Solar Planet

Bad management. I prepaid for a spray tan package last year and apparently the package expired YESTERDAY. Yes, ONE day ago. I asked to speak to the manager (Scott, I believe) who refused to extend the package I had already paid for unless I purchased another package. His reasoning was that the nearby competitors wouldn’t do it, so he wouldn’t either. I do hope he waves hello at me when he drives past the competitors now!

I’ve been tanning at a few of the Solar Planet locations for a few years now and it’s definitely as good as it gets for the area and the staff is always super friendly. The higher pressure bed they offer gets me a good base in only a few sessions. More recently, I’ve been using the Norvell booth for spray tanning at the Old Town location. It is so natural looking. I only use level 1 or 2, but I always receive compliments on my sun-​kissed glow.
I have a spray session package now, but when I was bed tanning I had the point package, which worked really well for me because I didn’t tan that often and only tanned for half time when I did. This way I didn’t use up my points too quickly and I had a whole year to use them before I had to renew.
I also like that they haven’t pressured me into buying a ton of products, but will recommend things here and there. I loved the Botanica line when I was bed tanning… really good for sensitive skin. I’ve now been using the Norvell prolong lotion for in between my spray sessions, which I also really recommend.

So so so disappointed. I went in for a VersaSpa spray tan. I opted for the medium with clear coat. And I can honestly say it looks AWFUL. I cannot believe I wasted my money on this. From the beginning my hands and feet were patchy and streaky. Like the tan was flaking off. Three days later it is fading extremely unevenly, and it’s still coming off on all my towels after I shower! Makes me wonder if they’re using the real stuff… VersaSpa is supposed to be better than that. Two stars instead of one because the woman at the front desk was very pleasant.

Had a great experience hear with the Versa Spa (my first time using it) here. The employee clearly outlined package options, including specials for my first visit, and showed me how to use the booth. I got a package of 24 tans so I will definitely be back soon!

I love this salon! staff is always quick to answer any questions that I have. I do both bed and spray tanning (mainly spray) and they have lots of options as far as monthly prices go or set sessions. I have been tanning here for years!

Where to start, where to start. Oh boy.
I walk in and the woman at the front desk greets me, and there is another woman (who I originally thought was a black woman from behind, but then saw it was a white woman crispified), and then another guy working. So there were staff around, I guess that’s always good.
Anyway the woman at the front desk went on and on about their point system and of course there was no real list of prices for a single session of tanning in certain beds, but the packages were of course pushed on me. Ok, the point system. There is a ridiculous point system that is set up to make you spend more, set up to allow the staff to lie to you how many points you have left in order to get you to spend more etc. Crazy. She keeps going on and on about the package and point system, as someone goes on and on when they know they seem suspicious and they’re attempting to cover their tracks. My God. THEN, when talking about the spray tan, she pulls out a huge list of all the products that the salon does not recommend you use before/​after a spray tan, literally any body lotion/​body gel/​soap etc. you can think of is on this list, and on the approved list are only two products… and what do you know? These two products are so random but are sold at this salon! Wow how convenient. THEN. of course there is no way I’m buying any point package here so I buy a single session tan, and wow lucky me the beds lights have just been changed, and she recommends I only go for 5 – 7 minutes «If I can handle it», so I go for 7. Absolutely no change in color, literally nothing. But I paid almost $ 30 bucks for it. I loved the comment how «our beds aren’t bad for you at all because they filter the rays» lol, that’s not how any of this works. Oh let’s not forget that this salon does not supply any face wipes or stock the rooms with lotion, wipes, or deodorizer spray (which for that price you better be including that all), but oh that’s okay because they have hand towels in the bathroom where I can use the hand soap at the sink to clean your face and wipe down with the towels… are you for real lol (this was recommended to me from the woman). I should have walked out the door when I realized that the entire staff and clientele are much much older than most tanning salon users and are willing to spend exuberant prices to chat. I’ve never had such a wacky experience at a salon, but I learned my lesson.
PS: I forgot to mention… they charge you to buy eye protectors! CHARGE! Any little sneaky charge they can get from you they will try! Absolutely ridiculous. BUT I have found an amazing salon in Clarendon that is cheaper, you get better color, supplies you with eye protectors, deodorizing spray, hair spray, cream, tissues, face whips, hair ties, towels… please just do not go tanning in this area or expect the spoiled stay at home momchild prices to follow.

This place has great hours and great beds! They even have lotions for men and people with tattoos. The prices are not terrible at all. More then I’m used to since I come from ohio, but for the area I was pleasantly surprised!

Almost always a wait for a bed. The prices arnt too bad and the location is nice. I seem to tan. The beds seem to work decently. Some staff act a little rude.

These folks were always so nice and helpful. Went for over three years and never had to wait for a bed; and the prices were always very reasonable. Also, when I had to cancel my previously-​purchased package due to my doctor’s recommendations, they got back to me right away and gave me a refund. A very responsible, well-​run business.

