Finally took some time to pour back into my cup. Received a gift certificate to come here as a bridal shower gift 3 years ago! After a crazy week of work, I decided to play hookie on Friday and take a me day. I arrived on time and lucked up with 2 hr street parking on Madison. This spa is located in Old Town Alexandria so parking can be tricky. Anyhoo it's in the same building as One Life Fitness. Very easy to find. Not too many amenities to enjoy before being serviced and a very small restroom/changing area. Literally 1 toilet and 2 showers. The entire spa was really small. I felt bad like I was cheating on my regular masseuse. LOL but this was a gift! So I guess I can make an exception ;) My service was with Suzy. I opted for the 50 min hot stone massage and I did inform Suzy that I wanted a full body reset and gave her the green light to really apply pressure and dig deep into my massage. Deep tissue, full body massage!!! Susy was a little too gentle with me lol my massage felt more like a body rub with hot stones. Anyhoo! Very sweet place- just not for me. Happy Yelping! read more

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In town for a special event and stopped in for mani/pedi. Great facilities, excellent staff, wide range of services for both genders. Clean, courteous, on time! Highly recommend! read more

I did a Serenity Massage 50 Minute with Alison. And it was amazing! Clean locker rooms, nice robes and great customer service

In a town of over-priced day spas, Serenity is an upscale oasis that doesn't charge a significant Old Town tax. A friend sent me here for my birthday, and I LOVED my manicure, and my massage with Jeremy. I am super picky about my massage therapists, and rarely get bodywork done at day spas anymore. Jeremy had an instantly grounding and calming vibe. He targeted the spots I'd asked for, spending a ton of time on them, and yet still made time to address the rest of my body. His strokes are slow, rhythmic, almost wave-like. The manicurist (I am SOSOSO SORRY I forget her name) treated me like family, and treated my nails like her own. Front desk service was PERFECT - thoughtful, professional and friendly. read more

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I came in for a long day of pampering. I was greeted very nicely by the friendly staff who immediately showed me the way in to get ready for the spa. The changing rooms were clean and offered free pampering amenities like toothbrush, makeup remover, q tips, etc. My massage was great, even though I thought I was getting a hot stone massage but that's on me for booking the wrong one. I then had to wait for about a hour to get my nails done and this is where I got a bit annoyed because it seems like the technician was afraid of my feet lol. I mean my feet is not that dang bad , maybe she was new but she just didn't seem like she was comfortable giving pedicures which in turn made me feel uncomfortable. I then waited a short time in the serenity room for my facial and my facial was bit rushed and seemed to be harsh on my skin. I had no idea extractions hurt so bad, I won't be getting that done again. All in all, I will definitely probably try another spa in the future. read more

Serenity Day Spa - Old Town - The Serenity Room - Day Spas Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

Great service from reception to massage, and I love the relaxation room. Actually relaxing!

I've been coming to Serenity for massages and I really like it! The salon is clean and nicely appointed. There's a locker room to change and shower in. It's nice to rinse off after getting so oily. They have robes and sandals for you to change into before your massage. And a really nice sitting area to wait for your massage therapist. I saw Rai today and he did a great job!! We chatted beforehand and he followed my instructions exactly. He didn't talk during my massage (which I so appreciate)! It's nice to just zen out on the table and relax. My body feels nice and relaxed and my muscles are way less tense. I'll be back :-) read more

Good services For Serenity Facials with "Poy" And they have nice waiting room. Nice receptionist! 4 Stars read more

Visited Serenity for a couples massage and really enjoyed my experience. The spa was peaceful and serene and the waiting room was lovely. If you're looking for a great spa experience in Old Town Serenity is your spot! They provided a robe, sandals and water upon check in and lockers are available in the changing area to store your belongings. read more

I've been coming to this spa for many years. I always book a massage. I have always had excellent massages at this location. I can't speak about facials and the nail salon. Book early because it gets busy especially on weekends. read more

Serenity Day Spa - Old Town - Lounge - Day Spas Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

Great services, location, and amenities! Everything is clean and the entire staff is friendly and professional. The spa is undergoing an upgrade, which I can't wait to see! read more

Update(2/23/23): the Spa manager contacted my wife and corrected the situation. No business had it easy during COVID, and I'm glad that Serenity is working with their clientele to make them the priority again. Good management. read more

Great massage and great place to relax before and after. Can't wait to go back again.

