Water Lounge Spa - Millbrae, California

Micah Peña

Went to have couple's massage. Total of 90 mins including sauna which is 30 mins. The massage really only lasted for 45 mins since there were so many preparation that happened and when we checked out, I gave 30 total for my partner and I. The lady at the front desk was not happy about the tip and told me that their masseuse spent 90 mins with us and that 15usd ea isn't enough. I stood my ground and made it clear that it's the most I'm giving for a tip.

Tip is supposed to be voluntary and to be honest we didn't really enjoy the experience. I am still looking around for a decent massage place that is worth my money.

Don't ever go to this place. This place will shame you for not giving big tips. Look somewhere else.

Kristie Drawe

We saw the spa on Groupon and called to make a same day appointment. It was suggested that the spa will offer the Groupon price at the facility - no problem. I support small businesses and will try to help them out (since Groupon probably take a cut)

Honestly was very hesitant reading the recent reviews and I didn't want it to turn into a situation I'm not asking for - decided to just ask a couple of questions once we arrived and we proceeded. I didn't want the massage to be a foot massage and it was communicated that it's a body massage only.

The result :
The lady who massaged me Apple was fantastic. She gave very good pressure and took the knots out of my shoulders. My friend had Ada and was very happy with the service. I also received a facial, and Apple was very good and I'm very very happy with the results. There was minimal talking between the staff during the session and I felt relaxed.

The tip service is suggest but kinda required, $15-20 range for a one hour session, and multiple it by 1.5 if it's 90 mins or by 2 if it's a 2 hour session.

Credit card accepted for both service and tip. Large parking lot.

Will go back 👍🏼

Karla V

There is a sign that says:" tips are suggested," but because I gave $5 less that it was "suggested" the secretary called me back and explained me that I have to give what it says there. I explain to her that I did not have more cash, I know tips in cash are better for them, so they do need to report it.
I bought a Spa day for two, also I bought an extra oil, stones, and salt for both. I think they do not appreciate that I bought a large package
I left $40 in cash for tips, but the minimum for them should be $60, as I said it was cash, also I should pay the rest $20 with my card because the secretary insisted, and they did not give me a receipt for that nor for my package, since she was demanding me to give more money, I asked her for my receipt, at least the one for the package.
I did not appreciate this service it looks like Icould leave the spa if I don't complete the tips thay ask for because the secretary was intense with her explanations.
Why do they say tips are a suggestion if it is complete demanded. Additionally, they do not give receipt for the service.

Uncommon Bird

Having enjoyed my time at their San Mateo location, I thought I would have the same experience at the Millbrae location. I did not.
1. I saw two ladies simply rinse their hands in the restroom. No soap was involved, and they literally just turned the water on and ran them under it for a second.
2. My masseuse did only half my body scrub. He didn't scrub the front of my body.
3. This same masseuse only massaged the back half of my body and the front of my arms. He didn't touch my legs.
4. The esthetician left the room at least 7 times (no lie), was talking through my facial to the esthetician next to her that was doing my friend, and some guy kept coming to talk to her.

Nothing about this experience was relaxing. It left me less relaxed than I was when I got there. Super disappointed. I told the front desk, and their solution was to offer me a free 30 minute sauna. No, thanks!

Mike Vick

After having been to this location quite a few times and reading many of the Yelp reviews I felt it was time to address the main issue I have with this place, which is the Asian woman who runs the front desk.

Unfortunately, she sees it fit to be her place to chastise customers who have Groupon passes. Every time I come in with them she always says I could have got the same price from her directly. She puts on this big frown and makes a fuss over it repeatedly.The last time I was in I said it’s not up to me to come in and negotiate anything with her on the side and she then backed off. It’s always like a garage sale deal with her when it comes to trying to push the salt soak options for $10 extra. A couple of days ago when I came in, she asked me If I would like a regular massage or deep tissue massage.

After I opted for the deep tisdue massage without even asking she tacked on another 10 bucks. Once again, I had to talk money with her and call her out and she then reversed the $10 charge. I see from other reviews here she’s all over people for not tipping enough as well. I always tip 30 bucks because with the exception of the masuers milking the clock for 10-15 minutes with an unnecessary amount of time to soak my feet the masuers do pretty good work here.

