I've been a Burke Williams member for years -- mostly visiting the Hollywood location, and more…read morerecently Woodland Hills since moving to the Valley. A friend recommended the Sherman Oaks branch, so I emailed the manager ahead of time for therapist recommendations.
First impression: if it's your first time here, finding the location can be confusing. There aren't any large Burke Williams signs, and I actually had to call the branch to confirm they were inside the mall area. Parking is also a bit of a walk, and signage could definitely be improved. For reference, they're located next to 24 Hour Fitness on the second floor, Building A.
Once inside, though, the experience improved immediately. I was greeted right away by two friendly receptionists, and check-in was quick and easy. Since it was my first time at this location, I asked if someone could show me around -- honestly, that probably should've been offered proactively.
The men's spa attendant gave me a tour, and the interior reminded me a lot of the West Hollywood location: darker, older, and more traditional in style. One thing another Yelper mentioned was absolutely true -- the place feels like a maze, especially since the massage rooms are upstairs on another level.
My therapist, Giovanni, was great. He asked about my preferred pressure before the session started, although he didn't really check in during the massage itself. That said, he definitely has his own massage style, and overall I enjoyed the treatment.
The men's spa area was surprisingly quiet, which made for a peaceful experience. The steam room wasn't quite hot enough for me, so I ended up spending more time in the sauna instead.
Overall, I had a nice experience and would come back. Just a heads-up about parking: it's validated at a discounted rate, but if you stay longer, it can add up. Hollywood still has the best parking situation since it's free, while Woodland Hills offers a flat $3 rate.