Pleasant experience, knowledgeable staff I was a bit surprised by the price afterwards. I would return but search for a Groupon next time around read more

If you are looking for a wonderful massage in Old Town, look no further. Serenity has the best atmosphere (think quiet and relaxed) and wonderful therapists. read more

where do I begin!? my birthday spa day experience was everything that I could've hoped for. 5 years coming. 5 hours of service. 55th Birthday loading. my universe aligned for this very moment. started with a massage by Dain. those arm and leg pulls were everything! I have a neck sensitivity and he had me so relaxed that I didn't flinch once! he even massaged my ears! that was a pleasant surprise. I would've expected that during the facial, if at all. massage was followed by a facial by Markiah. she throughly cleansed my face and offered some products to use for my skin type. then she massaged, moisturized, and gave my hands a heat treatment. that was yet another unexpected surprise. after each service i was greeted with some water by my attendants waiting outside the rooms. everything was so clean and organized. Ciara had set aside an hour for me to enjoy lunch. I requested sushi (my favorite). it was ordered and delivered to the spa. Ciara set me up comfortably in the serenity room. I enjoyed my meal in a peaceful environment while reading and reflecting. after lunch I had a manicure and pedicure by Nila. she song happy birthday to me in Phillipino and gave me her Nutty Buddy ice cream cone to enjoy during my pedicure. it was a very nostalgic moment for me. growing up in the 70s, eating one of my memorable childhood treats. the salt scrub, paraffin wax, and hot towels added to the experience. the restrooms were clean. the locker room was very inviting. offering showers, toiletries, robes, and slides/shoes. like real shoes! lol. I didn't explore the whole facility but saw various products display areas. I mostly floated from room to room. lol. and at the end of my services. (I could've hung out til closing. they have blankets and pillows on the couches in the serenity room.) Ciara gave me a gift bag (I can't wait to open it). it made me realize the importance of taking the time for self care and I plan to make a spa visit part of a monthly ritual. the facility is BEAUTIFULLY decorated and inviting. if I was to have one "con" it would be the inner rooms decor. its basically bed or chair and service supplies. some plants, stones, or something of that nature would've definitely added to the inviting environment. but thats something very slight as 99% of the times your eyes are closed!!! lol. Please treat yourself and visit SDS. tell them Tabitha's review sent you there! ENJOY!!! #GodIS read more

From beginning to end my experience was 5 stars. I received a gift card to come in from a supervisor who could tell I needed it. They did not have a online booking link which was a bit disappointing, but the email response time was pretty good. When I arrived I was a little confused by the building construction but once I got in the ambiance was beautiful. They have a locker room with locks & spa robes & slides that make for a nice feel. The relaxation room was nice & all facilities were spotless. My masseuse was Marilyn. She's a GODsend. I liked her energy & customer service...but her hands were angelic. She took amazing care of me & made me sad to leave. She worked out my neck & shoulder pain without going too hard like some of my previous experiences. Afterward she was polite enough to give me care instructions & recommended that I see a chiropractor to get to where she couldn't heal. I thoroughly enjoyed her and am booking another session with her soon. read more

Proceed with caution for the following reasons: 1-the spa is located directly under a gym so you hear people dropping weights the entire time you're receiving your treatments 2-the spa is in the middle of an active construction zone which means even more noise 3-my appointment did not start on time 4-you have to pay for parking 5-despite stating that they give out birthday bags on their website when I inquired about my bag the front desk girl had no idea what I was talking about read more

Serenity Day Spa - Old Town - Website Description - Day Spas Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

Allison is the best massage therapist I have ever been to. She is knowledgeable about the body, very positive and welcoming. Serenity is a hidden gem in Old Town, clean and friendly. read more

