Savvy Girl Massage

Holy moly, does Annette put her back into it when she gives you a massage! I have never had such an intense massage before. There were times when I didn’t think I could handle it (I usually like a very intense massage), and there were a few times when I wished she used a little more lotion. I’ve never had such a diligent butt or neck massage in my life. My neck is sore today, and in a good way. I’ll be heading back to Annette again. I feel like she wrung the bad toxins out of me.

A session with Annette is the best hour spent, really, truly. She is capable of finding the tension and works diligently to reduce it. I’ve been three times now and I feel so relaxed after each visit. She’s a real person too, just lovely. Highly recommend.

Wow. Annette IS amazing. I went a few weeks ago and bought a package immediately after my massage. I’ll be here every two weeks so Annette can work her magic on me. Where has she been all my life?

I have had several appointments and have thoroughly enjoyed my experience. I always feel refreshed and rejuvenated after my time is up. Annette works hard to get the kinks out and is not forgiving, however, it always feels good and she knows her stuff! I would highly recommend.

Annette is an amazing massage therapist, strong, and very kind. I highly recommend. Very peaceful. Good energy.

Annette will work those knots with a passion! I feel great after getting the benefit of her expert massage. The ambiance is very intimate and relaxing too. I’ll be back.

Annette is a former marine. That being said, she doesn’t stop until the job is done!
KNOWLEDGEABLE
I’ve been going to Annette for over a year now. She consistently gives quality, powerful massages. She listens to what your body tells her. The last time I saw her she suggested that my muscle aches had something to do with a vitamin D deficiency. Months later I finally saw an endocrinologist (see my review of Dr. Thys-​Jacobs), who confirmed a serious vitamin D deficiency.
GREAT MASSAGE
She has powerful hands, and a gentle heart. I always sleep like a baby after her massages. She goes at those knots like she’s on a mission.
COST EFFECTIVE
If you use the Unilocal coupon, it’s only $ 85 for the massage.
LOCATION — an easy walk from 145^th Street.
**Annette runs her massage office from her home in Harlem. So, if you’re looking for a spa with white cotton fuzzy slippers, feng shui fountains, and aloof salon assistants dressed in black, this isn’t the place for you.

The best massage I have had in a LONG time. I just moved to Harlem and I am so glad I discovered her! Not for the faint of heart, but I live for a firm massage. I will be back again and again and again!

Annette’s gifts seems to transcend physical planes. For the first time in decades, I felt physical relaxation juxtaposed with mental lightness. Gone were all those useless ruminating thoughts that do not serve any practical function in the context of life’s trials and tribulations. To be sure, you immediately feel you are in the hands of a person you can fully trust as a professional and human being.
There is a wonderful sense of the present in Annette’s massage room and it seemed as if sounds seamlessly passed through an empty body that was more prepared to face the world after all was said and done. Further, when Annette speaks (choosing her words carefully given her impeccable listening skills), one seems to want to follow up on her suggestions. It is almost as if an immediate loyalty and shorthand in the verbal or non-​verbal dialogue is formed. She really put a lot of effort in balancing my body and I will respond in kind by acting on her invaluable health and spiritual feedback that she offers in a non-​patronizing manner if you ask any questions.
I was very impressed and more importantly– emotionally moved. My eternal gratitude for reminding me why Sunday is the first day of the week.

Absolutely perfect. Annette was perfect, and yes the setup is in her apartment which maybe is weird for people who expect a 5-​star spa experience. But me, I had a kink in my shoulder that was causing me pain for over a month. Annette got it out in 15 minutes, plus the rest of the massage. Is this your winky dinky easy massage? Nope. Is this something that will fix your back and body problems so that they don’t return. Yep.
Totally worth it. Go if you’re in pain and need fixing.

Woo hoo! Finally a masseuse that has strong hands.
I’m a dancer and really need someone who isn’t afraid to work super hard on me. She did ask me what kind of pressure I like so I know she’s able to go lighter.
Annette is very knowledgeable about the body and the session was very relaxing. I’ll definitely be going back.
FYI~her location is in her apartment. She has an entire room set up just for her massage work. It was great.

Okay. It’s a well known fact that I like to pay people to touch me.
Through massages of course! (What the heck were you thinking?)
That being said, I get massages semi-​frequently, and return for 2 reasons only:
A) Quality — Are they actually getting the kinks in my neck out so that I can continue to perform my fake hair commercials in front of the mirror? Or is it basically just having a stranger rubbing oil on my half naked body as I cringe hoping they don’t notice my granny undies?
B) Cost-​Effectiveness — Am I paying for the quality of the service or for their interior decorator?
I’ve been to Savvy Girl Massage twice now, and I have to say — she offers some serious quality at a very reasonable price with her massages.
Quality of Massage: Very high. Although beware — Annette has absolutely no mercy on knots, so if you’re looking for a pampering light touch massage, this isn’t the place for you. She focuses on stretching and loosening your muscles out and knots away — and as much as you inadvertently pull your «Someone just pinched your back fat» look when she’s doing it, she will not stop until you are feeling Gumby-​licious.
Aftermath: Depending on how tight your achy muscles were, the actual massage might be slightly uncomfortable but the feeling afterwards is amazing. You feel light and relaxed — most likely because she got your circulation running a storm — AND she offers you some pointers on how to stay that way (and explains why you might have got the pains to begin with!)
Atmosphere: Massages take place in her apartment, so it’s a basic layout. As I mentioned, Annette is definitely worth going to for real body ache issues — not for a pampering session.
Cost: With the help of the Unilocal Deal, you can get a 1 hour long massage for $ 65 (originally marked at $ 110).
Any downsides? I have to say, her new location is a bit out of the way for a Queens girl at heart like me. (That’s the only reason it’s a 4-​star and not a 5-​star review)
So if you’re in easy access to the Harlem area and require some real work on your achy-​breaky muscles and joints, find your way to Annette — she’ll take care of you!

