Terrible place. I do not recommend going to Illa Spa. My first message I had I purchased through Groupon, so I figured that I paid less to get less. Meaning that the massage therapist couldn't get the sound to work so she played pandora radio and there were commercials throughout my entire massage. The place is in shambles and shouldn't call itself a spa, and the message felt mediocre. I decided to give them another try. I paid in advance and showed up early for my message. To my surprise, they didn't have my name on their schedule despite taking my money. I then waited 45 minutes to speak to a receptionist before I just left. Don't go here, it's a waste of time and money! read more

I should have walked out earlier, but instead, I wanted to give my first male masseuse a chance. It turns out he did not deserve that chance. When I arrived, I was told that my massage had been cancelled but I never got the message. Eventually the woman said there was no water but if I wanted, I could still have a massage. There was construction going on in the facility, but I really wanted to have a relaxing massage so I agreed to proceed. After the room was prepared I entered. When I was laying down, unclothed, she brought a male in as my therapist. I said I had never had a male massage therapist but that I was willing to give it a try. When he began, his finger nails scratched me repeatedly and his manner was quite rough, the way he almost grabbed my skin at every touch. I eventually requested a lighter touch which he obliged, but seemed to brush off my concerns as a question of pressure, not actual manner of touch. I've had many massages and can say his technique was not skilled. He said he had only been practicing massage 6 months. I found myself wondering if he had any training whatsoever but didn't ask. He rubbed my upper back, which I had requested, but did not single out any part of my body to focus on. When he wanted me to turn over, he stood at my head and lifted the sheet covering me up instead of standing on one side of the table. When he wanted to massage my leg, he asked me to take it out from the sheet instead of taking it out (gently) himself. I kept telling myself to stick it out but should have called it off. Overall, the quality was sub par and not at all professional. I find it ironic that I had better massages abroad than in Washington DC. After it was over, I emerged from the room and was asked how it went by a different woman than the one there initially. I told her it was the worst massage I had and she asked if I was kidding. She brought out the manager, yet a different woman than the initial one, who said I should have stopped the massage before it was over but since I let it go the whole hour, she could not do anything. I don't know if this is a fair policy since I've never had reason to have to stop a massage for its quality. I do know that I would not recommend this place to anyone, Groupon or not. read more

In DC on business for a few days. I always try to support local businesses when I travel. I found this place on Groupon and consulted Yelp before booking my appointment, needless to say I was a bit disappointed, the pictures definitely don't accurately reflect the actual space. Everything felt a bit rushed. The room that I was assigned to, was very small and was separated from the room next door by a plastic divider so I could hear what was going on in that room as well as all the conversations in the lobby which took away from the relaxation factor. I booked a 60-minute massage and it was just okay, a lot of rubbing and a lot of lotion nothing really therapeutic about it. The technician never bother to lose the lumbar roll so when I was face down it was under the middle of my lower leg and when I turned over face up it was under my calves. I did have the opportunity to get my eyebrows threaded and that was a much better experience than the massage. If I were traveling back to DC, I wouldn't return, but I did get what I paid for Via Groupon..... read more

I had a wonderful massage from Hanna! She is very thorough and detail oriented. I got the European facial and the deep facial therapy. The spa uses Dermalogica products, which are high quality and trustworthy. The treatment also included extraction, which I find very helpful for clearing blackheads on my nose. My skin felt so soft and hydrated after my facial! I will definitely be coming back to Illa Spa to see Hanna for another facial in a few months! read more

During the Pride Parade yesterday there was mass panic when it was said that there was a active shooter amongst the crowd, me and about 12 other people (including a very pregnant woman and her very young baby) came into this business seeking shelter from what was happening outside and was not greeted with open arms. They decided to kick all of us out on the street where you saw people running full speed, crying, and panicking because they said they were closing. Very heartless, and sad situation. Where was the humaneness? Where was the compassion? We're all humans and all we have is each other. Extremely disgusted by these people that work here. I pray karma doesn't come upon you guys for doing that. read more