I had an appointment at serenity Day spa at 12 o'clock noon today. Somehow I got lost and I ended up in DC. Christine is my next-door neighbor so I called her and I explained the situation and she said that whenever you get here we'll take care of you. And they did. I am deeply thankful that the staff understood what happened and was very receptive. I Would give this company, serenity day, spa in Alexandria, the highest rating possible read more

I bought my wife a "Renew & Refresh" 4 hour gift certificate package that included multiple services for $300 + tip. This was an anniversary present. At the conclusion of the spa services, they demand an additional $100 for extra services that weren't part of her package. Their mistake. They embarrassed and humiliated my wife and ruined her experience that was supposed to be special. This is the classic bait and switch. If you should be shopping for a spa day gift for someone you care about - stay clear of Serenity Day Spa. read more

This is solely based on the massages I have had here. I have not had other services. I think I've come here maybe 5 or 6 times. I usually get deep tissue massage, 80 minutes. I am very very satisfied with the massage therapists! They really know how to apply a great deal of pressure. I also really enjoy the ambiance of the spa area waiting room, nice and quiet like a spa should be. Makes me feel like I'm on vacation. Highly recommend trying this place out if you enjoy deep tissue massages. read more

I had a gift certificate to Serenity that my husband had given me for a massage and facial. When I decided to call to make my appointment, I was fortunate that there were openings that afternoon. So later that day, I headed from my Fairfax County abode down to Old Town and arrived right at my appointment time. Fortunately I used to work in that area, so I knew that parking would be iffy at best. I found a spot about a block and a half away, then walked to the spa. When I arrived, I told the woman at the front desk that I was there. It was the same woman who had taken my appointment. She couldn't find my appointment, then said that I was early. I told her what time she told me to be there, then she said that there was a delay with the masseuse, and she wouldn't be able to take me for another hour. She told me I could leave and come back in an hour. When I returned an hour later, she had said that she had me as a no-show, had left me messages at my home, and then fished my appointment slip out of the trash. She then proceeded to tell me that the facial technician would have taken me at the earlier time and asked why I was not there. Was I dealing with the same woman? Had I somehow slipped into a parallel universe? I explained to her, I HAD been there earlier, and she told me to come back in an hour. She huffed, instructed me to go change into a robe for my massage, and kind of left me on my own to figure out where the hell the rooms were where I should change. Once I finally laid down for my massage, the experience went from one star to five stars. Kristina was wonderful. I felt comfortable and found it easy to relax. She was very professional and I highly recommend her to anyone. After my massage, I had to wait 45 minutes for my facial. I sat in the "serenity room" - a room with some chairs, some magazines and one of those stupid tranquility fountains, that in all honesty doesn't relax me but make me have to pee. Anyway, the facial technician found me and led me back to her treatment room. She did nothing but critisize my skin and what I use to wash it. She had me on edge the entire time, and then tried to sell me every product in the place. She then had the balls to suggest I come back and see her, spend more money, and she'd do some waxing too. I'm no bearded woman, people!! I pluck my shapely eyebrows on a regular basis and I don't have a mustache. To make matters worse, as soon as I left the place, my skin began to break out. I've been having breakouts along my jawline ever since. So, over all, for the price I would recommend the massage services offered by this spa. For staff friendliness - front desk and facial services - this place failed big time. If I'm looking for anything other than a massage, I'm heading to Sugar House from now on. The only reason I gave this place the three stars I did was that Kristina the masseuse did a wonderful job. read more

I got an email an hour before our couples massage that the masseuse was out sick. When I called they told me the massage would be cancelled, I was like, hold on, we took off work weeks ago, it's an hour away, are you telling me you have no other staff that can step in? The woman on the phone was completely unprofessional with complete disregard for the customers wasted time and just said "what, so you want a sick person working on you?!" And I said, no maybe just some empathy in the way you are speaking to me for my situation, for which she then hung up on me. I then called back and asked to speak to the manager. Said person who hung up on me said not only is she the manager but also the OWNER. I have been in customer service for a long time and if these statements were true, BUYER BEWARE. I usually book at Sugar House but wanted to try something different. My bad. Thankfully I called a brand new spa (Spa180 on Duke) and when I explained what happened at this spa, they got us in that same afternoon fora couples massage. If you think you should be valued as a person for your time, money, and mental health, steer clear of this place. They will cancel without notice (had I done that I would have been charged) and lack any real customer service. read more

