Elizabeth Adam Salon and Day Spa

Had a groupon for a few spa services (massage, facial). All other clients were 60+. My spa service was nothing to write home about. I think these services are tailored for an older clientele — almost no pressure applied during massage, facial massage, extractions were her just basically brushing my face with her fingers (not real extractions at all), and very lightly rubbing my face with these super cold spoons (?) Not sure my skin is any better for it and it took a really long time. Wouldn’t recommend, unless a very very very noninvasive spa treatment is your thing.

One of the receptionists is an older woman and is extremely rude and unprofessional. Got my hair service from Barbara and she did a pretty good job but not exceptional.

I just left the salon with highlights done by Batisha. I highly recommend her. I was so scared at first because highlights can be tricky, especially on long coarse thick hair. Very pleased by her services. I will be going to her from here on.

Much older crowd here. A lot of short hair cuts, dye jobs and perms if you catch my drift. Given that, I was a little nervous when I stepped into the salon thinking I would surely leave looking like one of the Golden Girls.
Hector was my stylist. I went from a medium length, drabby, hanging hairstyle to a super cute messy bob. Hector did a fantastic job. He was very detail oriented and it was apparent that he really cared about my cut. I would come back just for him.

So I’m a massage junkie and need to be because I am a dancer and put my body through a lot on a daily basis! I tried Elizabeth Adam Spa a few years ago using a Groupon and liked my experience but wanted to also try out some of the other hotel spas in the city as well. After many bad massages, awkward spa setups and high prices, I found myself coming back to Elizabeth Adam for my massages. The prices for any type of massage are very good and reasonable compared to other hotel spas in the city (especially for 90 minute deep tissue!). The relaxation room is cozy with a great view of the north neighborhood of Streeterville. The treatment rooms are also relaxing with plenty of candles and a good soothing atmosphere. I have had massages from just about everyone there (when I used the Groupon a few years back) and most recently had a massage from Elizabeth Adam herself. She was fantastic! I have been through enough massages and know by body well enough to understand how my muscles work and what works to relieve tension and what doesn’t. Elizabeth took time to focus on different areas that were tight and even showed me some things I can do at home to stretch and help loosen up. I left feeling so relaxed and all my tension was gone! I will certainly be going back to Elizabeth Adam more regularly for massages!

I recently went & had a GREAT experience with Girtha for a manicure. Girtha is very attentive, personable and good at what she does. I have never had a professional share with me how to best take care of my nails at home. She took her time & just pampered me the whole-​no rush job here.
I am telling all my friends about her great service. My nails look great!

Best pedicure in Chicago! I went to Elizabeth Adam as a surprise from my fiancé and got a pedicure and a massage. The massage was just ok, but the pedicure was AMAZING. The technician, Girtha (although I’m sure I’m spelling that wrong), made my feet softer than I ever recall them being! She made a point to focus special attention on my heels (my trouble area) and she made them softer and smoother than they’ve been after any treatment.
I get pedicures regularly and often my heels are still a little cracked or hard after the service. Girtha did a phenomenal job and even suggested that I feel my feet to make sure that I was happy with the service before she finished.
Amazing service, talented technician, VERY happy customer!

How do they stay in business when the customer service is so disappointing? I had a bad experience with making the appointment, attempting to reschedule it, and actually having my haircut. The cut and style was fine, which is why they get two stars and not just one. Severely disappointing. Feels like a club where outsiders of their mirror-​covered 80’s-inspired clique are not welcome. :(
And she asked me personal questions about my love life… uncalled for!

I was there for a haircut thru groupon. The cut came out with one side longer than the other. (not uncommon.) When I returned to get it straightened out, the owner/​manager TOLD ME THAT I HAD TO WAIT FOR 2 HOURS FOR THE SAME hairdresser to start work. When I began to open my mouth and tell her that this was unacceptable she asked me to leave because I «was not speaking like a lady.» I was not cursing. She never offered to refund my money.
If you want to look stupid and be treated like a dog visit Elizabeth Adam Salon and day spa.
My guess is that they will be out of business soon. (Read other reviews)

