Mary is fantastic! Her facials are effective and relaxing all the way to your toes! She's super knowledgeable and keeps up on the latest advancements. Very personable, genuine with a warm sense of humor. Laughter is the best brightener. And I lover her private label products...serum and eye cream. read more

I'm still going to Debbie Collins for my facials (still awesome), but this review is for my first massage here. Michaela Wung was my massage therapist for the 60-minute massage. What can I say...she's miracle worker. I told her that my lower back had been aching for several days. An hour later I walked out with absolutely no back pain! Michaela told me she could tell that my hamstrings were tight and gave me printouts of exercises to loosen them up and hopefully prevent the pain from coming back. I've never had a massage therapist give me printouts! I walked out of there feeling so relaxed that I almost couldn't walk. Even as I'm typing this I'm still mellow yellow.... read more

Receiving a facial from Mary Garnett is BY FAR the most relaxing and enjoyable hour and a half I spend every few months. Obviously, I am not having regular sex. Regardless, I absolutely LOVE Mary. She is so cool and nice. Normally I don't like to talk during facials, massages, manicures, etc., but I love talking to Mary - and still leave feeling like I am on a cloud of relaxation. She is also very helpful in terms of suggesting products, but she is never ever pushy, and her products are all very reasonably priced. I don't think that she is accepting new clients anymore (sorry suckas), but she does have two other folks working for her - Cynthia and Michaela, who I hear really good things about. Try them out!! read more

UPDATE: Cynthia has forged out her own and has moved her business to Mill Valley! **************************************************************************** Cynthia is truly the best. She is a kind, no-nonsense, funny person who makes time fly. She provides excellent, inexpensive advice for problem skin, and her treatments are tailored to the individual. I look forward to our sessions and will continue to visit Cynthia even when I move out of the city next month. read more

Mary is ABSOLUTELY Amazing! She is professional and the best facial I have ever had. I have been going to her for years and she is truly the BEST! She also provides a foot massage and hand massage. Total Bonus! Thank you, Mary,​ for being so Awesome! read more

Cynthia Hanken is marvelous and a great person. Even though I've moved from Russian Hill, I still drive across town to see her for facials and waxing. I have never felt out of place or uncomfortable with her, which seems to be my forte when it comes to spa treatments. As far as facials go, I have extremely sensitive skin and have never had any type of breakout from her treatments. The environment and people at Union Retreat are modest and (as Melinda B. writes) unpretentious. read more

I'm not sure if I'm giving the right review here. But I'm reviewing Cynthia Gellen who is a masseur at the Union Retreat. She is absolutely the best. I go to her about once a month as I have chronic back pains. She's really friendly and works with my schedule. She books up pretty fast. I highly recommend her. Her rates are reasonable. The space is clean, warm, and inviting. I haven't tried the facialists there, but these reviews below me seem enticing. read more

Hi-this great place is very much open; in fact I am here now. Love union retreat and Mary's facials!!!

Michaela Wung is fabulous! There goes another well-kept secret but the accolades are well-deserved. I've been going to her for massage for years and her skill has become a great relief to many friends and family members as well. She's been terrific therapy to a friend who's suffering from fibromyalgia and another with Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS). She's also great with massage for pregnant women. She's not only skilled and sensitive to your needs but a lovely person as well. A gift card for a session with her has become one of the more coveted treats from me. The rates are very reasonable for the great experience she delivers. read more

Mary rocks my world! After the very first visit, I was hooked. Not only does she give a great facial (and beautiful brows!), she's also ridiculously nice and fun to talk to. If only I could afford to go weekly! read more

Mary Garnett gives wonderful facials. She is a real pro when it comes to making her masks and doing extractions; not to mention the killer massage she gives you while the mask is setting. read more

Mary Garnett and all of the ladies here are amazing. I have been a client of Mary's for about 9 years and I am always overly pleased with my experience & results. Union Retreat is a quaint adorable local treasure. The soft pastel colored walls, fireplaces and fun art work make their location very comfortable & relaxing. Mary and The whole team are all super friendly and knowledgeable. They use the best natural products and they do not try to pressure you to buy products. Although they do have really great products you can buy if you like. Mary takes the time to work on you for the entire 1.5 hours. They tailor your treatment to your skins current condition. I always feel so clean, fresh and pretty when I leave! 8-) I will not go anywhere else for a facial and I have recommended many friends. read more

Mary Garnett gives fabulous facials and she's also a wonderful and generous person and friend. She has very loyal clients - after the first session you'll book the next appointment on the spot. read more

