Massages downtown?

[woodywoodford]

Figure its time to take advantage of my wellness account at work and start booking massages. I've never had one before so don't really know what I'm looking for. I have no problem overspending if its for a good experience (nice atmosphere, not getting rubbed down by a 300 lb russian lol). Any suggestions/tips/etc?

[Maybelater]

Be sure to ask for the special message ;)

[max_boost]

Originally posted by Maybelater
Be sure to ask for the special message ;)

Do so when she asks if there are any areas you need 'extra attention'. :D

[That.Guy.S30]

Rub no tug bro! Happy new year not happy ending.

[summerlove.xo]

Newbury Spa is pretty nice. It doesn't look very impressive from the outside but I thought it was nice inside. They have a nice waiting area and the change rooms are pretty big and clean. They also print your medical receipt prior to your appointment which I thought was considerate. It is a bit more pricey but if you are claiming it with your wellness account, it shouldn't be a big deal.

http://www.newburyspa.ca/

[403ep3]

http://www.sweetspa.org

[ExtraSlow]

Stillwater in the Hyatt is killer.
For more therapeutic, and not relaxation, call around to the downtown physio places. The people that work in those spots are usually pretty good with inury rehab, deep tissue etc. I know Tower Chiro and Fifth Avenue Physio both hhve good massage.

[toyboy88]

Originally posted by summerlove.xo
Newbury Spa is pretty nice. It doesn't look very impressive from the outside but I thought it was nice inside. They have a nice waiting area and the change rooms are pretty big and clean. They also print your medical receipt prior to your appointment which I thought was considerate. It is a bit more pricey but if you are claiming it with your wellness account, it shouldn't be a big deal.

http://www.newburyspa.ca/

+1 for Newbury.
Also recently started using my massage benefits, and it was a great experience there - no problems whatsoever.

[woodywoodford]

Yeah I'm going for relaxation only, so will give newbury a try this week hopefully

[sabad66]

I went for a swedish massage at newbury today after reading this thread (was also my first time). Overall it was a really good experience. Pretty pricey at $123.90 for an hour, but using my health spending account so not too worried.

Only thing i wasn't sure about was the tip. I gave $15 on the $123 bill... not sure if that was good enough.

Does anyone know if you can expense the tip on an HSA from Sun Life? Or is it only the massage bill?

[ExtraSlow]

Cannot expense the tip on HCSA or HSA from any provider.

[sabad66]

hmm yeah thought so.

what's a decent amount to tip? 15% like restaurants?

[CaptainReboot]

I leave $20 tip for a 90 minute massage.

I've been seeing the same therapist for over a year now and she's really good. She's also pretty hot which is a bonus.

[toyboy88]

Originally posted by sabad66
I went for a swedish massage at newbury today after reading this thread (was also my first time). Overall it was a really good experience. Pretty pricey at $123.90 for an hour, but using my health spending account so not too worried.

Only thing i wasn't sure about was the tip. I gave $15 on the $123 bill... not sure if that was good enough.

Does anyone know if you can expense the tip on an HSA from Sun Life? Or is it only the massage bill?

As I mentioned before, went for the same for my first massage as well.

Tip amount cannot be claimed (Newbury prints separate receipt with RMT # and pre-tip amount only). I gave $21 on the $123.90, since I knew HSA would cover the $123.90.

[The_Rural_Juror]

Any recommendations just outside of downtown?

[CaptainReboot]

Originally posted by The_Rural_Juror
Any recommendations just outside of downtown?

You can try Renovations for Men just north on Centre street.

It's supposed to be a man spa so they have some nice looking ladies in there.

I think it's $110 for 90 minutes the last time I was there.

[snoop101]

Also looking for a place downtown that my insurance will pay for.

How was Newbury? Are the ladies good looking, because as much as I have respect for a therapeutic massage therapist I would like someone who is good at their job and hot. I know that's a hard combination.

[taemo]

bumping this for a stupid question.. I never bring cash with me, just phone with CC and driver license on the back.

i never tipped whenever I go get a massage but it seems standard here. how do I tip when paying or should I go withdraw some cash?

[ExtraSlow]

Every place I've been in calgary has an option to tip on the credit card machine.

[Squishy]

+1 for Stillwater at Hyatt

[yellowsnow]

I don't normally tip my massage therapist. I wouldn't tip my physiotherapist or chiropractor either... don't see why a massage therapist should get extra. :dunno:

[sxtasy]

Originally posted by yellowsnow
I don't normally tip my massage therapist. I wouldn't tip my physiotherapist or chiropractor either... don't see why a massage therapist should get extra. :dunno:

x2

[sputnik]

Start @ 53:00

ERIqt85_4xw

[Mitsu3000gt]

I go to APEX. They are not too far from downtown, they used to be in Kensington but moved to a larger facility. It's $90.30 all-in for 60 min.

