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| - Two girlfriends and I booked appointments at this spa on 11/23/15 while on vacation and staying at Paris. We took a risk, having read other negative reviews, but assumed things must have improved. We should've heeded the advice:
The good: We all very much enjoyed our services, which consisted of facials and massages. The treatment rooms were clean and the staff was professional. They also took our SpaFinder gift cards without issue, and I've had problems at other places with limits or certain services. The waiting area with a sofa and magazines was nice enough, calming with tea and complimentary beverages, but I've seen much nicer.
The bad: Even though the spa was running "specials" I couldn't find them online and had to call to book appointments. The appointments were scheduled at different times than what I was told and the confirmation I received. Only 30 minutes, but still not correct. We were also told upon check-in that we would have to pay a full 20% gratuity on the normal cost of the service, not the special price. For my massage/facial combo, this was $120 difference and I had to tip an extra $30. When shoes are on sale, I don't pay tax on the original price, only what's advertised and purchased. This was nuts to me, and since when are gratuities mandatory? I lost my Zen the minute I checked in. I shouldn't be forced to pay a $70 tip on a $189 special; it should be 20% of the price, period.
Also, the robes were thin and didn't have pockets for your locker key and the rubber shoes provided were cheap and not as nice as others I've seen. The worst part was how DIRTY the common areas were. They have a decent area with a Jacuzzi, steam room, sauna, bathroom, getting ready area and showers. The shower had hair in the drain and another clump of hair in a pile on the tile. The sauna was okay, as was the Jacuzzi, but the steam room, the part I like the best, was absolutely disgusting. Hair and dirt all over the floor, many missing and cracked tiles, a super gross moldy smell, I couldn't even sit in there for 2 minutes. This place is in desperate need of repair. In the condition it was, it should've been shut down for maintenance.
Overall, not worth the price paid. Spas are premium, luxury purchases and the whole experience should reflect as such. Mandara at Paris fails miserably in that regard.
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