the Price of a Hot Stone Massage

I received a 60 minute hot stone massage at the spa at the resort hotel where I stayed for a long weekend. The price of the service was $90, plus a $20 tip, which I gave more out of obligation than actual gratitude.

The spa provided tea and water, along with a sauna and a shower for me to use before and after the massage.

The spa was of course very serene and lovely. The restroom/shower/sauna space was well stocked and easy to use.

I was encouraged to use the sauna for a spell before the massage, in order to relax the muscles and prepare.

The massage itself wasn't all that great. The masseuse worked over all my limbs, neck and back, but not with great technique--almost as if she'd learned just from having massages--and I don't actually know if she was certified.

The hot rock part of the massage was a bit disappointing, as she placed them on various parts of my body, and used them to rub my skin, more than massage my muscles.

Overall, the quality of the massage was poor.

I think that because this is a fairly unique environment--a fancy resort hotel in a pretty small rural town, the patrons don't have a lot of options for spa services and they can get away with providing less-than-fantastic treatments.

From now on, I'll always ask about the credentials/training/experience of a masseuse I'm not familiar with.