The Salon & Spa

Gretchen is gave me a great haircut! She is very talented.

The worst spa! After making a reservation and confirming the day before they have lost the reservation. Didn’t try to acomodate even though it was our wedding anniversary.

Not so impressed, would not go back. For $ 30+ dollars at Saks I expected a better manicure than the one for which I usually pay $ 8-​$ 12 at my local places. Nail technician did an excellent job of filing, but had to do over the polish on two of my nails (twice!) because she missed pieces of cuticle. Polish was not applied evenly at the bottom of my nails and it’s the next day and it’s already chipping. She used a top coat as a base and Seche as a top coat (not exactly a high end brand). I did not feel like I was somewhere where cleanliness or pampering was a top priority, although the chairs were comfy. I miss Paint Workshop that used to be on the 5^th floor.

Went there today as someone bought me a gift card and honestly was not impressed. The place is not particularly nice nor fancy. I received a body massage which I enjoyed but that coupled with the facial (mediocre) with tax and tip cost me close to $ 300. Just wasn’t worth it. I felt totally had when I left. Definitely will not go there. WAY overpriced for what you get and facility was mediocre at best.

The worse blow dry ever. I had a terrible experience i will neber come back. The stylist was Incompetent and is attitude was unacceptable.

The five stars are for the haircuts by Gretchen. (More about the Salon later.)
Gretchen has been cutting my hair for many years since she was an apprentice to the late Vidal Sassoon. (Only his top graduates were chosen to work in his New York salon.)
One day I found out that she also took care of women so I recommended her to my wife who is also an enthusiastic customer.
I never think about my haircuts. I just sit in the chair and we chat while Gretchen works her magic. She is unfailingly polite and never fails to ask my permission before adjusting the length of my sideburns even though I’ve told her many times to just go ahead.
As a man in business, it’s imperative that I look well groomed and stylish. My regular haircuts from Gretchen guaranty that. My wife loves her near-​shoulder length cut as do I.
Now, for the Salon, they are bordering on one star. The entire place needs a complete «gut rehab,» i.e. tear everything out and completely rebuild it. The changing rooms are not comfortable, the smocks are flimsy and there are few amenities. I don’t need Champagne, but a cappuccino would be nice.
The manager is completely clueless about CRM. It’s pretty ridiculous how Starbucks makes me a «gold» customer but my 12 haircuts a year don’t even earn me a Christmas card.
These little things add up and detract from what should be a completely first class experience.

Went here as a tourist simply for a mani and was delighted by the service. As soon as I got out of the elevator with my mother we were greeted warmly and guided to the smiling faces of our technicians.
My nail technician Tamara was fantastic! I would have to recommend her to anyone wanting perfect nails! My nails have always been a bit hard to manicure due to their small size and have had countless manicurists screw them up horrendously however I have never been happier with the outcome! It’s been two days and the polish has lasted beautifully (even though it’s dark grey) and I couldn’t be happier with the perfectly round shape.
Tamara kept the conversation flowing and was quite natural with conversing. She was genuinely interested and so lovely and really funny at times. I was happy to chat with her despite me not always liking to talk during services as it can feel a bit awkward and forced but there was no awkward moments at all.
When it came to choosing a polish I said I wanted a dark polish but not black and as Tamara glanced at my Chanel handbag she said she had just what I was after. She pulled out a beautiful little dark grey chanel bottle that was perfect! She explained that it was from her personal collection and not to be used on clients as she got it as a gift from a friend but she ‘thought I would love it’… and I did! Such a perfect colour and I was so grateful for her to allow me to wear it!
We got onto talking about my thick eyebrows and I complained that they’re terrible atm and need to be done and she offered to touch them up for me with some threading and tweezing while my nails dried. Now OMG! My eyebrows have never looked better! I always do my brows myself as their so thick and dark and I’m so fair… so they have to be perfect… and due to a horrendously over-​waxed experience I had at age 15 I’m always been very apprehensive to getting my eyebrows done. I made it adamant that I didn’t want the shape touched — just a simple tidy — and that’s exactly what she did x 1000. My brows are perfect! Woohoo!
The mani wasn’t overly incredible or anything — just a simple file, cuticle, cream and polish. Personally I would’ve liked maybe some paraffin wax or a longer massage or something to add a bit of value to the price and prestige of Saks. However the price wasn’t too bad considering it is Saks Fifth Avenue.
Anyway I left the salon a very happy customer and tipped the lovely Tamara quite well with a smile on my face ready to recommend her services to everyone and anyone.
Quick add on — my mum’s technician (can’t remember her name) was lovely enough to recommend us a few good restaurants to go to during our stay in NY as we were saying we didn’t know of many places to have dinner. We said we liked Italian and she recommended about 3 good restaurants in the area and got out her iPad to give us directions. Such great customer service!
So all in all a massive thank you from a very happy customer! (who will be returning in the next few days for a hair cut and colour)

Tamara does the best eyebrows ever!!! Must go see her she’s amazing! I have gone to so many places and keep going back to her the best shape you will ever get! Highly recommend.

