The Ritz Carlton Georgetown, Boutique Spa

For the past year I have been getting a massage once a month. I usually go to The Gaylord hotel for my massage because I have always had an outstanding experience there, but I decided to try something different and made an appointment at this Spa thinking it would be similar to previous Ritz Carlton Spa experiences I have had.
For anyone who has been to a spa please be aware that this spa is very SMALL. The refreshment choice is not up to par for a spa. They had chocolate and whole fruit (most spas have fruit already sliced). There are only 3 chairs in the «relaxation room» which makes it a bit uncomfortable.
However, my massage was good and I enjoyed that aspect, but my relaxation soon came to an end as I went to checkout. My boyfriend had pre-​paid for my massage, but I had ordered a glass of wine and wanted to pay the 20% gratuity. I had cash on me and I told the lady at the register I would like to pay cash. She said she had to wait for her co-​worker because she forgot to get her «cash bag» for the day. I thought this was VERY unprofessional and I was a bit frustrated because I had a full day planned. I waited about 15 minutes for the other lady to come back, as other guests were being checked in with no problem. My issue was that the initial representative never even went to tell her co-​worker she needed the cash bag. When she returns the woman realizes she doesn’t have the proper change in her «cash bag.» She states that she has to go and get additional change. After about 5 minutes I began to get a bit impatient, because I was waiting about 20 minutes to checkout. I asked the other representative asked how much longer you should be and her response was «I have no idea. «So I decided to just pay in cash and did not want my change. The checkout process was horrific and I would not refer this spa to anyone.

This was absolutely a phenomenal spa experience. The spa is beautiful. I did a couples massage and Yanick and Rebecca did a great job. We felt absolutely relaxed. They are pricey though, but it’s the ritz so it’s expected. The locker rooms are very very nice. We utilized the steam room and the sauna, but the changing area with the lockers is a little small. Lucky for us it wasn’t a busy time when we went so we were able to enjoy the amenities without bumping into other people. All in all it was a great experience.

I have been to this spa twice. Several years ago my husband gave me a generous gift certificate for a day spa here. After my treatments (which were lovely), the spa claimed there was no money on the card. I paid for my treatments, called corporate who promptly saw the error and reimbursed me. I thought little of it. Mistakes happen.
We moved overseas and I was unable to use the balance of the gift card as Ritz international does not honor gift cards; however (generously) they are good for life. Earlier this year, I booked services. On the day of my service, I woke up with the flu. Unable to attend my treatment, I was charged $ 80 to reschedule. I had not previously been notified of a rescheduling fee. But, there was nothing I could do (and frankly, I doubt the spa would have wanted me to attend and get their staff and clients sick).
Today, I woke up and had nothing to do on a Sunday and thought it might be nice to work off some stress with a massage. I called at 11am for a massage at 1pm. Knowing that today was the Marine Corp Marathon, I left my house (on Capitol Hill) at 12, thinking I’d build in time for traffic and grab a drink at the bar before my treatment. I checked road closures and headed out.
At 1230, I was stuck in traffic because DC had failed to open roads in time. I placed my first call to the salon, letting them know I anticipated being on time (according to gps) but was dealing with serious traffic. At 1240, I called back to let them know, traffic was worse and I was going to be late by at least a few minutes. At 1250, I made a third call letting them know I would be at least 10 mins late due to retorting around Rosslyn. I asked if it would be better to reschedule given that my massage would be cut short. I fully explained situation and said that I was happy to reschedule for next weekend. I was only then told there would be a $ 40 dollar charge.
I politely requested an exception given that the marathon was going on and the city had failed to anticipate the road reopening times appropriately. Additionally, I mentioned that I had taken a time that was empty at last minute — the spa was not expecting to make money but I was promising a re-​book. It seemed like an extraordinary circumstance. The booking agent not only refused to work with me but became rude.
Ultimately, I accepted to service rather than throw away $ 40. I arrive at the salon approximately 20 mins late due to traffic and much more stressed or due to the customer service I received.
The treatment I received was lackluster. I paid for a 50 minute deep tissue massage. I received a 30 minute Swedish massage. The technician worked my back and identified my knots (trust me I know they are there), but she failed to work them out. Perhaps she could have with more pressure — which I instructed her to use or the additional 20 minutes I paid for. Either way, I left only half fixed. It certainly was not with $ 175.
The facilities themselves are also not commiserate with a 4 or 5 star hotel. The facilities are small. When you arrive there is effectively no room to sit or relax. There is no wine, no fruit, no snack. There is no ambient lighting, no mood music, no comfortable seating. Nothing to make you comfortable. Not so much as a magazine to read. Nothing that anyone familiar with a classy spa would expect. Once you enter the spa, the changing facilities are dismal. Clients are forced to be on top of one another to change. There is no privacy. There is a single toilet and shower. There are no amenities (hairbrushes, deodorant, etc.). This is more on par with a low class gym than a high class spa.
Bottom line, I pay good money to be treated well. The customer service here is undeserving of the price.

