Came here for a facial with Caroline. Was my first time here and had a great experience. Place was clean, professional staff, and Caroline did a fantastic job which left my skin glowing. I will definitely be back, but need to make an appt well in advance as they are very busy read more

I had a LivingSocial coupon for a massage and my experience here was fantastic! My massage was with Margo and she was professional, incredibly attentive, very conscientious about comfort, climate, pressure and all the other essentials. I'd definitely go back to Margo for a massage! The Retreat itself was a very clean, relaxing space. As a previous poster noted, the rooms are nice and spacious and there is a fully equipped (albeit small) restroom/shower area available. I really liked that we were offered a complimentary bottle of water after the service. Check in and check out went really smoothly and quickly, which is a definite bonus as far as spa experience goes. Overall, a great experience! [Note that I can't speak for their prices or menu variety because I had a coupon and paid a set (low) amount for a specific service.] read more

I have been coming here since I moved to town 4 plus years ago and can't speak highly enough of the place. However in light of COVID-19, I thought it best to shine a light on this gem. Firstly the staff is incredibly dedicated to the safety of the clients, going above and beyond to adhere to the CDC guidelines for prevention, while still managing to create a relaxed atmosphere. They are very controlled with how you enter and exit the building and truly show their care for your experience. But more importantly, it is the best damn massage I have ever had in my life. I have recently opened a restaurant and as such have been crazy busy. It takes a toll on your body as a chef. So instead of a restorative treatment, as I'm used to choosing, I have been opting for deep tissue massage with LB. All I can say is the man is a wizard. An evil, thorough and cruel wizard who will have you feeling 10 years younger.... though it takes a few days to stop feeling like you were hit by a bus . Thank you so much for being the best spot for this old Chef's aches and pains. read more

Jennifer did an amazing job with my sports message, and really listened when I told her my sore spots!!!!! I followed an hour massage by my first facial. Pascale made this experience one to remember and I will definitely be back for more before my wedding day. Highly recommend. they made me feel so comfortable and the atmosphere was very relaxing. read more

Once again had a five star experience at the Retreat. Yesterday was my birthday and I wanted some pampering. My massage with Tracy was excellent. She listened to me and really worked on what was bothering me but also got to everything else. I was so blissed out after the massage I could hardly talk. My facial with Amanda was perfect. My skin looks amazing today and she gave me a little sample of some BB cream because I forgot my make up. Above and beyond! I love that each treatment room has it's own theme, Asian, Parisienne, etc. and there's mouthwash in the bathroom. It's the little things in life...right? The Retreat has thought of everything. I will definitely be back as soon as possible. read more

Had a great morning massage with Jennifer! Relaxation achieved! Will be coming back for sure :D

Absolutely great! The staff is very professional, and the place is elegant but not snobby. I had a wonderful experience with my Hawaiian massage (Caroline was the therapist) and I am looking forward to going back! read more

Received a gift certificate and enjoyed a lovely relaxation massage with Caroline, followed by a signature facial with Emily. Both were wonderful, but if I were to go again for purely relaxation purposes, I'd stick with the massage. I wish that the receptionist had told my massage therapist that I had a facial scheduled for afterwards -- I think there was a communication mixup, and I ended up hurrying to put my clothes back on, only to wait alone in a treatment room before going to the esthetician. So flow between treatments could have been better. read more

I usually proclaim, several times a week, that I'm stressed out. Therefore, I should be able to have a weekly massage, right? I've now had 3 separate and lovely experiences at Brightleaf. Two separate couples massages with my husband and a shorter massage that focused on my legs and feet. All three of my aestheticians were confident, knowledgeable and made me feel comfortable. My husband felt the same. The facility is clean and well kept. It's a day-spa, so none of the fancy showers/tubs that some places have, but the facility is reflected in the reasonable prices. They've had really good Black Friday sales on gift certificates in the past, so check out their website. They also send out periodic emails with specials, but not spammy. read more

