I arrived to this uninviting, retro-fitted hotel room 15 minutes prior to my 1pm appointment, knowing that there would be paperwork to complete and I would probably need time to change into a robe, etc. I had bought a Groupon and was eager to try a new place close to home. The girl that was there was not particularlyfriendly. I filled out my paperwork and went back and sat down. There was no ambiance or comfortable furniture to be found. The one chair was wrought iron with two random ill fitting pillows stacked upon it as a seat. A few minutes later I asked for some water, which is usually offered, and was given a bottle of Walgreen's brand water. At 1pm that same girl came by and said that my therapist was just finishing up, and then disappeared with presumably another client. I was left in this lobby/reception area alone with the entrance locked. At 1:15 a guy came out and I asked him when he thought I might be seen as my appoinment was at 1. He said the last person came late so they were running behind. I suggested that next time somone is late that their session be cut short rather than make the rest of the clients late. Finally at 1:25 the person who was going to do my massage came out. I reminded her that my appoinment was at 1 and she said they were running behind because they had no receptionist that day. So which was it? I had another appointment at 2:30 and called to see if I could push it back, but her schedule was full and she was not able to change it. Rather than mess up someone else's schedule I would have to forgo my massage. At this point I was too stressed out to relax anyway. Besides she told me it would be a few minutes past that time even while she reset the room.I was so disappointed and unimpressed by the place itself, when I got home I called Groupon and had my money refunded. I had also purchased an additional Groupon for a facial there as well which I also cancelled. While I understand things come up, I want an apology that is heartfelt and not just words, and maybe just a little bit of ambiance would help!!
This review is for the Spa at the Woodcliff Lake Hilton. Should yu be staying there or living nearby, avoid this spa at all costs. It's in a renovated hotel room or suite. There is no place for relaxing prior or after your service. I had a therapist who was not the friendliest person I ever met and wore squeaky shoes during the service. But she was real friendly when trying me to buy another service! The "receptionist" who was rude. Just avoid this place.
I just got back from a negative experience at the Spa at the Hilton. Like the other reviewers, I purchased a Groupon - I guess the adage rings true "you get what you pay for!" Similar to "Too stressed to relax", I arrived early to fill out paperwork, expected a robe, relaxation and atmosphere. Instead, I was made to wait almost an hour, felt like I was forgotten-about, was given the same excuses ("getting the room ready, etc."). The receptionist practically forgot I was there - noticed me at 5:20 and said "I didn't see it was past 5:00 - she hasn't taken you yet?")The therapist who did my massage, as it turned out, passed by me two times while I was waiting, with no greeting, no eye-contact, no explanation of the delay. She had a cold, and although she tried to be discreet, it was difficult not to hear her sneeze and sniff throughout the session - the distraction and contagiousness was not right. Plus, it was Valentines' Day and being 40 minutes late with the massage threw my other plans as well. I should have read TripAdvisor before purchasing the Groupon - too many other people have had similar experiences over time, so it wasn't just an "off-day" and it's a problem that the owner obviously doesn't care enough about to make corrections/improvements!
The massage itself was - eh. As far as tha "spa" - not even close! Near impossible to get an appointment (no one ever seems to answer the phone.). The place is tiny and dingy, located in a converted hotel room on the level below the lobby. Squeaky chairs, no uniforms, can hear the receptionist while you get a massage. Therapist didn't communicate things like, "I'm going to rip the bolster from beneath you now". No posh waiting area, lighting was poor, massage table was small, sheets weren't nice, no pillow, temperature was erratic, therapist ran out of the room when she finished and met me (after I tipped) with a warm bottle water. If you want to relax and be pampered, book at The Fountain in Ramsey. Regular price is pretty much the same at both places, and one thousand times a better experience. Wish I had read reviews before I bought the Groupon. I usually do, but naively assumed that a spa in a Hilton would be nice. (I've read since that they're not affiliated. This Hilton should remove that spa, if they want to save their good name.)
The European facial involved no pampering. The lady said she only worked on day a week so maybe the other ladies are better. She used hot towels instead of a facial streamer and only did extractions for less than 2 minutes. She put a facial mask on me and sat and waited for it to dry. No massage whatsoever. Not worth the money.
I get massages often enough to know that was no masseuse! Facing up you looked at old ceiling fan, cold room, old linens and crying babies next door! On top of it they finished at 45 mins and said 60 includes me getting undressed... What a joke!!
This review is for the spa only, I did not stay at the hotel. I received a Groupon gift certificate for a facial and paraffin hand treatment. I had the same experience as some others regarding messages not being returned nor the appointment being confirmed. Although the staff was nice enough once you got there, the overall feeling was of someone running it out of their house rather than as a relaxation destination. There was a corner shelf display by the reception desk, and the boxes that the display came in were left underneath it in clear view. Their bathroom had a basket w/ cloth hand drying towels, but only two were available: I don't mean only two were clean, I mean only two towels were in it. (Since I used the room right after someone else, tough luck for anyone immediately following me.) Also in the reception area was a sign stating tips were required to be paid in cash in at 20%, never saw that before. Since I was there for an hour, I noticed about halfway in that the same CD was set to repeat, and frankly it sounded like it had only one very long song on it. No robes, no changing room (unless you count the bathroom), no real lounge area. I wouldn't describe it as a spa, more like a nail salon environment w/ add on services. I didn't receive the hand treatment. When I asked, they said the certificate was for a European facial which didn't include it. I didn't check until I returned home that the e-mail clearly states it, but not worth fighting over. Barely worth the experience if you receive a free service, not worthwhile if you have to pay for anything.
As per spa web site “Our warm welcome awaits you”….. well, I think that owners need to brush up on welcoming skills. My appointment was canceled twice 24 hrs prior to the servicer under the excuse "i do not know who booked it, esthetician is on vacation tomorrow". Next available appointment would be month later..... and I am not talking about weekend appointments. I was trying to get it for Friday at 4 pm...... Come on.So I talked to owner ( Joanne) who did not even offer anything for the inconvenience but just said "so do you want to reschedule or not"Horrible, horrible, horrible. I would be taking my business somewhere else.
WOW, a brom and mop has not been used in years, the floors are filthy, walls dirty, dirty from desk.. real shabby. the rooms are just as shabby worn sheets, blankets chipped paints, disty sink.... STAY AWAY.. the facial was ok , but the look of the place will keep me from coming back
I recently visited the Hilton in Woodcliff Lake. I was stressed from my long travels and needed to relax. I went to the pools and they were nice, but the baby's crying didn't help. I ate in the restaurant, it too was nice, but it was just OK. Then I saw there was a Spa, So I made an appointment for a Facial and Massage. The owner, Janine, gave me the facial and the massage was done by Jackie. I was completely relaxed when done. They made the rest of my stay go so much better. They strove to make me relaxingly relaxed.