listentome
map-marker Tampa, Florida

RUN DOWN AND DISGUSTING SPA SHOULD BE THEIR NAME

A Renewed Spirit Massage - RUN DOWN AND DISGUSTING SPA SHOULD BE THEIR NAME
I bought two spa packages for myself and my sister at A Renewed Spirit Massage in St. Petersburg, FL. I have not seen my sister for many years and as soon as I told her that I bought her a 4 hour spa package for her birthday that included 1 hour Facial, 1 hour Swedish Massage, Paraffin Hand treatment, Manicure, Pedicure, Smoothie Bar, Fondue, and Aromatherapy just for $89 she couldn't say no. She came that same weekend after I bought the packages. I have previously bought packages from Groupon before and always loved the places that you've all chosen. It was my fault for not looking up the spa before but I was so excited to purchase another great deal from you all that I just clicked buy! However, this place was a run down hole in the wall. First off for my suspicions, the spa was in an Executive Park Complex. Next to that spa was another one called "The Good Spa", which may have been a sign before entering A Renewed Spirit Massage. I had called few days prior in that week to set up the appointments and spoke with Ed the owner, who claims wasn't the receptionist, but that they were closed for that day because they were under construction putting in a new AC unit. The only number for the business is his cell phone so he always answers. As soon as my sister and I pulled up, we saw all the women and the owner Ed outside smoking, sweating and waiting for us to arrive. None of them were in uniform, so I had no idea that they were apart of the spa. He led us to the main entrance that was just a side door. was immediately scared when the door was pulled open to see straight in front of me a handicap elevator and a staircase. I have never been to a spa that had a staircase with disgusting carpet throughout the whole "spa". This place was not a spa at all. Once we reached upstairs, we saw a desk in front and a black leather couch on the left hand side. To the right was "waiting area". That area was just a few chairs in a U-shape in the center of the room. The "smoothie bar" was directly behind us in their KITCHEN. The fondue was to our left not yet working. The "aromatherapy" were a few incense in the corner with a shoe rack next to it where they lied the clipboards for paperwork. Directly in front of us was a small black home entertainment piece with a television on top playing home movies. The owner was trying to make small talk with us as he made us a "strawberry banana smoothie". It was very awkward and I felt as if I had to watch my back. We received our "smoothies" in a small 4 ounce styrofoam cup, the fruits and ice were unblended, I found a solid block of ice in mine, please see the attached image. I started to laugh and giggle with my sister about the cup and the ice I received while Ed made uncomfortable remarks like "oh stop laughing at the bald fat white guy". After finishing our paperwork, we were then called in to do our facials first. Two ladies that were outside with Ed came to greet us and walked us past the staircase and couch into two rooms. My sisters room was extremely freezing cold and my room was extremely hot. Just to give you a visual, take a square and cut another little square out the top left hand corner of the square and that was the room. At the opposite end was the window and in between was a sink. Next to the sink were a plastic bin that they had some products in and the women's purses and personal belongings were right there on the floor for everyone to see. They did not have anywhere to place the customers personal belongings so I was told to put my purse and things on the top of the little sink. She instructed me to undress and put the black little towel on. After she closed the door I immediately started looking for cameras to watch me undress, instead I left everything on except my dress. She came back in the room and was already apologizing for her steamer. She said that normally the steamer would be on at all times but that one could only hold so much water that would only be enough just for the facial. The steamer was a hand steamer to steam out the wrinkles in your clothing. I lied on the bed and tried to relax but couldn't close my eyes. The CD in the corner kept skipping as it played some kind of nature music. She didn't say a word throughout the whole facial besides everything alright, due to my facial expressions. The walls in that whole spa were unpainted, dirty with hand prints, and tacks galore. She put layers and layers upon layers of cream after cream of some unknown product. She pressed way too hard on my temples and worst off her hands reeked of cigarette smoke. She wore long fake nails, and rings throughout the facial and was breathing on my face. The steamer made me even hotter and made it difficult to breathe. I wanted to run out of that room and bang on my sister's door screaming to get us out of here. Since I was already scared thinking that man Ed was going to walk in and try to rape us I decided to wait until after the facial to talk with my sister. After greasy layers were placed on my face I was instructed to redress and go back to the waiting area. At that point I waited for my sister to be done and met her halfway next to the staircase was a single restroom. I told my sister, "oh there's a bathroom, you have to go don't you?" and walked her straight into the bathroom with me where I told her how I felt. I immediately started crying because I was so upset with that place and wanted to leave as fast as we could. That was not the experience I was hoping to get as bonding and relaxing time with my sister for her birthday present. We then came up with a story that we had to leave due to an emergency with my nieces as they told us to just call to reschedule. The girls were sitting on the couch reminding us of something we seen in a movie like a brothel. I was so stressed out more being in that fake place than when I walked in. I couldn't imagine staying the rest of the time and being satisfied with my purchase. At that point I did not care how much money I spent to get us there in gas and time waisted, I just wanted to call a REAL spa that would take us immediately. I was going to call Divine Designs Salon and Spa while in the bathroom but my sister said to wait until we get out of here then we can call them to set up appointments. Unfortunately for me I wasn't able to get any appointments in but they had a deep tissue massage open that day and only a pedicure for the day after since they were booked. I told them we'll take it and had the best experience of my life. I'm very hesitant to buy another deal from Groupon but I do know that I will never buy another Groupon without doing heavy research on the place.
View full review
9 comments
Guest

You get what you pay for...

