Great Nails & Spa

I am trying to not be petty by not giving one star, and I should mention first that my nails look great and I had fully intended on giving this place 5 stars up until it was time to leave. My mani pedi was absolutely perfect, I loved the guys that did both services. They were efficient and everything was magnificent, including the massage. I had shellac mani pedi, while my friend got a regular mani pedi. I was done first so I paid $ 75 + $ 10 tip, then I went back to the drying station to sit with my friend. As we were leaving and she was paying I told the cashier that I had paid earlier because I finished earlier. As I said this a woman came out of the woodwork, who had not spoken to me or touched my nails once and yelled at me in front of everyone in the very busy salon telling me I had NOT paid. I repeatedly told her I did and that she could ask the guy in the red shirt, which for some reason she would not do. Luckily, the cashier said «I believe you, you can go.» So, walking out of there with my perfect nails, I was so incredibly embarrassed and upset that I was accused of stealing, I do not think I could ever go back.

My shellac manicure lasted 3+ weeks… and I’m a nurse! That says a lot! My hand, arm, neck, and shoulder massage felt amazing! Prices are cheap! Always make an appointment… this place is packed at all times of the day!

I’ve been disappointed the last couple of times I’ve been here since the remodel. Not only did their prices go up to $ 30 for a regular pedicure, but they failed to hire more staff for the bigger space, and the quality of services is now rushed and not great. It’s still not pricey, but that’s with poor service, rushed massage, questionable sanitation procedures and paint that I could do better at home– think I’ll find another place for awhile.
Prior review:
I love this place! They’ve recently expanded, looks classy and much more room. Best bet is to make an early or late appt, or show up right when they open. I got here right at 9am today, and got seated for my pedi right away. Pedis are usually my favorite part, it’s a gamble depending on who you get. Today though my shellac French mani was the best part– Tim was super meticulous and gave a great arm and shoulder massage with lavender oil! Took a couple hours all together, but that’s allll time I was being helped, not bad for $ 55 before tip. Thanks guys!

Austin’s best kept secret! I was recommended here by my coworker and even though I drive 20 minutes it’s worth the drive! Lee is the best and does unique shellac manicures. Plus the massage is the best I’ve ever had! Shhhhh please don’t tell all of your friends.

This salon has ruined all other nail salons haha, whyyyyy does it have to be in Austin when I love in California??? After a weekend of exploring Austin, me and 4 girlfriends decided to pamper ourselves with a mani/​pedi, and it was amazing!!! The final product was great, we are all very happy with our nails… but we all agree this was the best experience we have ever had getting our nails done. The staff was extremely friendly, the color selection was great, and the price was extremely reasonable. If you prefer an intimate salon, this may not be your salon because it is quite large and every chair was taken. But they had enough staff that each customer was being attended to, I had one dedicated person who took great care of me from start to finish. We all left feeling spoiled rotten but sad that our favorite salons back home now have been shown up haha.
The pedicure included a deep leg and foot message, a hot towel wrap, and exfoliating scrub. All of which were amazing.
The manicure included an arm, hand, AND back message which were deep and fabulous. My friend even got a hear message while her nails dried.
All together, we were in the salon for almost 2 hours!!!

I don’t feel that BYOB and rolling the dice on getting a decent experience is worth all the rave reviews. The last time I went there I was told it would be a several hour wait, so I tried to make an appointment for later and was told there were none available. Ummm ok? It’s always packed, the layout is terrible and the customer service has gone to complete crap. There are better places in Austin. This place, like many other local favorites, has gone down the tube. If you want to see real reviews from other Austinites, just look at the not recommended section ( Unilocal’s software has conveniently weeded them out).

Not happy at all :(
I know everyone is raving about this salon but I’ve been there twice now and both times I had a «not so great» experience. Both times I unfortunately got the same technician. Both times he was not paying attention at all. He didn’t ask what I want (or greeted me at all), during his work he didn’t focus on what he was doing but was always looking around and also he was pretty rough on my nails so that it almost hurt. Moreover he wasn’t really friendly! My first time he disappeared in a room without saying a word to me. He decided not to come back for the next 20 — 25 minutes… Seriously? Why would you do that? Well after the first time I thought I’d give it another shot but when I now got disappointed again I decided not to come back again. Also when I looked at my nails today I wasn’t pleased with the technician’s work. He didn’t do a decent job with my nails (bubbles, no equal forms,…) I’m disappointed!
Although I heart they’re doing a good pedicure. But if you just want you’re fingernails done, there are definitely better places for that!

I really enjoyed coming here and they have such great prices! Tim is the one that did my toes and fingers, and he was so nice. He was very precise and careful and did a great job. I would definitely recommend making a reservation so you don’t have to wait because it gets pretty busy, but I’m glad I found my new usual! Also, it was pretty cool that they are byob!

I was a little worried about this spot with its super polarized reviews, but I wanted a cheap manicure before New Years Eve so got a last-​minute afternoon appointment and met up with a girlfriend.
It was PACKED! We saw lots of walk-​ins get turned away. There had to have been at least 25 staff members all super busy serving people.
The facilities are actually very nice. I hear they just went through a remodel and it shows. After a 10 minute wait I got seated and a very nice Asian guy went to work on my shellac manicure. I showed him a picture of what I wanted — black with gold sparkles raining from the cuticle and he said ‘no problem.‘
This guy was like a nail Picasso — he was so focused and precise with his job. He did a fantastic job and delivered exactly what I wanted. As some reviews have mentioned they ARE a bit rough on the cuticle trimming and I did get one cut area but I didn’t notice it at the time.
My friend got a regular manicure and loved hers as well. The combined cost for my shellac and her regular was $ 37! We will be baaaaaack

