Refresh Massage

The massage here is good, the service at the desk is not so. You need to bring cash with you for the tip. Availability is usually not an issue, just walk in.

After a long day of play, my girl wanted a quick foot massage, so we called and made a beeline over to make our appointment.
The people are all very friendly and the place is clean. The water they used to soak our feet could have been hotter, but it was acceptable.
The office opens right out to the mall and it would have been nicer if they closed the curtains to reduce the impact of the foot traffic and create a more peaceful experience.
The foot massage was ok, but the fact that it is located in a mall has me searching for an alternative.

I echo what most Unilocalers have mentioned — it’s a no frills no nonsense place and so if you’re looking for a spa experience– skip this place.
Parking is easy since you park in the mall and its $ 1 for 3 hours. It’s right across from the gym and we called an hour before to make a res for two 30 min reflexology appts.
Oh and if you like soaking your feet in scalding hot water then mention that bc the water was just hot enough but on the lukewarm side.
But my oh my was the 30 mins reflexology amazing. Sometimes to the point of being painful– though I enjoyed the pain because I knew he was working out some deep knots and kinks in my feet.
I would definitely come back when in the need for a foot massage and looking for in and out.
Btw– tip only in cash. They can’t add to CC.

Take it for what it is and you will enjoy it. Not a spa, but an excellent place to get a quick reasonably prices massage without an appointment. Described well in other reviews… in the mall, top level, curtain room dividers, quiet, decent massage, good price.

Decent massage place for the price (basically $ 1/​min). This is not a fancy place where you’ll be treated to candles or lavender oils. It’s no-​frills and you can often just walk in without making an appointment. My only gripe is that the masseuses tend to ignore or forget my requests to concentrate on an area, and then it feels awkward to remind them during the massage. Parking is cheap and easy, as I typically park on the 4^th floor of the Ballston Mall garage and Refresh is to the right once you enter the mall.

Before you read further, know that I don’t get massages often and so my perception of what a good or bad massage parlor is not particularly well informed. But what I can say is that this place was did not meet my expectations. Your experience may differ depending on the type of massage you get, your previous experience, and probably the masseuse you get.
I wasn’t looking for cucumber water and incense like some others might be. I was strictly looking for a massage that felt good, relaxed me, and made me want to come back for more. I won’t be back for more though.
I was a walk-​in and it was my first time. Paid $ 30 for a 30 min deep tissue. The masseuse focused too much time on one or two places which felt good at first but after 5 minutes doing the same thing became painful! When the timer went of the man just walked out saying «done».

Four stars for the price, the fact that you can get 30 minute massages, and the quality.
Refresh is nothing fancy – no zen like experience here, but it’s clean and the massages are good. I always leave stress-​free and knot-​free. I don’t keep track of the names of my masseuses, though I wish I did, because the last one was the best.
If you get one of the older women or owners at the front desk, they are friendly and kind. The younger women are just plain rude. Your interaction is minimal, but still, friendliness is important to me.
If you are short on time, money, or both, and need a no-​appointment required place, come to Refresh.

I’m really surprised at the good reviews here. I get massages on a regular basis and I have to admit this place was first tucked away in the third floor. Second there was no air conditioning so it was very hot. No music no scented oil and the sounds of the mall noise in the background. I don’t know where the other people get there massages but this massage was not cheap. It wasn’t expensive. It was the going rate or just a touch cheaper. Tried it for 30 mins to see if I’d like it and then 2x a month. Nope

So out of the 5x I’ve come here, the last massage I got by May the worst massage I’ve ever had. Here’s why, she «rubbed» my shoulders and neck by touching my neck lightly. I asked for more pressure and she sighed heavily like I was a nuisance then didn’t change a thing. I actually considered walking out but the whole reason I come here is because I was really sore and tight. She gave me a really bad attitude and even opened the curtain to talk to someone half the time. I lifted my head to see if it would stop social hour but she just looked at me. I was really surprised since all the previous times I had amazing massages. This place has been great until now. Since I had never seen May before I’ll come back but be sure not to get her. At the end she gave me her tip envelope and told me to fill it. Seriously the rudest experience I’ve ever had. But again, I’ve had amazing foot and back massages. So I’ll be back and hope this is one time anomaly.

