Crystal Wave Spa

When I used to work in the East Bay I would stop off after work somewhere and get a massage every few weeks. I got to know a couple of therapists very well and would tend to return as they knew how I liked it and I could trust them. Unfortunately the staff would change from time to time (one joined the Navy, another got married, one retired etc.) One therapist I liked had transferred to Crystal Wave so when I passed through Burlingame I stopped off to see her. There have been about four different therapists here over the last three months and I have had massages from both Sarah and Candy. They are both professional, respectful and thorough. Sometimes there is a language problem but if you’re patient you can make your wishes known. It is very important that you communicate how you want the massage and whether is too hard, too soft etc. I also noticed that they accept some insurance for acupuncture and supposedly do waxing as well. Acupuncture and waxing are by appointment only but walk-​ins are welcome for massages. I won’t comment on anything but their deep tissue massages as that’s what I always ask for. Crystal Wave is clean and cofty. If you’re down at the west end of Broadway Burlingame, I would highly recommend them.

Had a professional massage– very Clean, nice surroundings and music. My masseuse was awesome. My body had been in knots due to work pressures and I knew I needed some help.
It was a perfect blend of pressure and tensions with soft applied at just the right times. I highly recommend — as they are strong and gentle and my back, shoulders and legs got just the right amount of pressures were applied.
Do yourself a favor and visit. It fixed my tight back and I left refreshed. Thanks– I will be back.

*WARNING!* This place has gone DOWNhill big time! New owners! Here’s what’s changed. They don’t answer their phone. When you can manage to go in, they don’t speak English AT ALL, and have you write things down. Then, when I finally did get the 60 minute foot massage for $ 25 (which, in the past, was wonderful!), the gal interrupted our session at least 11 times (yes, I counted), talked on the phone and kept saying «surrry, surrry.» Then I read Michael’s review – I think the ownership changed in April sometime, and it’s just not what it used to be. Too bad – will not be coming back. P. S. They seem to be very biased toward serving men.

If you’re looking for an experience not unlike a brothel in Thailand, this is your parlor. I went in with an aching back and was treated to a massage and … well, so much more … that is, if I had actually wanted it.
My first tip that this place was gonna be a sleaze-​fest came at the front desk when I asked about the $ 40 thirty minute ‘pain massage’ featured on their website. «Oh noooo … website out of date», and was shown the standard list of massages available for the usual rates — «No more deals», she exclaimed, followed with «You pay in advance». I offered a VISA card and asked for the $ 40 thirty minute ‘regular’ massage. She then dinged me an extra two dollars for who knows what — credit card upcharge? Tax? I suppose I’ll never know. This was but the beginning of sorrows …
As she motioned upstairs, everything began to get a little creepier. I went alone into a very dark room with Asian music playing ever so slightly in the background. Eventually, a young woman came in and asked me why I was there … ahem … so I told her my back was hurting. She then proceeded to rub me down in a fairly typical way, but I noticed that she began edging my underpants a bit further down than usual. Oh well, no big deal … but her hands were also reaching a bit further down there than I’m used to as well. I supposed this to be standard procedure and reluctantly didn’t say anything. I adhered to this policy even though she managed to actually maneuver herself in such a way as to climb atop me while rubbing my back and before I knew it, she had removed my panties altogether! To her credit, she asked ‘OK?’ before doing so, but I have to admit I wasn’t exactly sure what protocol was for this place and just figured this was part and parcel of the Asian massage trip … this would prove to be a miscue on my part …
The massage proceeded without incident until the 30 minute mark had supposedly been reached (I wasn’t timing it), and then she said «Time over», so I sat up and began fumbling around for my underwear which had mysteriously disappeared. Then, she motioned to me to turn over, so I did. Now I’m lying on my back, and she begins spreading oil over my chest and rubbing it. Oh well, ok, I guess there’s more to what I paid for than I thought. At this point, my waist is covered by a towel and she proceeds downward to my legs and feet. Once that’s all done, I was about to sit up and suddenly she pulls the towel off my waist, sneaks a quick peek at my manhood and then replaces the towel … hmmmm … that was weird … at this point, I’m just trying to find my underwear and get the hell out of there, so I ask her to find them and she asks me a question that I didn’t understand. I tell her so, and she asks it again. Still no comprendo, so then she begins drawing me a picture in the air like a circle, but it made no sense. After some awkward silence and nervous laughter on both our parts, the panties suddenly appear in her hands — I put them on and stand up to get dressed. Suddenly, she’s in my face in an earnest way with phrases like «You strong!», alternating with «You handsome!» … just anything she could muster to flatter me. At this point, I begin to get the gist of what I cannot believe is happening and quickly blurt out «I’m married!», to which I get a very disappointed (if not downright dirty) look from her.
It’s hard to tell if a ship is sinking when the rats refuse to leave. With desperation quickly setting in, she begins demanding a tip ranging from $ 20 to $ 40, as if I had already bought into her advances. I’ve got my trousers halfway up to my knees, trying to figure out how I’m gonna gracefully get out of this. One last desperate move on her part — a furtive and half-​hearted grab to my johnson with her right hand. This royally pissed me off and I tried all the faster to get dressed and escape, but she began trying to block my path to the door. Holy crap, what did I get myself into here? I mentioned something to her about needing change, but by now all I wanted to do was run out of there so I grabbed the first bill in my pocket — a 20 — laid it on her, and quickly split with my phone charger and socks dangling from my hand like someone trying to escape from a loony bin. $ 62.00 later, I knew I’d been ‘had’ in more ways than one.
It’s funny. During my college years, I had a buddy who used to brag about coming up here to joints like this and conning the girls into ‘a little something else’ for maybe five more bucks. We were all in awe of his stories but somehow doubted their veracity. I can now go back to my long lost buddy and declare to him in all confidence that, 40 years later, Thailand is still alive and well on the Peninsula ~~