She’s a certified Swedish masseuse.
All the massage oils are organic.
She left my chronically pained back feeling lovely– for longer than anyone has apart from massage therapists.
BUT she found scar tissue that both an orthopedic surgen and several physical therapistsdid not identify.
So much bang for your buck.
Sounds too good to be true, right?
If you are looking for everything above, look no further. However, Savvy Girl is not located in your traditional spa environment. It’s just a room with a table and a highly skilled female masseuse.

BOOK YOUR MASSAGE TODAY!
I booked a 60 minute massage with Annette during my annual trip to NYC. I booked it for the 6^th day of the trip, and it was the best purchase of my vacation! I arrived at her doorstep on the upper west side tired and sore from all of the walking we had done on the trip. I told Annette my lower back needed some therapy and she started working.
She asked me what pressure I liked, and I said medium pressure. Her hands and strength are amazing! She worked through my body and all of my knots, including a very stiff neck from the airplane ride. After the massage, I felt great.
I would recommend anyone to go get your massage here! Whether you are doing a sports activity, in need of some knot relief, or a relaxing experience, Annette is your girl! It was my first time using a Unilocal deal and I recommended it. It was very easy to use and easy to book the massage on her website.
Thanks Annette!

You know those lizards that when you rub under their chins they are like completely hypnotized for twenty minutes and you can dress them up and put funny hats on them etc? Maybe not. But that’s exactly how I feel after a massage with Annette. Completely relaxed and centered. My boyfriend and I are semi-​regulars now. She’s helped him with an old knee injury, even recommended exercises. She seems to know a boatload about anatomy and draws from a variety of modalities — she’s currently studying acupuncture. Be sure to use her on line booking service rather than email… we did have some confusion over that.
Can’t recommend more highly!

At first, I was apprehensive about going to someone’s apartment for a massage appointment, but Annette is incredibly professional and her daughter was very sweet.
I had a deep tissue massage and Annette was very thorough and STRONG. She was very knowledgeable and made some recommendations based on my consultation and what she found. I work out about 3 – 4 times a week and found her massage incredibly therapeutic for my achy muscles. Definitely the best massage I’ve received in NYC!

Such a great professional and wonderful experience! Highly recommend it! Her office is located in a residential building and Annete and her adorable daughter were the ones to greet me.
The massage was amazing. She really knows what she does and she helped me deal with my back pain. She made sure I was comfortable with everything and was very personable and polite.
Highly highly recommend the place. Will certainly come back!

Before you go, please note that the office is within a residential building – 3A. I did not pay attention when I set up my appointment online and was not sure where to go. The building has an elderly lady who acts as a watchdog, good for residents but intimidating for customers who are unsure where to go!
Once I got there, though, I was greeting by the personable Savannah. She was far more welcoming than most professional receptionists and made my (brief) wait go quickly. I did not mind starting late, as I soon found out that Annette would spend the same time and attention on me, making sure that I got a full hour of stress and pain relief!

After a consultation about my problem areas and goals for the session, I was treated to a thorough, responsive massage. Annette was knowledgeable and capable, asking me about my concerns and consistently checking on the pressure. Better yet, she offered suggestions to prevent my problems.
Her rates are a bit higher than the Chinatown rubdowns, but she is an LMT – degrees and experience make a difference. No routine massages through towels and kneeling on the spinal column here! With the quality of the bodywork, it is a great value.

I awoke this morning with pain. A sinus congestion that has kept me from tasting food. Every step I took caused pain in my arthritic knees. I decided to finally take my physical therapist’s advice and get a massage. Savvy Girl searched my back, found the tightness and then released my aching back. She was a consummate professional, listening to me and also listening to my back. When I left that quite private session, I marveled at the smells of New York again! I felt a kick in my step and I stretched like a cat from a long nap!
Will everybody feel the way I did? There is no way to tell. But if you need therapeutic massage. If you need relief that can only come from the hands of someone who knows how to find and release pain, then don’t you owe it to yourself to try Savvy Girl?
I know I will be back!

I’ve had hundreds of massages over the past 15 years, from chinese parlors in NYC to 5-​star hotels in Vegas, and this is the best overall and especially best value massage I’ve ever had. I’ve been going here for about 2 years now. The therapist is a licensed graduate of the Swedish Institute. At least with me, she has never stopped the massage because «time was up» — she pretty much finishes when she has worked every knot out of your body. If you like a strong massage, she is your therapist; I’m not sure if she can do a gentle massage because I like mine strong and have never requested a gentle massage. She also incorporates hot stones into my massage on occasion. Also, she is conveniently located just a block from ½/​3 train express stop at 96^th Street.