Albany Sauna & Hot Tubs

I have been here several times for massages and tubs, which have been fine. But the customer service and hospitality have always been sorely lacking. Today I spoke with a man named Tim on the phone and asked if any of the tubs were available. He became extremely rude and hostile, reprimanding that the tubs were closed for remodeling. All of them. And that means they are not available. I told him I didn’t need the attitude, and he said that he wasn’t giving attitude. Really. This man’s personality type, up-​tight, rude and ungracious, is the exact opposite of what a host at a spa should be like. Also, this is the only place I have ever received a massage where water is never offered.

I called Albany Sauna last week and asked if I could reserve a hot tub for the following week. The man told me that it would be fine booking on that date, and I should call back the following week.
Fast forward to today. I called the spa and another man answered the phone today who I believe is the owner. He told me angrily that I couldn’t book today because the hot tubs are closed. He became increasingly rude on the phone when I told him that I did not see a notice of the closure on their website (btw their website needs a serious update — it looks like it was made in the mid 90s).
Anyway, Albany Spa lost a lot of business today. Business owners should never be rude to their clients.

I actually really like the hot tubs here with the overhead pipes; however, the owner is very rude. I have heard negative experiences people had with him, but liked the place so we kept going. Today I tried to make an appointment, but once I gave my name, I was told the last time we left the water level was too low and I wasn’t allowed to book. We didn’t do anything abnormal in the tub, we did use the overhead pipe, but isn’t the point that you can use it? We didn’t even get in and out, so I don’t know why the water level was low, but I can’t believe that I would be banned for a first «offense». We do come relatively frequently and as a good customer who was booking twice in one week, i think this was too harsh. I see lots of reviews on Unilocal like mine, so I’m not the only one with this experience, but it’s a shame because I do like their hot tubs.

I used to love this place. I still maintain that they have the best massage therapists in this area. Sadly however, the prejudiced, rude, unprofessional staff especially Tim and another older gentleman named Steve, I believe, make this place unbearable. After sending many friends to this establishment as well as personally using it regularly for over 4 years, I cancelled ONCE with 48 hours notice because I came down with the flu. I got yelled at on the phone. I calmly tried to explain i was very sick and it would not make sense for me to come in with the flu. But to no avail. Tim proceeded to scream and shout. Sad for this man that he doesn’t recognize that his abusive and incompetent behavior will lead to losing clients in a highly competitive market of spas and massage services. Not only do you need to get some anger management classes, you also need to apologize to the many customers you have mistreated. Consider me gone.

The guy that answered the phone and took my reservation was rude! He never gave me the option to reserve the hot tub for 45 mins which I was under the impression that the hot tub was for an hr for 2 people. So I guess they recently increased their prices to $ 24 for 45 min hot tub and $ 28 for an hr when before it was $ 25 for an hr hot tub !! I used to come here at least twice a month but after this last visit i will not be coming back anytime soon !

AVOID THIS PLACE AT ALL COSTS!!! I would give it a Zero stars but 1 star is the lowest unfortunately. I have been going to this place for 23 years, since 1991, and the only improvements the cheap skate owner has made in 23 years is putting more putty on the hot tubs and installing overhead pipes in the hot tubs. The wood in the hot tubs is so badly rotten that they are almost completely covered in putty because the owner just will not spend any money on improvements. The wood around the hot tubs is also rotten and fungus damaged. Every massage I have ever had a this place was mediocre at best… probably because the cheap skate owner only pays the minimum so he gets lousy massage therapists. Very disappointing massages, don’t waste your money, seriously go somewhere else. (I recommend Metta Traditional Thai Massage on San Pablo Ave — 1 Hour deep tissue for $ 50…It’s great and legit). So I recently called to schedule a hot tub at Albany Sauna and I was told I was «Red Carded» and the guy at the front desk hung up on me! So I called back and demanded to know why I had been Red Carded after supporting this establishment for 23 years and I was told that «I left the water level too low in the hot tubs and used too much steam in the sauna»…ARE YOU FREAKING SERIOUS!!! It’s not the customer’s fault if the water runs down in the hot tubs — fill it up you cheap skates! It’s not my fault if I want lots of steam in my sauna that’s what I paid for isn’t it? This is absolutely absurd. I never did anything wrong except give this place my hard earned money. Please DO NOT continue to support this jerk of an owner, he is rude, cheap and charges too much for this lousy run down, dilapidated, decrepit old facility. This place needs new ownership or it needs to close down. I hear people have sex in the hot tubs too! Eeeww! The photos online are way old and that is not how it looks today — trust me on this one and go elsewhere you will not be sorry. P. S. In 23 years I only had to cancel one appointment and that was because my girlfriend’s Grandma had just passed away she she was no longer in the mood to go but Tim, the rude, money grubbing, cheap skate owner charged us for it anyway — what a jerk! Don’t go here. Just read that someone got a staph infection here, I am not surprised when you see the condition of the tubs you will understand — RUN AWAY.

Don’t waste your time or money. Overpriced and unaccommodating for the one time I was slightly late. Not to mention rude management. Try Piedmont Springs or Frogs in Fairfax instead.