I booked a couples massage here for me and my boyfriend in August 2015. The staff is friendly upon arrival and the facilities are clean. We were led to believe there was a co-​ed steam/​sauna room for our couples massage, only to find out there was not. The locker/​changing areas are small and do not provide enough space for multiple people to sit and dress or undress at once. In fact there was only one small bench for one person, which a pregnant lady was sitting on. So while undressing I struggled to unstrap my sandals without a seat and trying to avoid bending over with my behind in her face. This created a rushed experience to get out of someone’s way rather than relax during your spa time. I had to search through several pairs of sandals to find a pair that wasn’t soggy wet and squeaky.
The massage itself was okay. I’ve had better, I’ve had worse. Some parts of the massage felt like he was really getting in there with techniques and other parts get like he was just rubbing. It was an okay experience, but I doubt I would return due to the size of the facilities.

After reading reviews on Unilocal I asked for a gift card here for my birthday and boy did it not disappoint. I got the rejuvination package (massage and facial). The spa itself is pretty small and isn’t one that made me feel like I wanted to hang out there all day. With that said because it’s small it is very quiet and relaxing and not grand central station like some other spas I’ve been to in town. But book early it took me a couple weeks to get in, but the wait was worth it. It is probably easier if you go during the week.
The services were the best I’ve ever had and the products were AMAZING. I am seriously considering returning to purchase some of the products. My body just felt so good after the massage. I was in heaven. And the facial while not necessarily a fun experience during the actual facial my face felt amazing afterwards. If you are looking for a great day spa I highly recommend.

We had to do a spa session during our stay and we were lucky to get in the day before. I had a facial and my friend got a massage. We both had wonderful services lasting about 50 minutes. I found my facial to be quite relaxing but for the price I must say it wasn’t anything special. Nevertheless, all was great. My facialist was a sweetheart. My friend, Dita also loved her therapist.
The spa is small and it is not open until 11 am. If you had some services, you could also use their facility of sauna, steam room, and shower. We received 20% discount for checking in on Unilocal.It’s great as it covered our tip pretty much.

Excellent spa neatly tucked away from the hustle and bustle of Georgetown. I visited this spa to follow my favorite aesthetician, Katie. I’ve been going to her for 15+ years and she never disappoints. I always walk away from my appointment feeling refreshed and glowing! Now that Katie is at this location, I will be going more often. I referred a friend to see Katie at the Ritz and she too will definitely be a repeat customer. The lovely lady at the front desk, Tracey, was welcoming and professional. Overall a wonderful experience. I highly recommend this place.

I have to tell you about the most amazing facial, ever, with Senior Esthetician, Robin Pettigrew! You MUST do this for yourself, or, even better, someone you love. I’ve written a blog about my experience that can be accessed at the end of this review, but here are the highlights.
The atmosphere: serene, comfortable, secure. Robin: knowledgeable, funny, reassuring. The treatment: thorough, rejuvenating, sublime. Here’s what happened: Step 1: a relaxing inhalation of essential oils and scalp massage. Step 2: a double cleansing of my face; an application of Scent of Pineapple which she explained was an enzyme that would remove dead skin. While I was under steam, she performed an arm and hand message — I could feel my skin replacing the moisture that becomes lost living in an urban environment. Step 3: a blueberry detoxing peel, a deep pore cleansing with gentle extractions, and a chamomile mask. Step 4: a bamboo mask that is a part of The Ritz-Carlton’s Eminence Age-​Corrective Retinol treatment. Step 5: an amazing shoulder, neck and back massage — incredible! Step 6: I at the end of my treatment, before removing the mask, Robin gently exfoliated the sensitive area around my eyes and applied a Neroli Eye Serum that had the most amazing tightening effect that I can still see days later! Step 7: Robin sealed everything with a coconut moisturizer that had me cooing like a baby.
You could probably go to Europe and get a comparable facial… or you can just go to the Ritz Carlton-​Georgetown Boutique Spa, and ask for Robin: 202.912.4175.
For my complete blog with all the extra details… you need to read this:

