Senses – A Disney Spa at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort

Very Beatiful Resort and Spa. We booked a room at the resort through
and paid $ 162/​night. The spa and fitness center were being remodeled during our most recent visit. But, in previous visits, the spa and fitness center were very clean and beautiful places to spend time.

This spa sucks! Ok, so admittedly I’m a total spa snob, and while you might not give a rat’s butt about the some of the stuff that bothered me, I still maintain that this spa is sub par for anyone.
I hated the atmosphere. The previous reviewer who remarked that it was like a doctor’s office was dead on. Though I disagree that such is to be expected in a resort spa. My first spa experience was at the N Spa at the Marriott Delray Beach, FL, which was absolutely stunning. So much so that it has spoiled all subsequent spa experiences. They say you never forget your first.
But I digress.
As well as the fact that I don’t expect a more clinical environment just because a spa is in a resort, I REALLY don’t expect such an environment at Disney, where every detail is attended to in the maintenance of theme. Of course I’ve never been to Saratoga Springs, NY. Maybe it’s just really sterile.
Another bothersome aspect about the atmosphere was the massage room itself. I was there for a couple’s massage, which obviously took place in the Couple’s Suite. The door to the room was windowed and, while there was a shade over the windows, it didn’t block out the light from the hallway. I could also hear people milling around and talking throughout the massage.
It wasn’t JUST the atmosphere that ground my gears, though. The amenities were lacking too.
First, the lockers/​changing area: WAY too small. I’m pretty emaciated and there was hardly enough room between the benches and the lockers to change. There were two curtained changing rooms, but unless you’re self conscious, that sort of defeats the purpose of a locker room.
Second, and definitely my biggest complaint: the steam room was atrocious! I got there early to use it before the massage and couldn’t stay in it for more than 20 seconds. Yes, SECONDS! My eyes and face started to burn so badly that I had a hard time making the three steps from where I was sitting to the door. When our masseuses were leading us to the massage room, I told them about the problem. One of their responses: «Is the steam too strong or is the eucalyptus too strong?» Well, I’m not a steam room technician, so how the hell should I know? When I opined that it could be one, the other, or both, she said that the eucalyptus is sometimes so strong when it’s replenished that they can smell it on the upper floor (the women’s locker room is downstairs), but that she doesn’t smell it now. Um, ok. Me: «Well, I’ve been in many eucalyptus steam rooms, so whatever it is, there’s definitely something wrong with it.» Her: «I’ll let someone know.» Yeah, either she didn’t let anyone know or they just didn’t fix it because when I returned 70 minutes (no, not 80, which I’ll get to in a sec) later, it was even worse than before.
Third, other than the obligatory shampoo, conditioner and lotion, there were no products. There was a sign that they had curling irons available upon request, but since I didn’t see an attendant once while I was there, I don’t know who you’d ask.
An attendant might have also been helpful in telling all the Chatty McChattersons in the hot tub area to shut the hell up. I’m here to relax, not listen to teenage girls yammer on about their friend’s boyfriend or the other woman who kept asking me strange questions in an attempt to strike up a conversation. And while I understand that isn’t the spa’s fault, it doesn’t make it any less irritating. Actually, now that I think about it, it IS the spa’s fault for not letting women who would rather be ogled than have their ears talked off (i.e. me) use the men’s locker room.
Again, I digress.
And yes, I said 70 minutes, not 80, even though we booked an 80 minute massage. I didn’t have a watch or phone on me in the massage room, and I didn’t think much of the fact that it felt awfully quick because massages often do. It wasn’t until we left the spa that my guy pointed out that it only lasted 70 minutes. Apparently, Disney thinks the minute it takes to pick a scented oil counts for ten minutes.
Other than all of that, the massage was fine. I’ve had better and worse.

This is great Spa. Expensive yes, but most spas are. Brown Sugar Scrub is the best. Better mani and pedi than most. Yes, they will try to sell you the products they use, but so does every other great spa. Have always had great service and treatments. Waiting room is peaceful. Locker room/​Showers/​Whirlpool/​Sauna is clean, with many necessary amenities. Staff is helpful and well informed. Have been there for 4 separate trips and worth it each time.

The overall spa is okay. It has more of a resort interior (not very boutique and more typical Disney resort look) to it than a relaxing day spa interior. The finishes inside kind of reminds me of a doctors office than a spa retreat. They offer lockers to store your stuff, robes, towels, slippers, showers with shampoo, soap, lotion, etc… It’s nice what they have to offer, just needs an interior upgrade. There’s a hot tub and sauna for your use.
So we got there, you need to have an I.D. on you that they will keep at the front desk. The front desk people were eh, not the friendliest, but they got friendlier when it came time to pay. We walked downstairs to the locker room where we changed. There is someone there keeping things tidy at all times, so its nice to know that things are being maintained.
The massage therapist was nice, but not friendly. She didn’t get too in depth about specific areas to work on or where there might be problems. She just asked some VERY basic questions of are you allergic to anything, any sicknesses and that was about it. I guess I needed to speak up and state that I had a tight neck and shoulder, but may I say this is only my second time having a massage.
The overall massage was okay. I don’t know really how to rate them, but I didn’t fall asleep and don’t think I could say she was able to get me fully relaxed. The massage room was eh, it again reminded me of a doctors office. Maybe that was why I couldn’t fully relax.
Overall for being Disney, I am a little disappointed, but I cannot complain at all because this was a wonderful gift.

This was a completely necessary stop for me, after 5 straight days in the parks. I got a spa pedicure. They offer 15% off if you are a Disney Vacation Club member. I got a same day appointment. They have a nice relaxation room, with water, tea and fruit. The spa pedicure included whirlpool chair, massage to the knees, a masque for my legs, wrapped in hot towels up to the knee, plus a perfect pedicure. They gave me the pedicure tools they used on me to take home. When you book a treatment, you can use the pools, spa, and workout room all day if you want. It came to about $ 60, and for me who never splurges, it was worth it. Days later my feet are still perfect!