Michaela Wung has been my massage therapist for about eight years now. She is truly fantastic. She is very strong and knows anatomy and pressure points backwards and forwards, so that she can actually work out all the knots and ropes in my back, shoulder and neck muscles that result from sitting and typing at a computer all week. She has considerable training in Swedish, Shiatsu and Thai massage techniques, and will combine these methods to do what will most help you on a particular visit. Given her skills and talent, her prices are extremely reasonable, especially when you compare them to spa and day spa massage services -- where I've had inferior massages! The space and environment for massage at Union Retreat is also very calming. I like that the massage room is very large, rather than feeling tiny and cramped. Overall, the experience is very relaxing. Michaela herself has a truly healing energy. I highly recommend working with her. read more

Best deal in the city!! Linda gives the most incredible facials ever! I've been going to her for almost two years and my skin has never looked better! The space is so lovely and relaxing and Linda is just wonderful. Her facials are offered at such a reasonable price, and to also include eyebrow and lip waxing, eyelash tinting, and mini massages on your hands, feet and neck, all under the same "facial" price. She's unbelievable! I've referred her to many of my friends and they've all been blown away by how wonderful an experience it is. I highly recommend Linda. read more

I found union retreat in July and had the hydra facial with Stacy, and it was the best facial that I ever had in my life. I tried to find places local to me to do something similar and nobody came close at all! I made another appointment today, and Stacy is gone for a little while, but her former apprentice Natalie is taking her place right now, and let me tell you, I was DEFINITELY not disappointed!!! I had another VERY lovely facial, my face is as smooth as a baby's bottom, and my skin is absolutely glowing and radiant. The ambiance of the place is very zen and relaxing, and we had a wonderful time together with great conversation! I'm in love with this place, AND my estheticians, and you should all try it, I'm sure you will fall in love too, It's some of the best money I have spent on myself. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!!! read more

This is such a relaxing environment! Under skilled masseuse Elizabeth Obermeyer's skilled fingers stress disappears. Her room is serene, she is sensitive to the week's ravages, and the result is complete release from muscle aches and mental strain. She tailors her massage to the stress points. On alternating visits, Cynthia Hanken restores my facial balance, with treatments that prepare me for the week ahead. Even strangers tell me what great skin I have, and it's all Cynthia's doing. A special treat is to make an appointment to have a make-up consultation. It's fun to do with a friend, too! read more

2 thumbs up for Michaela! Just had an outstanding massage from her. Top 5 massages. Strong but relaxing, really worked out all the knots, and I had plenty. I would highly recomend to anyone, especially those of us who work out and have stressfull jobs, lives etc .,which cause the monster knots! She is great...Go see her! read more

Cynthia Henken gives the best facial in San Francisco! I've been going to her for nearly three years and when I get complemented on my great skin, I owe it to her! Also famous is Michaela's Thai Massage. Both women offer great value for your money. Totally unpretentious, warm, and homey. Show up in your sweats and be prepared to leave feeling refreshed and relaxed. read more

If you are lucky enough to be a client of Mary Garnett, you can look forward to a relaxing facial in a cozy atmosphere from one of the most interesting and upbeat people in San Francisco (possibly the world). I have been a client of Mary's for ten years. When I first started seeing Mary, I had horrible cystic acne. That has all gone by the wayside and I don't think I've had a pimple in almost a decade. Mary is not just a good friend (and therapist?), she is a miracle worker. People are always telling me that I have beautiful skin and it's all due to Mary's good work. What more can I say? I love, love, love her! read more

I recently had my 2nd facial and chemical peel from Natalie C. which was really great. I epecially love the foot massage (as an added bonus) and that she was so knowledgeable about skin. Also, the room is super cozy and comfortable. Highly recommend!! read more

A massage by Elizabeth Obermeyer at Union Retreat (415) 752-7484 is simply one of the best things one can do for mind and body. Elizabeth is kind, highly skilled and very professional. I look forward to our visits and her revitalizing touch. The Union Retreat is just that, a tranquil and welcoming environment, beautiful and very comfortable. Thank you Mary for your vision. read more

Mary Garnett delivers the best facial anywhere, hands down. A supremely relaxing experience and my skin looks amazing after the treatment (even after extractions). read more

I loved this place! Union Retreat is a quaint, comfortable, cozy, and unpretentious environment. Michaela was my massage therapist. She was extremely skilled and knowledgeable. I had been experiencing a low grade back ache for several months. She really focused on that area and completely worked it out - I feel so much better now! If you are looking for a therapeutic and extremely relaxing massage, Michaela is your gal! read more

Mary Garnett and team provide exceptional service. Visiting Union Retreat is so peaceful and relaxing. Mary is best aesthetician I have encountered - so talented, knowledgeable, and personable. read more