I had Colleen for a fusion massage. This combines east and west modalities with elements of shiatsu…read morecombined with elements of DT and swedish massage. She is proficient at neuromuscular therapy and helped release my lower back through my adductors. Amazing massage I definitely recommend this MT and this business.

Very disappointing experience. I chose this spa for my friend's birthday and had high expectations…read morebased on the online reviews. We all booked the same treatment but our experiences couldn't have been more different. My massage therapist did the bare minimum and barely communicated before & during the treatment (besides a " hello " & a prompt to choose an oil). When I voiced my concerns afterwards I was quickly and rudely dismissed by the manager. I left feeling more stressed and frustrated than when I arrived. For the price, I expected a higher level of professionalism from the staff.

I was in the area and have been ignoring a lower back pain for a week. I decided to drop in for a…read morequick massage. There are flyers with prices as soon as you walk in so there are no surprises. By the way, the prices can't be beat! I was welcomed at the front door and was asked to call a number to secure an appointment. I suggest calling the number if you have questions or need to communicate accommodations since the person on-site was not fluent in English. You can book massages, Accupuncture, and cupping. I ended up booking a therapeutic massage for 90 minutes at $160. This is a great price considering local places can charge upwards of $300. I knew this was going to be a simple and no frills experience. There is no sauna, relaxation room, or fancy spa additions. The credit card machine was broken so cash was requested. I booked by appointment using the phone number, hit the atm, and then made it back for my appointment. There are three tables sectioned off by walls and a sliding door. There was no one in the space besides the two of us. If there were others, you would probably hear them. The towel laid out on the table was very old. That is my only complaint. The massage was great and I had every knot worked out during this session. This masseuse worked diligently to get into my muscles. If you need a deep tissue massage, this is the spot. The time flew by quickly. Again, this is a simple place to get a massage and be on your way. I'll be back again! Pro tip: I suggest bringing headphones if you want to listen to music. Otherwise, you'll hear the restaurant noise next door.

Angela is terrific. She goes deep & gentle as needed. I see her regularly & always leave deeply…read morerelaxed.

We booked (3) massages with the fabulous Lowell ! Unfortunately, our vacation rental lost power and…read moreheat in the storm and we couldn't get all 3 in! Lowell and Tobi, the Bodywise owner, were graciously accommodating switching us to the studio and making everything smooth in a difficult situation! Will definitely use Bodywise in future!

I rarely write reviews, but after my horrific experience at The Bodywise Massage Inc. (1435 4th…read moreStreet Suite F, San Rafael, CA), owned by Tobi Lessem, I feel compelled to warn others. If you're seeking a place for relaxation, healing, or even basic professionalism, steer clear of this establishment. Tobi's incompetence, condescension, and outright dismissal of customer needs turned what should have been a restorative birthday treat into an emotional disaster. I'll detail exactly what happened so you can see why no one should ever trust her or her business with their well-being. In February, I texted Tobi to book a 2-hour massage for my birthday, which I treat myself to annually as a form of self-care. This year was particularly tough; I'd lost two incredibly close women in my life, leaving me in deep mourning, emotionally heavy, and profoundly vulnerable. I was counting on this session to help process that grief through therapeutic touch. Tobi confirmed the 2-hour booking via text, so I arrived excited for some much needed relief. The masseuse was a bit late, but she got me settled quickly, and we began. About an hour in, while I was face down, fully immersed in the massage, feeling those pent-up emotions finally starting to release, there was a sudden knock at the door. The masseuse stepped out, spoke briefly with Tobi, and returned to inform me that my session was over because the next client had arrived. Stunned, I reminded her of my 2-hour booking and offered to show proof from my texts. She stepped out again to relay this to Tobi, only to come back insisting it was just a 1-hour slot and I had to leave immediately. I was furious. Being yanked out of that vulnerable, healing state mid-session felt like a violent interruption to my emotional process. I got dressed and confronted Tobi in the lobby. I explained the booking error and showed her our text exchange proving the 2-hour booking. Even the other client, a gentleman who'd been double-booked over my time, overheard our conversation and graciously offered to reschedule, saying, "I'm sorry, it's your birthday, I don't want to interrupt that." But it was too late; Tobi had already forced me off the table and out of the room. Tobi acknowledged her mistake in booking me for only 1 hour instead of 2, but her response was shockingly condescending. She dismissed my concerns, saying she "had to make the call" and would prioritize the other client, essentially telling me to she didn't care. When I expressed how deeply disappointed and hurt I was, especially given my personal circumstances, she had the audacity to retort, "If this is the worst thing that's ever happened to you, you're lucky." Appalling doesn't begin to describe it. Here I was, raw and exposed, and she minimized my pain with a flippant remark that showed zero empathy. Later, Tobi sent a follow-up email that only compounded the insult. I've attached a copy here so you can see her mindset in her own words. Read that again: "We are not interested in good customer service." She openly admits her business prioritizes some vague "community" notion over basic respect for paying clients. She assumed the other client's "medical massage" needs trumped mine without knowing anything about my own emotional and physical state, as if grief and vulnerability aren't valid reasons for care. I paid for the full hour I received, but the damage was done: my birthday self-care ritual was ruined, and I left feeling more broken than when I arrived. This isn't just a simple scheduling mix-up; it's a glaring display of arrogance, poor management, and a complete lack of accountability. Tobi's actions show she values her own judgment over evidence (like text proof) and client feelings. In a field like massage therapy, where trust and sensitivity are paramount, this level of disregard is dangerous. Psychologically, interrupting a session mid-flow can exacerbate emotional distress, turning a healing space into a traumatic one. If she treats vulnerable clients this way, imagine how she'd handle yours. Do not give Tobi Lessem or The Bodywise Massage Inc. your time, money, or trust. There are plenty of compassionate, competent massage therapists in San Rafael who actually care about their clients. Save yourself the heartbreak, avoid this place entirely. 1 star, and that's generous.