The Retreat is fabulous! The staff are very friendly and upbeat. The rooms are serene, clean, and beautiful. The whole space is gorgeous. Brandi does a fabulous job with my acupuncture. I was a newbie to acupuncture before Brandi and I'm hooked! It truly has helped with anxiety. read more

August Cutrara remains the absolute best massage therapist in the area. He is the only MT I've ever been to who has been able to give me immediate relief from several nagging trigger points. He clearly cares about the well-being of his clients and listens intently to their needs/preferences. I recommend him to everyone I know! read more

I went for a brazilian wax with Emily this time. It was quick!! It was painful by its nature, but Emily did a great job to finish fast and prepare me for the upcoming pain. The greatest thing was that I did not have any blood spot afterwards. I did brazilian wax about once a year, and this was the first time that I did not see blood afterwards. The skin around the area looked calm after a short while. I will definitely consider doing it more often and will come back to Emily. read more

Went to August for a prenatal massage . He was super nice and professional and did a great job to provide some relief on this incubator body. Will defiantly be back and recommend him and the Retreat ! read more

Emily is my most favorite aesthetician! Getting a bikini wax is never fun- but Emily set me at ease immediately & was extremely professional. The results we perfect and I would recommend Emily to ANYONE! The Retreat is also a gorgeous, clean, friendly environment. read more

August is magical at massage! I had a 50 minute massage that I thought might be the best one ever. I went again and confirmed that yes it was. read more

I realize that the Retreat is new and probably still working out some of the kinks. That being said, I had an absolutely terrible massage there. When I went in, the place looked promising. Talking with the masseuse, I told her that I wanted to work through some tension in my shoulders and upper back, and I thought she understood my needs. She warned me that the pressure could be intense, and I told her no problem, I wanted her to loosen the knots. Well an hour later she had barely touched my shoulders and neck and they were just as tight as when I had arrived. I have received massages before and this had to have been the worst. As I explicitly told her what I needed, I can only guess that she was unable to provide anything outside of a light touch massage. I went there through a Living Social voucher, and felt ripped off. I can't imagine paying full price there! read more

I've been to the Retreat at Brightleaf twice for deep tissue massages. Both were decent, but not amazing. I didn't leave upset by any means, but I've has better massages. Maybe this is a standard that I don't know about - both massage therapists talked the ENTIRE time. Perhaps some clients want that, but I wasn't asked, and I felt rude asking them to stop taking. I paid for a massage to relax, and I don't find small talk relaxing. Overall, I wasn't completely dissatisfied, and their prices make for good value for services received, but I think this is a major faux pas - I probably would have given four stars had this not been the case. read more

Rich was amazing. One of the best massages I've ever had. Attention to detail was excellent. Aesthetics of the spa were not as expected. Not very cozy and inviting when you walk in as seen on yelp photos but the massage is what counts!! read more

Lee Galbreath gave me the best massage I've ever had. Very focused, great pressure. Made me feel comfortable, relaxed, checked in the right amount of times, and dramatically improved my stiff neck! read more

I have been to The Retreat at least 10 times in over 3+ years so I feel comfortable saying the environment is always comfortable, clean and the process is always efficient. I go for deep tissue/therapeutic massage so I like a fair bit of work. I hadn't been to Jennifer Janney before but her time slot really worked best for me so I decided to take a chance---it totally paid off. She is a great therapist and I can't recommend her enough. I will be back for her! read more

