Tommy’s Tanning Salon

I have been going here on and off for 3 years and can’t believe I never thought to review! Out of all the tanning salons I have been to in my life (and we are talking about 25 years of tanning), Tommy’s is one of the best. Modern, clean and well-​taken care of machines. I have had good experiences at all their locations, but so far I like Hamden the best (and luckily, it is the one closest to my house!). The staff are pleasant and they have the newest equipment. I don’t where Sarah M below has gone but in my 25+ years of tanning, I have never seen a tanning salon let you pay by for tanning by the minute — ever — and I have been tanning in multiple states. I have also never seen a salon give you «house» goggles to use for free (and shared goggles? Gross.). That is why they sell the goggles or you can buy those one-​time use Winkies (disposable stickers for protecting your eyes). If you are that regular of a tanner, just keep a spare pair in your glove box! I suspect this reviewer has a gripe with Tommy’s in general because she also blasted the New Haven location when she showed up 15 minutes before close and they wouldn’t let her tan the full time. I have been to that one multiple times as well and never have had a problem. The staff has always been polite to me at both of those locations.
I would probably give Tommy’s 5 stars if they offered more specials or made the pricing for the Level 3 and 4 bed packages were more affordable — I just think $ 80 -$ 100/​mo for tanning is ridiculous. I have tried the Versa Spray tanning a few times but it is just not for me. Personally, I can’t stand that stick feeling afterwards and all the prep work just to get into the machine. Too much work in my opinion for the so-​so results I received (I always tanned unevenly even though I exfoliated beforehand). But I don’t think this was necessarily reflective of the Versa product, it is just not for everyone.

Love Tommy’s Tanning. Best prices in the area. Love love love the VersaSpa spray tan. Most of the girls are always really sweet and helpful. The salon is always cool and clean. I almost never have to wait.
Tips for spray tan: take a shower right before you go and EXFOLIATE! Til your skin is red. Wear shorts and flip flops. I recommend the clear bronzer which shows up in about 6 hours. Lasts me 3 – 4 days before fading when it’s then basically mandatory to scrub it off in the shower to remove splotches. It never makes me streaky or orange. Use barrier cream (in room)!! I rub it on my palms, wrists and tops of hands. Never have a problem with my feet. Natural is the best (light is too light and dark is too dark!!)

Firstly, I bounced in this morning, happy with life and couldn’t believe the sullen, ‘bent over her phone’ gal behind the desk. I’ve been met with 2 separate rude and unfriendly girls here. No hello when you enter, One girl even answered her cell phone&walked off while I was asking a question. Answering product questions should be part of the job no? I said thank you and goodbye when I left and was ignored. I left unhappier than when I arrived and will find a new place to go.
I find it very bizarre that you can’t tan by the minute. It doesn’t make sense to pay full whack when they won’t let you do all the minutes when you are starting off getting a base! Every where else on the planet you can buy your minutes as you want them. Some times it’s not even dollar for minute. But at least it’s not 30+ dollars for 8 minutes when you don’t want to burn.
Thirdly I have to add that there is no eye protection provided unless you pay?! Unacceptable for a tanning salon. Especially for first timers that don’t know you have to protect your eyes ! We should not be expected to bring our own goggles!

Always use the stand up there. Great place.
Weekends every so often they let you tan for free.
(Free Tan Weekend) They usually email or text you to let you know.

Really clean, very modern and Level 1 is very reasonably priced at 24.99 per month. I was paying $ 40 a month elsewhere for old, crappy beds with alarm clock radios for music. Here, the beds seem new, they have built in fans, and good music is pumped through the walls so you dont have to fumble with earphones or radios. I was very impressed and will keep returning.

Clean, friendly tanning salon. The one time I have gone here I found a coupon in the mail for a free tan of any level bed. Well I chose the nicest bed and wow it was perfect. The bed talks to you and has a great sound system. The bed also curves to your body and is really comfortable.
I asked for a list of their beds and prices and was not impressed. The lowest level bed is 25 bucks a month but I think the bed is really not that great at all. I haven’t checked out many tanning places here in CT but I thought I could do better than 25 a month for a crappy bed.
Other than the pricing I had a positive one time experience.