I enjoyed a 60 minute io Signature Massage with massage therapist Lavender. The spa was beautiful,…read moreclean, relaxing, and the Bay views are stunning.

I had a firm pressure massage with Amos and it was excellent! My partner and I came 2 hours early…read moreto enjoy the amenities - specifically the steam room and sauna. After sweating it out, it was really nice to relax and read in the loft until my appointment time. The loft is very hot and sunny though, so I would recommend bringing sunscreen and face lotion. Amos had exactly the pressure and feel I am looking for in a deep tissue massage. He was able to release all the tension in my upper back, which is no small feat. Also, I really appreciate how he drapes the sheets in a way that made me feel very safe and comfortable. It's a bit out of the way from San Francisco so I would recommend coming early to use the amenities prior to any treatments you might do. We didn't have any issues making the appointment and the front staff was welcoming and gave us a little welcome gift on our way out!

Yesterday was my first experience at Stellar Spa. It had been awhile since I've had a facial and…read moreit was long overdue. I was looking for something that would be relaxing as well as have a long term benefit and their Essential UM - Ultrasonic Microdermabrasion Treatment looked like what I was looking for! It's a non-invasive skin-resurfacing treatment that addresses skin issues such as acne, rosacea, skin discoloration, sun damage, uneven skin tone, and overall age-management. The treatment claims to help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, firm and tighten slackened skin, lighten pigmentation, and improve clarity, tone and texture - I couldn't wait! I called and was able to get an appointment the same afternoon. I arrived on-time about 15-minutes prior to my appointment as requested for check-in. After changing into a nice luxurious robe, I headed to the "Quiet Room" and completed a new client questionnaire as I waited for my esthetician (Paul) to collect me for my treatment. I waited for quite some time not knowing exactly how long because there are no clocks in the "Quiet Room" and none of the spa staff came in to advise me that my esthetician was running behind schedule. When Paul finally arrived he was pleasant and apologetic for making me wait. He showed me to my treatment room and explained the facial in 3-phases. The treatment was intensive but also very relaxing and was fortunate to get an extra procedure due to a monthly promotion they were having of a Chianti & Grape Seed Crush Foot Scrub which was quite nice. I really felt like I treated myself. Paul was really fantastic through the whole treatment and gave me a few product recommendations once we were done. When I went to checkout, I opted for one of the products Refining AHA Serum which Paul recommended I use every other day to help with skin-resurfacing. When I was given the total due, it sounded way more than what I had planned for but I thought maybe the product I chose to purchase was pricey-so I paid and left the spa. Upon leaving the spa, I checked my watch because I had another appointment at 5:45 pm which I should have been able to make as my treatment was only supposed to be an hour long (4:15pm to 5:15pm). In looking at my watch, saw that it was almost 6:30! Immediately called my other appointment to apologies and to reschedule. After the call as I drove home, I kept thinking about the cost of my treatment and that the math really didn't seem right. I got home and checked the Stellar Spa website and sure enough the treatment is $175 and the product I bought is about $40 - I cross referenced the receipt and the spa had in fact charged me $250 for the treatment!!! They were closed at this point so I sent them an email via their website about the over charge. I'm happy to report that I received an immediate response Sunday morning with a phone call about my email. It turns out that Stellar Spa has two Ultrasonic Microdermabrasion Treatments one for $175 (shown on their website) and another for $250 (not displayed on their website). Once the front staff understood that their was an omission on their website and that the person who took my booking actually booked the wrong procedure (even though I quoted the exact treatment name on their website), they quickly agreed to refund the difference in treatment costs and were apologetic. Would I go to this spa again? Absolutely yes! Paul the esthetician was knowledgeable and made the treatment a relaxing experience for me - and I'm satisfied with the quick response and resolution by the staff regarding the over charge.

I have 2 gift certificates for facials that cost over $200 each. I have called numerous times, and…read morehave spoken to Steve, an extremely RUDE individual, who would not give me either the name or contact information for the Owner or Manager to discuss a resolution. I have stopped by, and left messages without any response. I am PISSED! They say they are renovating after having been flooded, but I don't believe them or I feel they would not ignore my attempts to communicate with them. I have spent thousands upon thousands of dollars at the spa and by and large enjoyed my experiences. NOT NOW THOUGH!

