I flew into London from LA on a red eye and went right to work. 3 days later I was cramped up, my…read moreshoulders felt like rocks and my feet were killing me. Then I found 4ForYou on YELP and decided to give them a call.
Their site looked totally legit and I was a little sketchy about being able to book an appt at 9pm on a Friday, but hey- they were willing to take me at 9pm on a Friday- Score!
Anna who booked the appointment with me was sincere, helpful and friendly and made me feel comfortable from the beginning. I had a bit of trouble finding the place, because I didnt realize they were in the basement of the salon "Hair+" next to the Domino's Pizza on Foley Street. "38" was not marked on the building. Luckily, Anna was right there on the phone to help guide me to the door and even though the salon was closed, my massage therapist, Evelina was there at the door to greet me.
As other YELPers have mentioned, this is not a "spa-like" ambiance, with lots of white cottons, fluffy pillows, flowers or meditative statues looking at you ponderously. This is the basement of a hair salon. And a small basement at that. There was a toilet they let me use before I went into the room- which looked like it belonged in a tight studio flat. But it served its purpose.
Then I went into the room. It was lit with candles, it smelled of eucalyptus oil and lavender and there was a full massage table. Evelina offered me a glass of water to begin and then stepped out so I could undress. When she came back in, she gave me one of the best deep tissue massages I have ever had. She was incredibly deft with her elbows and kept the pressure firm in all the spots that needed breaking up. I felt itchy as all the blood began coming back into my muscles. I was in total stretch out, deep breathing, 'let's-do-this-together" mode, as she broke down the tissue and left me in a heaping pile.
The cost was 50 GBP for 60 mins. I personally felt so relieved that I tipped her 10 GBP. She deserved that and more.
Overall- the reason I didnt give 5 stars were due to the minor negatives about this place- specifically the lack of Spa-like touches. Example- the table was not quite padded and there were no blankets to lay on, only the paper-type towels the doctor pulls over his examining table. I was provided a towel, after I got naked to cover up with. It covered me fine, but didn't make me feel total cozy, the way I would've under a blanket. I had to ask half way through for a washcloth or towel to go under my forehead, since the pressure was so strong, my head started to hurt against the table. Then when it was all over, I really looked around the room and noticed it was kind of dirty, with oil on the wall and a closet door off its rollers. Nothing that would cause me concern- but not buttoned up the way a day spa would be normally. But that's probably what helps keep the cost down.
Honestly- I am still feeling the massage days later. Deep tissue is not the type of thing I go for on a weekly basis- but if I get tight like that again or am here for longer, I will definitely call Anna and ask for Evelina. These ladies are lovely.