Terrible customer service, extremely stressful for a spa. I received a 300+ dollar gift card for multiple services had an appointment canceled twice and didn't receive a call notifying me. While I was not upset at the LAST MINUTE cancellation, when I in turn had to reschedule my appointment, instead of being met with the same understanding, I was told I had lost half of my services already and would be charged to reschedule. I was also denied a refund for a service I did not or would not receive, I'll be contacting my credit card company to dispute. Incompetent receptionist, probably reflection of service. If you are looking for a full spa experience, don't go here read more

THEY EXPIRE GIFT CERTIFICATES WITHOUT NOTICE. NOT A "SMALL LOCAL SPA" - OWNED BY U.S. FITNESS HOLDINGS (owner of Sport and Health and OneLife Fitness) Bought a couples valentine's day massage package for $225 in Feb 2020. Scheduled service for March, canx because of onset of COVID pandemic and spa was closed. We ended up moving across country in May 2020. I called once they reopened, was told "no problem, we will put a credit on your acct for use towards any other full price service." Great. Finally returning to DC for first time in May '22, call to schedule massage and was told "we see the acct credit, but it expired in Dec '21." Told there was nothing that can be done based on this "corporate policy." At my behest, they appealed to "corporate" who declined to let me spend the money I gave them; claim they are "so sorry." So I'm just out $225. Completely asinine decision that is totally in their hands to control. If I'd have known of expiration policy, I would have gifted the credit to a local friend prior to expiration. If you want to expire the promotion associated with a purchase, cool, but expire actual unused funds?! Horrendus. Crazy. Only come here if you're prepared to pay for your service on the same day and are fine with supporting a terrible, inflexible "corporate" holding company that doesn't care about you in the slightest. read more

My husband and I came here for couple's massage. We left underwhelmed. He got the sports massage and felt that the massage therapist's technique was not firm or strong enough. I requested the prenatal massage and I was very disappointed. The technique the massage therapist used was very strange - tiny, weak circles. All the massages I've received in the past consisted of mostly long strokes that helped with the soreness accompanied by pregnancy. More than anything though, I was upset by the fact that the therapist would apply oil to his hands and subsequently rub his hands together above my face. I had oil dripped onto my face and eyes three times. Also, he provided me with pillows for my head and between my legs that were lying on the floor and had no pillowcase, which seems to be quite unsanitary. Facility-wise, the facility is pleasant and clean although the HVAC is extremely loud and easily jolts you out of the relaxing reverie you wish to drift into. The reception staff is very nice as well. read more

Love this place. I had a prenatal massage today with Natasha and she got all the good spots! I like how they don't rush you around. I like the comfy locker rooms, the quiet and chill serenity room, and the bath robes. This is probably by 4th or 5th massage and I keep coming back. The prices are commensurate with the experience. I've done a a lot of groupon massages and massage envy type places and have learned you pay for what you get. I like this place and feel it's worth it. read more

Serenity Day Spa - Old Town - In the serenity room. Cheesey name but it is nice and relaxing. - Day Spas Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

Great service staff and facility, very relaxing. I can only comment on the massage, the reason I went; Ginger is the best at deep tissue work, gave me the best massage Ive ever had. I haven't been to a lot of spas, but this one was well set-up, had a great atmosphere, friendly people, snacks while you wait and the service was outstanding. read more

Serenity Day Spa - Old Town - The store just inside the door. - Day Spas Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

This was my first time here. My husband booked me an appointment for a massage and a facial. The place was easy to find and super quiet and clean. The front desk staff was super inviting and wonderful. They have a locker room to change into the robes and sandals they supply and a large comfortable waiting area. The massage therapist I saw was Carlos and he was wonderful. He made me fell comfortable and made sure to ask if there were any parts of my body that were concerning. It's important to not that this was my first massage so I didn't really know what to expect. I was able to relax immediately and Carlos was easy to talk to but I noticed we only talked as much as I wanted to so that was neat. I definitely recommend asking for Carlos if you want a good massage. After my 50 minute massage I got a facial. The esthetician asked if I had any problem areas or concerns about my skin and asked what my skin regiment consists of. I was surprised when she told me that she was going to look at my skin under a microscope and gave me advice. The esthetician also gave me a neck and shoulder massage and it was wonderful. Overall Serenity was a great experience and I highly recommend this place. I will definitely be back soon!!! read more

