Spa Isbell

You must try this spa, the staff is absolutely charming and the building is authentic New Orleans historical gold.
Spa Isbell came recommended by a coworker when I was stressed that my normal stylist was out for maternity leave.
The service I got from booking the appointment to walking out, I knew I would definitely be back.
Meghan is a doll, she was so friendly and informative. She took my ungodly locks and made then soft and tres chic. I also had a facial waxing service from Liz who was just as exceptional.
I went in as a frumpy, over stressed workaholic and I walked out of there feeling like a rockstar.
Thanks so much Meghan, Liz, Angela and her team of superheroes!
~ April

Ashley has waxed and tinted my eyebrows twice now.
She takes her time and it is a painless process. She is so kind and friendly as well.
The salon is very clean and has a good ambience.
The staff seem happy and friendly.

Oh my Lord, YES! After a stressful day at work I got a last minute appt to get my hair washed and styled.
I got Micah. He is amazeballs.
The décor in the salon is very New Orleansy… sort of weird and awesome. I believe they also offer a glass of prosecco with every service.
Just an all around really friendly person and a great stylist. He made me feel totally comfortable, as did everyone else in the salon. I highly, highly recommend this place. Can’t wait to go back!

I don’t know why it’s taken me so long to write a review for Spa Isbell but take it from someone who’s been going here for a couple of years now, this is the best spa by far in New Orleans with a great team and very little employee turnover.
The spa itself is aesthetically pleasing with a lot of natural light, chic décor, and personable staff. Ashley has been my Esthetician for years now and is extremely approachable, a good listener and takes her time. I go to her for practically everything from facials and waxing to getting my makeup done for special events. She steers me toward the right products for my skin and is easy to talk to. I’ve recommended her to many friends and everyone has always been extremely pleased as well.
Megan does my hair and she’s equally great. These are people who just ‘get it!’ I would recommend spa Isbell for personal services as well as private, corporate events.

Victoria gave me a fantastic massage. Like just flawless. The room is so relaxing like a tropical oasis and I can’t wait to come back as a regular. I have neck/​should issues and I could feel like tension pop out. She was caring and nice. Just good people, professional and fluid. I’ve always wanted to find a masseuse like this. Now I have. So grateful. Namaste Victoria. You’re amazing at what you do. See you soon!

I called earlier this week to book an appt and the receptionist who answer the phone had seem a bit rude. So when I arrive this morning, as I walked in, none of the stylist up front greeted or acknowledge me. They all turned to see who walked in and went about their business. The reception’s desk is actually towards the back so when I approach the desk she greeted and walked me upstairs to the waiting room. As I sat there and waited for my masseuse, no one offered water or any beverage like the other spas would. There was another worker that saw me sitting there and didn’t even say hi or smiled as she walked by me twice. Almost 10 mins went by after my appt, I then got up and was about to leave because one not only was the masseuse late but two it was too noisy in there that I didn’t feel relax to get a massage there. As I was walking downstairs a lady name Victoria came up to me and asked if I was Michele and apologize for being late. I explain to her why I was in the process of leaving and she kept apologizing and was very sincere about it. She showed me where her room was and it was away from all the noise so I gave it a try. She gave me the best massage I have ever had. Their customer service was not up too par but Victoria did an amazing job on relaxing and massaging me. She made up for being late.

After waiting 20 minutes past the time my service was supposed to start I finally got up and left. Not exactly the way you want to start off a relaxing experience. Thanks for wasting my time!

Received excellent service and what might be the most darling haircut ever from Micah. Very personable and skilled, and most importantly I felt like he was really listening to me when I told him what I was after. Came in with a gift card my boyfriend had gotten me for Valentine’s day and there was no hassle whatsoever; I was even able to tip from the balance. Space is really cute and I was digging the atmosphere. Also, $ 50 for shampoo, dynamite cut and styling? That’s killer pricing for a spa. I’ll definitely be back.

In New Orleans on vacation and looking to move there to work so I made an appointment for a mani/​pedi. Liz was awesome! Helped me select the right color for my nails since I would be going on interviews. She was very nice and made me feel right at home! I asked her questions about the area and she was very patient in answering all of them. LOL
I can’t wait to move to NOLA so I can visit Spa Isbell again. Ashley did my brow wax and she was very nice as well. If you are looking for a friendly and extraordinary experience, you need to visit Spa Isbell!