Lastly, there was a conversation I had with her this last Easter Sunday that I feel needs to be
addressed by her supervisor. We were making small talk and out of the blue she indicated Biden was choosing that day as a LBTGQ recognition day with a very condescending tone and disgust on her face. It bothered me at the moment and all I could say is that here in the Bay Area people are able to let their freaky flags fly and I could tell she took unbridge with it.

Such an ignorant take on a date that just happened to have fell on Easter Sunday, but why try to explain the obvious to someone so dumb that talks to a stranger with a loaded topic.

The other issue is that you can hear her from the the massage rooms as she is either upset with other staff or customers for their groupons or tipping practices as you can hear her critical tone whether it be in Mandarin or English.a

At the end of the day, this lady needs to fade into the background, take appointments and the rest but stay away from constant attempts at trying to bleed the customers for more of their money.

Who needs to go into their massage feeling like they just got through haggling at a flea market? Not me.

Pamela Dabney

A very unfortunate experience. I arrived early for my massage appointment. I was received by a woman at the front desk, I showed her the photo I had taken of my Groupon for a 90-Minute Body Massage and Salt Sauna Package.
When I first arrived, I was taken to a large room with comfortable chairs, I then had my feet put in a plastic bucket of warm water. I told the gent that I was here for a body massage, not a foot massage. He could not understand me so he went to get the woman at the front desk. She then had him take me to a massage room where I wasn't asked to get undressed and lay face-down, literally NO direction...very awkward. The massage was also very awkward and I left feeling more stressed than relieved.
The woman at the front desk also asked if I'd like to spend an extra $9.00 for aromatherapy, hot stones and and a salt rub. The stones were hot and put on my back and there was NO aromatherapy and no salt. I will not be returning to Water Lounge Spa.

Maine Coon

Massages were good. Ladies did a great job on us. Management lets this place down. Being forced to have to leave a higher tip is not very professional. I’ll leave what I want to leave thank you. The worse part is the guilt trip they pull on you. I left the money in the room on purpose to ensure the whole amount went to each lady but the other lady in charge made them bring it out to her and then she said I need to give more tip. Stick to your guns.

Tiffani C

*Edit to Respond to Water Lounge Spa (1/16/2024):
Hi Zuyi, I appreciate the due diligence in your response.
Having lived in Chinese-speaking countries for years, I know there are cultural differences in conversation styles. But even in China/Taiwan, in my experience, a massage is NOT a place to having a conversation.
I've also never been smacked on the head during a massage.

Further, the fact that he is married makes it EVEN stranger that he was asking me to hang out when he's off work and telling me that I'm cute (followed by asking if I understood this statement when I stayed silent).

I'm sure Leo is a skilled masseuse and would be a match for a male client. But since I was so uncomfortable for the last half of the massage, I can't even recall his massage skill--and I left feeling far worse than when I went in.

Honestly, I'd rather not run the risk of having to interact with Leo again. I'm sure you'll understand why I wouldn't feel comfortable going back to get a massage, even from a female masseuse.

Hope that other female clients paired with Leo have a much better experience than I did.
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Original Review (1/14/2024):
Watch out for the male masseuse, Leo.
My experience with him was massively uncomfortable and invasive.

Massage started silent (because who wants to carry a conversation during a massage?), but halfway through Leo asked me what ethnicity I was, which alone was strange. Worse still, once he found out I could speak Chinese, he kept trying to talk to me for the rest of the massage:
- asking me abt my job and income
- asking my age and what kind/cost of apartment/house I live in
- asking me about my preference in men
- asking if I would date a Chinese man

Then he suggested that I come by on his days off to hang out? He even paused the massage, walked around and had me look at him, as if to consider him for a date. After I declined, he lightly SMACKED my head (like in an admonishing way). I think it was his style of flirting?

At different points after that head smack, he commented on my body shape and how “cute” I am—when I didn’t respond, he asked me if I understood his compliment. Incredibly uncomfortable.

Keep in mind, all of this occurred while I was UNCLOTHED. I couldn’t even comfortably report this to the woman at the front desk because Leo hovered nearby the entire time.

Overall, SUPER UNCOMFORTABLE and disappointing to experience. I had heard good things of this place but now I don’t know if I would risk it again.

2 stars because the reception lady was very friendly and quick to lead me to the massage room. The room itself was comfortable and the music was pleasant. Just my experience with Leo was incredibly invasive and violating.