxation and I cannot wait to visit more often. I went in the other day and thoroughly enjoyed my massage by Liz. It was relaxing in a sense that I'm pretty sure I was drooling and stuck in a state somewhere in between being awake and not but I left feeling revitalized and with a big smile. Elysium is located on Sargent Court which is a couple blocks away from their recent location on Cass Street. Staff is super friendly, welcoming and knowledgeable and they offer a plethora of services. Definitely go check them out! read more

I've honestly lost track of how many times I've had a massage with Cheryl, because she's just so great I keep coming back! I have bad back problems that basically force me to get a massage every few weeks. Cheryl knows exactly what to work on and I always leave feeling ten times better. Online scheduling is a plus if you're like me (I hate calling to make appointments and then have the other party return the call and end up leaving voicemail messages back and forth). read more

This review is a bit over due. My husband and I had a couples massage in April for our 2 years wedding anniversary. I booked the massage in advance. I added a star because they stayed open late for our appointment (we wanted an late afternoon/early evening massage on a Sunday). I have to say if my husband was writing this review, Elysium would have gotten 5 stars. We were both in the same room, why the difference in experience? Not exactly sure. Luck of the draw. We got there early and were taken to the relaxation lounge. A beverage was offered (tea or champagne). I had a hard time relaxing because we were in street clothes (no robes offered) and I don't like to put my shoes on furniture. A minor problem, nothing to subtract stars about. My husband's massage therapist was old school, probably a former hippy who has been doing massage for years. I got the girl who I had mistaken for the receptionist. She had strong hands but the massage was sub par. I had explained that I had some very specific areas that needed work, my hands and forearms and my calves. I think I had booked a regular massage, but I said I wanted a deep tissue massage and I was willing to pay extra for it. I did pay for a deep tissue couples massage. I kept having to ask for more pressure, again and again. The MT even remarked that she had never used that amount of pressure on a hand before. Just as I would begin to relax into a specific region, the MT would switch to another body part. I felt like she spent more time fiddling with the sheet than massaging my body. By the end of the massage she rubbed my calves (not really a massage) and that was that. I knew a 1 hour massage would not fix everything, but I was expecting to feel a bit better. I didn't even have the blissed-out feeling that I have gotten any other time I have received a massage. My husband felt great, blissed out and happy. I felt cheated out of the experience. The cherry was during the massage she released one of my psoas muscles (in the hip) and not the other so when we were walking home my back began to spasm (mildly). 1 star from me, 5 stars from him but since I am writing the review, 2 stars and a disappointment. read more

I had a gift card for Elysium and let me tell you - if I didn't already love my mother-in-law, I do now. This place was fantastic. I booked a prenatal 90 minute massage with Minji... Amazing... First, I love prenatal massages with the cutout belly pillow. If there is no way for me to lay on my stomach, it's a waste of my time. Check. Second, I love heated beds because I hate to be cold (and often am). Check. Third, I love when the person asks if the pressure needs to be lighter, firmer, etc. because it often needs a bit of adjustment to be just right. Check. Fourth, I REALLY LOVE MILITARY DISCOUNTS! Oh yes, you heard it here. 15% off which means a 90 minute massage is less than $100. Check. Most definitely, I will be back... Check. read more

****This is an update to my original review**** I couldn't wait to get back here! I wanted to come back for my birthday so I booked an afternoon for some friends and I. Katie was a Jem assisting me with booking the afternoon with really short notice. So once again we drove down to Monterey just to spend the day here. The 4 of us arrived and were quickly escorted to the relaxation room-10 We waited with super yummy champagne and chocolates-10 It didn't take long until we were all getting our facials and massages. I got Jody this time for my Facial. She was great! A little softer than Amy but non the less-Great! I had my massage again with Suzanna-10 stars!!! I love this lady! It was even better than I remember. Still the best Spa I have ever been to and every person I have come into contact with in person or over the phone are 10 stars!!! I would totally suggest to Elysium, as all 4 of us would have loved it, is to provide the robes and slippers while waiting in the relaxation room. That is a great part of the spoiling yourself that rocks! Can't wait til next months trip!!! read more

