Yesterday was a much anticipated spa day for my mom, sister, and I at Eagle Mountain Spa. We'd been planning it since Mother's Day. We bought a Groupon for one facial and one massage for each of us. When we arrived, we were immediately charged for the gratuity, $18 for each service per person (so $36 total for each of us). I found this odd, as usually gratuity is given afterwards in accordance to the service. It has been a few years since I last had a massage and facial, so maybe things have changed. While I was paying for my tip, the cashier asked if I wanted to add more to which I responded that I had cash if I decided to leave more afterwards. A masseuse sitting behind the desk remarked, "We appreciate all gratuity given." I didn't understand why she would say this, I found it odd and didn't really know how to respond. We were then taken to our rooms, which are hotel suites, for the services. We were not asked to fill out any medical forms or paperwork. Again, it's been a while since my last services, so maybe things have changed, but I clearly remember having to sign paperwork for medical reasons. My first service was a facial with Debbie. She was nice enough and performed her service well. She told me she wouldn't talk to me when she came back to the room because she wanted me to relax. I was very pleased with that. No extractions were done, which I am used to and was hoping for, so that was disappointing. One other problem I had was that there was a constant pounding throughout the entire service somewhere in the building. It was very distracting and didn't allow me to completely relax. I found out later that it was supposedly a child running back and forth in an upstairs rental. Why these services are performed in a place where outside noises can come in, I don't know. I also heard someone taking a shower. When my facial was over, I got up to leave and found that Debbie had placed my glasses, far from my purse and clothes, in a gratuity tray. Not so subtle hint for a bigger tip? At the same time that I was done, so was my mom with her massage. She was in the same suite as me and heard the child running as well. Her massage was with Lori and she said it was good. My sister was waiting on a chair in the suite when we came out. We started talking about her massage, which she said was just okay. Suddenly, her massage therapist, Donna, came back to grab Michele. I heard the other ladies say that Donna had brought Michele there by mistake, her next service was in a different building. Donna told me she would be right back for me. My mom went into her facial with Debbie. As stated, my massage was with Donna. Here is where it gets to the most disappointing part. I asked Donna for a deep tissue massage on my shoulders. She said, "Well, I can try". Okay. She then proceeded to rub very quickly and seemingly without any direction or focus over my back. It was very jostling and my entire body was moving back and forth on the table. I didn't even feel any muscles being touched. It was awkward and I kept hoping that someone else would come to finish the massage or that maybe Donna had a specialty, like feet or hands, and that things would get better. She didn't. By the end of the massage, I was just wishing it was over. I have NEVER wanted a massage to end. The entire massage was jerky and fast and just seemed like a lot of rubbing with no satisfaction. On top of that, Donna talked a lot. My sister remarked later that Donna spoke during her entire massage. It wasn't as bad for me, maybe because I didn't continue the conversation with follow ups or questions to her, but still distracting. When I go for a massage, and I am assuming it's like this for most people, they do not want the distraction of talking. They want to zone and zen out. Donna seemed like a very nice lady, she just wasn't great at bedside manner or actually massaging muscles. It was not a relaxing experience. Once all of this was over, I met back up with my mom and sister in the main lobby. We got a glass of complimentary cucumber mint water from a water dispenser at the front desk. It was foamy and tasted off. I asked the lady at the front desk what was up and she said it must be soap from when they cleaned it. She left the water there and a bit later, another customer got a glass. Apparently, a little soap in the water was okay. There was no other water offered. Usually, in my experience, water after a massage is pushed because of the toxins released and need to be flushed out. The only time we were offered soap-free water was right when we arrived. Overall, the entire experience was disappointing and weird. I feel like, although we did get a discount through Groupon, we still paid good money for these services. I need a massage now to make up for the one I received yesterday. On a good note, my sister's facial was with Holly, who she said did an amazing job.