Massage Heights Bradlee

I’ve received a coupe massages here and neither time were they up to par. Prior to going to Massage Heights I went to Red Door in Pentagon Row, I made the switch to Massage heights because I heard it was cheaper… and it turns out you get what you pay for. You don’t get a full 60 minute massage, they count the pre consultation as part of that 60 minutes and you only end up getting massaged for 45 minutes.
The gal who massaged me the 2^nd time I was in there talked the ENTIRE time. I am friendly and very chatty in general, but I do not want to be talked to while getting a massage and I’m trying to relax.
Recently, I’ve tried to cancel my account because I am moving to Hawaii. I was told my account needed to be put on hold for 6 months before I could cancel it and that I would be charged $ 10 a month for the freeze– fine by me, better than paying $ 70 a month. One month prior to the freeze being lifted and me moving, I went in person to cancel my membership. The manager was not in the store, but the two girls working the front desk told me that I needed proof of relocation. I told them that I’m not in Hawaii yet and when I get there I’ll be staying with a friend, so I don’t have proof of address or a utility bill to show I am moving. I asked if a one way ticket would be proof enough and they said yes and told me to email it to the manager. I did that, and did not hear anything for 2 months. Today I get a call and am told that the one-​way ticket is not enough proof and that I have to send proof of address or a utl bill or a picture of my drivers license. I understand this information is written in the contract that you sign, but I am here to tell you that you need to train your front desk staff correctly. While I am staying with a friend until I find a place of my own in Hawaii, I’ll now have to pay for a service I am not using in Virginia because of miscommunication by the staff. The girl I spoke to today was not the manager and was not at all helpful or willing to try to work with me on this.
Massage heights is only interested in getting your money, and not providing quality massages for the money you are spending. I’d recommend you go elsewhere otherwise you’ll be stuck in a contract with mediocre massages.

So I have been coming here for about a year or more. Took me awhile to find a great therapist. Wish they had abetted directory of choosing a therapist. Today had amass age with Grady. Oh my word. He was fantastic. Great deep tissue. Perfect touch and worked out so many knots on me. Felt drunk when I was leaving. I can’t wait to go back.

I tend to steer clear of chain massage places. I tried one and it was unimpressive.
However. Massage Heights at Bradlee has some really friendly front staff and an incredible masseur in Lenell. I am use to getting an ashiatsu barefoot massage, but my masseuse moved and I’ve been looking for someone who can give a really good deep tissue massage. I was surprised that I actually had to ask Lenell to back off the pressure a bit. I never do that.
My wife got a massage from Lenell as well. We give him four thumbs up!
I was sorry I only got an hour massage. I wish I’d gotten an hour and a half or two! Next time I will!

Went here over a year ago, got a so-​so facial and massage. Got another email from Massage Height one year later to get the re-​introductory rate, sure why not! I called to make the appointment, only to be told that I can’t get the intro price again even though the email invite came from corporate. If you want to bring more people in to sign up, give them the great experience first! I was willing to give this place another shot, but they were playing hardball. Ended up going to massage envy and sign with them on the spot :)

Great massage is a partnership between client and therapist. I want a great experience, so I do my part: I always make a point of arriving ten or fifteen minutes ahead of time, so that I have time to check in and get into a relaxed frame of mind. When I booked, I told the person who took my reservation that I wanted a 90 minute massage with an expert deep tissue therapist, one who worked SLOOOOOWLY, and would listen to what I wanted. I also communicate clearly, both up front and during the massage. Tim, the therapist the manager recommended, gave me the best massage experience I’ve had here at Massage Heights.
When I met Tim, I told him that slow work was important to me, explained that he could work deeply so long as he took his time getting there, identified one type of massage technique I didn’t want («tapotage» or rapid work with the side of the hand), the places that needed attention, and asked him to spend time on the knots he found. The room and the table were warm, and his slow and steady work let me slip into deep relaxation. I breathed through his work on the tight spots, and only once did I decided to ask for a little less pressure. I asked for hot rocks as my «elevation» because that’s my favorite choice; it’s so well integrated into the massage that I never feel like I trade off massage time for anything else. I’m a rock-​climbing instructor, and had done a day of strenuous climbing the day before. Boy, was this the perfect way to recover! I look forward to my next massage with Tim!