Guest

I hope u let groupon know immediately

Guest

If you ever go to a spa and its dirty or you feel uncomfortable--LEAVE!!!!!! Trust your instincts girls!

Who knows if they were even licensed!

Always Google places before you buy a groupon!! Sorry for your unfortunate ordeal!!

Guest

Groupon people.... smh

Guest

My wife and I called this business 5 times combined over the last 3 months leaving a clear message, contact name and phone number and never received a response...not once.

Today my wife called one last time before we were going to email you and see if we could receive a refund and the business actually picked up the phone -to her surprise-. She mentioned that we called 5 times and left messages and never got a response and the person on the other line called her a liar. He said to her verbatim, "Well, i don't believe you at all; you are lying." Obviously that did not make her very happy to be called a liar and she explained to him that she would not lie about that and why would she have a reason to. He then told her that he was the owner and that he monitored many of the calls and always calls back and went on and on being very disrespectful toward her.

she explained that she was calling to make an appt for our masssages but that she didnt know if she wanted to do business with someone who shows poor customer service and is disrespectful to clients. He then hung up on her..

We have had ONLY positive experiences with groupons and know this is not a usual experience. This was the WORST!! So glad we didn't have to experience the ACTUAL spa too!! We wrote groupon for a refund, they should really make sure the business is legit before advertising for them.

Guest

My wife and I called this business 5 times combined over the last 3 months leaving a clear message, contact name and phone number and never received a response...not once.

Today my wife called one last time before we were going to email you and see if we could receive a refund and the business actually picked up the phone -to her surprise-. She mentioned that we called 5 times and left messages and never got a response and the person on the other line called her a liar. He said to her verbatim, "Well, i don't believe you at all; you are lying." Obviously that did not make her very happy to be called a liar and she explained to him that she would not lie about that and why would she have a reason to. He then told her that he was the owner and that he monitored many of the calls and always calls back and went on and on being very disrespectful toward her.

she explained that she was calling to make an appt for our masssages but that she didnt know if she wanted to do business with someone who shows poor customer service and is disrespectful to clients. He then hung up on her..

We have had ONLY positive experiences with groupons and know this is not a usual experience. This was the WORST!! So glad we didn't have to experience the ACTUAL spa too!! We wrote groupon for a refund, they should really make sure the business is legit before advertising for them.

Guest

I don't know how all this went down, and find it VERY hard to believe!!! I was just there 2 weeks ago.

The owner (guy) was very nice, he talked to us several times. He also did this with other customers that were there. He kept asking if we needed anything. He mentioned that they take credit card if you we wanted to tip.

But didn't act like we had to. Considering the cost of the services compared to other places tipping was the least I could do.

All of the staff was very nice as well and tried very hard to make us happy. I will admit this is a real spa, but the facial and massage was good, especially for the amount we paid.

Guest

My friends and I purchased the same groupon, and had two horrible experiences. The first day we went Ed overbooked said for us to come back.

So we came back today, and he cursed at us and snatched the clipboard out of my hands as I was writing, because he wrote the wrong time down, and thought we were suppose to be there at 10 when he told us 11. He was actually shoving one of my friends down the stairs as she was trying to explain he wrote the wrong time down

Guest

I had a recent spa experience there as well. Ed was scary and made me uncomfortable and I had to wait over 6 hours for my "massage" which was by Jen, who wasn't GOOD.

I've had better. Ed was very unprofessional and telling everyone in the waiting area not to go to some spa because they are dirty. This spa is dirty and they are disgusting.

I get better service in England. I will NEVER REFER this horrid place to anyone not even my mum.

View more comments (8)
uvwxyz
map-marker Tampa, Florida

A Renewed Spirit Massage Located at 9365 HWY US 19 N. Pinellas Park, FL 33782

I really needed a good massage. They advertised deep tissue is $35. So I made an appointment and had massage from them. Unexpectedly, that woman, the owner, who practices massage really hurt me. She did not know where to apply light touch and when to apply deep kneeding. My whole back is worse than before I get massage from her. I told them I was hurt. The man who is that woman's husband acted ridiculous and rude. He started to yell at me. Ethically and professionally, the way they acted is not acceptable. Bad massage. Do not go there!
View full review
3 comments
Guest

Don't go here they are ran and employee recovering addicts!!!

Guest

I don't know how all this went down, and find it VERY hard to believe!!! I was just there 2 weeks ago.

The owner (guy) was very nice, he talked to us several times. He also did this with other customers that were there. He kept asking if we needed anything. He mentioned that they take credit card if you we wanted to tip.

But didn't act like we had to.

Considering the cost of the services compared to other places tipping was the least I could do. All of the staff was very nice as well and tried very hard to make us happy.

Guest

I called the number because they have a post in Cortiva for a job. A male answers the phone, I asked if they have a website...he is talking to someone else in the background, I ask to please repeat.

He continues to carry on 2 conversations. I ask him if he is talking to me or someone else. He raised his voice and said "Ya know, I didn't like your attitude from the beginning, I done with you.

!!!!! I was shocked!!!!!!!

View more comments (2)

Why Trust Reviews on PissedConsumer?

  • Professional auto and live moderation
  • 100% user-generated content
  • Equal opportunity and protection
  • Zero tolerance for fake reviews
  • Verified content
  • PissedConsumer is on the Inc. 5000 list

For more information read Blog article