Athena Spa at The Ayres Hotel

I just had a three hour treatment and it was a mixed bag.
1. Massage with Mary– I put on the sheet that I like deep tissue, but I got a swedish massage. I guess I could have spoken up but I feel that it is rude. It was relaxing and she paid attention to my feet which was a bonus.
2. Sugar Scrub with Melody — The scrub was great, but when it came time to go in the steam room/​shower, I was disappointed. It was very small and there wasn’t a mat on the floor so it was very slippery. I took one of the towels and put it on the floor so I didn’t slip.
3. Facial with Melody — Pretty darn awesome. I was so relaxed, I almost fell asleep.
The spa is nice but very, very small. All of my treatments were in the same room which I thought was odd, because it was definitely the facial room, I was disappointed that they didn’t have an in house jacuzzi either because that would have given it another star. The ladies were great, but I will head back to Burke Williams where they have a jacuzzi, a huge steam room, showers and an awesome quiet room.

We loved our services. We had a massage and a facial. They were great. This spa kicks Burk William’s butt in my opinion.

Just had the best facial at Athena Spa at the Ayres Hotel w/​Melody D. She was very friendly, gentle, attentive and gave me some useful tips for future products to use to get better results with my skin.
I would highly recommend the spa and Melody to anyone who is interested in getting a facial while staying at the hotel or if you are looking for a new esthetician as was the case with me. The room was extremely clean and inviting which made it easy to relax and enjoy the facial.
Thank you, Rosanne Griffin for the referral. Thank you Mary for all of your patience with booking my appointment and thank you, Melody for the most pleasant experience with my facial (extractions and all). I will definitely be back and will bring my friends and family with me. :)

Mary and Jen gave my husband and I a wonderful couples massage. Both were caring and sensitive to our needs. I had Jen and her strong but delicate touch was perfect — she worked out the tension in my muscles with expert skill. They provided a serene and exceptionally relaxing experience. The Athena Spa is a calming, delightful experience in itself — decorated with comfort and soothing of the senses in mind. My husband commented that it was very refreshing not to have his senses assaulted with an other abundance of aroma therapy! Thank you Mary and Jen for a Happy Birthday and Anniversary!
Heather Loskutoff.

We were attending a wedding in OC and stayed at the hotel, which was rather average. Booked a hair and makeup service for the wifey who is very particular, to say the least. We never made it to the spa itself, but the hair and makeup artist came to the room. She had all her gear with her and went to work. Two and a half hours later, my wife looked like a movie star. Trying to get permission to post a photo of her is useless, but I can only say that Maryamme did an amazing job. Everyone came up to us at the wedding and complimented my wife’s beautiful appearance. $ 200 plus tip. Highly recommended!

Love coming here for a relaxing, stress free «me» day! The director Mary is amazing and always accommodating with my schedule. So easy to get in here! I get their 60 min signature massage and Mary has hands of magic! Really gets to those areas that need a little extra work and she takes her time and I never get the feeling like she’s rushing like I’ve experienced with other places. Also I can’t recall her name but I’ve had facials here as well and I can’t tell you how fresh and smooth my face feels after! All in all its a great place to come and relax! Won’t be sorry :) keep up the great work!

We had our anniversary treat spa at Athen Spa by Mary and Jen today. Awesome couples message in a clean and relaxing spa. Highly recommended next time you are around Mission Viejo. They have a great weekend spa and room package. Check Ayers Hotel and Spa.

My fiancé surprised me with a romantic weekend getaway that started off with a couples massage at Athena Spa at the Ayres Hotel. Mary and her staff treated us with excellent guest service. The ambience and her professional staff make us come back again and again. My fiancé has recommended Athena Spa to his buddies at work since it’s their employer’s preferred provider on their wellness program… and OUR preferred place for massages! We’re looking forward to another relaxing weekend together and what a better way to start it than with a couples massage at Athena Spa! We love coming back.

My husband and I have been here twice over the last year and a half or so for a 60 minute couples massage. Both times have been very good massages and the staff is very friendly. Scheduling has also been very easy, which I have greatly appreciated. We will definitely be back for massages soon!

As part of a package my friend and I booked for girls’ getaway, we got a couples massage with Mary and Jen.
The massage table can be warmed to your preference (low, medium, hi). That day, Jen worked with me. She was meticulous at locating the problem points upon my concern areas. I have been to many masseuse but this is the first time I worked with one that actually explored and identify those problem points before diving into the massage. I had a relaxing time, pressure and heat applied from the hot stones were appropriate. The music is also very peaceful. I fell asleep!!! My friend worked with the owner, Mary. She also had a similar experience. We both felt included in the decisions of our massages.
If we’re ever back in the area for a getaway, we will return.

I have been to Athena Spa three times, and have received massages from Mary, Maya, and Fumiko. Each therapist was attentive, intuitive, skilled, and tailored the experience to my needs. Fumiko and Mary (on separate occasions) helped me during my recovery of a torn hip flexor. Maya was very helpful getting me get past a minor calf injury. I’ll definitely be back.

I went to Athena Spa this past Thursday (May 29,2014) and was treated to wonderful guest service, and relaxing facial massage combo.
First I was given a full body massage by Mary and I loved how she really discussed your problem areas. I also appreciated how Mary explained the techniques she uses to alleviate pain in my discussed problem areas.
On the same day I was also given a facial by Lupe. I have to say that I have never had a better facial than the one I received from Lupe. It was Athena’s Spa basic facial, but it felt much more than that. I usually hate the extraction process, but Lupe has a gift and it was painless. She also performed a lymphatic drain at no extra charge, but what was surprisingly AMAZING was the upper body and scalp massage I received while she waited for my mask to dry. If anyone is looking for a great facial experience and massage then go to Athena Spa and ask for Mary and Lupe.
The only reason why I couldn’t give them 5 stars was due to the fact that none of their products were labeled with prices and Mary was in a session and couldn’t come out to help me with product info. Other than that, my experience was great.
Thanks ladies for spa bliss that is still carrying me through this weekend!!!