I called the Illa Boutique the same day I purchased my groupon. They assured me that I would be seen and that using a groupon for a Valentine's Day massage was no issue. I was very excited and order my groupon after recieving these assurances from the company. Had they been honest I probably would have just said heck with it and just made the appointment and paid full price. Today I received a message from the owner. "Hi lima (not my name) this is illa boutique spa. We are not having Groupon client at valentine's day. So mistake ly our website open. Now we blocked. So your appointment cancle 14th. Sorry" When I called and told the owner the situation, she said she was on vacation and that all groupon clients would not be seen. Groupon clients were not even given the option to choose a different payment method and no accommodations could be made. I do not live in Georgetown and was making a special trip just to go there and all my other reservations have been since canceled since I was able lucky enough to find another spa to accommodate my husband and I. I believe that my purchase was made under false pretense and that company has violated groupons expectations both verbally and in writing on their website and the groupon add. Other than that it's just bad customer service! I am now going to spa world and spending 300 on a couples message, because at least I know that I will be treated with respect and common curiosity and that what I will be getting is worthwhile. The foundation of a good message is trust. When customers can't trust that a company will follow through with something so basic, it's destroys the whole experience. I'm just happy I had the time to find other arrangements. Groupon users be warned. read more

I had a massage here while on vacation. The lady would just lean on me with her arm. After about 15 min. Of this, I turned to ask her if she was going to massage at all and I caught her on her phone!! Worst massage ever. Don't waste your money here! read more

Too loud. Could hear women complaining about their Groupons for the first 15 minutes. Not relaxing. And they started ten minutes late and finished in 50 min instead of 60. Probably the least technique of all massages I've ever had. A lot of rubbing lotion and that's about it. Will not be going again. read more

Decent 60 minute Swedish massage. If you don't care about customer service and atmosphere, then this place is a great deal. The woman at the front desk was arguing with a customer before my massage, and there was yelling and children screaming during it. We also started 15 minutes after the appointment time. Overall, good massage (not the best) and a weird atmosphere read more

WHAT A WONDERFUL MASSAGE PLACE! Their Swedish and Deep Tissue Massage were highly skilled. The masseuse constantly made sure I was comfortable. The pressure and the area where they focus was just right! This was a great spot when traveling to D.C. read more

This place is amazing for threading/wax. I haven't checked their Yelp before so I'm surprised by the comments. First I had a Groupon but kept coming back. Hannah is the best!! She is always nice and helpful. read more

First off - I really enjoyed my massage. I got the 60 min Swedish massage at the discounted $45. If you're a first time customer, I would use the coupon code on their website which gives you the Groupon price without having to buy a Groupon. It just makes booking an appointment easier. The massage itself was great. I specified that I wanted my back and shoulders to be focused on, and my masseuse definitely did so. He had good technique and it was overall very relaxing. Reasons why I didn't give 5 stars: I had to rebook my appointment twice. Shortly after I booked my appointment, I got a text saying that it needed to be moved, which was fine. The day of my appointment, I got another text asking me to come in 15-30 minutes earlier than my already rescheduled appointment. Overall, it wasn't a huge issue, but it was still inconvenient. Also, the interior of the spa could use some improvement. It's quite poorly lit in the waiting area. read more

I had a groupon for a 60 minute massage. My appointment was at 4:45. The therapist didn't come in until a few minutes after that to begin. When it was over, I of course checked the time and it was only 5:30. so I was shortchanged at least 15 minutes. When I went to the front desk to let them know, the clerk only said "I'm sorry" but didn't offer any means to fix the problem. I suppose you pay for what you get but that's not cool at all. read more

The most disrespectful customer service I have experienced in a long time. I purchased a Groupon a couple months ago and made an appointment. I was notified that my appointment was cancelled (due to an electric problem in their building) the same day I was scheduled for the massage. I was unable to make another appointment due to my work schedule and realized that my Groupon expired. Completely my fault for not rescheduling!! I called today to ask if they would be willing to accept the Groupon as they cancelled the initial appointment. I knew it was a 50/50 chance!! I was told that the Groupon could not be accepted which I was fine with and said "thanks bye." Two minutes later I get a text message from the representative that read "That's not our responsibility, you need to fix your schedule." I gave you no attitude or made a fuss about the Groupon, as the current value can still be used. Why would a legit business send such a text? Very sad and shows lack of professionalism. read more

I went to Illa Spa today for Brazilian wax. It was - great experience and I will come back again for another service.

The waxing service Hanna did for me was really good and fast. Staff are nice and friendly!

Loved the customer service and bought a deal to come back, so apparently I will now be a regular.

