Santé Spa at Hôtel Le Germain

I was so looking forward to this massage!! The atmosphere was quite nice, the staff were very friendly and the scented oil they use is lovely. As for the massage, I am perplexed as I do see good reviews...even for the masseuse I had today. That said, unfortunately, I've never been more disappointed in a massage. I booked a 75 min hot stone massage and the massage was only 60 to 63 mins (checked my clock after I got dressed), though I did ask her to stop with the scalp massage because I didn't like her technique - maybe she could have worked on my shoulders for the remaining time to make up the difference? There didn't seem to be any flow or glide in the massage (if that makes sense) I paid $189 for a massage that was like most husbands give but with hot rocks:(
9 years ago (29-12-2016)

My daughter and I had a relaxation massage this morning at Sante Spa. Beautiful environment and and a friendly welcome from the staff. Jordan and Amanda are wonderful massage therapists and I would recommend them to anyone. Both are extremely skilled and considerate professionals. We will be returning soon!
10 years ago (24-08-2015)

I have a damaged toenail which is a constant source of ingrown toenail pain. The only esthetician in the world I have received relief from is Jasmin at Sante. She does a procedure called banding which lifts the corners of the nail virtually invisibly and the pain stops! She is an expert professional I believe, with years of experience. I am aware this spa is more expensive than the average but it is also safer than the average because they autoclave their instruments before every use. That would certainly add to the cost factor. Because I don't want to expose myself to hepatitis or HIV I am willing to pay more for the extra safety.
10 years ago (28-08-2015)

Always a great massage and nice people. Lovely facility. The only thing I would change is getting some different scented massage oil as I am not a huge fan of mint.
10 years ago (10-03-2016)

I was so looking forward to my 90 minute therapeutic massage earlier this week but was highly disappointed in Sante Spa. I had gone there years ago and had a facial which was very satisfactory so I did not expect to have anything but the best service there. The primary reason I had chosen Sante was because it seems to have a good reputation here in Calgary plus I had a $150 gift card which I purchased through a charity auction. The room, atmosphere and treatment from the staff was 100% and I was familiar with the setting as I had been there before and truly liked it. The day after I had booked my appointment by phone, I had a phone call back from Sante asking if I minded having a male masseuse. I told them it was of no matter as long as he was very good. The girl on the phone assured me that he was. When I arrived, I was a little surprised when I saw how young the massage therapist was, but I quickly dismissed any judgement as I didn't think it would matter (I was only too eager to get on with it). I had booked 90 minutes so that I could have a great, thorough, long massage to treat my ailments. I have been renovating a house for the past year which has been a physical drain. I explained that my neck, shoulder blades specifically were bothering me for 2-3 months as I had been doing a lot of painting, sanding and lifting. The treatment started out okay as the technician started on my back but over the first 1/2 hour I told him that the pressure needed to be higher. I believe he tried to do so but stopped the heavier pressure when he started on a new area. I became conscious of his style and it was very very light and he spent an awful lot of time just smearing the lotion around. Especially on the leg and arm area where there was virtually no pressure applied. I don't believe he hit one pressure point on my body. I'm pretty kind hearted and didn't want to say anything as it would make him nervous, but I did ask him again to apply more pressure, after all this was supposed to be a therapeutic, deep tissue massage. I thought if a football or hockey player were his patient, it would be laughable. I can take a lot of pressure and I told him so from the beginning. The technician was clearly inexperienced. I was already more than half way through the treatment when I resigned to the fact that I wasn't going get the massage I had come for. He worked way too long on all areas but what I had asked and left my neck and shoulders until the very end. Then he asked me if I could stay 5 minutes longer so he could do my neck/shoulders. I was almost in shock...I went in with a very specific problem with my neck and he waited until the treatment was over. I said no, I couldn't stay as I had a car meter to get back to (I still think I got a ticket, but have yet to see in the mail). To top it off, on my way out I told the gal at the cash register how unhappy I was and could I have the manager call me. She apologized and seemed very sincere and willing to listen to my complaint, however she took my name and number and told me she would have the manager call. I used my gift card and payed another approx $38 a total of $188 on the experience. PLUS I left an additional tip of $7 because I FELT BAD! The clinger is I never got a phone call back. This entire experience has left me with a bitter feeling about Sante Spa and would never recommend it. Had they called me right away and had an explanation, an apology, or any kind of care towards me I may have been persuaded to let it go or give them another chance.
10 years ago (04-07-2015)