A SPA INDEX STAFF REVIEW

Aziz Salon and Spa
710 West 7th Street
Austin, TX 78701
512/476-4131
Aziz Salon and Spa was the most impressive spa we had the opportunity to visit during our Austin Day Spa tour, and we readily give it the Spa Index stamp of approval. Aziz was one of the first spas to open in Austin, and has been in operation for nearly thirty years -- the last five of which have been under owner Eileen Andrews.  Aziz is a busy hair salon and spa, however, Andrews and her team have created a true "mecca" for the spa enthusiast.  Aziz offer all of the modern amenities and treatments you would expect from a day spa, from the friendly reception staff in the nicely appointed reception area, to the more than 50 employees in an 8,000 square foot facility with ample parking.  Aziz was created  to pamper  and care for clients and provide them with the most professional experience possible.  Eileen Andrews and her staff have assured that it will be able to do so for many more years.  -- Spa Index, May 2003

A SPA INDEX STAFF REVIEW

Bella Salon and Spa
1221 W. Sixth Street
Austin, TX  78703  
512/474-5999
This fun and vibrant spa has a lot to offer spa enthusiasts in the Austin area.  It's retail line was easily the most high-end and in fact, many of the products featured at Bella are done so exclusively.   Treatment rooms have a unique artistic scheme,  and they are staffed by a very hip and youth-oriented staff.  While this can be a bonus to the spa client who seeks something fun and different, or assesses himself or herself in that same category, it may  not appeal to the mature day spa client.   This spa has a lot of potential and is definitely worth a visit, although a bit more customer service training could help the young front-desk staff.     -- Spa Index, May 2003.

A SPA INDEX STAFF REVIEW

Salon 505
10000 Research Boulevard Suite 141
Austin, TX 78759  
512/794-8505
We visited the Day Spa at the Arboretum (Research Boulevard location).  This two-story  spa facility splits the salon and facial treatments between its two levels, with the majority of the spa on the second floor in the Day Spa Arboretum.   Although the salon and spa appeared clean and professional with up to date equipment and design, we didn't see as much as we might normally see.  We were informed by the polite but rather uninvolved staff that the owner was on site only once each day.  As a result, we were invited to wander around on our own, unescorted or accompanied by staff.  We were not asked for business cards or other data confirming our identity and were "waved on ahead" to take a tour.  We were reluctant to open doors and view treatment rooms or other areas which may have been in use by guests, particularly if we could disturb any sessions in progress, so we left after only a short visit.  Readers are fond of this favorite spot, which was recommend by our hotel concierge.   -- Spa Index, May 2003

A SPA INDEX STAFF REVIEW

Mecca Gym and Spa
524 Lamar Austin, TX 78703    512/381-2680
Mecca Gym and Day Spa enjoys a lot of favorable press coverage, both locally and nationally, for its high-end, upscale facility in Austin.  Mecca is the place to "see and be seen" and the comings and goings of luminaries and celebrities are discussed openly in the community (in fact, our hotel concierge, upon learning of our destination that morning, gushed without reservation about the "celebrity element").  The Gym is perfectly equipped with top of the line equipment with expansive views of the City.  The Spa is beautifully appointed and the décor is one of unblemished tranquility.  However, our visit was marred by one element which can't be overlooked.  As reviewers who have visited all types of facilities -- from five star destination spas to humble day spas in shopping centers -- we felt Mecca's staff ranked as the most aloof, disinterested and condescending staff we encountered in Austin.  We offer that observation with no agenda -- just the simple observation that Mecca is so confident of its media reputation that the opinions of our staff and readers appeared to matter very little, if at all.  -- Spa Index, May 2003

A SPA INDEX STAFF REVIEW

Austin's Body and Soul
13276 Research Boulevard,  Austin, TX 78750  
We were unable to visit this spa in person.  We called and asked if we could schedule a time to stop by and visit the spa and meet the owner, if possible, and pick up a brochure. "Lynn" answered the telephone, first left us on hold for a long period of time, then came back on the line, interrupted us as we explained for the second time that we wanted to set up an appointment to tour the spa for our spa reviews page, and then snapped "Before you get into your spiel, no one here can help you with your little project." She abruptly hung up the phone.   -- Spa Index, May 2003.

Update:  Shortly after this comment was published, a representative of the spa contacted us to discuss our experience.  We remarked that we had no sales pitch and did not intend to "sell" anything.  This would have been a courtesy spa review on a date and time at their convenience, we were not looking for free services, so we were surprised at the cold shoulder.  The spa's response was "Well, what did you expect? It was a Monday.  We don't have a lot of free time for chit chat on Mondays."    She offered no additional commentary and after a moment of stunned silence, we apologized for the interruption, ended the call, and made a mental note:  Stay away.  Heaven help you if you actually show up and ask for services. You may make them *really* angry.