Such a bad experience! When booking your appointment, please remember your time! They don't send out confirmation emails or call/email a few days in advance to remind you of your date and time. I unfortunately remembered the wrong time by an hour and they redeemed my groupon after 30 minutes; $80 wasted. The guy I spoke with on the phone wouldn't listen to me and just kept yelling over me the entire time. Never again. read more

Found this place on Groupon and got a 60 minutes couple's massage for only $80. It was easy to make an appointment online and we we're taken back right when we showed up. The massages were great and we both felt very relaxed afterwards. Would definitely recommend to anyone looking for a massage at a reasonable price. read more

This place will steal your money. While we generally liked the massages we've received here, there is always a problem with the packages that we've purchased. We purchased one several years ago (initially through Groupon) and then would buy an additional three massages at a time. But they track their appointments and gift certificates through a paper system that doesn't lend itself to updating and tracking easily. In the past, we've needed to use credit card statements and views of our Google calendars to show when we've used massages on our account because Illa was unable to find the information in their system. It's been years of this, but they refuse(d) to issue a new card or anything that will help simplify the matter and facilitate future visits. When we dealt with this last time, they insisted that we pay at the time of service and trust that they would issue a refund when they had it all worked out on their end. We instead stayed until it was worked out. We went to use our 3rd (and final) massage today and (as usual) encountered problems. But this time, we arrived early and tried to get it worked out before our massage because we didn't want to ruin our post-massage high. Not surprisingly, they couldn't track how many massages we had left and needed to call in the owner. We asked how long it would take, were told 5-10 minutes, and it took closer to 15-20. When she walked in, she recognized us, said something to the receptionist who was otherwise arguing with us about when we had first been there and asking us to tell her all of our different appointments, and then walked away to service another client. She never spoke directly to us, and the receptionist provided no real service either (including any apologies or intentions to get it worked out). After waiting for 55 minutes to get things worked out (40 of which should have been our appointment), we decided to just leave and sacrifice the last massage because the stress they induce with their terrible process and awful customer service just isn't worth it anymore. Hate to let them win and leave our final massage on the table, but it's just not worth it. In their lack of caring about customer service, the receptionist (who did not seem that concerned in getting things worked out) told the owner that we were leaving, and the owner made no attempt to try to keep us there. They let us just walk out the door. Would not recommend them to anyone. read more

I booked a couple's massage online, but due to a family emergency need to reschedule my appointment. They have a 4 hour cancellation policy - but no answering machine! Why bother having a phone if you aren't going to answer it and people can't leave a message? Judging by their other reviews their massages sound good, but their communication leaves a LOT to be desired. Update; We finally managed to get in for a couple's massage, and the massage itself was wonderful. They were very kind in person and their facilities were neat and clean- if only they'd set up an answering machine! read more

This was a month ago, but I got a brazilian with Hannah and I appreciated how relatively quick and painless it was. Hannah is friendly and is willing to talk, which is great when you're having something as awkward as a brazilian. Would recommend to anyone! read more

Grrrr!!! I'm pissed. Got a living social deal. Made an appointment. Got there and I was told my appointment was for 1230. No. I made it for 2. Ok. Got in to the room. Lay on your stomach please. No. I made the appointment for a Brazilian and underarm wax. Oh. Our water doesn't come in until 4. Put my clothes back on. Is there any way you guys can accommodate me today? No sorry. She's all booked up. It was a hot ass mess. And nobody knew how to fix it. read more

Amazing experience and can't wait to go back Nicole did an amazing deep tissue massage in an amazing, relaxing environment, felt very comfortable and relaxed released stress from areas I didn't even know existed. The owner Hanna,was very polite, and accommodating made me feel very welcome, even though I was a walk in I will be coming back with friends in tow. read more

I attempted to give Illa Spa a chance but have not been able to find any redeeming qualities from this institution. I first visited Illa Spa in January 2017 for a massage. The service was very lackluster, and I decided I would not return again for massage services. Following this, I purchased a one time waxing service package on Groupon in Spring 2018, and during my visit the "owner" provided me with her negative experiences and stories about her interactions with other "Black Americans." Not appropriate for a waxing appointment. After this however, I felt bad her poor experience and purchased a three service waxing package. Since then, every experience has continued to go downhill, including waiting significant periods of time for appointments, last minute cancellations or rescheduling, poor customer service, and inability to contact Illa to adjust appointment times. They will cancel or reschedule your appointment but in any event you need a small adjustment, they provide no flexibility for rebooking even when other times are available. At this point, I am forfeiting my last wax service in my package and will not use this Spa again. It has been a waste of money and a poor experience overall. Do yourself a favor, unlike me, do not give them multiple opportunities to provide you with a poor experience. read more

