Azul Day Spa
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Azul Day Spa
May 2004
I'm looking for reviews from members on Azul Spa, in Berkeley
just off Solano Avenue. It looks nice, but I don't know anyone
who has used thier services. I am thinking of giving a gift
certificate to a friend. Does anyone have positive/negative
experiences with this establishment?
Thanks!
kim
I've used Azul Day Spa many times and enjoyed it. I've also given gift
certificates to others, and they've loved it too. The people are friendly
and the prices are extremely reasonable. Yes, some of the curtains or
decor look like they could use a facelift, but it's by no means ''out of date''
or worn down. The baths are heavenly, the massages are great (I've
only done a pregnancy massage, though) and the facials will make you
fall asleep (a good thing!).
anon
I got prenatal massages every month from Karen at Azul. she is
fantastic...very intuitive. She also has one of those mats
that allows pregnant women to lie on their stomachs. I have
also had non-pregnancy massages there from her and she is still
fantastic. When giving the gift certificate, just tell the
person to specify Karen. I have had massages from other people
there that I didn't think were great.
great gift
I've had a massage, a body scrub and ''slipper tub'' soak at
Azul Spa. They were all wonderfully effective in easing the
tension that I seldom seem to be aware of accumulating in my
body, and in allowing me to feel pampered for awhile. The staff
was friendly and professional, the facility was clean and
aesthetically pleasant, the waiting area was great to lounge in
and sip on a cool drink, and I liked it so much that I have
given their gift certificates to clients. The only things that I
might say are drawbacks are that much of the space around the
central waiting/lounge area is open to the ceiling (walls extend
partially up to the ceiling or curtains separate spaces, but you
generally don't hear what's happening in the other spaces), and
in some areas the plumbing and its sounds can be distracting.
These are minor relative to the rest of the experience. On the
other hand, the openness is what's nice about it -- a spacious
feeling. If you're looking for an in-town spa experience, an
accessible respite from your daily routine, this is a great one.
DO call ahead for an appointment, and you can check out their
website.
Baylan
I waited 20 minutes or longer before giving up on my
appointment there. I enjoyed my time there for the first five,
but come on! It was the opposite of a relaxing experience. I
guess if I had all day, Azul might be pleasant enough, but
my babysitter charges by the hour. I complained on the way
out and they didn't seem at all upset to lose my business. I
won't be going back there.
Azul too slow for this busy mama
I went to Azul Spa a few years ago and had a full body massage. It was
wonderful. The atmosphere at the spa was nourishing and relaxing; it
felt like an oasis inside the spa where the massages took place. The
amenities were very nice with a great steam bath and private showers. I
also appreciated the fact that it is a woman's only spa. My friend treated
her bridal party to some serious pampering at Azul before her wedding
a few years ago.
Cheryl
I was given certificate for a pedicure at Azul as a baby shower present. I liked it, but
I don't think it was worth the $40 that my friend paid for it!! I did feel spoiled, but I
also felt bad that my friend had spent that much money on it. The pedicure was ok,
but nothing amazing.
I got a pedicure there just before I got pregnant with my son, and I remember it
well. Not only was it a very enjoyable experience and a very relaxing atmosphere,
but the pedicure lasted well throughout my pregnancy: I watched my new nail grow
in with the advancement of my pregnancy, and it finally wore off (of the end of the
nail, of course!) the week before my son was born. As I was there, there were
women getting bathed in a bath of milk in the other room. It sounded lovely.
Abby
I went there a couple years ago using a promotional thing they
had. It's one big large room with the massage rooms separated
by curtains so it doesn't really have that totally relaxing and
peaceful feeling that Eliz Arden in SF, or even Claremont has.
I got a facial, rose bath, manicure, body wrap and steam room.
The body wrap and steam room were the best. I really like Eliz
Arden in SF the best -- the facial is unbelievably relaxing.
I've been to Claremont a couple of times and there's too many
people there and it's too big and impersonal, even though their
facilities are really nice. Plus the whole labor dispute makes
me not want to go. You can tell that the people who work there
are not happy. That is not the case at Eliz Arden.
mary
I've been to Azul a few times and have always enjoyed it!