So I managed to tweak my back reaching down to tie my shoe. Isn't it great leaving your formerly-effortlessly-healthy youthful body behind? When I complained to my wife, she said "hang on, I know just the person" and called Elysium. A day later, I had an appointment for a deep-tissue massage with Ashley. And holy cow, was it deep! Ashley was great--no nonsense about energy, chakras, or balancing the flow of my internal rhythms. She walked in, asked me where it hurt, and immediately identified the affected muscles, by name, based on my description. Kudos for that! She heated my back with some steaming-hot towels to loosen the muscles, and then went to work. Ashley used hands, forearms, and elbows to knead and lengthen both the knotted muscle and the ones that had tightened in response. And even though my sore muscles were protesting the whole time, by the end my back had gone from beef jerky to tri-tip. The deep-tissue work is not for sissies--so be aware of that. It was exactly what I needed, though. Ashley was knowledgeable, professional, REALLY strong, and very sympathetic to my pathetic whining as she did what was necessary to fix me. If you're ever in need of some serious loosening up, she's the one for you. I know I'll be back! read more

Elysium is a calm, loving relaxing environment. Every experience from getting a massage, facial or receiving a mani / pedi. Is like heaven on earth. Cathy, Sara, Ashley, Whitney ,Liz, Sue, Lelia, and Charlene all live up to the name TOTAL BLISS. I recommend if you are in the Monterey area to book your massage with Elysium Day Spa it will be an experience of a lifetime.. read more

Idyllic and quiet, Monterey makes for great day spa-ing, which is why I booked a sesh during my visit. Before subjecting my lady parts to the Brazilian treatment, I was able to relax for a few minutes in the appropriately titled Relaxation Room. Charlene waxed me and her calm demeanor really kept me at ease, at least as much ease as I could muster. Sensing my pain, she told me about "No Scream Cream," an anesthetic you put on half an hour before your waxing appointment. I went home and immediately ordered a batch. Beauty may be pain, but I'm gonna make it as minimal as possible if I can help it. read more

First of all they are open on Christmas Eve!! Crazy props for that. I basically like everything about this place. The super user friendly online reservation system, good hours, the relaxation room that you can rest in beforehand, and of course the massage itself! I got deep tissue one hour with Sara. I had some very tight knots from working out and carrying a newborn around, and she sure did work them till I was super relaxed and refreshed. And the massage chair was heated and super comfy. I will be coming back for sure!! read more

I am a TOTAL fan of ELYSIUM...everyone there is professional and fabulous! I see Cathie and Sarah as my nail tech's, Ashley as my massage therapist, Charlene as my aestetician and Liz as my spray tan expert! I cannot say enough about them all. I enjoy going there as I have made friends with everyone who works there regardless of whether I see them personally or not. The caliber of their work is extraordinary. When I started seeing Cathie for my nails I had severe lifting problems with my acrylics, which I no longer have. Charlene has given me the best waxing and facials I have received anywhere. Liz has made me look fabulous when I was a white ghost. Ashley has fixed my back so well that I don't have to see my chiropractor anymore... What more can I say, a group of distinguished professionals in a relaxing environment more could you ask for?!!! read more

90 minute deep tissue massage. OMG Lisa is the shit! If you're looking for a massage therapist that knows what she's doing book an appointment with Lisa. The place looked like a duplex that was converted into a Salon. Although there were no other amenities besides the massage rooms and one relaxation room, the place felt very serene and relaxing. After I got changed I was offered coffee, tea, water, or champagne. Of course I opted for the champagne! I do recommend this before a deep tissue massage because the alcohol loosens you up. The reason I took off 1 star was because the room that I was in, was adjacent to the front door, and every time some one would come in the ramp would make a very loud and distracting rattling noise. But other than that, the massage was amazing. I would definitely be back for Lisa's magic touch. read more

I hold my deep appreciation and gratitude for meeting Cheryl as a talented wonderful massage therapist who gave my body her warm presence support, and delicate care, and also as a trustworthy friend with wisdom and big embracing heart. She impressed me with the sense of grounding and relaxing, as well a powerful affirming of 'the Present' is a 'Present.' You can definitely trust that her magical hands that listen deeply to your body and lead the tension to light and softness. I really enjoyed the 'journey' brought by her amazing massage talent and I know through my own experience with Cheryl that 'when you put love and joy into what you are doing, no matter how, the other will feel it.' Thank You so much Cheryl! This place Elysium holds beauty and nourishing tranquility. It's not exaggerated or overly decorated, yet full of loving attention for the guests. The Tea, music, nice couch to seat and talk, lovely welcoming people. It's definitely a place worth visit for relaxation and nourishing yourself. Nan Ding read more

Very calming atmosphere. Friendly but not talkative, which is exactly what I wanted. On the pricey side. read more