I mean, if you read my previous review on Drybar… you’ll see the same level of enthusiasm just doesn’t exist for The Salon & Spa at Saks Fifth Avenue.
First of all. Damn, that is a very long, wordy and literal name. Could we have been a bit more creative?
Second, the basement??? Hmm, wasn’t super appealing.
My blowout didn’t take as long as it did at Blowdry, which I am grateful for, but I felt my hair fell really flat! There wasn’t the nice bounce I had experienced at other places and I really think I could have gotten the same effect at home if I wasn’t so damn lazy. I had it done for a wedding and looking back at pictures, you couldn’t really even tell I had anything special done for my hair! Literally looked like I just dried my hair.
Meh, most likely won’t be back!

For years I’ve been looking for the right colorist. I’m so thankful to have finally found Kiva. From the moment we met her expertise, patience and understanding made me feel extremely comfortable. By the end of our appointment, just an hour later, she then proved her incredible talent. She gave me exactly what I wanted along with amazing advice and now there isn’t a day that goes by that I’m not complimented on my hair color.
Thank you so much Kiva!
–Katherine

I live on the upper east side and normally do my manicure and pedicure close to home but This time I figured id give Saks Salon a try since it’s close to work… I must say I am impressed. My nail technician Klara was unbelievable. Such a lovely, genuine and elegant woman. Her work was by far the best I’ve ever seen and her attention to detail is spot on. Every nail was evenly filed and not one cuticle out of place. The salon itself was spotless, peaceful and the utensils were clearly all clean. This spa has officially become my new go-​to spa. Saks definitely «nailed» it!

Women of NYC looking for extensions I wouldn’t consider anyone else besides Stephanie she’s available by appt

Great place for spa week! Isabella did a great facial massages and Victor gave the most amazing massages. I was skeptical of my comfort level, since he was a male, but with his large soft hands I felt like I was in heaven! Yes over the years the spa may need a little facelift to the overall upkeep, but for $ 50 per service it was 100 percent worth it!!!

RUN & AVOID!
I am a sucker for fancy spa’s — I got a Pedicure from a super sweet lady & loved the atmosphere in there. She cut the cuticles & I felt a weird pain — NEXT DAY, FUNGUS!!!
I called back & they apologized saying they had a problem with tools being INFECTED!!! Really? This is Saks!!! They offered to pay for my «doctor» expenses. I declined. 2 weeks of a huge swollen big toe. Absolutely disgusting. Never had this happen to me in my life!

This review is specifically about Gretchen and her mens cuts at Saks. She has been at a few of the other brand name salons (Ric Pepino, Chrystophe Marten, et al) but has landed here.
She does an amazing job making a schlub like me look like Ryan Reynolds, only shorter and more Hispanic. I recommended my fairer-​skinned friend of the caucasian persuasion and he’s become a loyal follower as well.
She listens to you and gives you an easy to maintain cut and more importantly, tips on keeping it looking great. I didn’t know gel from pomade or clay, but now I know which goop keeps me looking my best for the ladies.
It’s a shame that she is pricey (roughly $ 120 a cut after tax) but worth it if you have the means.
It’s best to have an appointment so she can spend time with you to discuss your needs.

The facility is not fantastic. You can tell it’s an old building, but I sort of expect that in NYC. Maybe they should do more to fix it up, but the scenery is not my main concern when going for a facial.
Dani gives the BEST facials. I absolutely love her. She has truly transformed my skin. She is gentle, caring, and listens very well to any concern I have, whether skin or personal.
I have never been during spa week, so I can’t speak to the service during what I’m sure is a hectic time. But my facials always last the full amount of time and sometimes longer. One time Dani was running late, she threw in a glycolic peel for free, which is normally around 50−60I believe.
She massages my face, shoulders, scalp and hands/​arms and also takes care of the skin on my chest and neck. She does great extractions, and hers are not as aggressive or painful as others’. If your skin is *really* clogged, you might want to see someone who will put a heavier emphasis on more aggressive extractions, but otherwise, she is AMAZING.
I feel wonderful everytime I leave there.

I know i know. it’s SAKS… but i’m disappointed.
tried it out during SPA week, I got there early, was asked to wait, and the wait was 30 minutes… no one talked to me about the long wait or anything… then finally they came to their senses and realized i’ve been waiting for a long time and asked who I was waiting for. I told them the facialist’s name, and they told me she will be right with me.
I finally got to my facial, lasted less than 40 minutes, there’s no massage, she was merely touching me with some oils. The place is in the basement and it’s really noisy during the facial.
I will not be back…

Oh Saks… You disappoint me.
I had high hopes when I booked my facial for spa week. I figured, it’s Saks, it’s gotta be good… right?
Wrong!
Here are my complaints, in no particular order:
–There is a locker room like area to change, but only one curtained area. If someone is using it, you’ve got to wait or change in a bathroom stall… gross.
–The wrap they gave me to put on under my robe closed with velcro. The velcro was COVERED in hair… so sick.
–The robe they gave me was an XL. I was swimming in it.
–The floor was in dire need of a sweeping/​mopping.
–When I entered the room for my facial I immediately noticed that many of the ceiling tiles were ill-​fitting, damaged and not properly inserted into the ceiling… It looked incredibly tacky.
–Svetlana was nice enough, but my 60 minute facial was over in less than 45.
Very disappointing facilities overall. My facial was standard, nothing amazing. I look at spa week as an opportunity for spas to really wow clients, thus encouraging them to become regulars… Saks really missed the boat on this one. Overall, I was totally unimpressed with my experience. I won’t be back. Hell, I’d rather tolerate all of the product-​pushing and up-​selling at Bliss than make another appt. here.