eforea

I went to eforea recently for a massage and facial using a travel zoo voucher.
The massage was preformed by an rmt and just ok. Pressure was mild even though I asked for more. The treatment room was uncomfortably cold. They offered an electric heating pad, but I’ve been told not to use those in pregnancy, so I just stayed cold. Toward the tail end of my massage I felt like the rmt lost track of time, because she quickly massaged my shoulders and then it was done. Shoulders were a section I asked for focus. For the cost, I would not get a massage here again.
My facial was not great. I actually cringe thinking about it. The woman performing it had fingers that reeked of rotting garlic. I spent half of the treatment wondering what the horrible smell was and trying to figure out if it was the products or the aesthetician. When she used a brush or sponge the smell went away, but the moment she used her hands I was back to disgusting garlic town. As a pregnant woman perhaps I was being unreasonably sensitive, but it was honestly so uncomfortable. I didn’t say anything because I didn’t want to embarrass her, and also there is no quick solution for getting the scent of garlic off your hands.
The facial products she used were too harsh for my sensitive skin. I have a bit of a rash on my cheeks. The extraction done was minimal and felt rushed. I’ve had way better facials. The woman doing the facial was very friendly and actually gave me a better neck massage than the rmt.
My package came with hot chocolate and an apple tart. The apple tart was delicious.
Ultimately this spa does not compare to the high end options downtown, although it prices itself the same way. It was clean and staff were friendly, but the services weren’t great. Even with a deal I don’t think it was worth it.
Note that the steam room only seats 2 people, there is only one shower in the locker area. No mention was made of other amenities, pool, gym and hottub. I chose not to ask at the end of treatment because I frankly didn’t want to be there anymore.

FACILITIES = 2 stars
«HEAD-​TO-​TOE REVITALIZATION» 90-​MIN TREATMENT = 4 stars
OVERVIEW OF TREATMENT
Let’s start with the good. I received a gift certificate for this service and wasn’t sure what to expect. The website said it was a scalp, hand, and feet massage. When I arrived in the room, my masseuse Fang explained that the first part of the service is on the steam and shower pod. So it’s this white plastic pod machine that looks pretty high tech (I think there’s a photo on Unilocal that someone else took)… She first exfoliated and scrubbed my legs and arms. Then she closed the pod and it started to steam inside. Then came the warm-​hot water to wash off the scrub — you had to use your hands to rub it off inside the pod. It was definitely a cool experience and the future of all showers haha… Imagine never having to leave your bed again for anything! Even to shower, woot!
The second part of the service was on the massage table where Fang massaged my legs, arms, a tiny bit of my back, my neck/​shoulder, and scalp. It was so soothing and relaxing… fell asleep a few times. Fang was terrific and I definitely felt relaxed and super soft after the whole experience! Loved it!
To take the experience from 4 stars to 5 stars, I would recommend that they:
— Use a better scented scrub… this one didn’t have much of a smell, but a slight subtle smell of dog food.
— The massage oil could also have been scented with something like lavender or whatever. Fang was great though and I didn’t leave feeling oily at all, which is a first for me when I get massages.
— I wish they did a full-​body massage and not just arms, legs and scalp. I would’ve loved a back massage and more neck/​shoulder.
I would definitely recommend this service for anyone who wants to try something a little bit different and willing to shill out the $$$. But the facilities need huge improvement…
OVERVIEW OF FACILITIES
I’ve been to a handful of high-​end spas now, and the facilities definitely lack for this one.
— Everything is so small… change room only has one shower and one toilet
— Steam room initially smelled like Eucalyptus, but when I turned on the steam, there was no actual Eucalyptus steam… Boo. It’s a tiny room like a shower with a small tiled area to sit (fits two people sitting). I wish it was larger or had space to actually lie down.
— The sauna and swimming pool are actually at Club Markham (the gym facilities of the hotel) that is shared with the rest of the hotel. So there are a lot of kids swimming in the pool, FYI. It’s about a one-​minute walk from the Spa, but i would’ve preferred if they had a sauna inside the Spa so I didn’t have to awkwardly walk out with my robe and slippers for all hotel guests to see.
— The waiting area was nice… stocked with Tazo tea bags, bottled fruit juices, and old looking fruit (apples and bananas)… They also have iced lemon water, but when I arrived it was empty and never refilled, so I was dehydrated for quite awhile.

This is seriously THE WORST experience I have ever had at a spa…
I bought the travelzoo deal, which includes a facial, a massage and a smoothie.
Upon my arrival, I was greeted by one of the receptionist. I was notified that I will need to take out the smoothie as they will be closing once my massage is done. I wish I was notified that when I made the appointment so I can come in earlier to use the facilities.
I was brought to the women lockers room and there was literally 15 people in a tiny room. The receptionist look through every single locker and realize they were all empty. So she ran out to get me new towels and bath robes. The impression I got is that they are not ready for my arrival at all.
Moving onto the massage and facial– it was decent but the lady barely speaks English. After I finished the treatments, she tried to sell me their facial products. I didn’t even know what was applied to my face at that point –_​– zero interest in buying their products.
Overall, nothing comparable to any 5* hotels spa that I have been to. I felt even more stressed out after my treatment lol.
Don’t go!!!

This is my 3 visited! 2 times with my father and once with my girlfriend.
Staff very friendly and nice. If you know of a staff member book early so you will get them. Today they missed up. I told them and let’s see what they will do for me.
I have had Fang and she is great very welcome and nice and organized. I always ask for her back.
With any spa treatment you get to go to the gym either before or after for free. it’s a great deal.
The nail colour is not as big but it’s ok.
The website is a bit hard to get around so I just call. I do like the email reminder and call reminder.
Update; June 23 2015 they called and ask for my father to come in and have their top foot person look at his feet appointment is booked for Sunday of this week. They also blocked the lady who did his feet from me or anyone I bring in. The front desk also apologized (way too many times 1 was fine). Let’s see what they would do or say on Sunday. Let me say that person I would stay away from.

