The Spa at Turf Valley

First– @ BC. — I can understand the frustration of the cancelled facial, but life happens. With regards to the wrap that you chose — why are you mad about not having a Vichy shower when it specifically says «Vichy Shower not included». And if you think that by going to the overpriced Hershey Spa makes you a snob, then you really don’t know a good spa. Sigh.
Anyway, sorry. Felt the need to defend my favorite spa FOR WET SERVICES. The Spa itself is wonderful — very relaxing. The changing in the locker room with hotel pool guests? Not my fav. But their WET SERVICES/​SCRUBS. Oh. My. God. Starts with warm salt or sugar, followed by slightly warm oil and all the nasty stuff is «scrubbed» off, and then the FIREHOSE… which it what it looks like and you are rinsed with the most amazing water pressure EVER followed by a TRUE VICHY SHOWER…5 individual shower heads hanging from the ceiling (as opposed to a pipe coming out of the wall or attached to the «bed» like at Hershey and Lansdowne)…naked in a rainshower just can’t be beat. Then warm lotion and voila’ best hour of your day/​week/​month/​LIFE. And I’ve been to spas ranging from the little local places, to Elizabeth Arden’s Red Door in Chevy Chase, Lansdowne in Virginia, Ritz Carlton in Atlanta, in the Charles De Gaulle in Paris, the resort in Rhodes, Greece, and I can tell you that for $ 100 at Ellicott City it is BY FAR the best Scrub/​Wet service EVER. And if Robert is available GRAB HIM.
In all honesty, their massages and facials are average. But if you want to relax in a softly lit environment in a cushy robe, have a great lunch or chill at either of their pools, it’s worth it.

On Thursday, I visited the Spa at Turf Valley for the first time and I had by far the worst body wrap I have every experienced. So full disclosure, I am a bit of a spa snob. I do not mind paying extra for an above average spa experience. I had read about the Spa at Turf Valley in a Washingtonian magazine I received in the mail. I typically travel to Hershey, PA a couple of times a year for the spa, so I thought this might be a nice local alternative. I am off work this week, so I took the opportunity for a mid day spa retreat. I reserved a radiant body wrap, massage, and facial. When I arrived on the grounds, I was very impressed to find such a peaceful location in the middle of Ellicott City. The grounds were peaceful, beautifully maintained, and an overall wonderful location for a spa. That’s where the good time began and ended. Unfortunately, the esthetician for my facial got into a car accident that morning so the Spa canceled my facial. That left me with having a massage and the worst body wrap ever! I had the radiant body wrap which consisted of a woman slathering olive oil all over my body, loosely covering me with blankets, the blankets did not even cover my shoulders which could hardly classify it as a wrap. Then for the 20 minutes during which you are supposed to be relaxed, she stayed in the room with me for some reason and just sat there in a squeaky chair that made noise every time she shifted her weight.. . who does that??? Then she removed the oil from my entire body with a series of damp heated towels from the microwave, no vichy shower, no regular shower, she just wiped the oil off with damp towels. After she wiped the back of my body down, she put some type of really greasy, unpleasant lotion on my body. Then she began some type of chopping motion on my back with the vigor of a sumo wrestler. It was painful and very unpleasant. She turns me over, does the wipe down thing with the towels again, and slathers more greasy lotion on. I should note that not once did any of the oil or the lotion touch my stomach. I guess they have not heard of the diapering method to cover body parts to enable the middle of your body to be reached. This wrap was an entire waste of time and money and was not at all relaxing — it was a farce of what a body wrap is supposed to be performed in a lazy unenthusiastic manner. I highly recommend skipping this poor excuse for a «body wrap.“‘ The massage that followed was very good, but the body wrap ruined the experience so much for me, that I was not able to fully enjoy the massage and ended up leaving without eating the lunch that I had paid for. All in all, a very, very unpleasant «spa day.»

Booked a couples massage for my boyfriend and I. It was the first massage either of us had ever had and we were not disappointed! Our therapists worked for the full 75 minutes. My masseuse was Jennifer and I believe the name of my boyfriend’s was Theresa (could be wrong). There were refreshments in the waiting room then our masseuses came and got us. Throughout the massage, they asked how we were doing which was nice. Very relaxing experience and I would definitely do it again!

