Sumbody & Sumtime Spa

I had my first Brazilian wax done here last night by Nancy. She was amazing and very patient with me and I couldn’t have asked for a better 1^st experience. She showed me how to control my breathing to make it a better experience. I will be back for sure. I also had a great experience the front desk as well. She was very professional and friendly.

I got a gift certificate for an Ultimate Facial, and this turned out to be a great gift. The facial was relaxing, and my skin glowed afterwards. They didn’t try to upsell me any products nor did they over explain what was going on. This place is very professional without being pretentious. I will definitely be back — my skin feels great!

Really enjoyed my experience here, my waxer was wonderful and was very patient with me. The inside is relaxing, they have a locker for your belongings, and my privacy didn’t feel infringed upon at all. Will definitely be coming back for future appointments.

I Dont even work here but for Jessica to complain about her therapist going home sick is unprofessional is a Joke in its self! What would be unprofessional is the person staying and getting you sick as well just so you dont complain OR give you a weak ass session because they are forcing themselves to be there anyway! Gtfoh blood as a fellow therapist i know the stress of having to chose yourself over someone else…
I guess we aren’t allowed to be human too huh JESSICA? All of our aches, Pains, and sickness won’t b counted unless we in the grave to please people like you… even then that wouldn’t b good enough!
I’m sorry if this ruffles furthers for this establishment i just dont like reviews like that!

This spa is so unprofessional! I made an appointment and they took my
Credit card down to depict the severity of missing my appointment. I get here 15 minutes early, as directed, and they tell me that the therapist went home sick.
Do not go here if you are looking for good service or spa treatments. This place is unprofessional and they don’t even have a manager to talk to you about the u professionalism.
This place is bad news and they don’t make things right when they mess up customers schedules.

I had an incredible experience getting a massage here! The place smells amazing and is filled with cool bath soaks, salts soap and tons of other stuff. They give you this huge oversized fluff robe to change in to before going into the back of the shop that is decorated SO COOL. They have delicious lemon water for you and very relaxing music. The massage therapist was so great! I was so relaxed by the end of my hour long massage, I could have just laid there and took a nap haha! Great little escape from the hustle of park street.

I went for a facial and asked for a short chair massage… I had informed the therapist I was 7 weeks pregnant, the therapist then said she was unable to give a back massage because she could press a pressure point that could cause miscarriage. Not Only Was This False Information That I Checked With My Doctor AND Other massage therapists about but was very untrue and made me question the experience of these therapists. I understand if it is policy to not come in first trimester but to give out false alarming information was a huge turn off.

I am going to write this review in increments because I am waiting for this particular episode to unfold completely. I also see that the owner, Deborah B. has reviewed this sight once last year and possibly she will take a peek at this post because it would be of great benefit to her to find out what her vendors are experiencing in trying to do business with her company. In fact, the real reason I am writing to her here is because her employees have made it impossible to contact her directly. And I will say here, that it is usually not the owner of a company who makes it fail, but its employees because if they are not working FOR you, they are working AGAINST you.
I have been purchasing product from Sumbody in Sebastapol for my company since Feb. of 2015 to the tune of $ 500 per order and to me, this is no small potatoes but then again, maybe I am making myself out to be important, but…$ 500 is a lot of money (X’s 3) to a start up company. The REASON I chose Sumbody is #1, their lotion is a nice product, it absorbs easily, is non-​greasy and has a pleasing citrus scent. #2, I wanted to support my local merchants.
I am going to stop here and wait for things to further unfold — or unravel — and I will continue this post in the next day or two.

Best facial I’ve ever had! All natural products and I look much younger and hydrated.