In the past month, I've had two massages at the Retreat and have really enjoyed them both. I can't wait to go back. The Retreat is designed in a simple, but clean and crisp fashion. The location happens to be very close to my home so I knew how to find it but the signage is flush with the exterior so it might be a bit hard to find for newbies. I've been to other spas that were more lush, but the white interior of the treat is very peaceful though relatively unadorned. It's a place for treatments and not necessarily a place you would hang out and relax before or afterwards because of limited space. That's ok for me as I recognize there is a time and place for that kind of pampering. Sometimes you just want a clean, peaceful place to get great treatments and the Retreat fits the bill. On both occasions, I was greeted by a very friendly receptionist which surprisingly isn't the case at many places. For some reason, spa reception people seem to think you are privileged to be there and don't go out of the way to be nice to you in many cases. It was refreshing to find such pleasant people at the front desk at the Retreat. Both my therapists were also really wonderful. Special kudos to Margo for many reasons. First, the massage was flat out fantastic. In addition, she was thoughtful, inquisitive about my needs and was very good at providing explanations for why she was using certain techniques. I really appreciated the education. She also suggested many other therapies, exercises, stretches that would address some of the issues for which I was getting a massage. That was really a differentiator for me as it's rare that I've received that much explanation/education from a therapist. She also happened to be incredibly sweet, funny and a great personality to speak with. Best of all, my last massage was on 8/26 and we were just getting the beginnings of Hurrican Irene. About mid-way through the massage, the power went out for the entire block. After a moment of consultation with other staff, Margo resumed the massage even without any power in the building. The soothing music was off because we didn't have power, but she continued to work by candlelight and flashlight. I barely noticed anything happened at all! That was really wonderful and much appreciated. The Retreat really deserves 4.5 or 5 stars but if I'm being objective I need to be a little constructive. The last massage I booked was actually supposed to be a couples massage. That is what I indicated when I booked and was the purpose of the event. Unfortunately, when I got there we were ushered into separate rooms. It seems that the Retreat doesn't have a room large enough for couples massage. That's understandable, I just wished I had been informed of that at the time of booking. I probably still would have done it and the massages both ended up being great, it just wasn't the experience I was expecting. A relatively minor hiccup in the grand scheme of things, but something that deserves mentioning. All in all, a solid place for treatments and I'll look forward to heading back there. read more

The Retreat at Brightleaf is a real TREAT! I am extremely impressed with the owners and staff. Katy at the Retreat does all of my waxing. Not only is she extremely professional, she also shapes my brows better than any other waxer I have been too. She took into account that I have very sensitive skin and advised me on proper skin care and invited me back for a facial. I again became impressed with Katy when she sent me a HANDWRITTEN Thank You Card!!! I became friends with the Retreat on Facebook and have become a loyal client for all of my spa needs. read more

This 5-star review is for Lee Galbreath's prenatal massages! Pregnant ladies and/or their spouses, if you're looking for a good prenatal massage, look no further. I am so, so thankful my husband got me a gift certificate here. I have had a lot of massages in my life all over the world, and I can honestly say Lee is one of the best massage therapists I've had in the US! I went to Lee for all but one* of my prenatal massages and she was AMAZING. She is very attentive to your particular needs that day - sore spots, desired pressure strength, whether you want to chat or simply relax and drift off to sleep, all of it. I am used to very firm pressure for massages and Lee was able to accommodate that (and trust me, not many can). My hands and feet were frequently swollen or achy during the last month of my pregnancy, and lower back pain was persistent. But after an appointment with Lee, I'd feel so refreshed and light on my feet. I am so sad to be moving away from North Carolina. Otherwise, you could bet your hindquarters that I'd be a regular here. Thank you, Lee, for making my last couple months of pregnancy bearable! * The first time I made an appointment here, I had April. April was nice and the massage was fine too, but I am so glad I asked to have Lee for the following appointment. If you can, maybe try both and see who you have the right chemistry with. But If you can only go once, I'd definitely recommend Lee!! read more

I've been going to The Retreat for the occasional massage for several years and every one of their massage therapists have been great. I've also been seeing Bonnie King for facials and waxing for a while and she is absolutely fantastic - great work, very professional, and an overall warm and sweet person. Bonnie was at Posh for years and has just relocated to The Retreat, so now I happily have one stop for everything. read more

Facial was good but over priced $85. I asked for the basic which would have been $55 and they signed me up for the signature without explaining to me the service and the cost. Also received a massage- it was okay. The therapist talked the entire session and I could not relax for 5 mins. Needless to say, my bill was almost $200 ...smh... I could have gone to the Umstead and really enjoyed myself - no return read more

