Dream Float Massage and Spa

THEY AREN’T AT THIS LOCATION ANYMORE. Services are by appointment only, and it’s $ 70 for a massage and hour float, $ 10 extra if you pay by credit card. She tried to sell me an «evaluation» too. Sounded totally sketchy from other reviews.

Please keep in mind that although this review may seem fairly harsh, I have struggled with chronic pain for years, and have been to countless Physical Therapists, Massage Therapists, and Acupuncturists, and also worked in a PT office for some time. I know what massage and PT should be like. The combination of massage, PT, and floating was a last resort option for me that I figured could only help. However, I was bruised and in a lot of pain for about 2 days afterwards from her «massage.»
First off, their location has moved since the last reviews. It is now in a series of townhouses that are only for business use. It was essentially someone’s house inside with the float tank in the living room and a shower that had been strangely built out in the middle of the room, partially attached to the staircase to the upstairs of the townhouse (which was not used as part of the business). Needless to say, it felt extremely unprofessional and like it may not have all been to code. The «physical therapy evaluation» and «massage» that you have to get before you float seemed like a joke. The woman said she got her PT license at the University of Philippines and then took the NC state exam to practice here, but she seemed to know next to nothing about the surgeries I have had (which are not at all uncommon). Her massage was EXTREMELY painful and I had to tell her she was using too much pressure multiple times. The back room (bedroom) that the massage and evaluation occurred in had stuff everywhere and old carpet with furniture long the walls like someone was using it as a bedroom or office or had done so very recently. It was all very uncomfortable and strange.
And by the way, there was no front desk and it was just one woman that was working there. It felt as though it was only her who ran the business and that she no longer has other people working with her as was stated in previous reviews.
The float itself was quite nice, but would have been much nicer if my back muscles would not have been spasming from her very painful massage. I would recommend floating, but not at this place. Please wait for someone else to bring float tanks to the Triangle or just tell this lady that you refuse the PT Eval/​massage. (P.S. Hazel is VERY, very sweet, but NOT cut out to be a PT/​massage therapist.)
Thank you for reading. I truly hope that this helps!

I just had my first experience here, and I will be going back to give it another try. WIth only one review though, I felt like I had to weigh in sooner rather than later. The last spa I went to before this visit was The Umstead, and the one before that was Bella Trio, and before that was probably in Big Sur, California. All are considerably fancier and considerably more expensive than this place. I’m not at all opposed to the non-​frou-​frou spas, but I recognize I have had the opportunity to experience high quality services in the past. So that’s my disclaimer to keep in mind when considering this review.
The location is not fantastic. Kind of a sketch part of Durham, but not unsafe. I was pleasantly surprised when I went inside. Again, not fancy, but clean and with acceptable facilities.
This was my first time floating. I originally found this place by looking for a «sensory deprivation chamber», and the experience was not nearly as sci-​fi as I was expecting. It was kind of neat, for lack of a better term. I don’t think it will be life-​altering, but it was a nice, relaxing hour. I tried to meditate (which I’ve never done before, but it seemed like a good place to try). I was unsuccessful in my attempts, but it was no fault of the Dead Sea Salt chamber. ;o) I’m looking forward to giving it another shot.
Things I think they could improve upon (they’ve only been open since April 2014): better lotion (the Suave one I tried clumped up on my skin. Gross!); hooks in the float rooms for your robe and towel; wide tooth comb option in the neat little barbicide container; offer 2 towels for the ladies with long hair. [Basically what I’m saying is you should be prepared to bring all these things as if you were going to the gym – don’t expect amenities as if you were going to a spa]. Spa sandals would have been a nice touch for the slippery floor, too. Oh, and invest in mildew resistant shower curtain liners! I’m tempted to take another star off for that alone, but I’ll give them a chance to replace it before my next visit.
I was not at all impressed with my deep tissue massage, and will not be giving them a second chance to try to change my mind there. The floating was a cool experience, and that is what they are good at, and what I will patronize them for in the future. I’ll see if it has a place in my life regularly.

This was my first float expereince and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I did not know what to expect, because when I called the number listed on the website it was a Google voice number, and while the woman I spoke with was really friendly I was beginning to feel as though this as a fly-​by-​night operation in someone’s house.
The spa is small, but clean and well kept. The float room and tank were clean. It is a comfortable room with ample towels, ear plugs, soap, shampoo, conditioner, and a nice clean shower. The man you was running the front desk, I think his name was Chris, was incredbily knowledgable and I really enjoyed speaking with him. Apparently he has been an advocate for floating since ’94 and has built tanks all over the world.
I give this place 4 stars instead of 5, because this was my first expereince, I do not have anything to compare it too, but I was treated very well, booking an appointment was fairly easy, Chris was great to speak with, and the place was really clean and felt like a nice spa (I have been to world class spas like the Herons and Grove Park Inn).