Really nice, clean spa within Hilton hotel.
Came for a RMT massage, it was a good experience. I would go back but I might try the other spas in this neighbourhood first just to understand why Hilton’s spa cost more.
You can show up earlier to use their pool (inside the gym), steam room, hot tub (which they mentioned is out of service) or just hangout in the nice waiting room (they offer bottled juices, fruit, lemon/​orange infused water, magazines). I wish they told me before I arrived… it was my first visit… but at least i know now.

Came here on spa week and it was a steal. $ 50 for a 1 hour massage & facial. Unlike the other spa place I went to (on a groupon), this one was by far, WAY better.
My massage was absolutely excellent. I actually felt so relaxed afterwards — Grace was my masseuse. My facial was also very very good. There were different lotions and exfoliating creams put on me and my face actually felt fresh afterwards.
The only thing I didn’t really like about the place was that they pushed products on you afterwards. And it bothers me because I know they get a commission out of the products you buy. I sincerely hope that these people at the spa get paid fairly regardless of how many lotions they sell because I get so put off by these types of things.
Overall, it was an excellent experience. I would definitely go back.

This review only really applies to the actual purchase of a spa package for a birthday gift. I have no clue, yet, about the quality of the service. The Spa at Hilton Suites used to go under Holtz. They have recently severed that association. So recent, as you can see in the photos, they are (as of June 2011) still showing some Holtz signage.
There are some things men are very, very, very uncomfortable about buying for women:
1) things that go on, in, or about a lady’s hoo hoo or dirty pillows (
)
2) flowers
3) jewelry
4) purses
5) shoes
6) cosmetics and health beauty products/​services
7) And nearly anything else that can’t be found in a Canadian Tire or Best Buy
A day spa package falls under 6. There’s a whole range of new terminology («exfoliation»), unscientific sounding services («aroma therapy massage»), the giggle worthy («facial»), and things that are as hard to pronounce as they are to understand why a woman would look forward to sitting through such a procedure («pedicure»).
I did a week of research. Holtz Spa kept coming up as the #1 choice for a Markham day spa by the well coiffed and aroma energy ji-​gong flexologically relaxed Ladies of Unilocal.Thank you Jennifer K. The Holtz web site kept coming up with a blank page for the Markham branch. An email to them resulted in a rather brusque reply they were no longer associated with the Markham branch and no information about how to find the new spa (well, fuckin’ remove the link on your site). In desperation I picked up the phone (it’s very difficult for a software nerd to pick up an actual phone and talk to an actual human, who might be an actual woman). A call to the hotel informed me they were now «The Spa at the Hilton Suites». Okay. Whatever. «A man, such as he is, got me a day at a Hilton spa for my birthday» still sounds a pretty brag worthy thing a woman can say to her other women friends. I think. I dunno.
Okay so I did more research on what women like about spas and decided on the Supreme Day at the Spa. For a shy over $ 400 with tax and a «spa luncheon» it seemed to be a pretty good deal based on my research.
I strode confidently into the spa today to purchase the package. Now I sort of forgot the package’s actual name because most of the package names seem to be written by people who, off season, write new condo project tag lines («Charlie Condos: The condos that embrace you.» «Casa on the Bay: Your life. Your style.» «Symphony Heights: Sound Living») You know people who seem good at stringing together emotive words that say nearly nothing.
«I’m here to buy a spa package for a birthday present.»
«Which package.»
«Do you have a list?»
«It’s on the web site.»
«You don’t have a, you know, brochure?»
«The brochure only lists individual services. The web site has the packages.»
*tick tock*
«This book here has some packages.»
She shows me the book. None seem to match what I remember from the web site. The prices are all different. None mention a lunch. I think I’d sit through a pedicure, whatever that involves, for a lunch. I want that lunch. I assume others want, with certain error bars, what I want.
«Do any of these have lunch?»
«Most do.»
«Which ones don’t?»
*blank stare*
None of them seem to offer a facial either. I think I would ask but I can’t bring myself to say «facial» to a woman I’m not in a committed relationship with.
The old terrors start to come back. Will this woman transform into Cthulhu before my eyes? These are real fears for a man.
I sieze on a brilliant idea.
«Do you have access to the web site? Can you print the package list?»
She pops back into another room. She comes back with the printed list. Wow. Why am I the only one to think of that? «Say, lets PRINT our package list.» «Where did you get that brilliant idea?» «Some fuckin’ nerd.»
Okay, back in my comfort zone. I see «Spa luncheon». I see «Signature Facial». I see «Signature Manicure and Pedicure». I don’t know what «signature» refers to and if you can order a non signature version and what the non signature version lacks. But then, like I say, this crap is written by those condo tag line geniuses. Who am I to argue?
I debate asking if I could inspect the facilities but decide against it. She might say no. Yog-​Sothoth might be lurking back there. She writes in the bare minimum on the gift certificate and has me fill in the other details in my crap computer nerd scrawl. I was kind of hoping they’d pack it up in a cute, tight little package like the Gucci store. But it just goes in a small bag with some blue crêpe paper. I guess it looks nice. But, I dunno, when I’m dropping $ 400 at the Gucci store I get fluffed nicely and a great little gift wrapping job (
). Meh. No one even offered me an espresso.
I dunno. I hope the spa day works out better than the kind of McDonald’s level, uninformed service I got. Stay tuned.