Boston spa recommendation?

[Couperine]

DH and I are going to Boston sans children, and I'd love to treat myself to a good facial while we're there. Newbury St is close to where we are staying - anyone have good recommendations? I've checked out Citysearch, and I'm tempted by Violet Skin Boutique, but I'm really just looking for someplace good and relaxing.

Thank you for any suggestions you might have!

[Alethea]

Well, this isn't what you will want to hear, but Violet seems to be a love it or hate it place. It has wildly differing reviews on Yelp and Yahoo. I've been there once before in a bridal party bonding thing. It wasn't my choice but I was the one who booked the appointment and they rescheduled twice. I would have been inclined to try a different place after they changed our appointment the second time, but the new time was actually better for another bridesmaid so we kept it. I didn't find the people there terribly friendly. They weren't exactly rude, but it wasn't what I would call a relaxing experience. I thought the facial was okay. It smelled heavenly but that's about it. Two people in our group had very blotchy skin immediately afterwards and breakouts the next week, while another really looked fantastic after. And there was another person like me was just meh. I also thought the place smelled rather mouldy.

And finally, this could totally just be b!tchy gossip, but there's an aesthetician at the salon where I get my hair cut who used to work at Violet. She swears they reuse all their wax and strips. So what's on your lip might have been, um, elsewhere, on someone else. :eek: (I also saw this mentioned in a Yelp review, who knows how true these things are.) But I am quite glad I didn't have any waxing done there all the same!

Anyhow, now that I've dissed Violet, I don't really have a suggestion for a Newbury Street salon. I've had great facials at the Carriage House, but they're in Harvard Square. It's not a terribly long T ride (probably 20 minutes max, with 1 line change) but I know there are lots of places in the Newbury area. I just haven't been to them.

[Couperine]

Thanks for your advice though! The reviews do give me pause, especially since the love it/hate it ones are still pretty current. The wax thing - ICK!

I'll see what our concierge has to say tomorrow - I'm not averse to a ride on the T for an adventure. :)

[melis_d]

When we lived in Boston I frequented Giuliano day spa (now they go by G20 spa and salon by Giuliano) and had facials there a few times. It is clean, relaxing and feels totally secluded despite its location right on Newbury street. I haven't been for about 14 months (since we moved) but had good experiences the many times I went there over nine years. The reviews look a little mixed on Citysearch, but I can give a personal recommendation.

Enjoy your trip. We'll be in Boston next week.

[tippy7]

I've been to the suburban locations of Bella Sante and have always been very pleased. I've heard good things about Beaucage as well.

[sarah2397]

I've been to the Boston Belle Sante and it is very nice. I've had a couple of pedicures though, not facials.