Massage Envy – College Park

Great place, haven’t been there in a while, but worth the trip

This place… eh. Last week I came in to cancel my membership and in the process of speaking to one of the managers the Spa Director (I believe her name is Christina) interrupted us without even saying excuse me. It was like she didn’t even acknowledge me due to the fact that I was cancelling my membership. The manager I was speaking to was persuading me to stay, but due to that very RUDE situation with Christina I decided to just cancel overall. She needs training in great customer service skills.

I have to say that I am no longer a fan of this location… And possibly the franchise. I have been a member since September 2014 and I can count on one hand the amount of satisfying massages that I have ever received at this location. I feel like the massage therapist were just touching my skin as opposed to massaging me… The entire experience just irritated me as I was thinking about how much of a waste of time this was. Maybe I need to try a new location, but as for this location no more!

If I could give zero stars I would! My first time here I decided to have a facial. They use Murad products which I have used in the past. However I did have a sever breakout after the facial that lasted for at least a month. I had to go back to Proactive just to get my skin back to normal. I have had 2 massages which were simply ok. As a member I paid about $ 70 but the regular rate is over $ 100 and NOT WORTH YOUR MONEY! My final straw with this place was when I wanted out of the contract. The staff and especially the management is horrible! after my experience with them I can only conclude that they are completely incompetent rude and just boldface liar’s. Right after this post I will be reporting this franchise to the better business bureau. I hope for any future customers that the owner of this establishment takes a hard look at his staff and their lack luster reviews and takes a few suggestions into consideration. Although I suggest you start with getting rid of the management completely! Please do not waste your money here please go to either another branch or a totally different company!

I was wary after so many poor reviews, but my experience was a good one. The front desk picked up the phone by the second ring and I had an appointment within 48 hours at the time of my choosing. I got there 15 minutes early to do the first timer paperwork. The young lady at the desk explained everything, including that the 60 minute session was only about 50 minutes of hands on therapy. The therapist was very good. I was sore and tender so he did a lighter massage and concentrated on the areas I requested — neck, shoulders, and feet. We started precisely on time and he finished 55 minutes later. I have been a member in the past and am only here a few days so there was no need to do a hard sales pitch. I said from the start I wasn’t interested in a membership and she dropped the explanation right away. If I lived here, I would try them again.

I just left this location and felt the need to write a review while it’s fresh on my mind. First off, I wanna say that it was NOT a good experience for me and here are the reasons why. The spa is located on a strip mall and parking was very limited. I got there 8 minutes early and spent 10 minutes looking/​waiting for parking. Then when I walked through the door, it felt like I’m coming in for a Dr’s appt and not a spa appt. They have you filling out paper and the reception area was just too busy for a relaxing spa. Then I meet my therapist and she just wasn’t «inviting» (or more like dry). I think it’s important to make that connection with your client and it just didn’t happen (she didn’t even extend her hand to shake my hand). So I use the restroom then get to the massage room and I found the room to be not relaxing. I guess their attempt to make it relaxing was to dim the lights and soft music but it didn’t feel soothing or relaxing. The consultation with my therapist was dry. And now onto the massage… I came in for a prenatal massage (I’m 8 months pregnant) and it felt like I was just rubbed… not massaged. I couldn’t relax the whole time and I tried to relax myself as much as I can but I was just disappointed about the whole massage. I’ve had several massages before (matter of fact I had a membership with a private business spa until I got pregnant) so I know how the massage experience is like. I thought maybe it’s because it’s a prenatal massage so it feels different. But nonetheless I was not relaxed the whole time and my time was cut short to 45 minutes. So overall, my recommendation is to NOT go to this location and don’t pick Elizabeth as your therapist (I can’t speak for other Massage Envy locations). Needless to say, I prefer to go to a private spa business where valuing and focusing on customers are their goal not selling a membership (which I also felt like at this location).

It should be noted that four of the most recent six postings here allege some form of fraud or time theft. My experience was similar. Came here a few times and the massage generally starts ~15 mins after the reserved time and ends 5 mins before the reserved end time. So your «1 hour» massage is really about 40 minutes.
The therapists are quite good. Sports injuries, disabilities, etc. should be no problem for the crew of experts who know their way around a lumbar and a rhomboid. I have no complaints about my time on the table.
The problem is in management/​policy. The non-​member rates are quite high, so you sign up for a membership. Then they treat your credit card like a teenager with Daddy’s wallet. I couldn’t terminate or suspend my membership while I was deployed overseas, so good luck doing it on an at-​will basis. When I tried to make good on the massages I’d been charged for while I was out of the country, I was told there was a $ 179.99 fee for doing so. That’s certainly not in the contract anywhere.

It was ok. I’ve been a member for 5 years and have gone to locations in at least 6 states. This place was very crowded when I went at 2pm. There was a line at each station and the quiet room was full. I was there at 1:50 but still didn’t get in a room and started until 2:10. Very annoying. So it wasn’t 1 hr it was 45 mins. The therapist was very nice. I asked for more pressure and I didn’t feel a difference. So I said oh well just try to relax. So much for deep tissue. What was disappointing was she didn’t do my feet. I’m used to warm towels on my back and making time for scalp and feet. None of that was done.
Then they have the tip charts everywhere. $ 18-​$ 25 for tip is a minimum they suggest. That’s almost ½ the cost of another massage. I’m all about tipping people offering a service but don’t pressure people. They ask you so loud if you want to leave a tip cash or credit.
I will be back because I have a membership and it’s the closest one and keep trying different therapists. Sucks to have a bad massage.

