Essentials Massage & Facials

Great prices, very sweet staff.

Nice spa, tons of parking outside as its close to Detwilers, my wife & I both had the combo Swedish/​Deep tissue massage, neither of us felt wow… It was a kind of going thru the motions spread the lotion around massage, price was good, location great, spa interior nice but we were not overly impressed

I went to Essentials for a massage with Carlos on 11÷12÷15.
I want to thank my fellow Unilocalers for recommending Carlos. I get professional massages somewhat regular to ease some muscle pain associated with working at a gym.
Carlos really knew how to make me feel better.
Although, there is nothing fancy or special about the reception area and/​or massage rooms, for the price it can’t be beat.
I cannot give Essentials a higher rating because they do not offer hour long massages (the basic massage is 50 minutes).
The reception area particularly the couch also looked like it hadn’t been cleaned in a while.
In a nutshell, for the price and knowledge of the massage therapists it is a good deal but don’t go expecting a luxury spa experience.

It’s a really great expirience ever really great service the therapeutic massage was ecxellen and price u can’t beat that staff was so friendly with nice smiley face place is really clean. Massage table was so relexed ans with heated blanket feel like u sleeping on the feather over all great expirience just heard took over by new management they did good job I will definatly go agin n agin

Best massage value in Sarasota. The walls are a little thin, but that is remedied by either asking the therapist to turn up the music or bring ear plugs. The therapist next door was very chatty and it was distracting me, so I asked to turn the music up and went back into my massage induced trance. Here’s what I look for in a massage center: cleanliness, friendly staff, great massage and good value. This place had them all. I would, however, like to thank the Unilocaler who recommended Carlos. I specifically booked my appointment with him and he was amazing! Word of caution when you ask for hard pressure he can definitely deliver it. He checked in with me to make sure it was good for me. Also another tip: the $ 25 introductory price is for a «soothing» massage, that translates to soft. I think you have to have realistic expectations. If you want more pressure upgrade to the therapeutic massage for $ 35. Well worth the extra $ 10 and you are getting a great value! I don’t know any other place in Sarasota that you can get a deal like that. And it was a full hour, not the typical 50 minutes. My only criticism is their tipping signage. They recommend between $ 10 – 20 for a $ 29.95 massage. That’s a beginning tip of 30%. I gave $ 10 on a $ 35 massage which is more than 25% and I felt that was very appropriate. I also had a facial. It was done by Sara a nice basic facial again, 1 hour and was a $ 25 introductory price. For $ 60 plus tip I was thoroughly fluffed and buffed! Went home took a nice long bath, had a glass of wine and I was an impenetrable fortress of relaxation.
Oh, I wanted to address a Unilocalers comment about «butt» massage. If you tell the therapist that you are having back pain, then expect a good therapist will massage the gluteal muscles as that is a point many people hold stress and when they tighten it pulls on the back. Just remember to communicate if you don’t want that or anything else. Carlos did ask me if it was OK to do that region as I had presented with lower back pain. I had gone to a chiropractor the day before for an adjustment and was still in pain. I said yes and when I left Essentials I was pain free thanks to Carlos who really knew what he was doing! Very professional and experienced. I will definitely be a repeat customer.

STAY AWAY. I have been to the other location on Gant Rd. several times and have had great experiences there. This location however is the complete opposite. For the same «relaxation» massage I’m used to getting, I was told, or rather shown on my arm when I was in the massage room, that the relaxation massage would essentially be an almost «petting» technique of my skin. It was literally like her just grazing my skin with her hand ever so faintly. If I wanted ANY sort of pressure, (or massage for that matter), I would have to pay $ 10-​$ 15 more for that. No thank you. Very misleading. She was not friendly either, and the place is run in a totally unprofessional manner.

Never again!
Requested a couples massage, accepted the $ 10 up charge just to walk into a cold room with old, nasty looking and ripped blankets!
The therapist Cheryl didn’t seem to listen to my request. left out my feet completely. when I asked her at the end why she didn’t massage my feet her answer was «we ran out of time «yet she spent plenty of time massaging my bottom!!! When I challenged her point she added «I don’t do feet» huh!?? Ok. I respect that. but shouldn’t you disclose that to the client instead of taking away from my experience and making it feel incomplete!??
I wear heels all the time. my feet are sore and they need plenty TLC if you can’t provide that give me the chance to select another therapist!!!
This place is providing «essentials» only! No extra here. your table, your oil and very underpaid, don’t give a shit therapists… spend a little more and go somewhere else!
I think it’s only fair to add the location since there are franchises and maybe other locations are better! The one I went to was on 3064 University Pkwy., Sarasota, FL, 34 243. Stay away!!!

After a very stressful semester in school I decided to go for a massage at the Lockwood Ridge and University Pkwy location in Sarasota. I wasn’t expecting much for $ 25 but I was surprised as the massage given by Carlos helped me relieved my tension and back pain. I was very happy with the experience and made sure to give him a good tip as these chains usually pay very little to their employees. I will definitely recommend to my family and friends! Great experience! :)

Was very impressed. Allegra was excellent. $ 25 for your first visit and $ 29.99 after that. Not a true spa, but it is spa-​like. Rooms have soft music playing, however, walls are thin and you can hear whatt is going on in the rest of the place. But for the cost, you’re not going to get a 5 star spa experience. I will definitely return!

Why 2 stars?
I went in with a group of people for massage, facial, and foot detox. You would expect with a big party the service to be excellent. Not so much.
First, I looked up the location and had the wrong address, as they have not updated their new address. When I called for directions, the receptionist was rude and trying to get me off of the phone. Once I finally got there (on time might I add), I was rushed into the lounge to fill out forms and taken back for my facial.
The facial was amazing. I saw Tiffini and she was very attentive. If I were reviewing just Tiffini, I would give her 4 stars.
The rest of the experience was terrible.
I had a foot detox which consisted of:
Room temperature water in a plastic tub.
A white plastic device attached to a cord siting in the water.
The cord was inserted into a device sitting next to me, along with a wrist band I had to wear that was also inserted into this device.
I was told during the 30 minute detox, the water would change color, bubble, foam, and do other things, indicating that my body was being detoxed. I was given a chart to explain what the colors meant (for example: orange water means joint and muscle detox). The water did not change color at all, foam, or do anything. I did not feel anything. I sat there with no other service, just waiting for the water to change color. At one point, I saw something dark coming out of the plastic device in the water. When I asked about it, I was told it was filtering my toxins. I pulled the device out of the water, and there was no filter in it, just coils. There was also nothing attached to «filter» anything. After 30 minutes, my feet were removed from the bin, the plastic was lifted, and I was told that I must not have any toxins in my body. Right. It’s a sham.
My massage was very frustrating. The therapist talked through the entire session, and seemed very unsure and nervous about the techniques being used. I had given specific details about the areas I needed work on, and none of those areas were really addressed. The therapist was not bad, just inexperienced and probably needs more education about anatomy and touch.
I will not go there again. I also didn’t realize this was a chain, like Massage Envy. Therapist are usually treated horribly at these places, and are paid very little. I don’t hold my experience against them, as they were probably worked hard all day and exhausted by the time we got there.
I was generous in giving 2 stars, they really only deserve 1.