I got a couples massage with my sister as a present to her. The lady I had was awesome, I think her name was Brianna. But my sister had a man massaging her. She's had a man before at a different massage setting and said she didn't feel uncomfortable, but this massage made her feel a little uncomfortable. First, she requested a relaxing massage, but apparently he was man-handling her the whole time. I could hear her bed moving around and she said later that he was like moving her legs and arms in weird positions and that it was, in fact, not relaxing at all. He also was chatting with her the whole time and she's not the type to chat during a massage. I'll go back to get a massage from Brianna, but definitely not the man. Having lived abroad, I've definitely had less professional massage experiences, but I suppose this one was a lower quality for US standards. read more

Poor service and record keeping. I purchased a 3 pack of massages after my 1st massage. I had made an appointment for the 2nd massage but due to surgery i canceled beforehand and walked in to the place to discuss it. They gave me a 2nd card since they could not finds the first card. I tried this week to schedule the appointment for my 2nd massage and verified with the person answering the call that they had my pre-purchased info and they said i did not need to bring the card I showed up today and they had me recorded as having all 3 of the massages i purchased. Have they heard of a computer system? Pretty easy to track rather than the archaic paper system they had. Additionally the original massage was average at best as they were unable to provide a deep tissue massage like i have experienced at other places. read more

Stunningly bad experience! The online pictures for not represent the dull, dingy reality of the place. But that shouldn't affect the quality of the massage. Nor should it color the customer service. After filling out the forms at the front desk, two masseuses were called, one male, one female. We were never introduced. The woman at the desk asked if I was the one with the leg/ knee pain. When I affirmed she told the male masseuse to work on me. However once my friend and I were lying down on the MOST UNCOMFORTABLE table EVER, he switched and the woman worked on me. My hair was up in a clip which she removed and covered my hair with a towel. That's a first! She didn't use oils. She used a lotion. It didn't even moisturize my skin. This massage was unlike any I've ever had. There was no rhythm, no methodology. I felt sharp fingers poking me. IT WAS PAINFUL. I had to tell her 3 times that she was hurting me. Finally when I said loudly that I'd had many massages and never felt this type of pain, the man said something to her in a language I didn't understand. From that point she basically rubbed lotion on me. I couldn't wait for it to be over! She was awful. I wish I had thought to check their licenses. The woman at the front desk was RUDE. She grabbed my credit card and demanded a tip! Shocked, I refused and told her this was the worst massage I've ever experienced. She became shrill, telling me that this woman was very good and had much training! When I didn't back down, she flipped and told me she'd give me a discount on a future massage if I booked immediately! Truly bizarre! Wish I could give 0 stars. read more

Mom & I went into get the 60 min Swedish massage yesterday. My mother loved her massage. She had a woman masseuse. Mom said that she was very gentle with her but was able to release a lot of her soreness and tension on her shoulders/upper back which she needed. Moms exact words were "I feel rejuvenated, like I got back a couple of years" haha. They literally massage you from head to toe. For me, it was OK. My massage was a bit rough. I had asked for deep tissue ( for my upper back) and thank God I changed my mind because I got a male masseuse. There were points where it felt unbearable and painful...not relaxing esp when he was massaging the feet & calves. I wish he would of used that strength for my upper back because that's where the tension/stress is. He barely focused on the main reason I went in for. I was very detailed on my intake form that I wanted him to focus on my upper back but that didn't happen. His phone was going off as well, rang once and then it kept vibrating. Not trying to be petty but it's suppose to be a very relaxing and calm experience and well anyone else I'm sure would of immediately said something. He took his time so I gave him a generous tip anyway but I def think my massage could have been better. I don't think I'll be back. read more

I've been on several occasions for a couples massage as well as regular waxings. The massages were great--a nice big room for me and my partner. He loves Swedish massages and said this was one of the bests--almost fell asleep. I prefer a deep tissue massage but didn't want to pay extra. Nonetheless I still had a very relaxing experience. As for the waxing--it's a clean cozy room. She is super fast, chats the whole time so you forget you're supposed to be in pain--but really it's not painful at all. Easy to book online and conveniently located near Dupont Circle Metro/buses. read more

I had a great experience here. Staff was really friendly, and a massage with Bumi really helped my lower back pain.

