At the Beach Tanning

I live in the Olney area and after discovering that the only Tanning Salon in the area, Solar Planet had closed, I didn’t know where else to go. I looked up tanning salons in the area and found At the Beach Tanning located at the Plaza Del Mercado Shopping Center. It was about a 10 minute drive for me, which is a plus.
The owner was very helpful and knowledgable. I paid for 3 sessions in the ultrabronz bed. I will continue to go back.

I only tan occasionally, to get ready for special events. My husband buys me a package as a gift, and I go when I need to. I have been going here for a few years now. Last year, I went to tan, and they told me that the tans we HAD ALREADY PAID FOR had «expired», but I could get them back if I signed up for a new package and paid them some more money. At the time, I was frustrated, feeling like I had been extorted, but I was in a pinch, bought the new package, and used a few of them. This policy was not posted anywhere at that time. Today, I went back again. Now (I’m sure because other people have complained) they have a sign posted «Packages expire after one year.» I gave them my name, and I knew had plenty of sessions left, but they told me I had none. Only after I insisted that I did, did she look me up again, and said, «You had 6 sessions left, but they expired in November. If you want to buy another package, you can get them back…»
Now I will go anywhere but there. They took our money in exchange for services. They kept the money, and we did not get the service that we paid for. Then they try to extort MORE money out of us to get the services that WE ALREADY PAID FOR. This is just a way to take advantage of the occasional customer, the ones who are not lining their pockets enough by coming every single month.

I wanted to check this place out because it’s 5 minutes from my neighborhood and I wanted a place I could go to regularly after work and before I go home.
This was my first time ever at a tanning salon. The girl at the front was very helpful and nice. She explained the packages and differences between the machines. She suggested I start out with 6 minutes under the Orbit, now that I think about it… They don’t prorate or anything. Up close, the bed had little hairs behind the acrylic and the cracks were stained. Other then that, the room was small but just enough room to change and apply tanning product. I liked the bed but I think I want to go for the upgrade next time, Supernova Ultrabronz. The orbit bed I was in was making way too much noise for me to feel comfortable. They may be old compared to other salons, I wouldn’t know. But that’s just me speaking as a first timer.
I would go back again. I bought the 3 Orbit sessions, good for a whole year.

3.5 stars
Aw, this place is so tiny and in a shopping center that nobody really knows about.
HOWEVER, they have an excellent selection when it comes to tanning beds and lotions. The employees are very friendly, the beds are clean, and everyone keeps to themselves.
I know Palm Beach has the huge space and high ceilings, but it also has expensive pricing and snotty employees.
If you’re looking for a place to tan that supplies the necessary materials (lotions, goggles, towels, and a vanity area to freshen up afterwards)…you’re covered here.
Happy Tanning :)

I just signed up for a package yesterday. I need to get a base tan for a trip to Thailand in less than 10 days so I don’t get burned while I’m there. I checked their times and walked in today (after driving right after work on a Saturday) from DC at 6:45 when their closing time was listed as 7:00. The front desk girl just says «sorry, we stopped taking people after 6:30». Really?! When I mentioned to her that would be a good thing to reiterate up front to a brand new customer she said «we have a sign on the wall». Common sense should have prevailed here — I am a new patron who was obviously unaware of their half-​hour before cutoff, and I only used the bed for 8 minutes the day before (when I signed up), she easily could have allowed me to tan and still have been closed by 7:00. I will say the girl who initially signed me up was very nice (she was blonde) but this different girl had a snippy attitude and I could tell she was counting down the clock. I was a waitress to put myself through college and the rule was if a customer walked in ready to pay for a meal at 9:59 with a closing time of 10:00, you put a smile on your face and served them. Frustrating experience that has thus far overshadowed my excitement to come and tan here before my trip or recommend to friends.

The beds are always clean, the people who work there are incredibly kind, and parking is easy!
I was surprised by how old the beds are… I do agree with the other readers when it is inexpensive, but the low level beds are very… low level. I guess you get what you pay for, when I lived in Colorado prices were almost the same but, I feel you got a little like the beds were nicer and had more options.
You can make an appt. but I have never had to wait if I walk in.

The ladies who work the desk are always cheery & I enjoy that aspect. I was in search for an Ultrabronze tanning bed (the best in my opinion) and they had one do I gave it a try. The price is right & they offer a military discount. I’ve been going there for over a year. Also, they just got new hot bulbs.

It’s very convenient to my home. The only thing I don’t like is that they close at 9:30 but lock doors at 9:00. It doesn’t make sense. I have a package for 2 weeks ‚$ 60 and if I’m there at 9:05 they say it’s too late yet I tan for 10 minutes.
One of the girls who works there I’ve seen there for a while and she’s very nice (the blonde girl) and the other is quite rude, no customer service skills doesn’t talk much and has a miserable face on her.
Anyhow, I sat in my car to see what she was doing since she didn’t allow me inside and all she did was sit at her desk and wait till 9;:30 to turn off the lights and leave. I was pretty upset bc they clean Around 8;30 so it’s not like they are closing 30 minutes prior because they are closing.
I just think they need to prioritize on their time and not lock the door on customers besides that Iove it

Great Place. Convenient to my house. The only tanning salon I know of in Silver Spring. Prices are hard to beat. With student i. d it is $ 6 level 1, $ 14 level 2, and $ 19 level 3. All the employees I have met are friendly and make sure you know everything you need to know if you have never been there or tanned before.
I tanned for the first time last May before prom. I have naturally pale skin so I went to the highest level bed so I would tan faster without burning. I went in the ultrabronz bed for 3 sessions. It is a 24 minute bed with only tanning bulbs on the top of the bed so you lay on a comfortable cushion and flip over after 12 minutes. I got a beautiful summer glow. I would definitely recommend At the Beach Tanning if you want an even affordable tan.