Just lost my business. Dumbest thing I’ve ever heard of. My massage came to $ 80.00 and they wouldn’t allow me to pay with a $ 100.00 bill. Even if I didn’t need change.
Their attitude stunk anyway. The pregnant one was on a personal phone call the whole time I was waiting to get checked in for my massage and the other girls attitude was far below good for customer service anyway.
This was always my always my last resort place, for a massage, so no loss here.
I prefer thai massage and would rather go to other places on the island and only go here because they have openings. Duh, they have openings because they obviously have crappy rules and service.
See ya, not coming back.
Rarely got the full 50 minutes anyway.

This was my first time at Sumbody & Sumtime Spa.
Masseuse was very professional, and gave a great massage.
I liked the ambience and their aroma oils.
Their décor was very interesting.
One complaint would be the noise level.
You can hear everything that is going on in the retail store (front desk employees talking really loud to the shoppers) and on the streets (e.g. sirens).
I was able to hear other clients talking with their masseuses as well. No privacy at all.
I couldn’t really concentrate on the massage due to the noise level. I felt like I was getting a massage in a street bungalow.
I don’t think I will be going back.

This was my third time here for a massage and I thought I need to write a review. Last time I brought my daughter so this time around I brought my two sister-​in-​laws (in fact my husband and I bought them a each a gift certificate for an hour massage for Christmas) and I had Jasmine and it was wonderful.
This was the second time I’ve had Jasmine as my masseuse and she just makes the experience wonderful, in fact I already booked my next appointment with her.
Their soaps leave your body so soft and the bath balms and salts are just as wonderful. They always have a great deal for the month going on, so it is very affordable and I highly recommend going to Sumbody in Alameda. It’s so worth it.

Amazing experience once you pass the front desk. The masseuses were friendly, professional, and did an awesome job untying my knots and providing a soothing experience.
You get to change into their comfy robes and slippers and then wait in the back room. It has soothing sounds of nature, dim lights and tea or water waiting for you. Once you get your masseuse you’re walked into this cool looking tent. The massage felt like my skin was butter. It was sooo good! I forgot my lady’s name. :(
However, I really did not enjoy my encounter with the front desk lady. After she rung me up, she asked me multiple times what my massage was because she was not paying attention the time before.
She asked, «How much would you like to tip on your card?» I said, «$ 14.» She said, «WHOA.» And then my sister was going to explain our reasoning (it was 15%) and then the clerk said, «No, sorry, I wasn’t talking to you. I accidentally rung up the wrong person. You’re not Clara, right?» Or some name, I forgot. She had mistaken me for someone else and charged $ 247. Anyways, it took like 10 minutes for her to sort it out and SHE KEPT ASKING how much I was tipping in front of my masseuse. It was so unprofessional and made me feel so uncomfortable.
Everything at this spa was on point except the customer service at the front desk. For a spa, that is a huge part of the experience for me so I’m taking off 2 stars. Hopefully the lady at the front desk will learn how to match the ambiance and professionalism of her colleagues at the massage tables.

Such a great price! Your choice of aromatherapy included. If you book your next one, you get a free add on. I got a 90 min prenatal massage for $ 125!

Very high quality products; super friendly staff/​owner; and everything you might need to pamper yourself or your loved ones (or friends!). My daughter loves Sumbody and so do I. Stop in; you will likely not be able to leave without some aromatic bath satls, handmade soaps and lotions. I especially like the variety of natural scents.

