Spa at Equinox Century City

06/07/2008 Posted by katie007

I was a big fan of the former spa in this location. This was my first visit since Equinox took over. This club has an identity crisis; it can't decide if it wants to be a fitness club or a spa. I can tell you, they missed the mark on spa services. First, when I checked in the person checking me in was clearly a "fitness" person and could not even find my spa record. Then she asked me my shoe size, but later provided me with slippers that were 4 sizes too big. Towels in the locker room were piled high, but in all the wrong places. There were none in proximity to the showers or the hot tubs (a big deal when your slippers are 4 sizes too big and keep falling off). You returned used towels into a cheap plastic trash can. No combs or brushes in the locker room. When I asked for one, I was presented with one that had not been cleaned - no thanks! My friend and I almost walked out without paying because it is not clear where "check out" is - it is a different spot from check in. The treatment rooms were lovely, but the service within them was just OK. Also - the attendants all wear shirts labeling them according to their jobs e.g. "host" or "attend". It is like the "hosts" don't want to be bothered with certain requests. They miss the mark on what a spa experience should be like. After dropping $300 for a couple services, I expected to be thrilled and pampered. I wasn't.

03/04/2008 Posted by Euniceyoga

Front desk staff were super friendly, caring and full of smiles. If I have to be picky, two of them broke into a personal conversation while standing at the front desk upon check-in, which isn't appropriate. The layout is confusing and I didn't care for the fact that the therapist does not pick you up from the locker room waiting area. You're left to wander down a long hallway and then up a flight of stairs on your own while people who are clothed pass by you. The hot tubs did not work, and when I addressed this to an attendant, (after flagging her down) she didn't speak a word of English and just shrugged her shoulders. I asked her to get a manager, and she got her colleague who told me that the person on the earlier shift did not fill up the water appropriately which is why there were no bubbles. (It was also barely hot)...I proceeded to the sauna to find that the clock was three hours behind. I set the alarm on my cell phone. I never seemed to find an attendant to ask for help. When my friend and I sat in the waiting area, his massage therapist picked him up early, which although we were not having a couples massage, I'm accustomed to both therapists picking us up at the same time. The Pluses of the spa: Sony is a magnificent massage therapist. Great personality, professional, and highly skilled. Well worth the money. The ambience is relaxing and beautiful. Front desk staff upon checkout, once again, were friendly and had big smiles!

Pros: Sony was a great massage therapist, gave a five star massage, ambience, friendly valet

Cons: jacuzzis aren't great, and attendants aren't anywhere to be found in the locker room

01/16/2008 Posted by judycolo

Had a very mixed experience at this spa....facial was really great, loved the facialist and it was well worth the money. Then I had the MOST EXPENSIVE BRAZILIAN IN THE WORLD the next day. They upcharged me $25 for a Hollywood ("regular" Brazilian is bad enough at $80). By the time I got done with a tip, it was $125 for a waxing. Really! I live in London (not exactly an inexpensive City) and I've gone to spas around the world (NY, Aspen, Paris, Hong Kong....) I've never paid anywhere near that much for a waxing. They should be ashamed of themselves.

Pros: Ambience, facial

Cons: waxing prices!

04/30/2007 Posted by lisastitch

Since it's been reopened as the Equinox, this place IS THE WORST as far as a spa is concerned. The changing room, steam room, hot tub, etc. is impossible to relax in because you can hear the blaring pounding music coming from the gym right next to it. My massage itself was great and my muscles left feeling very loose, but I was NOT mentally relaxed either before or after because of the gym and the noise. Also, I was standing for at least 5 minutes by the check-in desk upstairs in my robe, wandering around, being completely ignored, until I finally asked "where am I supposed to go for my massage?" then I was FINALLY pointed (yes someone just pointed - barely looking up at me) to the waiting room, whereas any respectable spa in LA will have someone escort you where you need to go - and this is a MUST in a place as confusingly designed and unlabeled as Equinox. Maybe they treat gym members better. But as a spa, the service needs to be far better and the atmosphere far more relaxing.

Pros: Good masseuse

Cons: Everything else

04/15/2007 Posted by egmoffitt

This spa is fantastic, but was reopened with a slightly new look and MORE employees as Equinox (Yes, the fitness club with HUGE spa attached inside). Most of the same great employees and then some, with plenty of available walk-in spots available (That's usually how I roll, as I can't seem to think ahead enough to call weeks in advance). They even have mani/pedi's, but most people go in for facials, waxing, and massages. And you can use the fitness club and outdoor loung aread next to the Plaza hotel free of charge if you're going in for a spa treatment. Fun times!

01/13/2007 Posted by mimi32810

Spa Mystique has good services, but the employees and front desk staff are totally unprofessional. I arrived 20 minutes prior to my appointment but ended up actually being late because I was wandering around trying to figure out where to go. I was surprised why no one would stop and at least point me in the right direction- my appointment was late evening on a tuesday and I was the only customer there as far as I could tell. It wasn't until I finally wandered into the hotel area that someone said I had to take the elevator upstairs. My wax and massage were okay, nothing too spectacular- I did not leave with that feeling of rejuvination that you get after a really good session, but it wasn't terrible. However, for the price, there are MUCH better places you could go that will actually treat you like a paying customer.

05/26/2006 Posted by hungryhyena

I had a wrap, facial & massage. All my therapists were excellent & wanted to make sure that I was comfortable at all times. However, I agree with several other of the reviewers in that the front desk staff is not that of a 4star spa. The front desk left me hanging without showing me around or helping to check me in & let me know where to wait for my treatments. There cleaning staff was who stopped what he was doing & took me to where I needed to be. That is what I would expect from the front desk staff - not to simply point a client in a direction, but to escort them there. I had a massage from steven who was great & a facial from Tej who was also excellent. I would go back if I could afford it!

Pros: treatments, quiet atmosphere, ambiance

Cons: poor front desk

04/24/2006 Posted by kaarinaw

Weird attitude with alot of the staff, especially the gentleman in charge of handing out shoes and keys by the changing rooms.As a first timer for an 80 minute swedish massage, he didn't bother to show me around or have anyone give me a tour of the locker room facilities. Only a couple workers seemed nice and normal. Very bright lights in the locker area and halls and lounge area-not relaxing and it seemed like a factory. Masseuse was late-Heard a receptionist talking about a client in the gift store. And it costs more than a normal massage anywhere else? Give me a break.

04/02/2006 Posted by realword

Too bright, masseuse was good but rest of staff not the greatest. Not worth the money

Pros: good massage

Cons: staff unhelpful, bad vibe

01/24/2006 Posted by tinatae

I had a gift certificate and I was hesitant to go after reading some of the negative reviews. I totally disagree with them. The staff was very friendly and accommodating. The masseuse was skilled, friendly and professional. The same thing for the facialist. The facilities were clean and tranquil. I would definitely return to the spa.