Most places that don't have a tip option on the CC machine happily accept tips, they just manually add it to your total and it just shows up on the CC machine as a larger single payment.

I usually tip $10 for a 60 min massage, I don't really care because I don't pay for it anyway. I've never really known what the norm is though.

[zooter]

I would recommend Baan Thai Massage, its at 2100 4 St SW.

If you have never had a Thai massage you might be a bit overwhelmed as the pressure that is applied is very hard but you'll feel like a million bucks afterwards. It's really quite refreshing. The only thing I don't like is the oil they use has a very strong minty scent but other than that the massage is excellent. They are also setup with Sun Life.

[mr2mike]

Originally posted by 403ep3
http://www.sweetspa.org
LOL
No credentials on the site, just measurements.

[schurchill39]

Bump

Is Stillwater and Newberry still the goto for beyonders for therapeutic and relaxation massages?

And Sweet Spa for handies?

[Waldi]

SPort medicine Clinic (physio) downtown in Bow Valley have both excellent physio and massage therapist. Used that for my neck injury highly recommend.
BOW VALLEY SQ. 403-234-7557 #310, 205 5th Avenue SW

[Mitsu3000gt]

APEX is getting so expensive now, and it's eroding my benefits too fast haha. Is there anywhere you guys recommend on the West end of downtown that isn't super expensive?

[flipstah]

Originally posted by Mitsu3000gt
APEX is getting so expensive now, and it's eroding my benefits too fast haha. Is there anywhere you guys recommend on the West end of downtown that isn't super expensive?

+1.

[R!zz0]

Every time i get a massage i end up with a boner and it's really embarrassing.

[flipstah]

Originally posted by R!zz0
Every time i get a massage i end up with a boner and it's really embarrassing.

Did he make it move?

Y-UQ7a7d5W0

[mr2mike]

Originally posted by R!zz0
Every time i get a massage i end up with a boner and it's really embarrassing.

Only if your masseuse is a dude.

[flipstah]

Anyone know a place that bills directly through Manulife?

[anarchy]

If you're looking for a massage place that is nice, clean and good at massages without the full on spa experience, I'd recommend Inner Balance. It's just in Kensington and it's $85/hour if I recall. The full body massage is great but I've tried the Indian head massage too and that's pretty bomb haha :thumbsup:

For a full spa experience Oasis is pretty nice, I like it there. But yeah for just a straight massage that is average price check out Inner Balance.

[ExtraSlow]

I've never seen anywhere that can direct bill for massages. Is that a thing? Would be pretty handy.

[jabjab]

Originally posted by zooter
I would recommend Baan Thai Massage, its at 2100 4 St SW.

If you have never had a Thai massage you might be a bit overwhelmed as the pressure that is applied is very hard but you'll feel like a million bucks afterwards. It's really quite refreshing. The only thing I don't like is the oil they use has a very strong minty scent but other than that the massage is excellent. They are also setup with Sun Life.

Went here today for the first. I didn't feel like a million bucks afterwards but I did feel more flexiable. Not sure if i'll feel the postive effects of it tomorrow or not.

I think I'll stick to a traditional massage to get my shoulder fixed up.

[cyra1ax]

So Stillwater uses RMT's....that means I can submit it to my Sun Life benefits?

[revelations]

Originally posted by 403ep3
http://www.sweetspa.org

LOL - "entrance in the back alley"
"Etiquette - use common sense"

[Mitsu3000gt]

Originally posted by cyra1ax
So Stillwater uses RMT's....that means I can submit it to my Sun Life benefits?

I think as long as they have 2,000 hours and are registered you're good to go. That's how mine works on Sunlife, and I have to provide their RMT number for online claims at least.

[mr2mike]

Originally posted by ExtraSlow
Would be pretty handy.

Pun intended?

[Xtrema]

Originally posted by Mitsu3000gt


I think as long as they have 2,000 hours and are registered you're good to go. That's how mine works on Sunlife, and I have to provide their RMT number for online claims at least.

There was a big fight between 2 RMT organizations and 1 lost. Most insurance will now only recognize RMT that completed a 2 year, 2200hr course. Not 2000hrs of practice. My old RMT didn't qualify and left the field.

[flipstah]

Originally posted by ExtraSlow
I've never seen anywhere that can direct bill for massages. Is that a thing? Would be pretty handy.

So Panther doesn't do direct billing for massages, but yes for Physio and SunLife.

Checking Peak Health in Britannia to see if they do.

[pheoxs]

My old roommate in Edmonton is a RMT and is able to do direct billing for massages, but only certain companies will allow it unfortunately so its hit or miss.

[msommers]

http://mountainmeadowmassage.ca/

[codetrap]

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