Best spa around. I don't even bother with the LivingSocial/Groupon deals at other places anymore, because I would rather spend extra money to get a guaranteed excellent service here. I have been for facials and massages. The customer service is impeccable, and they have a generous rescheduling/cancellation policy as well. I have had several different therapists/facialists here, and honestly you just cannot go wrong. My skin looks AMAZING after my facials there - I have tried other places and I notice a difference when I go to the Retreat. I love it! :) read more

I was in Durham for a Medical Interview with my husband. I lucked up and got an appointment here rather quickly with Jace. From a girl who gets massages regularly, you could tell this lady really knew her stuff and worked my tired muscles and body! I feel like a new person! read more

This was the most impressive result from a massage therapy that I ever had - I have been going to "The Retreat " for massage therapy on regular basis, we all know that massage can play an active role in general health and Blake Moriarty is always very professional and a very knowledegeable therapist, I find her sessions to be therapeutic and relaxing. This one time I was at "The Retreat" seeking treatment for lower back pain, and Blake, with her technique and outstanding professional approach, simply eliminated that pain that had affected me for days! I have and will continue to recommend Blake to my friends and family! SIlvana B read more

Great ambience - aesthetic design is clean, minimalist, and relaxing. It's tucked away, so there's not too much loud traffic in the area. I always frequent this spa for massages while I'm at school. I've tried the Swedish, Deep Tissue, and the Sports massages. The 60 minute Swedish is always a favorite of mine - just the right amount of time to relax and the perfect pressure. Deep Tissue and Sports were a bit intense, but if you speak up, the masseuses will change the pressure very easily. My favorite massage spa in Durham. read more

I'm not sure if 5 visits is enough to call myself a client; but I think it's enough to pen an informed Yelp review! APPOINTMENTS They have excellent hours; I love that I can get an appointment last minute, or late evening, or on any weekend with plenty of timeslots to choose from. When they revamped their website this year, they also began offering online booking which makes setting something up even more seamless (the only snag seems to be if you want to book multiple services back-to-back; it appears you can't do this in one booking session, which is a little clunky software-side). But calling in or even emailing for an appointment has never been difficult either; I aways hear back promptly. Two out of five appointments, they've had to alter (in one instance, they asked to cut my time back from 2 hours to 1 because the therapist wasn't feeling well; the second time they asked if they could bump my appointment later in the day). I feel as though not honoring the booked time is probably uncommon; and I have to point out that they, without prompting, offered a small discount to my services on both occasions. So despite a slight inconvenience, they were very apologetic and proactive. ATMOSPHERE The lobby is bright, cheery, inviting. They offer water and tea. I love the gallery of old- and new-school Durham city sights. The rooms seem to each have a theme (eg, Paris; Africa); they're modestly decorated but perfectly comfortable and calm-inducing. The restroom is off of a hallway, with a sink that is separate from the toilet area; it feels a bit public. In terms of ambiance, I'd place this midway between a "cheap" option like Massage Envy and a posh(er) luxe spa like Healing Waters. My main complaint is that some of the massage rooms share a wall with the neighboring local business, which happens to be a fencing school. Half of my appointments, I've been able to hear muffled fencing combat. It's not all that noticeable, but does kind of remove you from a complete state of relaxation. SERVICES I've utilized three different massage therapists at the Retreat, and had one waxing service. Everyone has unique preferences when it comes to massage, but I think I've finally found a great fit in John. He has great "bedside" manner, seems very in-tune to the muscles, and administers the deftest most effective trigger-point therapy I've ever received. I was paired with Shelly for waxing, and quickly took to her warm, conversational personality. She did a pretty thorough job, and a practically pain-free one too! The Retreat offers a variety of massage styles, plus facials, body polishing, and other indulgences. Pricing seems appropriate for the experience; although I wish I could afford to go more regularly! They do run monthly specials in their e-newsletter and occasional deals around the holidays, etc. I'm really glad to have The Retreat close by, and even happier to have discovered John for my sports massage needs! read more