This place has an incredible location (although a little difficult to find… I had to ask a customer service person in the main lobby for directions) and such potential but you can definitely see the wear and decline. I visited after purchasing a groupon for a cut and dry. I arrived a few minutes before my appointment and was greeted by a friendly receptionist. She showed me to the salon and provided a glass of water. However, I was seated in dryer chairs which I found to be a bit awkward.
The place was a bit dated and EMPTY with just my stylist working on the client ahead of me nearby. He had me come sit in a chair behind his station (all of the stations were empty) and asked what I was needing. Then he sent me over to be shampooed and, I believe to keep me occupied, provided a deep conditioning. I’ve never had the shampooing experience that I did there and that was almost the best part after I was able to relax a bit to enjoy it. It was a deep scrub/​massage by another employee and then a conditioner left in for ten or so minutes while I sat in the chair looking at a wall that desperately needed a different shade of paint.
After shampooing, I was escorted back to the station behind my stylist and waited for him to finish with the client ahead of me (we’re now about 20 minutes into my appointment time). Finally I was asked to move over to his station and he began the cut. Although he did take it a bit shorter than I wanted, he gave it a good shape and showed how to do the blow dryer instead of a curling/​flat iron for shaping my cut. All together I was there for over an hour for a quick trim/​style. The salon could definitely use some brightening/​updates to attract new clients and could use an update to their process for leaving tips (cash in a tiny brown envelope?!?).
I most likely would not return to this salon for hair, particularly at the regular rate that they charge.

Bautisha did a wonderful job with my cut and blow dry. Exactly what I wanted, I will be going back!

I donate my hair to Locks of Love, so I go longer between cuts than the average woman. Having said that, when I do get a haircut, I like to treat myself to a high end, luxury experience. I’m still looking for a salon in Chicago, and have been using Groupons to try places out. Had I not gone through Groupon, I probably would have turned around and walked out of the salon before the cut even took place.
The receptionist was very rude, and looked like she’d been taking hair and make-​up tips from Tammy Faye Baker. The décor is dreadful. It looks like a beauty parlor from the 80s: harsh lighting, cheap floor to ceiling mirrors everywhere, dingy floors and seating, giant scuffs on the walls. The place is just grimy. The shampoo station smelled like urine. There was top 40 country music playing on the PA system, at club volumes. Not exactly what I expect from a spa. No one offered to take my coat (or even point out a coat rack), nor was I offered anything to drink. Although the spa touts itself as an Aveda salon, I saw no Aveda products anywhere. Most stylists were using Bed Head, or similarly lower-​end products. My stylist was half an hour late, and no explanation or apology was offered. When he did arrive, it quickly became apparent that he did not speak English well at all. I tried several times to explain to him what type of cut I was looking for, how my hair behaved, and how I liked to style it (maximize length, compliment my natural curl, parted on the side). Finally he said, «I dunno why the big deal if you still growing it out. For donation you only need 8 inches. I just gonna do what I wanna do.» I told him I was not comfortable with that, and again explained what I was looking for. He said «ok ok ok» and took me to the shampooing station, where I waited another 20 minutes for the lone shampooer. During this time two other stylists bumped me in favor of their clients. The shampooer was nice and proficient; in fact the shampoo was the only satisfactory part of my experience, and the only reason I gave 2 stars and not 1. The haircut itself, while not the worst I’ve ever had, is really bad. Not at all what I asked for. He cut it wet, which is a giant faux pas for curly hair. He cut off roughly ¹⁄₃ of my hair overall — far more than was needed — and put in a bunch of layers. After he finished cutting, he gave me a blow out and flat ironed it, even though I asked him not to. He did not put any product in my hair before he hot-​styled it, which is another giant no-​no for curly hair. As he was styling, he asked me if I had a flat iron. I told him I didn’t, and that I only used a blow dryer when it was too cold to leave the house with damp hair. I had already told him this during the initial consultation. He said, «Oh, well you should probably get one. This not gonna look right unless you straighten it.» And he was absolutely right. Unless I straighten it, my hair (which went from shoulder length to chin length) flips out and I look like a deranged Mary Tyler Moore.
Thank God my hair grows fairly fast.

They started my appointment 30 minutes late without any explanation or apology. The lady poured very hot honey (for massage) on my back, which literally made me jump out of the bed. Not going back for sure. Don’t waste your time sync money here.

This salon is my go to place, and I’m kind of tickled that when I came onto Unilocal to review it, there is a discount if you ask for Hector.
Why? Because I love Hector. I probably only go for a cut twice or three times a year. I have very straight hair, and I’m super lazy about doing anything to it. I tell him that, I tell him how short I want it, and he gives me a great cut that precipitates a fair amount of compliments (or maybe I just look like crap in between?).
In any event, I would pay full price for Hector. But I would also pay less than full price, when I can. Take the coupon. Go.
Also — I have had some facials and a massage or two here. I had a facial this week — by Lupa, who was wonderful. There was a misunderstanding about what I should have been charged, and they ended up overcharging me $ 30. It took two phone calls to remedy, but they did fix it, despite some initial reluctance (maybe).
In any event, I really like this place, and I will be back.