I have been to Serenity many times, and my experience has usually been good. This time my massage therapist did not come to get me and it was going on 12 minutes after it was supposed to start. I finally went to the front desk and no one was there. After a few minutes someone came out, I told them the therapist had not shown up yet. A few minutes later, she came in and apologized for being late, and rushed me to the room, never looking me in the eye. The massage was strange, she would massage and then stop like she was falling asleep for a second in between massages. I asked for "more pressure" and then she woke up a bit. Honestly really not great. After being late she ended the massage 5 minutes early:-( all that for $162 read more

Serenity has been my family's spa for over 5 years now and it doesn't seem the newer massage therapists are being vetted well. My massages vary by extremes depending who is available during my appointment. My most recent massage was a weak rub down by a therapist who cut my time, didn't provide lavender or eucalyptus oils, no warm towel during the massage, no warmed table... she spent more time massaging my hands then anything else. My mother's massage was in the adjacent room and as she went down the list of the massage inclusions she received and we compared notes, her massage by Reggie was definitely a relaxing treat compared to mine. I left unsatisfied and not relaxed, this is 2nd time in a one month span this has happened. read more

Natasha gave me a 50 min deep tissue massage a few weeks ago and it was the best I've ever had. I will definitely be going back. She listened to me but also created a very quiet and serene atmosphere. Bliss!! read more

My daughter in law and I both had the 3.5 hour spa package. The interior of the spa is quiet and nice. Both of us loved the massage therapist and facial person. They were excellent. I was upgraded to the spa pedicure. The lady left a few times during my pedicure. When she put the hot wax on my feet she left for 10 minutes. Never checked on me. One heel burned badly and after one month I am still having issues. While I liked some of these services, I will not go back again when I visit the area. read more

There are a lot of things I love about Serenity Day Spa. Sam gives amazing facials. Erin does great massages. Once I get in the door, I enjoy the services very much. But it's simply become too frustrating to schedule an appointment! There are more things that are frustrating and, let's face it, frustrating is not what you are looking for in a day spa. Over the past year, I have had a ridiculously difficult time attempting to book appointments. The front desk is a certifiable disaster. My husband gave me a gift certificate for a full spa day - 80mn massage, facial, lunch, extended manicure/pedicure. I was thrilled. However, it took me a solid two months to schedule with the spa. Every single time I attempted to do so, they attempted to book me for the half day treatment. My husband had already pre-paid for the full day treatment. Yet every single time, they contradicted me and gave me attitude when I asked them to double check the system. Finally made the reservation. Excellent. Requested a day off work, as I never did get a Saturday appointment to fit in. Three days beforehand, they call and tell me they have to cancel my appointments because the girl who was doing my facial had to go to a training. I booked a solid month in advance. I was incredibly frustrated, particularly when they rebooked me without consulting me regarding my schedule. I had to leave multiple voicemails for the spa coordinator to get everything straightened out. I finally had my spa day and it was great, but I needed one after all the stress of booking it! When my husband tried to book me the same package again using their online reservation system, no one ever got back to him. Two days later, we found out why: their own automatic contact form email address was wrong. When I called to try to let the spa coordinator know - and perhaps book some treatments with them - her voicemail was non functioning. Serenity Day Spa does a great job of making it difficult for you to give them money. As I said, the treatments are nice. The massage tables are heated and the actual spa services staff has always been great. There's a nice relaxation room, although it's for both genders. There's no hot tub, sauna, steam room, shower area, etc. The mani/pedi rooms are actually sort of gross and awkward. I ended up scheduling my second day at Lansdowne. It was the same price and a much less stressful experience. Re: comment from Serenity Yes, I do love the spa techs at Serenity. And I had a great day. But it took months and months to make that happen - and it wasn't an isolated incident. My time is valuable, too, so I'll be going somewhere I can make an appointment at MY convenience - not theirs. read more