I hesitate to use the phrase «intensely relaxing» because of its oxymoronic nature, but it really describes how I felt about my spa experience. I had a massage and a facial (I didn’t say anything in specific, so I assume I got «the regular» for both). The massage was great (Leslie did mine)! I’ve had massages before, and this was definitely in the top 3. I didn’t make any requests during the massage, but I’m sure if I had they would have been accommodated. I don’t like to chat during these sorts of things, and my massage therapist intuitively understood that, which I appreciated.
I also had a facial (by Amy), which was fantastic. However, it was my first facial, so I’m no authority. In addition to rubbing lots of soothing things on my face, my hands and feet were placed in mittens/​socks with warm oil. Amy gave me a shoulder, leg, and arm massage as part of my facial. I didn’t know it was humanly possible to be so relaxed. Amy even knew when my nose was itchy, and I was powerless to scratch it due to the aforementioned hands-​in-​warm-​oil-​mittens situation, without my saying anything and scratched it for me.
Overall, I’ll definitely be returning! It’s on the pricier side ($ 100 for each service), but it was worth it for a treat.

I had a way wonderful experience at the Spa Turf Valley! I selected the Marvelous Mini Day package and got a facial and massage. Upon arrival I was promptly greeted and shown around the locker room and serenity room. I had afternoon services so lunch (included in the package) was served first. I selected the crab cake and fruit from the spa menu. Everything was delicious. After a bit of time, my esthetician came to get me. Her name was Sun and very pleasant. The treatment room was clean and the table was adjusted to my liking. Sun did an amazing job and I believe I had the best facial of my life. Afterward she didn’t push product on me like some other spas will do. She did prepare a face sheet that showed my current face condition and the products she used/​recommended. She brought me the face sheet in the serenity room. Then my masseuse, Sherry, came to get me. Again I was treated very well and shown into the treatment room. I was getting a prenatal massage which Sherry was well prepared for. Needless to say at some point into the massage, I fell asleep on the table. I would say it would have been a bonus if they had a maternity table there with the hole for the stomach so I could have laid face down, but getting massaged laying on both sides was still lovely. I will definitely return and bring friends!

I have been to this spa a handful of times and each time I leave a little disappointed. Each time the massage therapist continues to speak non-​stop even when I tell them that I am there for stress relief and relaxation. I barely answer them back yet, they still continue to talk-​talk-​talk. I never leave relaxed. I kept coming back because I was trying to use up a generous gift certificate that was given to me.

Pros: I am giving this place 5 stars based only on the swedish massage I received. I feel bad I can’t remember my massage therapist’s name but she goes by T.T. and she is the best massage therapist I have ever had, she took her time, was respectful, and it was the first time I actually felt myself going in and out of sleep-​and I am one of those people who can really only fall asleep in the comfort of my own bed! After the massage I felt like I was walking on a cloud! I had to go get my eyebrows done after on my way home and I probably should have just went straight home because I felt sooo sleepy. When I did get home I tried to drink as much water as I could (which you always should after a massage), but I just had to take a nap and let me tell you. that nap, which started at 5pm, turned into me sleeping until about 11pm waking up for a little then going right back to sleep and sleeping until the morning-​slept literally like a baby! I will definitely be going back.
Cons: If I were to rate this spa and the front staff then I would give it 2 stars. When I arrived I was greeted, asked if I wanted to change into a robe, given a form to fill out and shown the ‘waiting area.’ Now I know it is unfair for me to rate this spa up against spas I’ve been to such as at The Ritz Carlton, etc, but I was not even offered WATER! Heck, if they asked I probably would have ordered a glass of wine, increasing their sales, but nope. Also the ‘waiting area’ is small and does not have a lot of comfortable seating, it was quite crowded and I ended up sitting on a hard chair. There also were dishes left all around a table which were not cleaned up for about 10 minutes and yes maybe they were short-​staffed or something on the people that clean it up, but maybe one of the two front desk ladies could have quickly gotten up and pitched in to help keep the spa waiting area presentable.
All in all I would not recommend this as a spa to go if you’re planning a girls day or plan on spending extra time relaxing in between services, but I would DEFINITELY recommend 100% going to receive a massage from T.T.

