Serendipity Salon and Spa

PEDICURE HEAVEN ~ After trying 6 other salons in search of a decent pedicure I found Serendipity Salon & Spa and TINA ~ who gave me a fabulous pedicure. My feet have never felt better since relocating to Florida. The only recommendation I’d give to the owner is to add a spa chair for ultimate relaxation while getting a pedicure ~ a wave/​pulse action on the back would be heavenly. But the chair you currently have is very comfortable! TINA is the technician to ask for when you go here. She made my feet feel too good to walk on !! LOL

I was a client here for over a year. At first I was enthusiastic. The owner, Sue, talks a good game and everything went reasonably well. Then it went downhill. Staff comes and goes in a revolving door. The positive reviews here mostly mention staff who are gone. Most of the assistants– now gone– didn’t know how to wash hair. The desk doesn’t know how to schedule, or take payment. Constant scheduling issues result in long wait times– not only in the small waiting area. On my last visit, the stylist left me sitting in the chair part way through a haircut to finish styling another client. This is the same visit during which she left me in the chair to go answer the salon phone, as the receptionist was nowhere to be found. And I waited while she rummaged around the shop looking for a styling product, which was also nowhere to be found, so we went on without it. This is not what I expect from a high end salon.
The bill was almost always higher than expected, based on listed prices, and sometimes by quite a lot. Although I really tried, I never was able to figure out in advance what I was going to be paying for any given service– the desk doesn’t have a clue, and even if you get a number it can go up without any discussion– while you’re in the chair! The money wasn’t the most important thing, though– it was the attitude.
Sue, the owner, was my usual stylist. As other reviewers have said, she doesn’t listen, and doesn’t take responsibility. If something goes wrong, she just shrugs it off– it’s the clients problem. For example, when I mentioned the highlighting she did was much heavier than we had discussed, it was «oh well, we just start from scratch when you come in.» It doesn’t work that way– all the bleach ruined the color and condition of my hair. Stupid me, on my last (final) visit, I allowed her to cut my hair, which was 3 inches below my shoulders. Despite my careful and very specific instructions, she cut deep layering in the surface layers of the hair and took off way more length than I wanted. My below shoulder length hair is now too short for even a tiny ponytail. The even shorter layers she cut are rough, and create a shape I can only describe as oddly like a melon. I told Sue– clearly and repeatedly– not to do this– because I know that kind of layering doesn’t work in my hair. Ugh. It will take a year to grow out. It will also take awhile for my bank account to recover– this all cost hundreds of dollars.
Sue needs to update her ideas on style and color techniques. There are so many pretty, longer styles and great color techniques out there– no need to fall back on cuts that may have been stylish 20 years ago and heavy foil highlighting for the same effect on every client.
I kept thinking that things would improve, but alas, they did not. The daily operational issues of this salon are always in your face, and it’s not fun or relaxing. There were too many incidents– scheduling, confusion at the desk, the owner complaining about staff, or unpleasant or unprofessional interactions between staff.
Ursula’s facials are really great, if you can handle the price. The same scheduling and pricing issues apply as with the rest of the salon. I decided it was not worth it– I have other good options. I also got tired of the hype and the salon constantly promoting services. Specials on facials are a draw for the salon, as another reviewer noted. I found the facial on the special was disappointing and not a great value.
I will not be going back to this salon.

Talk about a hot mess. Appointments run late 45 minutes or more. Stylists come and go so you definitely can’t count on getting a good stylist much less a good cut or color. They are giving away hair services when you purchase facials to bring in new clients and this is probably the reason.
The person at the front desk was different on each of my three attempts with this place and each one was more confused about scheduling appointments than the last. Their facials are the drawing card, but the bottom line is that there are so many really good salons in Punta Gorda that this one is not worth what they charge for what you get.

I am so glad I didn’t read the reviews before trying out Serendipity or else I would not have tried it. My experience here was one of the most pleasant that I have had at any salon.
I tried without success to make an appt at my usual salon only to be told it was a 4 week wait. I was going on a trip and was in dire need of coloring my gray and highlights. I walked into Serendipity on a whim after receiving their mailer. Angela at the front desk was so pleasant and was able to squeeze me in the next day, letting me know that I may have to wait a little bit. I was just so happy to get an appt. that I didn’t care.
The salon is beautiful inside and from the moment I arrived, I felt pampered. The owner Sue introduced herself, I was offered a beverage and was taken immediately. I was so lucky to have gotten Scott. He listened to what I wanted and made suggestions. I have a lot of hair, so I was there for 3 hours, which is normal for me. I’m not going to lie, this place is not cheap, but it is well worth it. I am from NY and the prices are on par with my salon there. My hair looks amazing. The blow out that Scott did was one of the best. No one down here know how to blow out hair! I have already booked him again to do my hair for a party later this month.
I have not had a haircut here yet, but intend to use Scott when I am due.
The shampoo alone was worth it… massaging chairs!
Ursula introduced herself and I was told about a special promotion. When I told her I was going out of town for the week and was going to miss it, she graciously extended her promotion for me if I booked before I left. So I now have that to look forward to as well.
I really have nothing bad to say about this salon. Maybe because I was new they paid more attention, but I honestly did not get that feeling.

Thanks to other reviews (and the name) I checked out Serendipity. Sue gave me the best hair cut I’ve EVER had. I was lucky enough to be in town for three months so got to visit the salon three times. I was pleased with my cut all three times. Sadly, our winter get away is over. The salon is very cool located in an old bank branch right downtown. Enjoyed the message chair while being shampooed too!!!