Horrible service and have no consideration for people’s time… I was asked to wait for 20 minutes which I did came back at 5 like I was told waited another 15 mins only to be told that I would have to wait because someone called first had an appointment and was late. NOT MY PROBLEM!!!
NEVER GOING AGAIN… WILL TELL EVERYONE I KNOW HOW HORRIBLE THIS PLACE IS!!!

I am a semi-​regular at this hidden gem within the Ballston Mall. I particularly like that you pay by the minute and you don’t necessarily need to pre-​book. After a long work trip and a couple of funky pillows, I love that I can drop in and get 30, 45, or even 60 minutes as needed for my back and neck. I usually opt for swedish with oil but they can do sports massage or shiatsu or foot massage.
This isn’t a fancy spa and you do get noise from the mall or someone on the other side of the divider who is a talker. But given the price, I am okay with the background noise as a tradeoff for a tough (in a good way) no frills massage. After a few minutes, you forget all about the mall, the people, and the noise!

No frills, nothing extra. great place to get a straight up deep tissue massage. I’m not the type to look for the bells & whistles that come with most massages (although i do from time to time). The times I do want to go for a deep tissue massage is when my body is sore from working out so I just want someone to work those knots out and just beat me on the table. This is the place for me and I’m glad it is only 3 minutes from my apt! Price is unbeatable at just $ 1/​minute!

Awesome massages for a very reasonable price. I will go once a month if I can. This place really is a hidden gem if you need a good legit massage.

Like a few other reviews, it really is a hidden gem. I would have never thought this place existed had it not been for Unilocal reviews. I’ve been having issues with a very stiff neck/​shoulders, so I was in need of some TLC. Booking the appointment was easy… a quick telephone call for a 60-​minute deep tissue massage after work was painless. It was $ 60 even, which was great. NO frills, no funny business, and you pay afterwards. It really is as inexpensive as you can get, especially in this area.
So, the place is on the 3^rd floor of the mall, right across from the Sport and Health Club. I arrived and shortly was brought next door to a dimly lit room separated by curtains. No instructions given really, but the masseuse, Jason, told me it was up to me if I wanted to get under the blanket with or without clothes. So, no worries. You can get down to your skivvies and you’re good to go.
The clock started ticking and he started getting my knots out. The place isn’t fancy shmancy and yes, you can hear other clients in behind the curtains next to you, but it was peaceful enough. I was surprised he didn’t use any oil, so he only massaged through the blanket, but it wasn’t horrible because the pressure was exactly what I needed. I’ve had massages elsewhere and I feel like people tend to go easier on me because I’m small, but he had no hesitations and it felt great! The pressure was perfect because my body had been so tense and stiff the last few days. He didn’t talk at all nor ask if I had any injuries or anything (I had to tell him myself before he began), so that was a con, but the massage itself was great. He definitely spent a ton of time in my lower back and neck areas and then the last half was spent on my arms, legs, then head.
The lowdown: I’m glad I tried this place and the pricing was very reasonable. The blanket could’ve been a bit more comfy. It just seemed really thin and kind of tattered and worn out from washing, so a little upgrade in that area would be nice. I still felt zen and privacy even despite the «barely-​there» dividers, but for some others — they may feel uncomfortable. I felt very relaxed and my neck felt so much better afterwards. Still a little sore/​tiny bit stuff… but the rest of my body felt like jello and more relaxed. Jason was very professional and I didn’t feel skimped at all. He knew exactly what he was doing and seemed to know what areas to spend time on based on my body’s reaction to pressure. For the first time, I feel like I got a «real» massage… a REAL deep tissue one at that!
Would I come back? Yep! For the price and quality, why not? Also, they seem to take walk-​ins and last minute appointments and at $ 1/​minute, how can you beat that? I would try to come back for a chair or reflexology massage, but I can see myself coming here once a month to get my body flowing back in order.