I have visited enough spas in the DC area in my 14 years here to know that The Ritz is one of the best. On my visit here, I needed a facial and was paired with Mary. She is ah-​mazing! My skin is super sensitive and without having ever worked on my face she created a facial plan for my skin type and tone (*I am African-​American with a deep brown complexion).
The spa is cozy and tucked in a bit of an oasis style setting of The Ritz in Georgetown. Steam room, toiletries and hot beverages round out the experience where I needed a wind down after a long day at the office. I would return. I also, got product recommendations from Mary before leaving the spa. She provided me with a detailed list of the services/​products I had for the day and what I should order now based on where my skin is progressing with age.
This looks like my new spa spot.

The entire experience at the Boutique Spa is pure luxury. There is no other way to say it. From the arrival at the Ritz Carlton Georgetown to the valet parking to check-​in to the pre-​appointment amenities to the actual service to the post-​appointment amenities, this is the place to be for a complete zen experience.
I arrived at the Ritz Carlton Georgetown for my spa day only to find out I’d have complimentary valet parking. This is quite a bonus in and of itself and does not happen at another hotel based spa (think baby-​blue). Not only that, there is free Wi-​Fi inside the hotel for you to tidy up those few last minute emails before heading downstairs to the spa.
Once there and checked in, I was given a tour of the facility. Niiiiiice! Locker room, comfy robe, slippers, steam room, shower, shampoos, conditioners, hair spray, gels, lotions, combs, and even a dental kit (which you will need read on). Their waiting room is complete with coffee, tea, water (cucumber or lemon), and CHOCOLATES. Yes, you read correctly, chocolates. (Aw man! I’m here for a facial. That must be a conflict of interest somehow.)
As a spa client, you will also have access to the fitness center. If you arrive early enough, you can sweat out even more of the cares of the world prior to your zen experience in this small, but very useful fitness center. Complete with recumbent cycles, treadmills, and ellipticals; a cable machine, a few free weights, and a small area for floor work, this place even features headphones, newspapers, apples, cool-​moist washcloths, towels, and equipment wipes. Now don’t come here thinking you’re going to train for the 2016 Summer Olympics, but do bring your workout gear for at least a quick cardio session and maybe a few bicep curls. Boy am I glad I did.
I timed things perfectly to include an indulgent shower before my service. Do this. Take advantage of the scrub, the body shampoo, the spray deodorant, the entire experience. (I didn’t use the shampoo or conditioner this time, and you know why, but trust me, I will be pumping out multiple handfuls of that stuff on my next visit. Trust me.)
Early arrival is essential here. Evidence of this is the amount of time I had to spend experiencing this spa. I absolutely loved it. Especially this waiting room. Soft lighting, cushy chairs, and everyone is in a robe in here so don’t feel underdressed. I had time for a tiny bit of tea and a chocolate before my appointment. Yesssss. Now, I am spa-​ing.
The treatment room was just as dimly lit and zen as I had hoped and the facial started with my hands and forearms. My esthetician massaged a substance that must have come straight from heaven into my skin, covered them in plastic, and placed them in warming mitts. Can things get any more heavenly than this? Hm. Read on.
The attention to the details of my face on this one visit closely rivaled the cumulative attention I have given my face in my lifetime. Honey, yes. See I started off a neutrogena, ten-​o-​six, and oil of olay girl. As I got older and had a few dollars to spend, I went the popular department store face care route (it starts with a «C» and comes in a mint-​green box). Now, I’m a tad bit (ahem) older and need to make sure I don’t ever look it, so treating myself to getting «detailed» here is a natural next step. Natural is the only thing you will get at this spa. No harsh chemicals. No commercially available cleansers. No industrial strength scrubbers. The Boutique Spa at the Ritz Carlton Georgetown is all about organic, natural products. I had about a whole field of blueberries slathered on my face in the form of a cleanser. Then there was a strawberry, rice powder exfoliant and stone fruit elixir. All the while, the steam machine was keeping my pores open. There were a few extractions, but hey, that is natural, too. Cotton pads on expert fingertips gently get at anything these cleansers can’t. There is an ionic light that zaps any microbes and at the end, there is a combination moisturizer — sunscreen that will leave your skin glowing for days.
Mine was. People kept telling me all week «you’re glowing!» or «look at that glow» and one person asked me if I was pregnant because I was glowing. (Um, no!) Believe me, even I saw this mystical glow. People were not just pumping me up. My skin was beautiful! And it still is, today. I have decided to include this treatment as a part of my regular beauty regimen. You should, too.
I’m a fan of The Boutique Spa at the Ritz Carlton Georgetown. This is as good as it gets. Five stars!