Holy moly this place is awesome! I mean the products alone are amazing. Once you walk in you are transported to a place of bliss simply by looking at all of the different ways they have created products for you to smell, and clean and relax with.
I was a wreck of stress and pain and I came in for the Ultimate Massage package. I was thrilled I got in with a same day appointment. I called all over Alameda and no one would take me last minute, and no one had this amazing package either. My first lucky break.
My second lucky break was I got serviced by Christine who straight up rocked my world. She didn’t service me, she pampered me. She completely soothed me, explained all of the products and services and benefits to me. She rubbed and massaged me with care. She sent me into another planet. I literally was transported to a state of bliss and relaxation I did not think I could get to. After she gave me samples and a card for a free extra service. It was so amazing, that I booked the same thing for a few days later. Thinking, whatever it costs, I will pay to have that again!
So 5×5 stars for that…
Unfortunately, I came back a few days later expecting the same thing, but I got a different girl and it was not even close.
The new girl was not soothing. She made quick movements, explained nothing, and immediately told me I was late (by literally 5 minutes). So she stressed me right out off the bat. I couldn’t find parking. I came there to be relaxed and she was not relaxing, she was going through the motions. She didn’t connect me with me, or help me connect with the products or the service at all like Christine did. I was having serious neck pain and instead of using her hands to massage me (what is the point if not that?) She poked me with her elbow for most of the time until I finally asked her to stop and use her hands. It was too late my massage was almost over at least half was. She rushed through the rest and didn’t complete half of the services that Christine did. She worked on my neck an extra 5 minutes after I had to ask her to because the elbow thing sucked. That five minutes was great. She didn’t get to the rest of my body and completed half of it before telling me it was over and she had to get with her next client. I would give her 2 – 3 stars. It was like Massage Envy with her vs. the Ritz with Christine. She had no people skills. She was doing the motions but she didn’t know how to be soft, quiet and soothing. Definitely NOT pampering.
So I landed at 4 stars. 2 – 3 for the last lady who I will not go to. And 5 stars for the place, the products and Christine.

Great atmosphere. Loved the tents, music, and lighting. Nice selection of essential oils, too. I took my husband for a couples massage so we were in the same double tent but kind of far away. I didn’t mind that. Loved that we got to specify how strong we wanted the pressure. Mine was perfect and my hubs agreed his was, too, despite him asking for 5 (really strong) and my requesting a 3. The pain in my back and neck is much better.
It was pricier than other places I called ($ 160 for 50 mins for both) but a nice experience so I didn’t mind for a rare treat.
I’ve never had a massage therapist go so far down on my breasts before so that took me by surprise! Didn’t think to specify that area as a ‘no go’ zone on the paperwork but it wasn’t too awkward. All in all, I’d go again. Not many places seem to do couples massages with such a nice ambience.
Only small nuance is that the scalp massage part left my hair pretty oily. Something to keep in mind if you’re heading out right after.

Had an absolutely lovely Ultimate Massage package last Friday. They were having a half off sale which made it even more awesome. I believe there were customers in the other tents but I never heard any of them talking. The massage area is very relaxing. The staff is helpful and pleasant. Will definitely go there again.

Massage only review, I’ve not tried enough of their spa products to comment.
Summary: amazing atmosphere, amazing massage, register/​customer service not so great.
THE GOOD: If you want to relax, go here. As I’m sure all the reviews rave about the fact that it literally feels like you enter another world when you go into the massage room. — A jungle or forest wonderland. As soon as you open the door to the massage area any tension you have will melt away.
However, they do have quite a bit of turnover with the masseuses, I’m not sure if that’s common with spas, but that may catch you a little off guard. Still somehow, they know how to pick ‘em. I’ve had let’s say nearly 15 or so massages there and all but one were great. I would definitely say visit Sumbody:-)

Not to be cliché but I WISH I could give a 0 star review. The massage/​facial area has no actual walls. It is all fabric which WOULD be fine if the staff was professional enough to respect that. One would think that the staff would keep their voices down and encourage other guests to do so. No such luck at this place. It would be waaaaaay too logical for them to be so considerate. I went there hoping for relaxation and experienced only irritation. I asked them for the name of the manager so that I could submit a formal complaint and they told me that her name is Jen. I called for at least 6 months trying to reach this «Jen» who was never there. I came to believe that there was no Jen. They just wanted to give me the run around.
I don’t care if every Spa in California and it’s neighboring states goes out of business. I will NEVER, as long as there is breath in my body, return to Sumbody in Alameda or any other Sumbody spa. Save your money and go to a real spa. This place SUCKS!!!