Bring Your Bank Account!
It is extremely rare that I write a negative review, but in this case I really felt that I needed to share my experience. Serendipity Salon & Spa is EXTREMELY expensive, especially for the Punta Gorda area. My first visit there cost me $ 310 for a color, highlight, and cut. I was shocked when they gave me the bill since that was significantly higher than their listed prices! I decided to give them one more chance, and again it was way too expensive. When they called to confirm my appointment and I asked the price for a partial highlight I was told $ 85. When I was finished I was told that I owed $ 220! That didn’t even include a haircut, but it did include a $ 40 10-​minute blow dry by her new guy stylist!
What bothered me even more than the price was the attitude of the owner, Sue. She took absolutely no responsibility for anything and blamed her employees for everything. When I told her I was disappointed that the color from the $ 310 visit didn’t last very long, she said that was probably because the assistant she assigned to apply the color must not have done it properly since her Goldwell products should have lasted. (Too bad for me!) When I asked about the $ 220 charge for my last visit, she said whoever gave me the $ 85 price quote on the phone obviously didn’t know what their prices are, or she just didn’t explain it correctly. (Again, too bad for me!)
I will never go back to this salon, and I won’t recommend them to anyone.

I was 1^st client of the day & and owner, Sue, was 15 min late & complained someone took her parking spot. No apology! Very expensive and worst haircut ever. Cannot wait for it to grow. Not a pleasant experience — owner’s #1 priority is money — not customer.

OMG! Yes 3 ½ hours later and a hundred dollars an hour. My hair looks good but I will never return. There is a point where the cost is absurd and this is one of those times. I had a color with highlights and a cut. I expected well over $ 100 maybe $ 200, but $ 310? I feel very upset like because I didn’t ask what the cost would be upfront. Please make sure you understand the pricing before… or find another salon.

I’m new to the area and needed a cut and color. My appt. was for 11:30 for 2 hrs — first time consultation. 3 hrs and 45 mins later minus $ 250.00 I left with an OK hair cut. This salon has no respect for your time — only their own. Never once did anyone say ‘we’re running late, missing a stylist, would you like to reschedule?’ Since they were running behind I was given, without asking, an extra hair mask and assumed it would be complimentary — Nope — charged me full price. I had asked for a specific trim and color and got something totally different on both counts — darker and much shorter. I was clear that ‘ash’ doesn’t work and turns a green hue with my hair. Guess what… Sue used ash and my hair has a nice green tint in the fluorescent lights. This place is stupidly expensive, doesn’t listen to you and has no respect for your time.
I should have taken note of the negative Unilocal

I started going to this salon when I followed by long time stylist Mindy here but unfortunately their prices became unreasonable and I was relieved to follow her to her own establishment. The historic atmosphere is beautiful but paying almost as much for my eyebrows as my hair every 4 – 5 weeks is just too much.

I had a great experience yesterday when I had my first visit to Serendipity Spa & Salon I was greeted with a smile from Kim the receptionist then proceeded with Mindy for a tour of the Spa which I thought was great the Spa & Salon was beautiful & all the rooms looked very inviting. Mindy then colored my hair & then she gave me
the best haircut ever she was very attentive to me & I would recommend her to anyone. I also met the owner Sue & she gave me a very warm welcome. My experience at Serendipity was a great one & I am looking forward to my next visit. Thank you all!!!

Words cannot express how much I love this salon! Jared is one of the best stylists I’ve ever been to and I have been really pleased with the Goldwell color. It does make a difference! I get compliments on the color all the time and Jared does such a great job with my highlights that they last a long time and don’t look too chunky when my hair starts to grow out. Love him.
If I could afford it, I’d visit Ursula every single week. My first experience with her was in August of 2013 when she did my makeup for my wedding. Even though it was hellaciously hot and we were on a boat, my makeup stayed put and looked amazing throughout. Incidentally, Jared did my hair that day and it also stayed perfect — even during our windy on-​deck nuptials! I’ve been back to Ursula several times to keep my eyebrows in shape and went for my first facial with her yesterday. Let Ursula examine your skin and tell you what treatment will be best for your skin… my skin is super sensitive and I’ve had negative reactions to facials in the past so I was a bit nervous going in. Ursula recommended the Sea Herb facial for me and it was perfect. If you have time to visit the infra-​red sauna, do it. So much more enjoyable than a steam sauna!
I’m looking forward to trying out the mani/​pedi services next!

Today I had my second experience at Serendipity! Both my daughter and i had cuts and color with Mindy and went home thrilled. The salon is beautiful, the team delightful and Mindy is an awesome stylist. They use Goldwell color which leaves your hair feeling great, not crispy like other brands. The skill of the team is extremely diverse, my 25 year old daughter was looking for highlights and a fun style and I went for single dimension color and a beautiful short cut and birth of us left happy. I can’t wait to go back for my own highlights!
I would highly recommend this salon.

Just had my second visit to this salon and both times my husband told me I looked «sexy». Sue is the owner and really «knows hair». The color is great and she gives a really good haircut. All of the staff is very professional and used to «happy faces «from their clients. Haven’t tried any of their spa services but I intend to. By the way, the building is beautiful! It’s a former bank and the vault is now the color room…

Being a «snowbird», it’s often difficult to find a talented stylist in an unfamiliar location. But Serendipity and in particular Mindy, made a wonderful style out of my overgrown mop. I appreciate the talent, not everyone who cuts hair has artistic ability. THANKS Mindy!

Excellent hair salon, they do a wide variety of styles from very natural to conservative to edgy, so all ages and lifestyles will find a good fit here. There is one consistency no matter what style you choose: great quality coloring and cutting! I haven’t tried the other services but hope to do so soon!

I was extremely impressed with the care they took with my hair. The building is beautiful and so close to everything too!
Sue is fantastic!