I had the 75 minute combination massage. I have been to a lot of spas, this was my first time at Turf Valley. The accommodations were very nice. My massage therapists got me from the waiting area and asked if I wanted to use the rest room. I decided to try. Someone was in the nearest restroom so I went back to the locker room. I came out, and was taken to my room. I looked at the clock when we walked in and it was 1251. She asked me if I had any problems or anything needed extra attention. We talked for a couple minutes, she left the room so I got undressed and under the sheet. She knocked, and came back in. I had a wonderful massage. She finished and walked out of the room. I sat up, looked at the clock and it was 2:02. Since she left the room, I couldn’t ask, so I assumed she thought I was doing a 60 minute massage. I got changed and went to the front desk to check out. She charged me $ 140. I let her know I booked the appointment for 75 minutes but I only was massaged for 60 minutes and I thought the massage therapist thought I had an hour appointment. She got started, at the earliest, 12:55 and was finished before 2:02. The front desk girl said she needed to double check with the massage therapist. Both girls returned, the massage therapist walks up to me and said «I did you for 75 minutes, you went to the bathroom and I even went a few minutes over». I was not going to argue with her so I paid and left.
It seems minimal, the difference between 60 and 75 minute is $ 30. If Turf Valley Spa includes using the restroom as part of the paid massage time they should let you know when they ask if you would like to use the restroom before you get started.
I don’t think I will go back. Shorting me on my time is annoying but I do not like how I was approached after I brought up time. I wasn’t even asked why I felt that way, I was just told I was wrong.
I left her 20% out of habit. I wish I didn’t.

My first spa experience was wonderful! I had a body wrap and shower.

Ive been treated to services here by a very dear friend. Over the years Ive had a massage, facial and body scrub here and they have all been FABULOUS!
What I like is when you first get here, they show you the locker room where you can store your stuff and get into a nice, comfy, thick/​plush robe to wait for your service. You are then escorted into a very nice and quiet sitting area where there is a great view of the golf course. You are treated to complimentary tea, coffee or water while you wait.
The facial was great and it included a shoulder & foot massage (my weakness)! I didnt want to leave when it was over. I had my first body scrub here and it was freakin FABULOUS!!! I wasnt sure what to expect, but the lady providing the service explained it every step of the way and made me feel comfortable.
Ive also had lunch here while lounging in my robe. The menu is simple with sandwiches, salads & simple main entrees and the food is good — nothing too fancy.

For my first review of 2009, I wanted to review one of my favorite places I use to try to be an awesome husband: The Spa at Turf Valley. Though my experience with the spa has been limited to making the reservation, paying the bill and picking up a glowing, relaxed wife, I can tell you that it has consistently won me Awesome Husband points. So for you husbands and boyfriends out there who complain about how your significant other seems to talk in code, consider this your not-​as-​subtle suggestion to book a day or an overnight stay for her.
I’ve booked three overnight packages over the past few years, all of them being the Girlfriends’ Getaway: for about $ 350/​person (gratuity for spa not included), she had dinner at Alexandra’s Restaurant, a decent room, room service breakfast, a choice of two spa services (60 minute Swedish massage, 60 min facial or 60 min body treatment), and a spa cuisine lunch. All of them were surprises, which meant that I had to choose which services she was going to get. «No problem,» I thought, «I can handle choosing 2, especially since one of them is going to be the 60 minute Swedish massage.» Like most things I assume about women, I was terribly, terribly wrong.
Custom Facial, Clearing Facial, Intensive Moisture Facial? Sea Glow Body Polish, Milk and Honey Body Wrap, Moroccan Rassoul Mud Body Wrap, Olive Oil Body Glow, Radiant Wrap? Just like when my wife utters that fatal phrase, «Nope. Nothing’s wrong,» I wondered what in the world I just got myself into. Thankfully, the spa staff was very helpful and were able to talk me through Spa Treatments for Dummies and make some recommendations.
At the time I made those reservations, online payment wasn’t available, and being paranoid about giving my credit card info over the phone, I had to drive up there to make the payment. Since Turf Valley wasn’t far from home, this wasn’t much of an issue, but hopefully, they’ve made upgrades.
The rooms weren’t very impressive, though they recently completed some renovations. The wife said the dinner and breakfast were both ok. But she thoroughly enjoyed the spa treatments. She felt pampered and the treatments were excellent. Being a spa n00b, I don’t know how pricey this place is in comparison to others but most of the treatments are $ 95 each. The only place I can compare it to is Flow’s in DC, which was $ 75 for a comparable Swedish massage, but without a lot of the pomp and pageantry, but if I’m dropping that much cash, I’d say some pomp is in order, and perhaps some pageantry. You ladies out there who know about this stuff may say that $ 95 is a fair price, but I say it’s pricey b/​c a comparable Brazilian treatment for me at Fogo de Chao is $ 65 and that can last upwards of 3 hours.
Go for a day. Go overnight.
If you’re looking to romance your sweetheart, Turf Valley’ll do you right.