A hidden (and overlooked) gem! Okay, so it’s in a trashy mall and let’s face it: the exterior of the spa looks a bit on the creepy side what with all the curtains and darkness. But fear not!
I was desperate for a massage but I couldn’t spend an arm and a leg. This place is $ 1 per minute. It’s really that simple. I paid $ 60 for an hour and it was so worth every penny.
They are Chinese… and if all my years living in Hawaii has taught me anything about the Chinese, it’s that they don’t mess around. And they are not shy. The Gluteus Maximus is one of the biggest muscles in our bodies, yet most massage therapists scrimp on this area for fear of alienating their clients. Let me tell you, they do not shy away from the booty! And OH how I needed it after so many squats in the gym. He also managed to find every last one of my knots and work them out of my poor little muscles. It was not a «one size fits all» massage. This guy knew what he was doing.
Don’t be afraid of it being scary looking on the inside, either… It’s not, I promise! Customer service was excellent and wait time was zilch. They take walk-​ins as well. I’ll definitely be back!

This place is great. I called and they were able to fit me in two hours later. I got the 60 minute deep tissue massage with Wendy.
She directed me to the «room» and walked off without giving me any instructions… So I just got down to my undies and laid down. Then she comes in and laughs at me, ha! (not a bad laugh, so I start laughing) and she makes me get up and then lay down again, she also covered my legs up with the blanket
Now– after reading all the reviews I’m really confused about this clothes on or off thing… But she definitely used oil and I did hear the guy next to us tellig his customer to strip down so if you get the deep tissue, it would be very uncomfortable fully clothes, so I recommend you get semi– naked.
This place may not be super fancy or quiet but they where very nice and she did a great job.

Great massage by a welcoming crew. The negative they have going for them would definitely be the mall ambiance and they don’t really try to drown it out with any soothing music. I stopped by here after a hard workout that left my shoulders and neck absolutely in agonizing pain; I couldn’t move. After leaving here I was a bit tense from the deep massage but woke up totally refreshed after dealing with the pain for 3 days in a row.
Well worth the prices here and very accessible.

2.5 Stars.
Convenient because it’s right opposite the gym. Prices are reasonable.
Not to engage in gender stereotyping on Unilocal,but:
1) The men that work here are very professional and courteous
2) The women who work here (at least in the few times I’ve been): Don’t think just because you’re speaking/​laughing/​giggling whilst making fun of your customers in another language that non-​Asian customers don’t understand you. Very rude.
I won’t be back.

For massage this is my go to place.
Refresh is located in the Ballston Mall. You can park for a buck in the garage. I like the garage is covered. I’ve never had any issues with my car being tampered with.
I like deep tissue massage and this is the only place that I found that can do a decent deep tissue. I get a massage here once a month.
What I like about this place is you by 10 massages you get one free. Now they have tried to skip me on this before once where they told me it was only valid for 30 minutes not 60. I only get 60 to 90 minutes massages PERIOD and I tip well. This could be to a new employee I don’t know if it was done outright. Nor did I speak up about this.
The technicians here are definitely very well-​trained. Sometimes there can be communication issues but there is always someone nearby can translate for you. It’s best to have a staff member translate before you start your massage.
Sadly, there’s a few creepers who visit the female employees. I’ve been witness to this on three different occasions. The female employees are quick to put an end to this behavior! This is very disturbing when I’m trying to enjoy my massage. Creepers please do yourself a favor and go elsewhere for the extra services you want.
If you want a serene spa massage with rose petals and extra frills experience I wouldn’t recommend Refresh. Now if you desire a therapeutic massage this is the place to go.

Love the massage. My preference is strong knot massage and Shirley did just that!
I felt relaxed and renewed. I had the back stress since few days before and the long trip from NY to DC made it worst, so I was looking for a chair massage since I just ate dinner at the time. Be aware they only have 1 chair. They must have rent two different spot since the lady brought me next door where they have more individual room with only partition and curtain (typical Asian massage). I don’t mind since I am just looking for that knot relieve…