Although the prices are a little steep, the location cannot be beat! The staff (Sara, Charles and Lynn) all know me by name and always greet me with a smile. They are extremely friendly and welcoming! At the beginning of my membership there was a push to sell some lotions and other tanning products however I never felt uncomfortably pressured. The salon is always clean and rarely do I ever have to wait for a bed. There are three different kinds of beds in addition to two levels of spray tanning booths. During my first visit, Lynn offered me a tour of the facility and educated me about each bed type. The staff are genuine and the beds are good quality that give me great color! The only downside is that there is no stand up tanning bed, however, Lynn assured me that their other location in Alexandria has one and my membership can be used there as well. Besides that, this place is an A+!!

This place is absolutely amazing. There are so many different beds to chose from, the staff actually knows what they’re talking about (unlike local competitors) and the place is spotless. My favorite is the versa spray booth!!!

The service here is absolutely terrible. The girls are awful and will literally force you to buy lotion that is grossly overpriced. But worse, the tanning packages run on a point system and they will lie to you about how many tanning sessions you have left to get you to buy another package. Every single time I go in they tell me I only have one tanning session left when I actually have a ton of points. It’s outrageous, I’m assuming they all work on commission because they will say anything to get you to spend more money. The beds are fine, lots of different levels, but if you don’t want to be nagged and lied to by the staff I suggest going somewhere else.

This place is fabulous! The staff is very insightful and everything is so clean.
Street parking is free after 6 & I’ve never had a problem finding a spot.
Their prices are also very reasonable for the equipment and for being in the DMV.

I have been using Unilocal for a number of years and this place is so bad that I actually registered an account to write my first review.
This place is not a tanning salon, it’s a used car lot trying to sell you tanning products. I purchased the «Cadillac» of tanning plans (7 Session VersaSpa) of which I was informed included all of the bells and whistles (Enhancers and Darkest Treatments, Blah Blah Blah) … Upon my next visit, the salesperson at the front tried to sell me those upgrades (Enhancers and Dark Treatments) as if she said they weren’t included when I initially purchased.
Since my initial purchase, I have gone in several times with a 15 minute wait for the VersaSpa… I ultimately requested to change to a tanning bed to avoid the wait to which they said refused … however I could «purchase a tanning session separately.»
There is no way in hell that I will be renewing my business here. Thank god it’s summer time… Bring on the sun!

Compared to some other tanning places in the heart of Arlington this place offers everything you need at about 40% less cost

I ended up buying a tanning package here awhile ago and wasn’t crazy about it. for one: It’s always a hassle finding parking! I have had to walk blocks and pay for a meter which was a little bit inconvenient. I guess some of there tans run on a point system which was confusing to me. One girl told me that I had 8 tans left and when I came back the next time another girl said I had three left (she was trying to get me to go in a higher level bed and use my point faster obviously). I understand that it’s their job to sell lotion and get people to buy memberships but it felt very pushy.

Solar Planet is great! The diamond bed is definately worth the price. Ive only gone twice, once for 5 min and once for 7 and I can already see a difference. And, Im not getting red at ALL. The staff was very friendly and helpful and there are a lot of packages to choose from. I just moved here and this will def be my new tanning spot.

Although my first tanning experience almost a year ago was great, I wasn’t super eager to return to the claustrophobic experience and slightly orange hue that was Mystic Tan :/​I got the clear coat and ended up a bit orange once it soaked in (but it did fade! No worries!!). So enter one year later, another wedding to attend. The staff were once again so friendly and helpful, and recommended I try their Versa Spa. What a difference! The process was much quicker and cleaner, and the automated voice gave me step-​by-​step instructions. Fantastic experience.

Love Solar Planet! I highly recommend the VersaSpa… I’m trying not to tan in the beds as much anymore to save my skin, so Versa has been my go-​to lately. It’s much better than Mystic Tan– looks more natural, lasts longer, and doesn’t have as strong of a fake tan smell.
The staff at the Ballston location are so friendly and helpful. Solar Planet is by far the best tanning chain in the DC Metro area. I have an unlimited monthly package– I can tan in any bed or spray at any level for $ 80/​month. They also have cheaper monthly packages where you can tan at lower levels, or just purchase points and pay as you go. It’s definitely not cheap, but you get what you pay for!

I’m a big tanning snob. I demand only the best when it comes to getting skin cancer, I mean a nice tan. Enter Solar Planet. I’ve been to their chains and found this location to be my favorite. I’ve only had to wait once for a bed (at the pentagon location I’ve waited upwards to 45 minutes) and despite there only being two varieties of beds to choose from, the quality is good and beds are kept clean.
I also think the solar planet branches offer fair prices. Sure $ 60 a month is a lot but the quality is here which will reduce your time wasted at say those low budget establishments that have beds from 1985 that you stay in for 20 minutes.
Overall, I think Solar Planet is a great deal on tanning. Friendly staff and again — CLEAN BEDS!