I have been going to the College Park Location for about 1 year. I am a marathon runner and joined ME thinking this would help my recovery time during training season and after a marathon run. Each time I went for a massage I did not leave feeling better than when I arrived. I did not expect a SPA experience but I did expect to get a great massage, especially due to the fact that they shove a gratuity chart in your face at the counter and ask boldly if you would like to leave a tip for the therapist. I really did not feel comfortable saying it was not the best massage, since they really believe they are good at what they are doing. Therefore, I felt forced to leave a tip. I stopped going for a long time and they called me and asked why. I told them because I was not pleased with the service. I was told if I returned they would put me with their best therapist. It was a very nice guy, who gave a okay massage. However, he talked to me the entire session. I was already exhausted when I arrived at the end of a work day. I am in customer service and talk to people all day. Just wanted to relax during my session. Just when I made it to my year, I was ready to end my contract but needed to use all sessions that had now accumulated. So, I just made a random appointment to get it out of the way. I had planned to gift as many sessions as possible. Then without request, I had the best massage, ever. This new therapist, Reneka, gave me the kind of massage, I would normally get when I was injured and in therapy. Very detailed and I could tell she heard every thing I said to her during my consultation because she hit every point and at the end of my massage, I felt better! Ugh! now that I have found her I can not cancel my membership. If it were not for this massage experience I would be gone. Even with the great massage it has been a challenge to stay. Recently I was waiting for my therapist in the tranquil area and one of the front desk persons brought in a new client and did her entire introduction interview right there in the room in front of us. Asking her personal questions about her massage experience history. It became a group discussion. I thought I was being punked! I have never been able to go to another location due to just having a really tight schedule and not a lot of time to travel around to other locations.

I had Tai who did the massage it was good but not the best! It’s not an hour more like 35 minutes…

I was recently given a massage and a facial at Massage Envy it was great the best experience I have ever had!!!

I love Sharlene! She knows what she’s doing. I’ve seen three other massage therapists there before I saw her. She is the first one to NOT tickle my feet. She can carry a good conversation but isn’t a chatterbox, which is important to me because sometimes I just want peace and quiet.

2.5 stars.
Meh. Massage Envy locations are hit or miss. I’ve been at this location probably half a dozen times, and I can’t remember a single massage therapist that I thought did a really good job. I keep coming here though because it’s right by my work and they usually have same-​day openings (which I guess should be a bad sign).
The massage therapists are super nice for sure, but all of my massages have been okay or less than okay. Actually, I think they’re pretty week. I got a ‘deep tissue’ massage here that was hardly any pressure.
Though, I guess it’s like getting laid right? Even when it’s not good, something is better than nothing?
Seriously though — I would be better off getting one of my cousins to walk up and down my back.
What I really don’t like about the place though is that they seem to short-​change the massage. Last night my masseuse was late coming to get me by at least 5 minutes, then gave me a few minutes to change, then she stopped the massage 10 minutes early. So my 60 minute massage was really only 40 minutes long. I’m pretty sure the last one was similarly short changed by about 15 minutes. (Therapist was 10 – 15 minutes late getting me, but still stopped 5 minutes before the hour). I’m ADD and generally forgiving, so I’ll brush off 1 or 2 or maybe 3 instances. But I will eventually get the pattern if there is one, and I will get pissed off.
I guess I just need to plan better and go to the Clarendon location only.

DON’T BE A VICTIM OF THIS STORE’S TRICKERY!!! Get all the facts before dealing with this location and before buying gift cards. My partner bought me a $ 208 gift card/​3 month membership which I did not want. The owner, Terri Jacques, will not refund the purchase price to him under the pretense that the back of the gift card states that it is not redeemable for cash. However, there is nothing posted in the store, printed on the back of the card, or printed on the purchase receipt that informs a purchaser that he cannot get his money back if, for some reason, the gift recipient refuses the gift. After explaining repeatedly that this was a simple gift return, she still refuses to give him back his money. This is simply dishonest business and a business owner trying to hold on to money she hasn’t earned.
And by the way, the franchise owner, Terri Jacques, confirms that if someone buys you a gift for a 60-​minute massage, the time it takes for you to undress and receive your «consultation» is deducted from the 60-​min massage time — something else they neglect to mention when they’re duping you into a purchase.
Like I said to this franchise owner, JUST HOW GOOD ARE YOUR SERVICES IF YOU HAVE TO TRICK AND TRAP PEOPLE INTO USING THEM?