Don’t waste your money or time here. I tried this place out after recently moving to the area… bad idea. I will drive out of my way to go back to my regular therapist from now on.
I have had plenty of massages and this is one of the worst.
1. You will be asked immediately for a credit card to put on file and you’ll be charged 50% of the «market value» price (twice that of the introductory price) if you can’t show up.
2. I paid for a 60 minute massage, and only got 45 minutes. They say the 15 minute, bogus and non-​essential «consultation» of picking out an aromatherapy, etc is included. I didn’t need that, just wanted my massage.
3. My masseuse, Mr. Brandon, seemed like a novice. The massage was choppy, rough and not relaxing. It seemed as though he was going through a checklist of things to do and not focusing on my specific needs. Not to mention, I left feeling worse than before coming in. Instead of massaging my knots, he used his elbow to grind them across my bones, over and over. I asked for a deep tissue massage, not a slap-​you-​around, dig-​into-​your-​bones session. Never once did he ask how it felt.
4. They advise you to tip on the «market value price» and not on the price you are actually paying for. Bogus.
5. They will try to sell you immediately on a package and you will be given a «program» recommended by your masseuse. All just a scam to get you to come in and spend more money for no results.
I am now $ 70 in the hole and in worse pain than before coming in. Don’t waste your time or money.

Being generous by giving 2 stars. Probably the worst massage experience I have ever had in my life and I frequent massages a lot. I was told that Kim was going to be my massage therapist they introduce me to Mr. Tim. Wish I would have been told it was a male but whatever. I filled out all this paperwork on what to focus on. I get in the room and the guy is like oh what would you like me to focus on? I wanted to throw my shoe at him. Read the damn paper. Anyways I explain my issues, my sciatica nerve down my left hip and leg and my rotator cuff and shoulder on my left arm. Well I get on the table and he slaps all this massage lotion on my left side immediately. I knew then this man has no business massaging people. Talk about disappointed. It was not a massage literally no rubbing just putting his elbow into my muscles.
I will never go back. Because I was so upset as I left out they ask how it was I shook my head umm okay. They are like great. They tried to sell me the memberships and I wanted to scream hell no. I have had so much better even at the mall.
Save your money… wasn’t worth the money at all for a massage therapist who is inexperienced.

Worst facial of my life. I decided to try a facial at a massage place, bad decision on my part. I liked the products and use dermalogica but the esthetician was very inexperienced and unprofessional. She used these microfiber towels for the facial that were horrible and left exfoliant on my skin. It felt like I had been rolling around in sand. The worst facial in my entire life. Don’t waste your time or money. Just run away.

I did not expect to find a good massage in the Bradlee Shopping Center. But the same strip mall that hosts a Dress Barn, Subway, ABC store, dry cleaners etc. has a really nice spa. It’s great.
I was leery about walking in, but the décor, soft lighting, cucumber water, comfortable couches, music, candles and fountains (they even sell Dermalogica products) is as nice as any spa I know. I had a one-​hour deep-​tissue massage with Linda. Fantastic! It was a bargain at $ 59. Unfortunately that was an introductory price. After that the pricing is closer to the $ 90 you normally spend on a massage. They have a club program that brings the prices down if you commit to a monthly facial or massage.
My parents gave me a facial gift certificate and I’m looking forward to trying that service too.
It’s still a little funny to say that I’m going to a spa in the Bradlee shopping Center. But it’s such a nice place.