Despite the fact that my masseuse, Christina, was great I will not be visiting this place again. The massage rooms are located directly above the hair salon and the walls are paper thin so I paid 90 dollars to get a relaxing massage and literally it was like there were people screaming in the room with me-​I would recommend massage envy-​2/​3 the price and at least it’s quiet. An added disappointment was that when I went to pay using a gift certificate from Spa Isabel that I had won at an auction I was told that I couldn’t use it and that I had to use it for a hair service by some specific stylist. It didn’t say that anywhere on the gift certificate or the materials I had been given at the auction, so I’m not sure how I was supposed to know that or even if it’s true or they were just trying to rip me off, but the manager could not have been ruder.

Just updating again. I’ve now been seeing Victoria for about 2 – 3 years, and she is nothing short of amazing. She is one of the kindest people I know and she has become a friend to me. I seriously value my time with her because she absolutely amazing and I’ve never had a single complaint. I can’t say that about any other massage I’ve had. Go to Victoria, you will not regret it. I pinky promise.

I booked Spa Isbell for myself, bridesmaids and mothers before my wedding. I made the booking for mani/​pedis, 4 months in advance, because this was a destination wedding and I wanted to make sure everything was in place. We were treated well when we arrived and set up in a lovely upstairs room to wait with mimosas. The space upstairs is really beautiful and makes you feel at home. From the beginning of working with the 3 manicurists, everything seemed to go downhill. When booking, I gave the names of everyone involved. But as life happens, one of my bridesmaids cancelled last minute and I had to fill her spot with someone else. This really threw the ladies off with the order in which they saw us. And because it was late in the afternoon, I felt the entire operation was in a rush to get us out. I felt like I was part of a factory and not in a relaxing spa atmosphere. And let me say that there were only 6 of us. There was not a need for rushing us. Because of the mixup with the names, one of the bridesmaids got left out of the rotation. The women blamed us for giving different names, and also got mad at my mother for taking a smoke break in between her hands and feet. Luckily my manicure and pedicure were adequate, but the others in my group didn’t like the finished product. But overall, I just felt like we were not treated well. It was a very tense vibe for most of our time at the spa. It’s a spa, it’s supposed to be relaxing and enjoyable! It’s really a shame because I wanted to enjoy this place. I wouldn’t go back, but perhaps it’s a better experience if you go alone and not in a group.

Four sisters from out of town looked for a place to treat ourselves. We called one highly-​touted spa and were disappointed with the customer service. So we called Spa Isbell and couldn’t have been happier. Emily greeted us and was flexible as we each decided what service we wanted. I had a terrific massage from Christina, and a shampoo/​blow out with Micah (including a great head massage during the shampoo). Staff was very friendly throughout the experience.

I suffered with chronic migraines for a decade until I met Victoria at Spa Isbell. She is a life changer. The most amazing masseuse ever.

I went for a 60 minute swedish massage and Christina was awesome! The ambiance was very tranquil and the staff was very welcoming and friendly. I would definitely recommend this spa and I will be back the next time I’m in the Big Easy. :-)

Went for waxing, brow and body parts, as well as a brow shaping, tint.
Ashley was the esthetician, wonderful service, great personality, took care of me when I had some discomfort, very easy to talk to about what was needed. Will return for that service.
Then, I saw that they do nails. I don’t like all the geegaws of nails nowadays and I really dislike the fast nail, do not speak English, do not understand when I say I want a rounded nail and no clipping kind of place, but my nails needed a basic manicure, the kind we used to get but takes longer than the in and out, could care less about you variety. I like my manicure and pedicure to be the oasis of time that really relaxes
.
So Judy did my nails, perfectly. exactly as I wanted them done. AND she is a hoot to boot. So many stories and I was doubled over with laughter. So relaxed.
The place is great. They do it all here and I will be back.
Pricing, the waxing was more than I pay at UniKWax or European Wax Centers, but still as expected.
The manicure was $ 25 — for the basic. I’m willing to pay that for the communication alone. The in and out places are less expensive, but not by much and I always feel dissatisfied when I leave.

