The Garden Spa

One of the best massages I’ve ever had!!! Dora really helped get my knots out, but is so skilled and talented I didn’t even realize how deep she’d massaged my tender spots, until they were a little sore the next day (definitely a good soreness). I’ve had a lot of massages and I can’t remember a time when I have felt better afterwards. I’m still noticing a difference days later. I swear she even helped to improve my posture. I can’t wait to go back!

After a stressful and physically taxing few weeks I needed to treat myself to a hour or so of «me» time. I hunted for a spa or massage therapist near my stylists office (as I had an appointment later in the evening) and the adorable little house RIGHT next door to where I get my hair cut turned out to be a haven. Dora, the massage therapist, is a unique and lovely soul — she hails from Hawaii and brings all the Island aloha friendliness along with her.
I waited near the bubbling fountains outside the little cabin where she houses her business. It was a delightful start to wait surrounded by nature. Leave it to Dora to have a garden island in the middle of Encinitas!
I schedule the «sweet treat» package which was an hour massage with a facial. The massage was one of the best I’ve ever had. Many people are not aware, but I’ve had extensive surgeries due to an accident years ago and have over two lbs. of metal in my body. After working hard on event set ups and tear downs and being on my feet a ton lately, a massage, some heat therapy and a caring therapist is soooo needed to set me right. This was a perfect 90 minutes!
Dora works deep tissue and listens to your body, but she’ll walk on you too if that’s okay — truly! I’ve never had a Thai sort of styled massage before and while it was 90% deep tissue and relaxation massage, Dora using all her limbs felt amazing too!
The facial was lovely — and I just have to say the atmosphere was really clean, warm and nurturing. Dora has the perfect amount of positive spirituality and genuine care to really connect with her clients. She made me feel calm and more centered after a lot of recent ups and downs.
She’s quite popular (well deserved) and it pretty booked up but if you can get in to see her I highly suggest it. Just not a couple days after one of my events, because… dibs.

Dora is amazing! The massage and facial made me feel so relaxed. The place smells awesome and is beautiful!

Dora is an amazing person as well as a professional.

My bikini wax experience yesterday at The Garden Spa far surpassed my expectations. I assumed it would be a painful experience since it usually is, but Dora’s wax and technique make it much more than bearable. And Dora is really fun to talk to, which helps too! She is one of the nicest people I’ve ever met. I was unfortunately late to my appointment and she did an amazing job anyway, in a short amount of time. I will never go anywhere else and recommend her 100%.

Dora is incredible, do yourself a favor and book an apt with her, you wont regret it.

Found the Garden Spa because my regular spa cancelled. Dora is so amazing that I will never go back to old place. She will set up an appt by text and wants my business. No pain bikini wax and the tropical facial was a mini vacation!

Wow. Where do I start? I have had a good amount of massages in my day and Dora by far was the best. She was real and genuine to speak to and listened easily to what I liked and what style I preferred. The location of the Garden Spa is charming and inviting with a tropical green landscape and a cute tiki style gazebo to sit and wait in by the little river that runs through the garden. Relaxing. The actual massage room was warm, charming and smelled amazing. My husband and I had a couples massage scheduled and my husband was very happy with his as well.
Dora has serious skill and paid attention to any of my muscles she found that we’re tight. You could tell that she was personalizing my massage and not just going through the motions. Wonderful techniques and she uses a thick an natural lotion instead of oil so you don’t feel gross when you’re done. Told my husband I know what I want for my birthday, Christmas, Valentines day and any other holiday! Such a score with Dora an the Garden Spa.

My boyfriend surprised me with a couple massage and facial last night!!! Dora was amazing! I felt like a new person after she was done. She took good care of me and my boyfriend! I HIGHLY recommend this place! I already told the girls at work!!!

Bride brought to ease by Dora. View now more spectacular than ever! Men get your woman here fast!!!

My first experience was with Dora. She made me so comfortable. She made my waxing as painless as possible. I loved her personality and her technique. Her location takes you away to a hidden relaxing place. Unfortunately I went somewhere else for a 2^nd Brazilian waxing and had had thee worst experience. SO my husband and I agreed we WONT USE ANYONE ELSE BUT DORA. Even if she is 3 counties away lol. Why go to anyone else when you have someone who treats you so well. THANK YOU DORA!!!
From me and my hubby ;)

DORA IS AMAZING! The Garden Spa is truly a little gem of Encinitas. Today was the first time I have ever been waxed (ever), so needless to say I was a little nervous and hesitant. Dora was so sweet and made me feel very comfortable and relaxed. It wasn’t even that painful! She is phenomenal! I definitely will be going back, no question about it!

Best wax I’ve ever gotten! Dora is a total doll as well! Highly recomend her!

Dora at the Garden Spa brings the Aloha of Kauai to all who are lucky enough to experience her magic touch. The setting is so peaceful and tranquil with all the scents and sounds of the islands. She takes the time to assess what your Issues are and how to make sure you leave feeling sooo much better than when you came in. I can not make a trip to Southern California without scheduling a massage with Dora and did I mention eyebrows. Perfect shaping and perfect coloring every time. I love her!

Let me tell you about Dora from rubs, to facials to waxin’s. Dora is fantabulous in every way.
Dora’s place, The Garden Spa right across from the Pannikin, is a tropical fantasy getaway right off the 101. This is the kind of ambiance you need when getting a treatment. Screw all those rooms in business parks, I like the cool ocean breezes, the hibiscus blooming all around, the sound of soothing water and the tropical feel her space evokes.
Now that the mood is set, her real work begins.
Dora brings her Aloha touch from Kauai into every muscle, joint, and region of soreness. This woman can be delicate or as strong as you want. My mom got the Dora treatment and wanted strong hands-​no wimpy stuff– to work her knots and forever painful past injuries away. Dora far exceeded her expectations.
Dora will send you into a state of bliss and work out toxins, kinks, and pains like no other.
Now onto her waxings. Okay, this is the real thing. Dora is a native Brazilian giving authentic Brazilian waxings. She uses her own unique recipe of all natural beeswax that quickly removes all unwanted hair with less pain and no mess. I was totally freaked out to get my first Brazilian Wax on the punani, but Dora made it all okay and me a fan. The husband loves Dora even more now and sets me reminders to go check in with our FAVORITE masseuse and waxer regularly.
Her facials are to die for too. I could go on and on, but you really have to just give her a call and she will get you in and fix you up. You can’t help but love Dora. It was fate that we met her and can recommend her to others.

Dora provides the very best atmosphere for total relaxation. I went to her quite often during marathon training. She spent the extra time needed to ensure I was provided the treatment necessary to relax and soothe my sore muscles. She has provided the best massage I have ever received! I recently moved out of CA and am so disappointed that I won’t have the luxury of her magic touch to help me through my marathon training! You won’t be disappointed!!!

I’ve had many many massages and no one compares with Dora. She is absolutely amazing. She takes the time before she gets started to find out what you like and make you feel comfortable and relaxed (I like it when they really get in there). The first time I went to her Dora performed a combination of like 5 different techniques on me and it blew my mind. Deep tissue, thai, lomi lomi, swedish, reflexology, and some kind of crazy assisted yoga. She crawled all over me and bent and stretched and folded me, it was awesome. Her place is super relaxing and chill. It really makes me feel like I’m back on Kauai. Her pricing is really good for what you get too and she runs specials (the last one included a 60 minute massage, foot scrub, and reflexology treatment for well under $ 100, that’s a smokin deal). She’s also super good at all of the other spa treatments… ahem… according to my um wife… but I wouldn’t know because I’m way too manly for that. ;)