Robin gave me the best facial I ever had and I go to many spas around the country. She answered my questions, she was attentive, she was very gentle. The hand and neck massage was also amazing. It was relaxing she didn’t talk too much while doing my treatment. My face felt so much better after the facial. It was great I will be going back. The spa was nice and comfortable as well.

This spa is a little hidden gem in Georgetown. I’ve been to several spas in the area and was very impressed with the aestheticians and service at this spa. It has all of the amenities of other hotel based spas, but is more reasonably priced and very quiet and tranquil. I had a great massage and bikini wax while there, and plan to go back soon!

Until a little birdie chirped, I had no idea this spa even existed.
Awhile back I attempted to get a massage here and somehow was connected to the Ritz –West End location. When I inquired about booking a massage, there was no hesitation or apparent disconnect, so I had no idea that I had been booked to get a massage at the health club there. That was until I showed up at the wrong location and was directed to The Ritz West End.
Not the same.
Don’t get me wrong, I had a pretty good, bare bones massage at the health club but was so confused. No ambiance? No soft music? I mean, can a girl get a little tea around here?!
So when it was time for another massage, I made sure to get it right, calling directly from the Unilocal app to ensure the proper connection at the right location.
Such a difference.
I had my tea. I had my water. I had my soft slippers and robe. I had my relaxation room. No Enya, but I dealt.
Because I booked a day or two before and only had a very specific few times available, I was paired with a male therapist. I could tell that the receptionist could hear a little hesitation in my voice, but I cared more about the massage that the gender of my therapist.
To my surprise upon arrival, the receptionist told me that they were able to set me up with a female therapist. I didn’t make a big deal about it on the phone, so I really appreciate the fact that she took the time to follow up, inquire and set me up with a situation that I felt a bit more comfortable with.
My massage therapist (Dana I believe) was amazing. She asked questions prior to the massage in order to best tend to my needs. As a result, a perfectly balanced, effective and peaceful massage.
There is not much more to indulge in before or after your massage outside of the steam room and sauna, but hopefully you’ll feel so loose it doesn’t matter.
Definitely would recommend when in need of a little pampering and privacy.

I think I have stumbled upon the nicest spa in DC! I usually head to my go to girl at Hela in Georgetown when I need a facial or a massage– and she always does a fabulous job, I’m never disappointed. But Hela is gaining popularity and they are now always booked up weeks in advance, so when my mom was in town and we were in desperate need of pampering I decided to branch out and check the spa at the Ritz in Georgetown.
One of the better decisions of my life– this spa is really amazing! Not only could we pretty much pick whatever time or day we wanted for our appt, but when we arrived the place was completely empty– and stayed that way for the entire 3 hours we were there. I think this place is a hidden gem, primarily only utilized by hotel guests.
Now this is not a giant spa by any means– a small locker room with only 7 lockers and two showers, a cozy waiting area, 3 treatment rooms and a sizable steam room and sauna. So you couldn’t exactly go here with 5 of your friends and have everyone get a treatment at the same time. I really enjoyed our very private visit– and the massage and facial I had were some of the best I’ve ever experienced (and as I’ve mentioned in other reviews I frequent spas so I know what’s up). I felt amazingly relaxed and pampered after my two treatments, a nice long trip to the steam room and a cool shower. It’s not cheap (but then again this is the Ritz), but it’s not way overpriced for what you will find in the area– $ 120 for 60 minutes of massage and $ 130 for a 70 min facial… in my opinion worth every penny! If you’re in need of some serious pampering– this should be your go to spa in DC!