I have been coming here for the past year and a half and always have great service. Staff is very nice and does an incredible job. When they aren’t too busy two people will actually be working on you which I think is great and efficient use of time. They don’t just rush you out though they pay attention to detail and give great massages. The new expansion they have done looks wonderful. Make sure you make an appointment because they are busy every day!

this place was TERRIBLE! they are not friendly at all. they smile and nod in a super condescending manner. the dude that did my nails had no interest in what i wanted. his technique was painful, kinda like he took a hack saw to my fingers. i chose a satin finish polish, and he proceeded to add a top coat. i tried to stop him, but he just ignored me. another girl came over and i tried to explain to her, but she just said, «yeah, top coat» smiled and walked away. when i told the manager, he was like, «oh yeah, he added top coat». «I KNOW he did, but it’s a satin finish. it’s not supposed to be shiny,» i said. he said, «oh, ok» and walked off. so i was left with a tacky uneven clumpy manicure. UGH
also, the atmosphere is AWFUL. they crammed so many chairs and tables in there that there’s no room to relax. and the music SUCKED… SUCKED. if i have to hear that fuckin «you didn’t have to cut me off» gotye song one more damn time, i’m gonna puke.

I get pedicures here and they’re great for a few reasons: only $ 25, byob, and long long long massages. The only not so great part is that my polish never stays for very long.

This place is amazing. They do a great job on my nails, it’s clean, a little crowded (but they’re expanding!!!) and the massages are to die for. Unlike anywhere I’ve been in the area for the price. Parking is a bitch but it’s the price one must pay! I’ve been here 5 times now and have been thrilled after each mani/​pedi. Also– BYOB.

The reviews about this place being packed is VERY true. Call ahead is a must! I got here at 9:05am and there were only two pedicure chairs available. That’s crazy!
I had Matt work on my toes. He is very good. My toes look perfect and feel so soft and smooth.
Speaking of smooth, Matt is a flirt! But I thought I don’t mind! Haha

I saw Linda and she was nice. They really want you to do gel nails. I opted for the traditional nail polish because sometimes I am old school like that. Plus, why have so many bottles of OPI and China Glaze laying around if you don’t want to use them? This place is three stars at best. I hate the parking lot. I got two crooked nails. Yes, two. One on my left thumb and one on my right pointer finger. Nobody likes a crooked nail. It’s not sexy. I asked her to fix the thumb and she did but the pointer finger not only looks and is crooked but feels crooked. The prices are good. Linda really gets most of the stars, plus she saw me right away. Not sure if I’ll return… but was worth a try…

Another amazing morning at my favorite nail salon!
Ladies, if you haven’t been here… Come and call before hand, there is a reason this place is always packed and fairly priced! Leg, shoulder and arm massages… With just getting a mani and pedi! Thank you for always remembering my name and making it an amazing experience. I always feel refreshed walking out of here.
Ps. Ladies this place is BYOB!

Shhhhhh don’t tell anyone about this place it’s amazing!!!
This is the best nail salon I’ve been to, anywhere! There is a reason why this salon is always packed! Feel free to bring a bottle of wine — this place is BYOB. They are reasonably priced and give superior service. During a pedicure you get a hot towel wrap and a nice, long foot/​leg massage.
Be sure to make an appointment, this place is almost always busy! Also, plan to spend about 2 hours for a mani and pedi — they are very thorough!

I’ve been to Great Nails a couple of times now and after the last visit I will not go again. I made an appointment for a friend and I for mani pedis. They sat us in our pedi chairs and my guy asked me what I wanted. Since I had recently gotten a gel pedi I just wanted him to fill it and do the rest of the pedi stuff (smoothing our dry skin, massage, etc) but he didn’t understand what I wanted, minutes later he tells me it will cost 15 for the fill plus 25 for the pedi. This wasn’t quoted to me earlier so I opted for a regular pedi. It went ok but he didn’t really massage and seemed irritated.
My mani was done in my pedi seat which was really uncomfortable and akward. He cut some of my cuticles too short causing them to bleed and didn’t paint my nails properly. The next day it was already chipped and my nails/​cuticles looked horrible compared to the way I had them before the mani.
I was hot in the salon and they rush alot of their services in order to take more customers. I really wanted this place to be my nail place but after my last visit I’ll look elsewhere.

Sorry y’all, but I was not impressed by this place. I was recommended here by a couple friends so I was excited when I was able to walk in and be seen right away. That’s pretty much where the positive stops. My tech didn’t speak hardly any English and was not able to understand what I wanted (a new gel manicure versus just a fill), or just chose to do her own thing. She cut pretty much every single one my cuticles and seemed to be in a big rush. I posted a photo of the sloppy job done on my nails, and that’s after I asked her to fix it twice! You can clearly see where my old shellac ends and the new fill starts. When I left I felt like I had just paid $ 21 to have my nails buffed five different ways.
I will say that their pedicure chairs looked really comfy and the techs appeared to be giving good pedis. I wish I had just gotten that instead :(

Is it weird that I’m probably coming to this spot for a massage more than a mani/​pedi? It was amazing. But wait, lemme back up.
I’d heard so much about Great Nails so when I was in the vicinity, I headed on over to do some work and get pampered. I was surprised when it was a little shop as I’d assumed it was bigger. The outside does not match the inside though — it’s got clubby music, new nice chairs, and at any one time, it looks like they’re working on about 10 people.
I was able to walk in and get a pedi with a shellac manicure for $ 50. And the massage… oh the massage. I liked the leg one but the neck massage was evenb better. That dude has magic hands. So this is a 5 star with a caveat — it’s worth going if you don’t have to wait.