Everything about this spa is wonderful! I have received facials both pre and post cancer treatment and both were perfect for my skin at the time. They really give you individualized care. Even the temperature and the music in the treatment rooms was spot on! Also Pascale is a miracle worker with brows. Thanks!!!! read more

I am a newbie to massage, as I've only previously had two massages and both were more than ten years ago. I have some past trauma in my life which makes me very nervous about other people touching me. So this had the potential to be a traumatic rather than a relaxing experience. Boy, was I floored at how great this massage was for me. Entering the salon, they have done some very nice things with their lobby area, with a selection of products and local services, as well as some well-chosen photos of Durham. They are very supportive of local businesses, which is something that I respect. I really lucked out by getting booked with Blake, one of the owners and a fantastic therapist. Although I didn't say anything about my nervousness, she could sense that I was keyed up at the start of things. She explained exactly what would happen, the order of things, what I was to do to get undressed and prepared, and was very sensitive through the whole process. She worked on my shoulders and back especially in ways that I haven't experienced before, really working out kinks and pockets of tension. The atmosphere of the room and the music were nicely soothing, and the massage felt at once grounding and freeing. My mind wandered to all sorts of thoughts so that the experience felt like it was healing not just physically but also to my psyche. I was reminded of the biblical passage where Mary sister of Lazarus anoints Jesus' feet with oil. So yes, I was having a bit of a religious experience, which is all due to Blake's skill and care. Afterwards she gave me some tips on hydration, which I followed. The next day, I feel great, not sore at all, and my back and especially my right leg where I had knee surgery a year ago are feeling alive and nubile like they haven't in a long time. All I can say is, I'm definitely going back on a regular basis. I'll be trying their other services in the near future as well. read more

I've been going to the Retreat since they offered a Groupon or LivingSocial deal shortly after opening. I have had countless massages, a few facials, some waxing, and some sessions of acupuncture there. One thing that I love about the Retreat is that all the massage therapists have their own style, and it is completely okay to try out different therapists, or to schedule with someone based on what you're looking for that time. My current favorites there are Caroline, Traci, and Shannon. All three have amazing knowledge into what your body needs, and approach the problems with their own intuition. Caroline uses small movements to aid your muscles in releasing, Traci uses sweeping and gliding motions to achieve full-body calm, and Shannon has more of a sports-style approach. No matter whom you see at the Retreat, you'll be happy. And if you have any issues at any time, they are very responsive to your needs. Once you go here, you'll have them on speed dial :) read more

Very well run with excellent deep therapy massage. The staff is friendly and delightful and very focused on doing a great job.

My massage was perfect. I really enjoyed it and will go again the next time I'm in town

My first time at Brightleaf was the best! i had the one hour massage with Lauren and it was wonderful! Just the right amount of pressure and totally relaxing. She was great and really personalized the massage for what i needed. The perfect treat! Cannot wait to go back! read more

The Retreat at Brightleaf is my go-to spot for massage, facials and accupunture...and if I were a bit organized, waxing too! I haven't had a single service here that has left me anything but relaxed and pleased. The location is super convenient and they have hours that accomodate my less than traditional schedule. Do yourself a favor and book an appointment today! read more

Clean and welcoming retreat indeed. In love coming here for therapeutic messages. From Swedish to deep tissue, the therapist at the retreat know how to heal. You are sure to come out feeling rejuvenated and relaxed. read more

I had the deep tissue massage here with Isaac (one of the males, I think that's his name) and he did a great job. I told him where my aches were and that's where he focused. I was actually free from soreness for 2 full weeks, which is much longer than I've had from other massages. The only downside is that this place is pricey ($80 for 1 hour). read more

Amazed with the quality of the place. Very top! I'll certainly be back to have some skin treatment and massages! I wish they also had manicure/ pedicure to be even more perfect. A great experience. Totally recommended! read more