When I say healer, you say Steph! Healer! Steph! Healer! Steph!…read more This lovely lady is one of the most genuine, kind, and compassionate care providers I've had the privilege of meeting. She's a very skilled and considerate massage therapist who takes time to learn about you as a person in addition to your aches and pains. I'm generally nervous when it comes to massages because in my experience, they've either been too gentle or too painful and almost always missed the mark in terms of targeting my problem areas. Steph is focused and quite accurate in pinpointing specific spots, and then applying the needed pressure and technique to undo the damage. For me, it has been more than simply alleviating pain or discomfort, Steph addresses places on my body that previous therapists overlooked and helps to remedy the issue long term. I trust her to always prioritize my health and well-being. She has never once pressured me to purchase any massage package or commit to any plan, so I always felt comfortable and in control of my decisions. I highly recommend Steph for reasons beyond her talent. With her services, I always feel respected and cared for both as an individual and a patient. I'm blessed to have this wonderful being as a part of my healing process.

After having sustained neck and shoulder injuries in an accident, I was so fortunate to have found…read moreStephanie who, on only day one of therapy, located the primary problem and I walked out amazed at how much better I was able to move my neck...... never previously realizing how compromised it was. Her deep concern at how the healing was proceeding and how I was feeling, her compassion, delightful conversation, relaxing room with tranquil music and her professionalism all made me feel that in my weekly hour with her I was in very good care. Later finding out through our conversations that her caring attitude extends beyond her massage practice, through dedicating her extra hours doing beneficial works for her community, while inspiring others through her thoughtful writings and quotes about how to positively set our thoughts for the day were further testaments to how truly special she is as a person.

Lovely place to go relax and recharge. The outdoor hot tub was clean and the surrounding areas were…read morewelcoming and soothing. Customer service was excellent with lot of care given to keep the space quiet and calming.

What a disappointment. My first session was AMAZING! Being that I need massages once a week to…read moreevery other week, I was happy to have found this place. I get a call that the massage therapist quit and after a lot of back and forth, we make another appointment. I told her the date that worked and she told me the time. So I planned my day around my appointment. The day before (today) I get a call and I'm told that they need to change the time because it's "inconvenient for the massage therapist". WHAT?!?! They wanted to push my 90 minute massage from 3:15 to 4 pm. What insulted me was calling me the day before as if clients don't have anything else to do AND tell me the appt time was "inconvenient". I cancelled my appointment and will never go back

Foot massage focus which is what I went in for, followed by some careful twisting and massage up to…read morethe top of my head. Jenny was delightful, and considerate on the medium or hard places. Only nice things to say about the place and the front desk. I just came home from the experience, and I am still floating. I am definitely going back.

I just found this on yelps The best Thai massages I have ever had. Back-walking, neck-crunching,…read morebone-snapping, jellyfish-making satisfaction. It works for me. They do, of course, adjust pressure for more delicate types needing a gentler touch.

I've had several sessions with Nicole, who is hands down THE BEST massage therapist I have ever…read moreseen. She is incredibly skilled and responsive to what my body needs, specifically--whether it is a shoulder tweak, upper back stress, etc. She used a variety of techniques on an area until it responds/releases. I've had many massages across time, places, and people - and Nicole is clearly the most skilled, gifted and effective. So grateful I found her! Definitely seek her out. Although other professionals at Sports Massage also look wonderful from reviews I've seen, avoid Stefan. I booked a 30 minute "fix" with him, when Nicole wasn't available. He was 15 minutes late, worked for over 60 minutes haphazardly (and sometimes painfully) on areas that were not troubling me, and billed for 60 minutes (not the 30 I'd booked). The Sports Massage folks reached out to apologize and kindly provided a refund (that I did not request). Overall, this is a terrific place with mostly awesome people. Just pay attention to your booking.

This place is an absolute dream for those seeking skilled masseuses…read more I had a very warm and friendly greeting! Then, my masseuse Lein took the time to sit down and go over my needs, and discuss possibilities of why things may be feeling the way they do. She had very confident hands as if she knew my body better than I did. Although I would say for some people if they do not like deep tissue the pressure was strong but for myself I personally love that and got exactly what I asked for! She perfectly focused on exactly what we discussed getting rid of any knots in my body and worked parts of my body that I didn't know how much actually affected other parts that were needing help. Definitely some muscles that I've never experienced before that really allowed my flexibility the next day like deep in my arm pits. I certainly felt the effects both immediately after as well as the following day or two and still from being very decompressed. She was able to target and find points in my chest that ran up to my neck and shoulders that I still feel incredible from days later. I will absolutely rebook with her. I know that you asked for ratings based from 1 to 5 but I would say for Lein seems like she could be the masseuse for a professional sports team or something of that nature because she knows how to create solutions not only for problems you're having but also to avoid injuries by helping my flexibility. She mentioned that she started out in her career as a healer and that is very evident. I get massages regularly and am confident that this was the most helpful massage I've had without even knowing it at the time. Can't wait for my next visit!