I went to the spa for the first time with a Groupon. I had no problems making an appointment, Mary the spa director, was very accommodating. My masseuse was excellent! I will definitely return! Very nice and clean environment,

My boyfriend purchased the Groupon $ 99 for a 60 minute massage and facial for me as a graduation present. It was not easy making an appointment, I emailed, called, and texted the phone number listed for an appointment, and I finally was able to book in after a week of trying.
After checking in I was told to go relax in the «lounge,» which was really a waiting room. Jen was my masseuse and she was absolutely fantastic. She listened to my problem areas and worked them out perfectly. I was VERY pleased with her service– 5 stars for Jen!
My aesthetician was a lot less pleasant. She was a sweet woman, but my facial started out with her telling me that more people need to get massages and facials are just as relaxing. From there she began to try to sell me on coming back for 4 different processes! She kept having these deep exhales that you do at the end of a long day, but I come here to relax and you are not contributing to that relaxation. I let her know that I have sensitive and oily skin. As I left I had a heavy, oily complexion and I actually began to break out in hives on my chin and behind my ears. I had my appointment on Sunday, and 2 days later I have more breakouts on my forehead than when I came in.
The topper to the cake was the woman when I checked out. I understand that 20% is «customary» but I didn’t feel happy with my facial, but I did not want to not tip her. I asked the woman if I could put the tip on my card and she began doing a breakdown of fees, well it’s 20% and the retail of the package is x and therefore you can tip $ 22 for each of them. After I let her know what I wanted to tip, she then decided to ask me how the service was. I felt like that question should have come before her breaking down the 20% tip.
I will not be back.

I bought a Groupon ($ 99 for a facial+massage) and immediately scheduled an appointment for both on the same day via text messaging. On the day of my appointment, I showed up and got a massage. The 2 people working there at the time were really nice, but to be honest the massage was pretty weak. None of my knots were taken out, but it was relaxing at least.
When I came out expecting to get a facial, I found out that the person doing it called in sick and I would have to come back another day. I’m pretty accommodating, so I was fine doing it. However, if it had been another week and my schedule more booked, I would’ve been pissed. A lot of people are meticulous about scheduling things and have very little free time, so that wasn’t good.
I came back again another day to get a facial. The lady that did it was very nice, had gentle hands, and I was relaxed. However, some mask was left on the sides of my face (like in my hair) and on my neck.
They told me before I left that they offer the same pricing as groupon on a return visit, so I might come back for a facial. but as for a massage, i’ll stick with my usual.
Another note: no hot tub/​sauna to be found here, not that kind of spa.

My husband and I got a couples massage. My husband got a Swedish and I got a prenatal. His massage was great. Mine was EXTREMELY lacking. It was feather light, and the massage therapist said she couldn’t work on my shoulders, or feet for risk of hurting the baby and she couldn’t go any deeper than a light rub. I’m sorry but, I’ve gotten prenatal massages before and done my research and that’s just ridiculous. I can’t believe I paid that kind of money for such a light massage. Next time I will ask my mom to rub my back – it was about the same experience.
But if you aren’t pregnant, it’s probably a perfectly adequate place to get a massage.

Hubby and I went to the Athena Spa today for a couples massage and I got a facial too with a Groupon deal ($ 49 massage and $ 89 massage + facial). We had a lovely experience — especially the couples massage. Only reason I give 4 and not 5 stars is because the «spa» doesn’t really have any amenities and is just treatment rooms. However, the rooms are more spacious than treatment rooms at most spas and are well appointed with attractive new and clean décor. But, no steam room, sauna or quiet room… come in and get your massage and then leave.
The couples massage room was very romantic and our massage therapists coordinated our massages (I would highly recommend Mary and hubby thoroughly enjoyed massage with Monica). Mary asked me up front if there were any areas that I’d like to have some extra attention. In the past, I’ve had other massage therapists ask, but then don’t seem to really care — but Mary listened and my shoulders and back are so, so happy she did!
The facial was okay — the results are good (my face looks fresh and clean), but it was more utilitarian than relaxing. I was surprised that the esthetician left the room for 10 minutes and told me to «relax». I can do that at home for free!
When we checked out to leave, we were told that they would honor the Groupon price if we came back again! Wow — that’s awesome! We’ll be back for the couples massage… but probably not the facial.

I received an excellent massage at Athena Spa. My masseuse was not only drop dead gorgeous, but she was funny, and gave an excellent massage.
I got a deep tissue massage, and while it wasn’t necessarily relaxing, I felt like the champion of the world about an hour and a half afterwards.
Go here whenever you can. The staff is friendly and accommodating.

My husband and I purchased 60-​minute massages at the Athena Spa from Groupon Now and came in the same day. They put us in the same room, so we were able to have a couples’ massage. It was, hands-​down, the best massage either of us has had. My focus was relaxation, and he had some trouble spots that they worked on. Every detail was perfect, from the beautiful room and ambience to the hot towels. They even offered to honor the same Groupon price for our next visit! We will definitely be back.

My sister was in town and stayed at the Ayres Hotel and she invited me for a spa day with her to have a girls retreat. I had the Luminous Sea and Vitamin C and my sister had the PevoReclaim™ Polypeptides facial. It was a relaxing experience and the staff was friendly and professional.
I can’t wait to go back and have another facial and message!