This may just be my new favorite place in Monterey! I came here to get a Shellac manicure (if you've never tried it, you should ... Amazing. www.cnd.com for more info). This is one of the few places in the area licensed or whatever to do them. I called on Saturday and was hoping for a Sunday appointment. Although they don't normally do them Sundays, they were more than happy to book me. Yay! Manicurist was great, manicure was great, and price was great. And, I didn't mind the "office" feel of the spa at all. They are moving to a new, more comfy/spa-ish location in the next couple weeks though, for anyone who was bothered by the location. I am sure I will be back here soon, and not just for another manicure! read more

We came here for a 60-minute couples massage for our 20th anniversary getaway weekend. Originally, I had scheduled it for the Friday afternoon when we would arrive. Thinking through how long our drive from San Francisco would be, I had no problem rescheduling to the following Saturday morning. We were welcomed into the relaxing room where we were served two flutes of champagne. After disrobing and donning robes in a nearby restroom, we were led into the massage room. Both massage therapists asked if there were any specific areas that we wanted them to concentrate on. The hour we were there was blissful, and we both felt extremely relaxed afterward. The price was reasonable, and we would definitely return. read more

My husband and I visited Elysium for a couples massage on our recent trip to the Monterey area. The experience was lovely as the massage therapists asked both of us what we preferred as far as pressure, problem areas, etc.... I would highly recommend Elysium for a massage! read more

My adult daughter and I had a wonderful afternoon at Elysium in November. She is a military Mom with 3 active children and I thought she deserved some pampering. The owner, Charlene, assisted me in booking and the entire staff took great care of us. Charlene was very caring and helpful - a true professional. We arrived early and spent 20 minutes or so in the relaxation room with mimosas. Soft lighting and music started the relaxation process. We then were brought into a room where we each got a massage on heated massage tables. We started out chatting with one another, but the therapists had us so relaxed that soon we were just zoned out (in a really good way)! They were both expert at what they do. After the massages we went our separate ways - my daughter got a pedicure/manicure and I went for the special face-lift type facial. The extra attention paid to the facial massage during this treatment was terrific. The esthetician was Charlene - the owner - and I can tell you that she certainly knows what she is doing. Between the massage and then the facilal, I was absolute butter!! My daughter loved the massage and thought the pedicure/manicure was good - but not up to the level of treatment we received in the massage. In general the ambiance, cleanliness, staff demeanor were all top notch. I go to Monterey 4 or 5 times a year and I can say that a trip to Elysium will be part of the plan from now on. read more

WOW! My fiance and I were in town over Labor Day weekend for a relaxing getaway, and luckily for us I found Elysium. I called them earlier in the week, half expecting them to be totally booked, but they set us up with a 90-minute couples massage in the evening on the Saturday of a holiday weekend, no problem! I got the deep tissue and my fiance, who had never had a massage before, got the relaxation massage (with Charlene and Karianne respectively, I believe). Both were fantastic and the experience made my fiance a massage convert for life! And the price absolutely cannot be beat. My only disappointment is that they're not located in LA so I can't make them my go-to spa -- guess I'll just have to visit again soon! Pros: Very friendly, complimentary mimosas, lovely environment, ease of scheduling, and of course amazing massages. Cons: The seating area is a little small...but that's it! Hardly worth complaining about given all the other perks. Overall: If you are a Monterey native or just visiting, get to Elysium asap! read more

This is a fantastic spa. So calm and relaxing as soon as you walk in the door. I used to go to Charlene to have my eyebrows waxed and she was amazing! A little on the pricier side, but well worth it. Even getting your hair ripped out of your skin was a relaxing experience at Elysium. I've had massages here as well with two different people (I can't remember their names) and it was pure heaven. There's a reason it keeps getting voted the best spa in Monterey. They recently moved to a new location, but I have no doubt that Charlene has created just as wonderful of an environment as she had before. I'd highly recommend checking them out for any service you might be interested in. read more

I got a massage from Cheryl and she was awesome! She listened to my requests and preferences, checked in with me to see if any adjustments were needed, and overall gave an excellent massage. She was very professional, the facilities were clean and well maintained, and I would definitely go to her again. read more

Treat yourself to a massage with Jean, she is a superb therapist with great energy. She gets to the source of any issue you bring in and you walk away feeling much better. I like Elysium as a day spa. They have a relaxation room where you can grab a tea and sit back. The decor creates a relaxing environment. Can't beat the location either! read more

I had a fantastic facial here a few weeks ago. The room was perfectly comfy & cozy. The aesthetician was lovely & explained all the treatments she used & made them specifically customed to my skin. My skin felt very clean & healthy. Looking forward to another treatment there. read more