I have been a regular customer and avid supporter and referral for Albany Hot Tubs and Sauna for over a year. I loved this place. I came once a week for wellness and relaxation. When something happened and we were charged $ 70 for an hour long tub it took Tim, the owner, many many phone calls and begging to make right. We stayed loyal customers even after that because things happen. Tim’s attitude has always been awful. He is clearly unhappy to answer phones and take reservations which could easily be done online if he took the time and effort to set that up. Luckily he hires great people that kept us coming back. Today I can’t overlook your rudeness. You are crass and rude and I am happy to find anywhere else that can stifle themselves or hire someone else to deal with the public as it is obvious you can’t stand human beings. I feel for the people that you employ. You will get exactly what you deserve treating people this way. Goodbye Albany Saunas I hope none of you have to deal with Tim. Ugh. Awful. Rude.

Just decided to update my review to five stars. Excellent value. Friendly, helpful staff. Very cool barrel-​style tubs.

It is okay if you are desperate for a tub but a bit pricey and the website is kind of misleading with how the tub looks. They only show you one tub which is nicer than the one we got. It costs $ 25 per person for an hour and the $ 21 per person for 45 min. Keep in mind though that the 45 min session is in a smaller tub. I did like the spout that drops a stream of water on you though.

So me and the BF were sitting around on a beautiful Sunday and decided that we could both use some unwinding. We went over a couple ideas and came up with this.
We called in to get an appointment and the guy quickly booked us for an hour. When we arrived they were ready for us, we walked in and quickly melted into our hot tub. The overhead spout is a nice (and very strong) you touch. We had a good time and will be sure to come again

I’ve never had anyone go deep in to my shoulder pockets the way she had. Best massage therapy session in years. This lady was as tiny as me. Never underestimate the strength of an older petite Asian woman. One hour deep tissue. Another hour of Ashiatsu. Yes, please. I need more of that in my life.
Thank you, Hatai.

After about a dozen great experiences here, I thought it was time I got on Unilocal and added to the conversation. Today they were training a new attendent, a delightful young lady who was really nice. Every time I go here, I am so glad I did, because I feel just wonderful coming out and the glow lasts all day. I can’t think of anywhere else that makes me feel so good, and for such a reasonable price.

Big outdoor private wooden tubs. Water spout from above to get a little back massage. Kind staff. $ 25 per person for one hour. Totally worth it for an hour of relaxed bliss. Best on a cool evening when the stars are out. Delicious!

Nice sauna and hot tub. A little hard to get in and out of the tub. Kinda creepy. Why is there a bed in the hot tub room?
Better customer service would be nice too for first timers.

I sent an e-​mail to the owner of this place that was NOT meant to come up
on Unilocal and was NOT meant to be in any way a bad review of the place!
The e-​mail was meant to be private concerning a problem I had with something
I lost there and was not only misconstrued as abad review by him but somehow
also appeared here on Unilocal!
I very much enhoyed my hot tub experience there and hope to be able to
return again in future when I can.
Cheers!

I really enjoy this place once I’m there. The water temperature is great, it’s kept clean, the tubs are deep, I can breathe the open air and not feel claustrophobic, there’s that great overhead water jet, and they run on time.
I rate it four stars rather than five because communicating with the front desk staff is often a PITA. It’s as if I’m expected to follow a script, and any deviation from that script, such as a question or request for clarification, prompts irritation. It’s consistently an issue.
I want to go to this place far more often than I do, but when I think of calling and booking and possibly being treated less than courteously I often end up scuttling the idea.

My husband and I have been coming to Albany Sauna for about 30 years. We’ve used both the saunas and hot tubs and we’ve never had a bad experience. The building is light-​filled, charmingly well-​worn, and always appears clean. The staff is polite and efficient.
The tubs are private, with high walls to the open sky, and the water is just hot enough to satisfy both of us. The surrounding deck is large enough for both of us to comfortably lie down when we want to cool off.
The saunas are very roomy. You can release more steam from the central boiler, to make it as hot (or not) as you like. There is an upper bench for those who like to lobsterize, and lower seating for those who don’t.
Both saunas and hot tubs provide time to cool down in private dressing rooms. They also provide scented washcloths for sauna users and bottled water ($ 1.00).
Only things to improve? Maybe a more flexible cancellation policy, and more towels all around.

Loved
This
Place and enjoyed a few times this year with my 11 year
Old daughter. They just instituted a non kids under 12 policy. Totally lame. Now we have to drive all the way to marin for a sauna?!

I got a gift certificate for my birthday, so I decided to take my husband and my 9-​year-​old son for some well-​needed cooking on a recent cold afternoon.
We all loved the boiling hot sauna and the buckets of water that we could pour over our heads; and I for one really loved the open-​air hot tub.
The total for the 3 of us for just one hour of soaking came to $ 72, though, which is VERY expensive for one hour of fun. If I didn’t have the gift certificate I would have gone by myself!
Anyway I for one love the down-​home hippie vibe here, but I want to add my voice to the chorus of complaints about the man at the front desk named Tim.
He was so rude and abrupt, both on the phone and in person. When I told him over the phone that I’d be bringing a 9-​year-​old on an early weekend evening, he gave me a lot of attitude and warnings. Listen, either kids are ALLOWED or they are NOT allowed. Make up your mind. Don’t bitch at me over the phone.
Bottom line. Will I be back? Yes, for the $ 16 solo soak with cedarwood aromatherapy. Hopefully I can dash past the front desk without soaking up any of his negative vibrations. PEACE!