My friend suprised me with a full body swedish massage here yesterday and I have to say I am a fan now. This was my VERY FIRST professional massage and Leanne did a great job. I was very relaxed and almost sleep. I’m not sure of the price b/​c he paid for it and wouldn’t let me see, however; if it is responsible I would definitely go back. The only downside to this location is the tranquilty room… it is very small and not a lot of people can fit (about 4 small cushions). She told me to lay back and relax which was hard b/​c everyone (staff and customers) kept coming in and out getting water out of the dispenser and according to my friend the fake fish tank (on tv) is kinda cheesy compared to the other locations that actually have a tranquility room and an actual fish tank…
All in all if Leanne was available I would go back and get a massage from her again. Very good.

I’ve been using Massage Envy off and on for a few years and have generally been pleased with them. The reception staff have always been friendly and answered questions clearly and accurately. Although it’s not my preference, I can appreciate that they have both male and female masseurs.
The introductory offer of a 60-​minute massage for $ 49 is a great lure. However, the 60-​minute massage is a bit of false advertisement. The massage itself is really only about 40 minutes, because your dressing/​consultation time is included in that. It would feel like a better value if the massage was a true 60 minutes and the dressing and consultation were built into the appointment outside of that.
The facials are a nice treat, but nothing to write home about. The esthetician was great. She took the time to get to know what I wanted out of the facial, what my current skin issues were and how I was taking care of my skin. She then explained what she was doing at each step. I’ve been to a lot of folks who just go to work without saying anything to you about what they’re putting on your skin.
The biggest annoyance I have with them is regarding their membership package. It is frustrating and a bit antiquated to have to call the local M.E. to get updates about your membership (when the last payment was processed, how many massages you have in your account, how to schedule an appointment). It’s 2012 and I don’t think it’s too much to ask that there be a centralized, online method to allow customers to have this information at their fingertips rather than be limited to business hours.
It shouldn’t come as a shock that at every visit, if you haven’t signed up for the membership, they will try to sell you on it. I was taken in by this (I’ll admit it!). I wish I hadn’t signed up, though. The sign-​up process felt rushed and I don’t feel like the fine print was explained enough. Frankly, I don’t have the time to spare for a massage a month and they have begun piling up. The fact that you can’t transfer your extras to another person is definitely a customer DISservice. The membership plan may be a good idea for some, but really read the fine print before you sign up and ask questions before you sign!

This place was a massage factory. They put the damn water dispenser in the tranquility room, and frankly, that’s not very tranquil as people are coming and going a million miles a min. OH and speaking of the tranquility room, it is a TINY room, with four cushions on one wall looking at a TV. We were basically sitting on top of each other. Not to mention one of the staff was trying to explain a facial to somebody. However, this was not in her inside voice. SHE WAS LOUD. Not to mention her phone kept ringing. OMG, not relaxing.
WILL I EVER FIND A MASSAGE ENVY I LIKE in the DC area?

I always have a great experience with Massage Envy, but it is overshadowed by the fact that I have 16 outstanding massages on my membership. I am a busy person and there is no way I can use up16 of these while _​still accumulating_​them. As another Unilocaler indicated, they are not transferable, so even though I have a sick mother who could benefit by taking over some of the massages that I have _​already paid for_​, they won’t allow me to give the to her. She has to transfer the entire account or nothing.
Every time I’m there I can only partially relax because I feel like I’ve been «taken» in a pyramid scheme where they clinic gets paid whether I go or not. This is not a good business model. I like the idea of a non-​froo froo, working class massage, but I don’t like feeling like I have to be taken for a ride in order to get a good price.
FYI, I am taking my issue to corporate since there are clinics that allow you to do more than one transfer of prepaid massages.
The corporate headquarters for Massage Envy can be found online at:
Their telephone number is: 1−602−992−3689. They are there during business hours. You have to listen to the prompts to get to corporate which is the last option after the Arizona numbers.

WORST CUSTOMER SERVICE! DO NOT GO HERE! Besides the fact that I received a weak massage, I have found the customer service of this establishment to be sub par. I have attempted to get in touch with the owners but the manager, named HONOR HARRINGTON refuses to pass on my message. I will be contacting the Better Business Bureau to conduct a review of their business practices. I was mislead into signing up for a massage and whenever I call to schedule, they’re unavailable! I have not been able to successfully schedule an appointment since November 2011. Their business practices are designed to create volume without ever having to provide a service! You should be ashamed of yourselves Massage Envy!

I’ve been a member of Massage Envy for about six years and I’d cancel my cable TV. or possibly running water before I’d cancel my massage membership. I LOVE IT! Best part is you can use your membership at any location around the country! I’m a member in San Diego but was able to easily get a massage while visiting College Park.
The waiting area and rooms are similar to all other Massage Envy’s. I liked that they carry Murad skin care and I actually picked up a moisturizer before I left. My therapist Tai was GREAT and I liked her so much I booked an appointment for my boyfriend with her the following weekend.
This location is in a strip mall with plenty of parking (a must!) and the front desk staff is friendly and curteous.
I think if you’re not a member of Massage Envy the sales pitch might seem a bit aggressive (which I overhear each time I’m at a location and a new non-​member is checking in or out) … but dude, why would you not be a member? Well, I mean if you like massages. If you like massages and can afford the $ 40 – 50 a month, its the best gift you’ll ever get yourself!