SOLE Spa Reflexology and Foot Massage Lounge
3086 Cambie Street
Vancouver, BC
604.876.6808
REVIEW:
When I visited China last fall, I had an incredible trip. I saw some amazing sights and had some fantastic experiences.
My travel partner, Robin and I couldn’t always agree on which attractions to see everyday, but the one thing we always wanted to do was go for a traditional foot massage. In Hong Kong we fell in love with a place called Happy Foot; for about $20 we got the most relaxing hour-long foot and leg massages. After walking around sight-seeing all day long, we welcomed our foot rubs and we would talk about how much we wished there was a traditional Chinese foot massage place in Vancouver.
Well… the wait is over! Earlier this week, SOLE Spa opened on Cambie Street. SOLE Spa is exactly what I’d been looking for: a Traditional Chinese Acupressure Massage location.
As soon as you walk in, you’ll realize that this isn’t a tacky “massage parlor”. The décor is gorgeous… A mix of modern and traditional with a dash of Zen thrown in. The lights are dim and the music is mellow. It’s relaxation at its best.
3086 Cambie Street
Vancouver, BC
604.876.6808
REVIEW:
When I visited China last fall, I had an incredible trip. I saw some amazing sights and had some fantastic experiences.
My travel partner, Robin and I couldn’t always agree on which attractions to see everyday, but the one thing we always wanted to do was go for a traditional foot massage. In Hong Kong we fell in love with a place called Happy Foot; for about $20 we got the most relaxing hour-long foot and leg massages. After walking around sight-seeing all day long, we welcomed our foot rubs and we would talk about how much we wished there was a traditional Chinese foot massage place in Vancouver.
Well… the wait is over! Earlier this week, SOLE Spa opened on Cambie Street. SOLE Spa is exactly what I’d been looking for: a Traditional Chinese Acupressure Massage location.
As soon as you walk in, you’ll realize that this isn’t a tacky “massage parlor”. The décor is gorgeous… A mix of modern and traditional with a dash of Zen thrown in. The lights are dim and the music is mellow. It’s relaxation at its best.
I went yesterday with my sister, and we were lucky enough to have the private room. The room has two seats and a TV if you want to watch. If not, you can just sit back and listen to calming music and meditate or even read. We chose the TV, and caught up on some celebrity gossip.
The massage starts off with a foot soak, and then progresses into a deep, (and I mean Deep), tissue massage. This is not a light skin patting, this is reflexology and acupressure. My feet and legs were pushed and twisted and pounded and kneaded. It was painful, but in a good way. If the pressure was ever too hard, it wasn’t a problem to ask to have it lightened up. There were a couple of times that I thought about asking them to reduce the pressure, but I knew it only lasted for a few seconds and I wanted to work through it. Plus, as the owner, David said when we spoke to him after, “No Pain, no Gain”. He also mentioned that the more often you go, the less it hurts. We were in our comfy chairs in the private room for an hour, and after the massage finished, we didn’t want to leave. We just sat there for a few minutes and basked in the relaxation.
Now… the bottom line: Obviously in this overly-expensive city, you’re not going to find an hour, (OK, it’s 50 minutes… close enough), massage for $20, but at $40 it is still a super deal. In fact, try to find something similar in Vancouver for less than double that price… pretty difficult.
They also have certified therapists to do full body massages; only $50 for 50 minutes! (That will be my next appointment)
The massage starts off with a foot soak, and then progresses into a deep, (and I mean Deep), tissue massage. This is not a light skin patting, this is reflexology and acupressure. My feet and legs were pushed and twisted and pounded and kneaded. It was painful, but in a good way. If the pressure was ever too hard, it wasn’t a problem to ask to have it lightened up. There were a couple of times that I thought about asking them to reduce the pressure, but I knew it only lasted for a few seconds and I wanted to work through it. Plus, as the owner, David said when we spoke to him after, “No Pain, no Gain”. He also mentioned that the more often you go, the less it hurts. We were in our comfy chairs in the private room for an hour, and after the massage finished, we didn’t want to leave. We just sat there for a few minutes and basked in the relaxation.
Now… the bottom line: Obviously in this overly-expensive city, you’re not going to find an hour, (OK, it’s 50 minutes… close enough), massage for $20, but at $40 it is still a super deal. In fact, try to find something similar in Vancouver for less than double that price… pretty difficult.
They also have certified therapists to do full body massages; only $50 for 50 minutes! (That will be my next appointment)
Women torture their feet every day by wearing high heels, and this is the perfect way to sooth your sole and your soul.
Also, not only does reflexology feel incredible, but the techniques used can reduce stress and heal disease. Click here for some more info.
Afterward, David poured us a cup of tea and we told him how much we enjoyed the treatment. He told us that they just opened last Tuesday, and business is picking up, and they are just trying to spread the word. Trust me, once the word is spread, this place is going to be busy!
FYI: This is not a salon. Do not go here expecting a mani/pedi or to get your hair done; go here expecting to feel amazing after you leave.
My Grade:
Service: A+
Value: A
Return Value: 100%
SOLE Spa has been kind enough to offer a special for all of my Blog Readers. If you go in before June 30th, 2010 and mention this blog post, Sole Spa will give you $10 off of your treatment. That’s right… a 50 minute amazing foot massage for $30!
It was fabulous
ReplyDeleteI heard you are a fan, now your sister has someone to go with!!
ReplyDeleteNew deal! $20 for 50 Mins basically 50% off!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.indulgeliving.com/?utm_source=uu702
For us, it is not worth to go to the Sole Spa anymore because my favourite practitioner left already.
ReplyDeleteWe enjoy the environment there but the practitioner's technique and the professionalism are also important to us.
Last time my friend and I went there, a couple of Mongolian gave us the foot reflexology but we didn't know what were they doing. It was not reflexology. No pressure points had been pressing and no energy were received. We felt like just a kind of light touching on our feet(May be it is good for somebody who like just touching but this is not for both of us). The owner might be saying that "this is a relaxation spa". That's right, then I suggest the owner should change the foot reflexology to light foot massage. Then I have no compliant. And the Mongolian lady was always looking at another practitioner's hands. I supposed that she was learning(stealing) somebody's skill and I thought that was very unprofessional and no respect to the clients. No matter what, my friend and I will not go there anymore. It is not because of the price, it is because of receiving a potato actualy I pay for the sweet potato. We would like to pay more for the better treatment although we have paid $40+tax
So, thank you Sole Spa, see you no more.
I am wondering that they have only 2 persons working everyday.
ReplyDeleteI've tried them already. They are garbage
I agree with Vivian. Everyday just 2 same persons are working there. I have no choice. My favorite reflexologist is not working there anymore. The environment looks good but the practitioner is also important. I pay for the treatment, the environment is just a plus.
ReplyDelete