Bought a massage as a gift to my wife because of the convenient location. I was advertised additional services at the time of purchase. I asked if these services added time to the massage and the sales woman confirmed that it would. So I added a foot scrub.
When my wife arrived for her massage she was asked to complete paperwork (expected). The time took to complete her paperwork came out of the 60 min massage, therefore shortening the massage to 45 min. I was not asked at the time of purchase to tell my wife to show up 15 early to complete paperwork. Also, the foot scrub was not an addition but instead integrated into the time of the massage. After the massage my the sale reps at the counter asked what percentage my wife would to tip, my wife confirmed 15%…they charged 15% of the «fair market value» not 15% of the discounted cost for 1^st time customer.
I called and spoke with a manager about this experience. I was assured I would be refunded a portion and that they wanted me to feel that I got a fair experience. I was refunded less than half of what I was told I would be refunded. I have tried to call back twice within a week to speak with the manager again. Each time I was told/​asked «the manager is in a meeting, can I take your info and have him call you back?». I have yet to receive a callback from Massage Heights.
We did not receive what we were sold/​promised. We will go out of our way to seek a better massage experience although this location is convenient.

I’ve had deep tissue and hot stone massages from dozens of providers and have a lot of experience to compare to, so granted, my standards are high. I have a membership here and have now had 4 different massages at this location, with 2 different therapists… and every single one has significantly cut my time short. I arrive at least 10 minutes early, and they usually put me in the room later than my appointment time; still, my massage ends early. My most recent massage was a full 16 minutes short. (Yes, I’ve been counting.) The other problem here is that while my therapists have done a good job targeting the main area I have trouble with, they consistently fail to do a complete massage despite my 90+ minute massage times.
Specific example: when I scheduled a TWO HOUR massage, my therapist failed to massage my arms, hands, and head/​face… and then ended 16 minutes before the 2 hours was up, so clearly she had more time to finish. She was coughing throughout my massage and must have been annoyed that she got stuck with a 2-​hour session, as she had the gall to tell me afterwards, «I know you were really excited for your 2-​hour massage, but you really only need 90 minutes.» and proceeded to tell me to come back and see her in 2 – 3 weeks for a 90-​minute hot stone massage. Why, so you can work for 75 minutes but call it 90 and miss half my body?
While I obviously have some issues here, there are good things about this location as well — if you DO decide to do a membership, the prices are great (I pay $ 110 for a 90-​min massage every month) and the rooms are dimly lit, have soothing music, heated tables, and free additions like aromatherapy and hot stones (with membership). Also, the two therapists I’ve had have been decent at deep tissue massage focusing on the spots I have trouble with.
If you’re looking for a relaxing spa-​like experience on the cheap, this is a great place for that and you won’t be disppointed. If you’re looking for a serious deep tissue or sports massage and getting your full time is more important to you than a spa-​like room (and you can tolerate a honking car or other sounds occasionally interrupting your experience), I’d recommend Vital on Mt. Vernon Avenue in Del Ray — specifically, Meghan Leach and Brittni Parris are polished therapists who have done wonders for my tweaked muscles there.

The previous issue I had has since been resolved

Let me just preface this by saying I’m not a regular for massages. I’ve had a professional (medical) one once so I’m basing this experience off of that.
I took one start off because I had Stephanie «hulk» hands. On the paper it asks how much pressure and I chose medium. She asked me if this type of pressure was ok and demonstrated, and I said yes. 10 minutes in and she was pressing her knuckles/​elbows with all her weight on my most sensitive parts. There were many times I forgot to breath b/​c I was in so much pain. My shoulder popped out of its socket and my arms went numb. It’s partially my fault b/​c I didn’t say anything, but I feel like a good masseuse would have noticed my squirms and whimpers.
I took another star off because the room was so cold. The best part was the warm, wet towel they put on your back and feet. The worst part was when they take it off and you’re shivering (even under the blankets).
Lastly, I took a star off because they were SO pushy with the sales pitch RIGHT after the massage. I told them I need to talk to my fiancé about it first, and the lady said that’s ok, they’ll sign me up and I can cancel within 3 days… That’s when I had to say NO.
All in all I just wanted to relax and get rid of stress. I even chose the «relax» aromatherapy. And it was the opposite. Very disappointed.

I strongly believe in massage and have had massages more or less regularly for the last 15 years. So, my standards are pretty high.
However, objectively speaking, my the message session here was a disappointment. I signed up for an hour-​long session but the masseuse worked on me for only 40 min. She seemed inexperienced. I clearly pointed out to the issues that I’ve had, but did not feel that they were properly addressed. It was not a complete disaster but I have no intention of coming back. I wouldn’t recommend it to a friend either.

