Nail Chateau

I tried this place out for a while, because it was close to where I lived at the time. It was really hit or miss. I wouldn’t say it was the cleanest, nor did my nails look that great after I left (gel acrylics). It wasn’t the worst, but I ended up driving farther back to my old nail salon for better looking nails. I would go there in a pinch for a pedicure.

I come here often for the price– a Mani-​Pedi runs $ 30, manicure runs $ 10. I’ve not had an issue with waiting and the place is clean and the manicurists are attentive. However not all the staff are up to the task of more challenging jobs, getting the right staffer is key.
If you are looking for quick and cheap work done on your nails, this place gets the jobs done.

I had to update my review. Out of 3 times of being there, they’ve now done this to me twice: I got there when they were full, there was 1 person waiting in front of me. They had me sit and let my feet soak, but then didn’t get to me for another FORTY minutes. I was so pissed. They SHOULD have just told me to come back in 30 or 35 minutes. Since my feet were wet and I needed a pedicure so badly, I stayed. But I don’t think I will let the convenience of this place bring me back unless there are several attendants free when I walk in. Oh, and they always ask if I want my eyebrows done! It makes me self conscious because they look at my brows first before asking, leaving me thinking ‘shoot, are they THAT bad???’ Yesterday I realized I had just gotten mine done a day ago. Think first before trying to blindly upsell! Leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

I give this 1.5 stars. Here’s a rundown:
Pros:
Mani cost $ 10. We were taken right away, but it was a Monday at lunch time though. And the tech did a pretty quick job.
Cons:
First and foremost, the tech cut me, didn’t apologize and DIDN’T put any anticeptic on it (I hit CVS post haste!). There was a lot of noisy chatter between the techs. Normally, I dont mind this, but when it’s so loud I can’t chat with my girflriend, you’re ruining my mani experience.
About the mani itself? It was okay; I probably could have done a similar job myself. I left with nail polish actually still around my fingers. I asked her not to trim them down as they were pretty short already, but she still trimmed them down. Like I said, she actually cut me with the cuticle trimmers and didn’t take care of it. That’s pretty scary and I def won’t be going back. Oh, and they have a credit card «minimum» of $ 10 (which is actually illegal). But being that the mani cost that much, I didn’t pay any mind to it.
All in all? Spend a dollar or two more elsewhere for a decent mani, or save your $ 10 altogether and do it yourself!

The salon is owed and run by Vietnamese folks. I understand the language perfectly (although I do not speak fluently). When I walked in and asked for a manicure they couldn’t understand me and one of the ladies joked to the others that I only «habla espanol.» (The salon is in an area with a large Latin@ population.) I was offended by the lack of cultural sensitivity.
The lady who did my nails was rude beyond belief. She did a terrible job with the manicure and had to redo it 3 times. On top of that, she got angry with me for her mistakes! She didn’t wipe the nails properly, so there was cotton everywhere that got stuck to the polish. My nails looked lumpy and gross. All the time, she was telling the other workers that my hands were ugly and commenting on all of the other customers that were there as well. When she finished my nails she didn’t even take me to the drying station but just left me there without a word. Overall very bad attitude and very bad customer service.
I am giving this 1 star because there was actually one lady who was nice and tried to be helpful. She looked at my completed nails and tried to fix the damage that was done by the first lady.
Yes, it’s cheap. $ 10 for a manicure can’t be beat! But I will never come here again. I’d rather pay a little extra and get a job done right.

I went in here expecting great things after reading two glowing reviews, however I left feeling less than satisfied. I will admit that based on pedicure alone, I would maybe give it a three (although my feet felt no softer after leaving this place), however the atmosphere and service were lacking. When I arrived they had me pick my color and made a hand gesture in the general vicinity where the nail polish holder was, and when I got over there it was completely disorganized with a not-​so-​great color selection. I had an appoinment yet was made to wait for fifteen minutes. Plus, I was not offered a magazine when I sat down, nor was I offered anything, actually. You definitely get what you pay for. The most important thing was that I didn’t get that «immaculate» feeling about the facility and instruments, I am sure it was clean enough but… I should have left but what can I say? I was desperate. I won’t be back.

Location: Inside the Calvert Apartment Complex (next to Phở King and Bombay Curry)
Price: $ 10 for manicure /​$ 23 for pedicure or $ 30 for both on Mon-​Wed
My review:
I came here to get my nails done before my vacation to sunny San Diego. I was planning to go there right after work around 7pm, but I got out later than I expected (the day before vacation). And I thought Nail Château closes at 9pm, but when I got there around 8pm, I noticed they closes at 8pm. There were still some remaining customers and they actually said they would still do my nails!!! Super!!!
Even thought I was their last customer, they didn’t rush at all. I picked this pretty dark purple as my color. One girl worked the pedicure and another girl worked the manicure. The first girl was little shy, but the 2^nd girl was very chatty. We had some nice conversation!
I was so happy that they took me in even they were about to close. They gave me pretty nails for my vacation in San Diego (and my boyfriend likes them too!)
PS — After getting my nails done, I just rolled over to Phở King next door to get some Phở (soupy Vietnamese noodle always make me feel good in this freezing cold weather.)