Went to the falls for our anniversary, and saw rain in the forecast. Decided to book a spa day, and from their website, Senses looked clean and relaxing. I called the day before and they had appointments available (pleasant surprise - I thought they'd be booked all day on a summer Saturday for sure!)
Easy to find. Parking lot had signs to direct you to parking and the spa entrance. It is attached to the Americana hotel (which has a waterpark; ie: lots of kids/families), but once you enter the spa - all is quiet.
We had been walking around all day in the heat, so we took quick rinse-off showers before hopping into our robes. The locker rooms were nice - had a sauna and single (tiny) shower stall. I was hoping for a nice rain spa shower, but this was smaller/older than our marriott hotel shower stall. The shampoos, etc didn't smell great either (was hoping for something citrusy or rosemary, sage or lavender. They had pomegranate, that smelled more like actual cleaning fluid.) Either way water pressure was good, so it was relaxing regardless!
We booked deep tissue massages with RMTs (forgot to ask for couple's room, but they were great about telling us that we're right across the hallway from each other. didn't matter, but nice to know!). My masseuse went through a quick explanation about deep tissue massages (since they are more painful/manipulative than relaxing at times!), and understood when I said I had a desk job but also work out/run (ie: please help my upper back!). She was fantastic and checked in every so often to make sure pressure was ok, and was quick to respond if I asked for something different (my legs apparently do NOT enjoy the same pressure that my back does, so she was great about lightening the pressure on my legs). I have 2 spots in my upper back that usually knot up, and it was obvious that she noticed those spots and really got in there to help smooth things out. She finished off the session with a light scalp massage with rosemary oil - perfect! The only downside is that her style was a bit quick/pinpointed even when warming up & cleaning the muscles and I prefer slow, even pressured strokes - but perhaps that was just good time management on her part and the difference between larger male hands and smaller female hands?
My husband's massage (based on his description) was almost like a sports therapy session. He got his masseuse talking about what she was finding along the way (same desk job + runner situation), and she was apparently fantastic about explaining muscle structure, pointing out inconsistencies with right vs left, giving recommendations for stretches/exercises at home to help keep things 'fixed' after she worked through them.
Both of us were happy with our experience. I did notice that during my massage, I did hear some of the staff talking in the hallway at full volume to greet a frequent guest/friend. Only lasted 2-3 minutes. When I returned to the resting room to wait for my husband, there were 2 girls (mid-20s) gossiping and laughing at full volume about friends' pregnancies, relationships, etc. Thankfully they were taken to their rooms quickly. I did see 3-4 other guests during my time in the spa, and they were all calm/quiet.
The price seemed fair ($105/55min) for the service & amenities (water and tea in the resting room, no rush to leave, etc). We'd pay similar prices in the states, so the exchange rate actually made it a bit cheaper for us! There is a mirror when you leave the spa and head to the elevator, and I swear I looked 5 years younger. Under eye puffiness/dark circles GONE.
A bit sore today (as if I went through a tough workout), but that's to be expected with deep tissue. Still feel great! Would recommend Senses spa. read more