Went in for a simple lip waxing, the service was so rushed, no gloves were used, no light, no mirror, she left immediately after not even giving me time to show her she had not removed all hair. It was terrible. Never going back.

Spa Isbell was able to fit me in for a facial on very short notice, which I really appreciated– it was the week of my wedding and I had some blemishes that needed to go, stat!
Ashley did a fantastic facial, and really listened when I described my various skin problems. I left feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.
I took off some stars due to the price– I’ve had facials before, and I felt that this salon was slightly overpriced. I’m a grad student on a pretty strict budget, though, so take that one with a grain of salt. I wasn’t shocked by the prices, as I looked them up online before, but it was still jarring to spend $ 100 on one service.
Though I thought the layout of the salon was cool (another Unilocaler commented on the fact that it’s a restored old house with multiple stories), I would feel really bad for someone who wasn’t very stable on their feet. The rooms for facials are pretty much in the attic space, at the very top of some narrow, creaky stairs. Again, it’s a cool ambience, but beware if you’re not very sure on your feet (or, like me, more than a little clumsy).
Also, the massages take place on the second floor, which has an outdoor hallway/​balcony that leads to each room. They have a nice awning/​shade which protects from the sun and provides some privacy. The only issue? Even a slight gust of wind knocks the shade around and bangs on the railings of the balcony. I can’t imagine how loud it must be in those rooms– not good when you’re trying to get a relaxing massage!
The services and people at Spa Isbell are great, just beware of the prices and the layout.

Here’s your warning: I’m drinking and Unilocaling.
Let’s start with the phone experience: It’s a little hurried and a little loud, but that means the salon/​spa is just hopping. The phone elves are really nice and sweet, though. I got my question about my service answered when I called for an appointment before the official business opening, too. Rad.
And the building itself: It’s adorable. Spa Isbell is in a house that’s been restored, reformed, and re-​done. Neat! This involves some creative reapportionment of space with lots (AND LOTS) of stairs, which makes things interesting after certain services. Ahem. The salon is on the first floor, with the spa services on the second and third. I think the massage rooms are along a balcony with the facial and skin treatments in a main room. The waxing studio is on the third floor in a very tiny room. Some of the stairs are exposed to the weather, too. Interesting.
The staff? Well, they’re darn cute. No one is super-​young and strapping. Most of the staff are in their late 20s or above. I note this because salons and spas and stuff with staff that’s below the drinking age usually make me feel really old and dumb and crummy. I prefer a calmer, more polished staff that’s comfortable in their jobs instead of people who are jittery on Red Bull and last night’s vodka. The staff at Spa Isbell was hip but comfortably so, appropriately chill. I didn’t feel too square. (I’m a total square sometimes.) My particular staffer was Amanda, and she was lovely. She was unflappable when I asked her questions about what was going on, and she told me as much as I needed to know. OH! Right! And not once did I hear a comment on the state of my… uhhh…pudding cup. It was reassuring to not have her make faces or even offer compliments.
I don’t really know how to review my particular service without having my review removed. You can imagine the awesome things I had done while I tell you that it was better than I expected, although a friend was amazed that I spent the afternoon walking around.
The services at Spa Isbell aren’t cheap, but they are on-​par with similar salons and spas in the area. I thought it was worth my time, especially because my service took nearly an hour when it was supposed to be about 30 minutes. (Don’t get me wrong; this isn’t the fault of the aesthetician. It was my issues with both pain and my particular needs. Amanda was great.)
Accessibility notes: Building is full of stairs. No noted elevator. Rooms are loud. No Braille signage. High counter.

I found Spa Isbell online when I was looking for a place to get a mani and pedi but didn’t want to go to one of those quicky places. They were very pleasant when I called and fit me in.
Melissa was an excellent aesthetician. She really took her time with my services, and I could really tell she likes what she does. She takes a great amount of pride in her work, and she is very warm, personable, and friendly. I felt very relaxed, and I am very happy with the way my nails look.
The spa is very clean, well maintained, and aesthetically pleasing. I could not have hoped for a better experience.
I will be back to my new found gem the next time I need services.