My massage was great. The masseuse/technician was very good and followed my body queues to pressure. The treatment room, however, was right beside some kind of supply room or staff lounge where I could hear staff chatting intermittently throughout my treatment, and buckets of ice being filled by a machine, even though there was nice music in the background.
The technicians were very good, but their physical facility and other services were very lacking. No Wi-fi for spa patrons.
Service, Tone and atmosphere, delivery:
Sub-par for a high-end resort. Information not conveyed and rushed reception.
The Queen Narrative
Upon arriving 30 minutes early and introducing ourselves as checking in for a service, we were greeted by a man looking down on the counter computer typing who said “I’ll be with you in a minute”. We heard alot of noise and commotion coming from down the hall.
Within 30 seconds a woman appeared behind the desk and asked for our names in a loud voice….like a server in a noisy restaurant, too loud for a spa. Spa receptions are to be in a low hushed voice to begin calming the patron–create a relaxing environment.
“Do you want some water?” We were asked loudly….and she handed us 2 small bottles…even though there was some lovely fruit infused water around the corner in the hallway.
The staff woman hurriedly took us us down the corridor to show us where the separate locker rooms were and explained the way things work so fast it went in one ear and out the other. I’m not interested in rapid fire efficient conversation when I’m checking into a high end Spa.
When I asked about the facilities before booking our treatments, I was told there was a coed hot tub and pool. It is actually the pool area for the whole hotel….and this Sunday at 3pm it is filled with sounds of kids playing and shouting and even a baby crying. Of course this is fine for a hotel…perfect for families etc and what one would expect in a hotel…but not in a spa environment unless fully disclosed.
When I asked about the facilities before booking our treatments, I was told there was a coed hot tub and pool. It is actually the pool area for the whole hotel….and this Sunday at 3pm it is filled with sounds of kids playing and shouting and even a baby crying. Of course this is fine for a hotel…perfect for families etc and what one would expect in a hotel…but not in a spa environment unless fully disclosed.
The “relaxation room” is actually a 12×12 room with 4 uncomfortable chairs, 2 ottomans, a coffee table, and a bar with apples, a banana, nuts and tea (cheap Spanish peanuts I wouldn’t serve my guests at home). Everything is crammed in. Nice soft music is appropriately playing, but the pool noises are still heard over the music. There is nothing relaxing about this room. Invest in some sound proofing….it’s a hotel. Get a larger room with chaises and put out some homemade granola or raw almonds….This is the Ritz….right?
Again, No wifi is offered for the spa patrons.
Upon checking out, The same noisy woman who checked us in was on her way out. Come to find out, she was the manager. She and one of her friends were cackling at the front desk while a man behind the front desk was rubbing her friends arm. Another man behind the front desk began to check me out and she asked him if she could speak to him for a moment… Thus interrupting our transaction so she could have a word with him while she was on her way out. When they finish their business, he returned to the desk to check me out. He asked how everything was, and I went ahead and gave him the honest opinion. I told him we would not be returning. I told him it was subpar to any other Ritz we had ever been to. So none of this review will be a surprise to the Ritz Carlton Tysons Corner Virginia.
Resoloution:
Manager was very apologetic, said they received similar complaints very often. He offered and I accepted a 20% discount on our services. I made sure our technicians received a full 20% tip since their services were very good.