Don't buy a gift card. Mine was a birthday gift for massages for one year. It expired during COVID 2020. The $300 value was renewed through the end of 2020 but not extended into 2021 when vaccines became available, and a visit to the spa was safer. Why sell gift cards that expire? Unlike some airlines that automatically renewed credits for cancelled flights during COVID, this spa ignored the primary mission of all successful businesses: the customer comes first. One extra star for excellent pedicures and manicures (they deserve higher rating but the management doesn't.) read more

I went here because I belong to Sport and Health, and on certain days you can get a discount on services if you're a member. I got a deep tissue massage-- big mistake. I don't drink enough water, so I was in massive pain afterward. I was doing a lot of yoga and weights at the time and my shoulders were insanely tight. My masseuse worked out the kinks all right, and was really down-to-earth and friendly to boot, but I was feeling it for days (and not in a good way). The pricing is decent and the establishment is clean and a bit pretty. Plus Serenity sells Sombra, my favorite tight-muscle aid (a natural "tiger balm," if you will) which I've only seen at my chiropractors' in the past, so that's a good-to-know tidbit. Final answer: I'm still searching for the best, go-to massage in DC/MD/VA. I'm a bit spoiled as a good friend of mine, who recently moved to Asheville, "practiced" on me all through her massage school training. Erin B., come back! read more

Two not great experiences here. Started going because they have a deal with my gym, but I haven't been impressed. First experience was an okay massage with a very chatty massage therapist. The second, the WORST bikini wax of my life (hence the 1 star). The wax was way too hot, I mentioned it, it was slightly adjusted. The technician commented that my skin was getting extremely irritated, I looked to her for what to do: she said "it's probably fine, we'll just keep going." It was not fine, it took me a week and a half to recover, I was so sore and had terrible bumps and irritation. I'll go back to getting bikini waxes at my regular place, even if it is further away. read more

I couldn't think of a better time to get a massage than after GMAT Round 2. R, being the doll he is, gave me a gift certificate to Serenity, and let me tell you--it was all I could think about during the test. Went to the spa immediately after. I got there about 15 minutes late since I was coming from downtown, so unfortunately, that cut down on my massage time. Which really sucks because that massage was one of the most memorable experiences of my life. Granted, it occurred just yesterday, but still; I'm sure I'll remember it forever. The appointment process was totally painless, and the receptionist was awesome. She pointed me to the women's changing room, where I stripped down and got cozy in a robe. The best part (aside from the actual rub-down) is the waiting room! It's dimly lit, with soft music playing, and they've got these great, random spoody housewife home design magazines to flip through while you nibble on lemon cookies and sip a cup of hot tea or a glass of water. (Oh, and the water "fountain" in the hall already has lemons in it. Wonderful!) The actual massage was beyond phenomenal. I should give the disclaimer that this was my first professional massage, so I don't have anything to compare it to, but it was fantastic. I got a Swedish massage and Kate, my therapist, was terrific, explaining the process before it all since I was a newbie and making sure to use non-tickling methods (since I am ticklish damn near everywhere on me). She used hot towels to warm up my muscles and had a great touch to her. I wish I could say more, but I fell asleep during the massage. Post-massage, you're welcome to hang out in the waiting room if you'd like. I most certainly did, to let the remainder of the test stress melt off me. Overall, I had a great experience. Next time, I'll show up on time, so I can get all the time in the world. And there will definitely be a next time. I really don't understand how my life could go on without my getting a massage again. How'd I go this long??? read more

Disappointing. There were no water features like a steam room or mineral bath. The waiting room was small and contained talkative people, making it difficult to relax. There was a paucity of lounge/ reclining chairs there. The facial was ok, but I felt the personality of the lady doing the facial was really strong, and a couple of times I was offended that she condescended my knowledge of skin care. I received a gentle peel, but to be honest, I could have just drunk less water at work today to have the same effect. read more