Anon
I've been going to Azul since they opened a few years back. It
is a lovely, mellow, cozy spa with great staff. I have had
massages, facials, salt glows, and pedicures. They also have a
nice steam room, comfy chairs, tea, and showers. Appointments
during the week are the best as it is less busy and feels even
more pampering.
Jenn
It sort of depends on what you want. I go to a lot of spas. I
thought Azul was OK. relaxation area where you wait was not
really inviting. They tried, but it wasn't cozy (concrete
floors and really high ceilings). The facial was pretty good,
though.
The smell of the nail polish was evident because the walls are
not all the way to the ceiling, and I didn't like that while I
was getting my massage. The showers were nice, but the set up
was such that you were ''cold'' in there.
It's good for a quick massage, but it just doesn't even come
close to Mr. Lee in San Francisco or the Claremont Hotel.
-- feh!
I have been a customer at Azul Spa for four years. I go a couple of times
a year and spend most of the day going from service to service. I love it.
The atmosphere is very relaxing. The staff is very friendly. They keep the
place clean. There is a sauna you can use between services. There is
also a shower you can use after your services if you would like.
Complimentary tea, water and juice, are available in the spa. (There is
shampoo, conditioner, soap, lotion for use in the shower.) When you go
they give you flip flops and a robe to wear. They generally are a
women's spa, but are getting more men as customers. I have only
noticed one in the times I have been there, and it wasn't uncomfortable.
The prices are pretty comperable to other spas I have been to on
vacations. (The manicure and pedicure is more expensive than you
would find at a nail place but again comparable to a spa.) I recommend
it to friends and have given and received gift certificates.
Rose
I've had waxing (bikini) and pedicures there several times and
been quite satisfied with the services. The environment is nice
and the waxing is the most gentle I've ever had. I will say the
very talented young woman who did my pedicure was a little rough
around the edges, so it spoiled an otherwise nice environment.
All the other staff were pleasant. On the whole - a thumbs-up.
BP
I noticed that everyone's comments about Azul Spa, except for one, never
mentioned that it is also open to men. My experience at Azul started off to be
really nice and relaxing until a man came into the steam room with me. Now
this could have been alright had I known ahead of time that this might happen,
but I was under the impression that it was a spa for women, so naturally I
wasn't wearing any cloths in the steam room. Both myself and the gentleman
were very embarrased by this unexpected situation. Both he and I were very
confused. He thought maybe he went in the wrong room. But they only have
one steam room. So he waited outside. I felt bad for him. This made the rest of
my visit unpleasant. I mentioned what happend to the gals at the front
desk as I was leaving, and their reaction was so annoying. They just smiled and
sort of laughed, like, oh well! I was toatally confused by my experience there.
Should I have complained? Should the spa make it more clear? Should I have
worn a bathing suit? What is normal in a coed spa? Has anyone else
experienced this at Azul?
Laurey
I went there recently as well as a few years ago for maincure
and facial. The services were great but... and this is
something I feel weird complaining about... the last time I
went I could not understand either of the people who helped me.
Their accents were so thick and their english was so broken
that I had trouble communicating basic information with both of
them about the service they were rendering. If I'm paying $10
for a manicure, I don't mind working with someone who doesn't
know the language. But if I'm paying Azul prices I don't think
it should be that much of a struggle. Azul should get their
employees some language training!
anon
I just wanted to address some of the questions/concerns about
men at Azul in the last newsletter.
The last time I used the spa there was a sign posted on the
steam room door recommending that towels be worn in the sauna
due to the increasing number of male guests. As a general
practice I wear a towel under my robe at the spa anyway. There
are bath size towels available in the locker room, and oversize
bath towels available in the cabinet next to the steam room.
(The drinks are on the top of this cabinet.)
In thinking about other areas of concern, here is what I have
noticed: the door to the shower has been replaced with a curtian
now, instead of being clear glass. There has always been a men's
restroom, and I suppose this is where they change. I don't know
if they have lockers of their own in there, if not you might run
into a man when he is locking his clothes up, but you could call
to verify. In fact,they book up enough in advance, that you
could call before your appointment and ask if there are any men
who are scheduled for appointments while you are going to be
there if that would give you peace of mind. I have always found
the staff at Azul to be very friendly and accomodating.
a satisfied customer
this page was last updated: Jun 23, 2004
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