Rowes Wharf Health Club and Spa

This is the best of all health clubs in Boston! I’ve been a member since 1996 and have always enjoyed my experience working out or swimming in their beautiful pool. Great jacuzzi, sauna, trainers and staff at all levels who treat you with the utmost respect and gracious attitude. Good amenities too — from their fruit and beverage offerings to personal products and immaculate locker rooms. 3 cheers for the RW health club and spa!!!

Consider me greatly unimpressed. I had such high hopes for the Mayflower Massage and Spa Pedicure that perhaps that’s why I felt let down by my experience? Who knows. But after hearing people rave about this place for a while I kind of expected something more.
First impression: I’m paying how much for this massage and they can’t even give me a robe that isn’t scratchy?
I realize swedish massage is used to release toxins and get relaxed, but it HURT. Not necessarily in the «let’s work this stress out of your back» pain, but «holy shit, this woman is going to break my ribs» pain. I’ve never felt like this on previous massages. On parts of my body that aren’t as delicate as a ribcage, I can deal with the pain and actually prefer a deep tissue massage to a soft, stroking one. It also didn’t help that I was REALLY put off by my masseuse within the first 20 minutes. Not only could I feel her fingernails digging into my body, but she started to comment on how my tattoos on my back were faded. They’re almost 15 years old and I just haven’t made touching them up a priority. No need for you to go on and on about them. The foot massage was great, but that was the only part I really felt made a difference.
Spending $ 70 on a Spa Pedicure was a joke. The girl I had working on my feet was awesome, so I don’t want to short change her– she’s probably why I’ve given the extra star. I was VERY underwhelmed by the actual service. I don’t know if it’s because I came from a massage, but I didn’t get much of a leg massage. I also felt short-​changed on the most important part of a pedicure: removal of dead skin. Really? Just a quick buffing? Did you see what my feet looked like? I know this is gross, but I run and toenails being missing or blisters the size of a Caribbean island are the norm. Work that shit out. I’m going to you because it’s not something I can do myself. On a plus, the paint job looked nice.
About a week later… My body HURTS. HURTS. As a regular with acupuncture and massage, I’m used to cleansing. What I wasn’t ready for is how my ribs are bruised and it hurts to sneeze. My quads/​hamstrings spasm regularly, as if part of the muscle was massaged and the other half is compensating for the loose part. I’ve never felt like this post-​massage. NEVER.
My pedicure… meh. I still can’t believe I paid $ 70 for this. The dry skin is back to its plan of overtaking my feet, and aside for the nails being painted a neat color? Looks just like it did when I walked through the door. I’d rather go to a mall chain for $ 25 and have the same result.
Take home message? I would pass. I’m sure there are other equally-​priced places in the city to have massages/​pedicures that would offer a better experience.

Skip it.
I paid 70 $ for a spa pedicure that lasted 32 minutes. When I came out I even asked the receptionist – «was that the spa pedicure?» «yes». Wow. The services menu lists the spa pedicure at 60 minutes, so I was ripped off.
The «spa pedicure» entails nail trimming, some foot buffing, about 45 seconds of foot massage, and a polish application. The woman who did my pedicure was very friendly and I hate to penalize her-​in a place like this you do what the big boss tells you. But I could have paid $ 30 for a MUCH better pedicure at a strip mall Asian nail place in the suburbs.

I took my mom here for a facial and I got the Mayflower Massage, which was ok. I’ve had better (Emerge on Newbury St.), I’ve had worse (Royal Caribbean cruise). My mom LOVED her facial and my massage was ok. I almost got overcharged because they swipe your card manually with one of those impression readers and the woman at the desk thought my gift certificate said $ 130 rather than $ 150. REALLY glad I caught that.
There seemed to be 5,000 kids in the pool when there were really just 8, but that’s plenty when they make a ton of noise and won’t stick to just 1 or 2 swimming lanes but have to commander all 3. I hate that.
However, I did like swimming and hanging out in the enormous hot tub. The locker room is clean and pretty with great showers and free ice water with lemon and oranges. You can use the gym and the pool for free if you’re getting a spa treatment (if not, you can buy a day pass for $ 25). A great thing about the gym is that they have a little fridge full of chilled face clothes, and they supply headphones to use and t-​shirts and shorts to change into if you need them.

If you work downtown, you’re probably stressed out at work from time to time. When that happens, book a deep tissue massage with Myrtha at the Spa at Rowes Wharf immediately! She’ll straighten you out and get your joints and muscles back in good working order.