Please allow me to preface by saying I do not take pleasure in tearing down a business online, much less a small business. But I feel obligated to share my experience of getting a Brazilian wax at Illa Spa. I purchased a Groupon at the recommendation of my roommate who said her wax was the best she'd ever gotten. I looked Illa up online and liked what I saw. Upon arrival, the space is nothing like the pictures. What is made to look spacious, modern, and clean online is actually cramped and slightly grungy. I arrived a couple minutes before the start of my appointment but was made to feel rushed from the moment I stepped in the door. I was led to the room and while the aesthetician was in the small space with me, she told me to remove everything from the bottom down. Any other place I've been to has given the privacy of undressing alone and placing a sheet over yourself. I know they eventually see everything but there needs to be a procedure for maintaining the clients dignity through every step. I laid down and she began the wax. I told her I wanted to keep some hair at the top and she acknowledged that request. From there she moved quickly and hastily, never asking if the wax temperature was okay or if I was comfortable. I remember noticing that she seemed very rushed the whole time. She didn't talk to me or tell me what to expect and I find that very troubling when you are performing a service that is this sensitive in nature. For all she knew, this was my first time getting a wax and she did not make my comfort a priority. When it was done, she stayed in the room while I got dressed. Again, awkward. Give your client the dignity of getting dressed alone. Because I felt rushed (and because there was a woman standing behind me while my bare butt was out) I didn't look at the wax until I got home. What I found was extremely upsetting. She had waxed me fully, including the part I asked her to keep. (I had suspected this during the wax but assumed I was wrong) She had left particles of paper (what I assume is the towel she used to wipe my skin clean) all over (and I do mean all over) my skin, missed hair ALL OVER including several patches, and did not clean all of the residual wax off my skin. But the worst part was the burn. In the crease of my leg, about six inches long, is a dark red burn where she applied wax too quickly after retrieving it from the pot. It hurts and looks absolutely horrible. I am so upset by this entire experience. I really hope the staff will read this and more carefully consider how they treat their clients. You need to frequently ask if they are comfortable, if they have questions, and if they need accommodations (i.e. lower wax temperature). I, unfortunately, will not be returning to Illa ever again. My money did not go to a high quality wax service but rather a rush job that left my skin patchy and burnt. read more

I try out various spas using Living Social and Groupon because I've been trying to find one I like since moving to Maryland. I'm often disappointed by the quality of the massages using this route and often feel like they don't understand it's an audition; companies use LS to drum up new business. I got a couples massage LS deal for Illa for my husband and myself and we were both very pleased. Nicole and Sida were fantastic and for the first time in ages I left a massage feeling really relaxed. They were offering another deal on a future couples massage and I immediately signed up for it. It's not the most fabulous decor, but it seems clean and it's convenient to central DuPont and the quality of the massage is high. I will certainly be going back. read more

Very good quality massage for the price, and can't beat the location.

DO NOT GET A WAX HERE. When I first arrived, I was asked to wait for 10 minutes after my appointment had already been rescheduled from 3:30pm to 4pm. I wasn't told who my waxer was or how long I would have to wait. I was asked to sign a waiver. I have not had to do this prior to other Brazilians. My wax was very painful and she did not apply pressure after removing the wax strip, even after I kept asking her multiple times. I then had to pay an extra $10 for her to remove a little hair outside of the bikini area. I've never had to do that anywhere else and I've been getting waxed for about 6 years now. The most important reason to not go here is injury. The wax was applied to early and with no regard. I woke up this morning with A LONG BURN ON ONE OF MY LIPS. Absolutely unacceptable. I will never go there again. They have you sign a waiver because they know what their quality is and I'm sure people have tried to take legal action against them. They're trying to cover themselves because they provide horrible services and injuries. DO NOT GO HERE UNLESS YOU WANT A SCABBY read more

My boyfriend and I came here for a couples massage. Booking was easy & fast with many available dates. The spa was easy to get to, clean, and the room was great. The beds were comfortable and warm. The massage therapists (didn't get their names) were attentive and gave a thorough massage. The music kept skipping throughout a long duration of the massage which was a little distracting, but overall it was not too bad. The street noise is audible at times, but with the deep relaxation, you barely can notice. I recommend Illa Spa and would return again! read more

I love this place, especially because of all their great deals. The masseuses always give you what you need, they work out any knots or tension you may have and leave you feeling like all loosey goosey. You're like a brand new person! It's my go to place for pampering myself. read more

Very nice place. Had a great full body massage there. Also bought a 3 massages package which was a great deal, so will back there again soon! read more

This place we found from yelp... small spa wonderful. They been open only 8 months... but they are very good experience. We did couple massage. Would definitely recommend to anyone. Very good massage. read more

I enjoyed my massage here. The owner accommodated my Groupon coupon last minute . My massage therapist was wonderful I really needed this ! For the price to be very reasonable. I would definitely come back . read more