After my first visit to the Spa and my subsequent review I got an email from Elizabeth Adam herself. She explained that they have changed the way they check people out that use Groupons (or the like), and she gave me the low-​down on the «walking on stones» service that I experienced. Turns out, it’s based on something called grounding, where a person derives good energy by being barefoot with the earth. And I get that, few things in life are better than being barefoot on a beach. So, if you get that treatment, that’s what that’s about.
She then offered me a free facial with Ada, which was beyond generous. I went in on Tuesday and spent an hour and a half in Ada’s capable hands. I believe the service was actually the collagen facial to be more specific. I left feeling relaxed and glowing and was very happy with my experience.
And then the next day I went to Macy’s to pick some items up and THREE SEPARATE people told me how beautiful I am. Sure they were probably trying to sell me something, but that can’t be a coincidence!
Thank you for the customer service, Elizabeth Adam.

Before purchasing a Groupon for a hair cut and full highlights I did a very thorough review of the salon. As you must know by now, the reviews are not good. I thought I will go ahead and check it out, as the location is great, and the deal is pretty good, plus, I know that people don’t usually write good reviews unless they are asked.
Well, not really an amazing place. I am 24, and all the customers at the place were in their seventies. My hairdresser was a very sweet lady, but I can tell she was not a pro. The products they use for the hair coloring are not the best, and therefore the way hair looks and feels could be better. The cleanliness and atmosphere/​décor of the place is far from a luxury day spa. Not to mention that it is a headache to get all the way to the ninth floor of the Water Tower — perhaps there should be directions on the website.
Overall, Groupon price somewhat justifies the service, but I would never spend full price no service provided.
I do not recommend.

I have never written a Unilocal review before, but this time I had to. I want to save people from getting a mani/​pedi there, as well as the massage. I do have some nice things to say about Basia, who did my facial. She was amazing and I will be going back for her (maybe) it is sort of annoying to get there, walking through the Water Tower Place, etc.
First of all, the ladies at the front were fine but some of the other staff members were very unprofessional. They were arguing in front of customers, etc.

I am a spa junkie and willing to try just about anything. Even when I find a place I like, I get Fear Of Missing Out and try new places. I’m one of those people that keeps their car radio on «scan». Now that you understand my various and sundry commitment issues, you’ll understand why I jumped at the chance to use a Groupon at this interestingly-​named spa. This is NOT the red door, gentle readers. No. It. Is. Not.
Good things: easy to schedule, lovely view from relaxation room, not crowded, masseuse polite professional and wonderful. I left there far more relaxed than when I arrived. My service involved a foot soak and essentially a head and foot massage for an hour. Like pizza, even bad pizza is still pretty good. This was definitely on par with decent pizza.
Bad things: the Groupon price was $ 75 — apparently this was a $ 150 service. This was in NO WAY a $ 150 service. This was barely a $ 75 service. If I had paid $ 40 with a Groupon, I’d be super thrilled. This didn’t feel like any sort of deal. I looked later at the description on the Groupon and it didn’t quite match up; I was shorted a few steps in the treatment. Also, the changing room is teeny tiny. I guess there’s a shower but it looks like a handicapped shower on a subacute rehab floor. The layout felt a bit cramped overall. Parking was validated down to $ 13, but even that was too much.
So would I go back? Maybe. Would require a Groupon and a reason to be at Water Tower Place in addition to the spa. But as long as there are other places to try… this place isn’t high on the repeat list. Guess I’ll keep hitting the scan button on the spas!

Bought the Groupon for the 90 min. scrub, massage and wrap. Not a friendly atmosphere. When I arrived, they looked at me like I had 2 heads! I don’t think they are used to other ethnicities coming to their spa. The woman at the front desk needs to work on her people skills! Locker room and shower were a joke. Treatment was fair, although therapist was nice. Did not feel comfortable at all and could not wait to get out of there! It was a waste of my time and money! I would NEVER recommend or EVER go here again!

To get up to the salon, go through the back of Macy’s, then to the left, around the news stand. It seems a bit complicated, but It was like this place has it’s own bat-​entrance. Go up to the 9^th floor and take a left.
At reception, I was greeted right away, and shown to wear I could hang my jacket and put a smock on. After, I was shown to my stylist, all within minutes!
My stylist Drev, was amazing! The shampoo girl gave a great head message. My haircut was so fresh and new! I have had many compliments over the weekend, and am overjoyed! I was scheduled for only a half hour, but it ran much later as my stylist really listened to what I wanted and took his time. Again, his name is Drev, and he’ll keep you laughing the entire time.
I do agree with some previous reviews, that it is slightly dated, and most customers there are older, but the great customer service was well worth it. Many of the ladies there are seriously Chicago’s «old money», but I applaud their efforts in getting a younger crowd with the Groupons.