Away Spa

Thank you — thank you — thank you.
Booked a surprise spa appointment for a friend who was at the property the week of her birthday. Text from friend «Just walked into spa for appt… they said „Hello Birthday Girl!“ and handed me a glass of champagne. — yay!»
Yay — she was pampered, spoiled & made to feel like a queen. Many thanks to the reservationist, receptionist, massage therapist and esthetician for making my friend’s bday fabulous!

I went into the W to get a massage last week and Loved my Massage Therapist Ray. It was 80 minutes of pure heaven. He totally worked out my trouble spots and I left feeling all fuzzy and light as air!
The spa was pretty small but the staff made up for it. Scott, this super nice and friendly guy greeted me and made me a yummy cup of tea while I filled out a form. He just seemed so genuine, like he really loved his job. I have been to soooo many places where the person who greets you is a rude, stuck up B who hates life and having to wait on me. This was not the case, and I have to say… what a breath of fresh air.
My only complaint was that 80 minutes was not enough time :)
It’s so funny, I was reading some of the other reviews, and those people must have been crazy. Who knows, maybe there was a different staff then there is now, because it was all great for me!

You won’t catch anything…
This place was so tiny… nothing special at all. It would have been better to get an in room massage than go here cause my room was nice.
The massage was decent. I think the two free glasses of wine I sucked down first helped earn the one star.
W step it up!

I took advantage of the W Away Package: 50 min massage, 15 min reflexology, 50 min facial & 15 min scalp massage. Nice deal.
Michael, the manager, was very helpful in arranging the package around my crazy schedule requirements.
It’s a small spa, but because of that you get genuine, personal attention. The relaxation room is a nice place to fill out paper work and get into the quiet mode prior to treatments. The tray of water, apple and towelette was presented beautifully and the first clue that this was going to be a great experience. Once i filled out my paperwork, I was handed a hot towel, then shortly after it was time for my massage.
Victor was amazing. He asked some questions about my «wish» (ie: goal) for the massage and told me what he planned to do. He gave attention to the area I pointed out was sore, but also worked some other areas that he suggested would help. I’d say he combined common Swedish techniques with some Thai-​style streching/​pulling. Combined with the foot/​reflexology, hot wrap put on my back, then later chest, I got into a «zone» that made me forget all stresses for a while.
Brianna did a great facial, taking a lot of time to tell me all the steps she was going to do, nothing felt weird or hurt. In fact, the massaging of parts of my face as she rinsed off the various products kind of re-​energized things. The scalp/​neck/​hand massage capped it all off and had me leaving with relaxed, yet refreshed and it’s weird to say: balanced.
Unlike other spas, there was a mix of different brands of products, and no pressure to buy them. After I got home, I did feel that the REN stuff worked, so I’ll go back to get some when I have some more cash.
I’m for sure going back.

The Away Spa at the W is one I always recommend to friends when in town. Its easy to get to, options for parking or valet. The environment is relaxing and pampering, just what I like in a Spa! The service is always great and the provide great drinks, teas and sometimes champagne while your waiting for services. I recommend the Massages and Sugar Scrub. Out of all the many options for Spa’s in San Diego, you’ll have an enjoyable experience here.

My fiancé works downtown and says: The décor is fabulous and trendy in the W tradition, and you are immediately soothed by the dim, almost off, lights. Away spa is beyond tiny, but they actually have a shower to rinse off (WARNING: The hot water takes about 10 minutes). I gave it 4 stars, but that’s really a hybrid score:
Massage — Wendy deserves 5 stars, hell, maybe 6. She has an unbelievable touch and from the minute she starts until she ends you’re in heaven. I always leave feeling like a new person! UPDATE: Wendy is gone! I’m beyond sad.
Facial — 3 stars. It wasn’t horrible, but nothing special either. I blame myself for getting a facial at a hotel spa, the esthetician was perfectly nice.

I was excited to be going to the W, and enjoy my day spa experience. It was a quiet Sunday, so we found street parking with no problem. We walk into the lobby and it looked like MTV Spring Break. There were college kids lounging and lying on the chairs, on the floor, luggage everywhere. I shook it off, since the spa was on the second floor, we wouldn’t be around them. We go upstairs and see the Away Reception Area, with no greeter. We stand around for about 5 minutes and then help ourselves to the complimentary wine and drinks. We also got our own paperwork to fill out. There was a little corner area to sit in, so we did that for about 30 minutes. During that time 2 workers came out but didn’t even acknowledge us. It was until about 5 minutes before our appointments someone finally came out to greet us.
My massage therapist was ok, he was pleasant. And that’s why I’m giving it 2 stars just because he was so darn nice. Other than that, I didn’t feel they had very good customer service. My friend was very disappointed as well, she asked for a full body massage and the lady only worked on her back and didn’t even turn her over.
I wouldn’t go here again. I’m expecting to be pampered the moment I enter the spa, and this definitely did not meet my expectations.

I have to give it up to them! I called for a last minute massage last week and they booked me right away. The lady I booked my massage with provided extraordinary customer service and answered every single question I asked, and believe me I asked many (do you serve food? where are you located? why isn’t there a bliss spa at this location? blah blah blah…).
So the minute I walked into this spa, every single person I encountered was fabulous! I arrived 45 minutes early cause I wanted to relax prior to my massage. The spa itself is very small but comfortable. The only downside is that they have a very small changing area and you have to carry your stuff around with you in a basket. But for the great service I received, I was happy to carry my stuff with me. I ordered food from their menu which the restaurant Rice makes. The food arrived within 5 minutes.
While I munched on my food, I enjoyed the magazines and relaxed in their lounge area. After downing my food, I was ready for my massage and received the best massage ever! I loved it and will definltely return next time I’m in town.

I’ve had better. Much better. The therapists loudly chatted in the 100sf lobby about their personal lives and disrupted the peaceful setting. My therapist was, no offense, VERY pregnant… she could barely reach me. I felt bad for her for having to work while that pregnant :(, but I was still paying mucho bucks… so tsk tsk, Away Spa! I got the deep tissue aromatherapy and was disappointed.
The receptionist was quite friendly and professional though… Really liked him. And the sheets on the massage tables were silky… like heaven! The essential oils they use are very fragrant and high end.