I was in the neighborhood, and visited Crystal Wave Spa. The massuses were very friendly and gave me a quality massage. I asked for one hour massage, but extra service we went over time. They never rushed me and took their time. I felt really good and enjoyed my stay at the spa. I will come back again.

I live in the neighborhood and pass by Crystal Wave Spa on my walks to Broadway Burlingame all the time. First thing i always notice is that they are open, the second is the waterfall in the entrance. Today I had a lot of pain in my leg and lower back and decided to give this place a shot. I walked in and was immediately kindly welcomed by one of the ladies who worked there. Similar to other reviews I also noticed that their English was not very fluent, but they were trying hard, and I appreciated that. I also noticed that the ladies that worked there did not chatter the whole time. I cannot stand that when my wife and I go to a manicurist.
Ok, ok so what about the service? I opted for a 1 hr reflexology foot massage $ 25. They started off by soaking my feet, the container was lined with a new liner so I knew it was clean. While my feet soaked, my therapist massaged my scalp. She worked her way to my shoulders, arms, and than hands. I have bad hand issues from working with a computer, and she knew how to relieve the built up stress and tightness in my wrists and hands. From there she worked on my feet, taking her time. She noticed how tense they were and applied the right amount of pressure to make sure she did not over do it. I appreciated her mindfulness. Lastly I flipped over and she massaged my back briefly.
There are a couple things that could have dropped the stars. 1) language,… but everyone was attentive and sweet, and did there best to make you feel welcome. 2) furniture looked a little used. But for the price I paid $ 25, I don’t know how they can give this great of service and still afford rent.
All in all this was a great massage at an amazing price. Service was very welcoming. Only thing to note, this is not the four seasons, so don’t expect a ritzy spa.

I really like this place after having been here several times. I usually get a massage every other week after my desk job which can make my back hurt some days. The place is pretty clean and the décor is decent. The masseuses are pretty friendly, but their English isn’t the best. If you’re looking for any extra business, I don’t think they do that here. I’ve gotten a deep tissue massage every time since I have a problem spot I have right under my left shoulder blade. The prices here are pretty cheap and the masseuses never ask for a tip. Good place.

I’ve gone to this place 3 times and had a nice experience the first couple of times. This last time however was really awful. I generally like deep tissue massage but this was too much. I would say «ow» or ask for a lighter touch but the language barrier between us prevented May the masseuse from understanding my words. At one point she left the room to get the owner Lily to translate but it was toward the end of the massage and there still seemed to be some confusion between us. I left the massage in a lot of pain. My shoulders, and legs really hurt from the amount of pressure she used. Also, I had asked for a body massage but my arms, hands, feet, head and neck were never touched. I let her know at the end my understanding of a body massage– she just smiled, laughed and said she did not understand what I was saying.
The interior of the spa is inviting to a point– but even on the cute sign with the prices, I had asked for a menu item that was a higher price than the sign listing. Better English speaking skills and a softer touch would make this a more desirable destination.

I usually drive from Burlingame to San Mateo to go to Happy Feet, but my favorite masseuse left there. I was walking on Broadway and saw «Crystal Wave Spa — $ 25 Foot Massage» and figured why not. My friend had been there the week prior and was raving about CoCo AND it was $ 5 less than Happy Feet.
I had woken up with a really sore neck and pain in my shoulders and communicated that to the masseuse. After an hour of blissful, relaxing massage, I walked out of there a new woman. Tucker was amazing.
I almost minused one star because the interior wasn’t as calming as it could have been… but the massage was so good and the price was right, that I didn’t have the heart to ding them.
I was going to leave a $ 10 tip, but he did so good, I scrounged around and found the last two dollars I had for a total of $ 12. $ 37 for a great time out and a neck free of pain. Love them.

I feel bad saying anything negative about a $ 20 hour massage, but I feel I need to warn others after my experience to at least specify that they do no need a deep tissue massage. I went in for an hour foot massage but part of the «foot massage» included a back massage at the end that I didn’t ask for. I wanted to be polite, so I did not protest, I usually like back massages anyway. But I did not need one and it ended up being very, very painful. I was in no pain prior to the massage, but now I have shooting pains throughout my back and my entire back is sore. I really regret not refusing the back massage or even yelling «STOP» since my «ouch» sounds didn’t seem enough to stop the painful deep tissue massage. There were points where I really felt tortured, with a strong male elbow piercing my back shoulder blade. I wish I could just forget the entire thing but my throbbing back won’t let me forget.