Estee Lauder Spa At Holt Renfrew

Something about this place still doesn’t sit right with me.
I’m a regular shopper at Holt Renfrew and had always wanted to make an appointment at their spa. My boyfriend got me a gift card for Christmas and I was pumped!
It seemed really promising. It’s definitely not «hip» and «cool» but the space is quite nice — a little 2001: A Space Odyessy-​esque, but that’s not a bad thing!
I thought the women at reception were quite wonderful. In fact, the 2 times I’ve been, THEY’RE the best part of the experience — very welcoming and down to earth. In fact, they even told me, «Oh, you don’t have to tip if you don’t want to.» I don’t know what that’s about it… but it was refreshing! (I totally tipped).
The facial itself… meh. It seemed pretty bare bones and mediocre. Honestly, I can’t really remember anything about it except for the extractions. They use a needle (or some sort of ‘fancy’ sharp dermatological tool) and it was incredibly painful!!! I’ve had a lot of facials in the past and I can withstand a lot of pain, but this was really uncomfortable! I just wasn’t able to relax after that.
The facialist was fine, I guess. I have terrible skin so she asked me some questions, but then wouldn’t elaborate on why she had asked me those things. What does eating or not eating spicy food have to do with anything?
It seemed like she was just going through the motions and she didn’t give me any tips or suggestions at all — except for, «I want you to buy this entire line of $ 400 French skincare and come and see me every two weeks.»
I bought a few of the products (they didn’t work for me) and went back to see her one more time… but it just didn’t seem right. I didn’t feel good about going there and it never felt relaxing or pampering. Again, it just seemed like they were going through the motions and weren’t being very friendly about it either — yet still expected me to come back and spend all of my money there?
I also saw no difference in my skin at all.
As others have said, there are plenty of other places around there that put a lot more time and effort into their services and have waayyyy better customer service (Pure & Simple, for starters).
Hopefully other people have better experiences than me but I wouldn’t recommend this place to anyone. I would suspect this place coasts by pretty much solely due to the Holt Renfrew name-​affiliation.

I was so disappointed with this spa. The change room was small, and barely could get dressed/​undressed without bumping into someone. When waiting outside, it felt sterile and did not seem comfortable.
I got a facial and for the price, I expected more than just a mask and cleansing. Most places give you a good face massage, shoulder etc. and don’t leave while you’re waiting for the mask.
I wouldn’t come back here, or recommend it

Ladies (and men!) — unless you are absolutely set on the «cachet» of going to Holts Spa, I would give this a miss. Certainly there are a LOT of other better spas — some in the Yorkville area too.
The services are ok, but the biggest beef I have is the scheduling. These people have no consideration for your schedule. They act like they are doing you a favor giving you an appt. PLEASE! In this economic climate — you must be joking. No one has to — and please Holts Spa — take note here — no one WILL put up with this!!!
Twice I booked with them, and both times they rescheduled me for some issue of their own. The first time I thought ok – give them a break and I had a gift certificate, so had no choice. But the second time, sorry folks — I’m done.
I mean both times I was booked weeks in advance and then 3 – 4 days before my appt they call and tell me that for some reason or another the technician is not available, and I will have to move or cancel services.
Well guess what — I cancelled and my friend who also was booked — cancelled. We found a much better experience down the street — they took us at our timing and in a much better environment too — so sorry Holts Spa — you lose!!!

I recently went to Holt Spa after one of my sisters gave me a gift certificate for my 57^th birthday. A woman needs pampering services when she is nearing her 60^th birthday! I must say that while I am not a spa type of a person I was really happy with the day I spent at the spa. Not being someone who likes to wear make-​up, gets nails done or do any of that fussy stuff I found the place to be stylish without being pompous, the services I had were the massage and the mineral body wrap and they were really great. The staff was also great without being too all-​over-​you. I would definitely recommend this place to anyone who wants some tlc!

Frankly speaking, this is definitely a place for ladies who lunch. There was a very dated, older feel to this place. Akin, maybe, to how women socialized in the sixties. This is not meant with derision, but they lack the innovation and appeal that draws your more contemporary client to some of the newer spas in the area.

The Holt’s Spa is where you take your mom on mother’s day.
It’s got a distinctive «mom» vibe.
I once booked a pedicure with my little cousin there on her grad day as something to do together, and it didn’t feel right at all. she needed something younger and hipper and with more sparkle factor.
It’s located on the second floor of Holt Renfrew at Bay and Bloor, which is, let’s face it a mall. An upscale one that that, but a mall just the same. So the day spa is kinda a pop-​in spot where you book your services on a shopping day. Great idea, and very effective. It must be great for ladies that attend a lot of functions or home warming parties at Christmas. You grab your gift, put it in for gift wrapping, right before you get a quick brow wax and polish touch up before braving the snow in your SUV to get to the Smith’s new house, in deep Rosedale or worse, Thornehill. n (wink).
In any case, it is what it is: a posh spa for ladies who don’t have time for a spa day but want the same level of service.
Pop in the next time you’re in Holt’s and grab their salon menu.
Then book your mom and her best friend in, because you’re the world’s best kid, remember?