I have been to this location twice and both times had excellent massages. Really stellar actually. I usually go to the sugar house spa in old town but these massages topped anything I ever received there. I was very pleasantly surprised since I figured a chain place would have more newby masseuses. I thought the space was very tranquil and comfortable.
My reason for giving this place three stars however is the super overpowering membership and product sales pitches you get the minute you walk through the door to the follow up call you get the day after. It felt harassing and causes me to seriously consider if it’s worth it to return. I really wish they would tone it way down and it would be a much more enjoyable experience.

I joined after my first visit! It’s brand new (only a couple of months), and is very clean and fresh inside. During your first visit, they go through all their aromatherapy options, and you can pick one for your massage as part of the price! The rooms themselves are clean and the tables are comfortable (typical massage tables). I’ve bounced around and tried different masseuses, and they are all pretty great. They have add on services that are inexpensive and are nice to try as a special treat every few months. I have yet to try a facial, but I hope to soon. If you’re looking for a solid massage at a decent price, I would recommend trying this place out (plus the location is great!).

Let me be the first to give this place the five stars it deserves. I don’t know what all people are used to, or if the business has just finally found its footing, but I had a fantastic experience. As a former longtime member of Massage Envy, I’m no stranger to spa membership clubs like this. I think for the prices offered and the perks included, that this place offers a much better deal than Massage Envy and the service I received was far superior.
I went here recently for a 60 min. massage. The waiting area is open — no separate private seating area — but you really don’t need it here because they are on-​time (unlike the aforementioned place). The treatment rooms are nice, and the music selection is soothing. My therapist, Stephanie, was AMAZING at working out all of the knots and tension from my back. For those that live in the area, forget about the high prices of King St. spas and check this place out. Plus, it’s right by the new Fresh Market, so you can pick up something delicious for dinner on the way home.
Oh — and one other thing. If you do sign up for a membership (which I did, though I don’t feel like it was because of the sales tactics — more so the good pricing and convenience of the location), you get FREE aromatherapy and hot stone elevations with every massage. Also, there’s a 10% discount on products and a points program for you to earn free massages. I don’t know of any other place that has a deal like this.

Massage was okay, nothing special. Masseuse was not experienced, but just out of school. She was extremely overweight, which I don’t care about, except that her excess flesh kept touching me. The massage did not go for the full hour; it was more like 45 – 50 minutes. Masseuse spent a lot, of time adjusting the sheets rather than massaging. At the end, they were very pushy about membership, but I refused. Barely worth the $ 59.99 introductory rate and definitely not with $ 120 per hour. The upscale salons in DC and Northern Virginia charge less than that and are much better.

I went to this place because they had just opened and were offering heavily discounted massages. My thoughts:
1. It looks nice on the inside. However, it doesn’t have the huge comfortable room where you can chill out/​drink water or tea/​read magazines in your robe like most massage places have. You sit in the small waiting room in front of the front desk, and you change in the small massage room that you are assigned to. For me, that was kind of a let-​down.
2. Expect to get hassled into signing up for their membership program when you leave. This man will sit you down for like 15 minutes, explain the program to you, and if you say ‘no, it’s not for me,’ he will try even harder to convince you. Not a very relaxing end to a massage.
3. The prices are great if you decide to do the membership program or if it’s your first time, but if this isn’t the case, expect to pay $ 120 for a regular 1-​hour massage. Most places I go to are around this price.
4. The massage itself was average.
I probably won’t be going back here. If you’re looking for a good massage place with comparable prices in this area, I’d recommend Sugarhouse or Serenity Day Spa.

In general this company is a good price for the services. But the great thing is that they do offer facial services as well which not all locations do. For a first massage at this location, it was good but not spectacular. I think he may have been newer and not quite assured of his craft but none the less it was a good massage and he was very professional. I will return but request a different person. However, the facial was everything I thought it would be and was very relaxing and a great way to end the experience.
Customer service here was very good and they were very quick and easy to accommodate my scheduling requests on short notice.
Give it a try for sure at the location.