I've been here twice. The first time, I was accompanying my roommate to her wax appointment. We were both treated to tea and water, as well as comfy lounge chairs. Their waiting lounge is top-notch. They took her back to the wax room and I contentedly ripped coupons out of Sunset magazine undisturbed while she got her eyebrows done. The second time I went, I got my eyebrows done. Now, my roommate highly recommended one eyebrow wax lady, but I got the other one. She was very nice, but I've gotten better-looking eyebrows at cheaper places. I would return for other spa services, but I'm still looking for an eyebrow wax lady soulmate in Monterey. read more

My husband and I just had a 90 minute couple's massage yesterday. He got a deep tissue and I got a prenatal one. We arrived 10 minutes early for our appointment. They were running a little behind, but we didn't mind. We were offered little bottles of water which was nice. The place is cute and small. The ladies were very welcoming. Our appointment was at 2:15 pm and we started around 2:30pm. We left a little after 4pm so no time was taken off our appointment. My massage room was very hot. Could not tell if it was because I was pregnant or if it was really warm. I was sweating. My husband said his room was fine. I got to lay on my stomach with special pillows which was cool, except every time my back was pressed on I was worried I wasn't laying right and my baby was being pressed on. Sadly 90% of the massage was being pressed on. Each time I felt my neck being pressed on I had a hard time breathing. I guess the neck pillow may not have been high enough. It felt fine unless I was being pressed on. I didn't say anything because I kept hoping she would move on to rubbing me instead of pressing, pulling, and shaking me. However, being rubbed was only 5% of the massage. She pressed really hard and my entire body hurts today, especially my back. It hursts worse than before the massage. I feel like I need a massage to recover from the massage. I had told her I wanted the pressure to be light and my last massage made me sore so go gentle. During the massage I said do not go harder than that, but she seemed to keep pressing harder. I figured she knew what she was doing so I didn't tell her it was too hard. Maybe I should have spoke up. I also didn't really like it when she added my armpits to the massage. I was also not a fan of my hair being pulled. I will have to look elsewhere for a relaxing massage. If you are into intense pressing, some pulling, and shaking then this will work for you. But I just want to be rubbed. Maybe I should be more clear and say I just want to be gently rubbed with no pressing, no touching of the armpits, and no hair pulling. Usually when I get a massage all I need to say is light pressure. My husband enjoyed his massage, but said he kept waiting for it to get harder. Kinda sucks because we paid extra for deep tissue. He said he would return. I on the other hand will look for someone else. read more

This is the best massage an facial place I have ever been to!! Too bad they are not down here in LA. If I ever go back to visit in Monterey I would definitely stop by here! read more

My wife and I just wrapped up our couples massage with Lisa and Ashely. It was divine. Both my wife and I agreed these were the best massages we have ever had. Not only was the massage wonderful, but the overall customer service experience was great too. We were made to feel that we were special and we did feel just that. Awesome ! read more

Booked a couples massage for our anniversary - Shae and Charlene were absolutely fantastic! The atmosphere was dark and peaceful with nice ambient music in the background. My partner and I were asked about our pressure preferences beforehand (he likes lots, I like light/medium) so we both received the perfect amount of pressure. Warm damp towels on back, feet and eyes were HEAVENLY. There was no talking except once to check in that the pressure was good, and then only in a whisper - soooo relaxing. They were only wearing socks, so their feet didn't even make noise as they moved around! Oh, and they brought us champagne to drink while we waited - so nice for our anniversary! The waiting room is stocked with teas, coffee, chai, hot chocolate and I think there were mints or candies or something. Clean, relaxing, perfect =) read more

I really love this place. I came here two days before my wedding (in May) in serious need of a combo beauty/relaxation work up and was so glad I did. My nails looked amazing, my facial was great, and the massage was one of the best I have ever gotten. Today I got another massage and was once again absolutely stoked at how great it was. Shout out to John, the CMT who worked on me, who really understands how to do deep work in synch with the breath. The prices are totally reasonable, the set up is very comfortable, everyone is super nice...I feel lucky to have a place like this nearby! Oh, and you can book your appointments online too. That is a major plus for me because I am usually ruminating on my self care needs at 2am and then by the time the place is open I have forgotten all about it. Winning! read more

Charlene was so awesome. She made sure I was comfortable before the massage. She also took her time during the massage and made sure I was good with the pressure of the massage. I also had a facial and the facial felt so refreshing after. She really was attentive to what I wanted and needed. This is a really cute little day spa. Comforting and relaxing. I would recommend this one. read more