Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa

After reading some of the Unilocal reviews I was hesitant to try booking a massage here but after giving them a call Nancy was so kind and helpful that I’m really looking forward to my first visit! They also take our wellness card which is fabulous! I will definitely update after appointment.

This place has a very good team here. I love Jennah for a massage! She is great, listens and asks what I need. And is very sweet!

I am leaving this review to send out mad props to the one and only Deanna from Hand & Stone. She is the absolute queen of cosmetic facials; every service is luxurious and thoughtful. She makes a $ 60.00 service feel like a $ 300.00 service. Her ability to incorporate massage into the facial makes it worth the time and money. I appreciate her advice on skin-​care and ability to adapt the facial I need to my personal skin-​care needs. I have definitely had some good massages here but hands down Deanna is the person that keeps me coming back to Hand & Stone.

I don’t review very often because I believe every place should get a second chance, and because I know how demanding we can be as consumers. But I can’t even truly express how terrible my experience was at this place. It all started out great, I had my first massage with a girl named Shana. She helped a lot with my back pain, I felt a lot better. I decided this was a great idea, PRICEY but worth it.
Off I go to schedule another appointment with Shana specifically. They tell me she’s not available, but suggest Clyde, that I would be happy with him. It was one of the WORST experiences in my life, EVER. HE WAS AWFUL, he simply ‘caressed’ me, which is disgusting. I asked for a firm pressure (same as with Shana) before the session started. I don’t know what this moron was thinking, but all he did was dig his elbow into my back which was extremely painful. When I asked him to stop, he moved to my lower back and ‘pushed’ in my hips. I don’t know why he is allowed to do this. I knew the moment we were done, the results over the next few days would be bad. BUT Whatever he did sent me to the ER a few days later. YES, my back pain was excrutiating after seeing him, from him digging his elbow and his «pushing my hip».
Thinking the pain was nothing to worry about and it would go away, I decided to wait. It didn’t by the ned day afternoon, so I called to nicely express my concerns. The front desk staff has always been AMAZING and they were apologetic and offer me another massage at no cost. I was hesitant as I feared it would make it worse but I thought it might actually help. I saw Katie this time, and she was great! She helped with my upper back pain and relieved some (small portion) of my lower back pain. But the pain got worse as days went by eventually having to go to the ER since it was unbearable.
How do I know it was his massage? Hmm first off, I’ve never had such excrutiating pain like that in my back. Secondly, I went there to feel relieve from the bearable back pain I was having. Finally, because THERE HAS BEEN NO RECENT OR OLDER TRAUMA to my back. NONE WHATSOEVER, AND THE DR examined me confirming there was none except for that massage that began this nightmare. I am still seeing specialists for this.
Stupidly I decided to go here for my upper back again (not the problem on my ER visit). Obviously I only trust Katie now, but they called to cancel it as she was sick. The receptionist, who I am now familiar with suggested Robin, so I agreed. Robin, too, is AMAZING. She only worked on my upper back as my lower hurts badly still and I’m in treatment for it. I felt relief almost immediately and she definitely tried her best to help me feel better. She was worth it, knows how to massage properly and not painfully. I wanted another session as soon as possible since I’ve been feeling a bit tense, the sooner I take care of it, the better.
I got a call letting me know Robin was feeling sick so I asked for Katie again, all set. I had to help out a friend in an emergency situation he had so I called to reschedule. With this, I have to say, they are very accommodating which is good. HOWEVER when I asked for Katie, the person who answer the phone identified herself as the owner, Paulina immediately told me to schedule with Colena. She completely disregarded my request to see Katie or offer me other days with Katie or Robin. I, of course, was hesitant. I’ve never seen the owner before, or spoken to her. She assured me I would be happy with Colena, she was the best and of course the owner would not lie to me. She assured me I would be satisfied.
Well, now here I am, in TERRIBLE pain yet again. This girl didn’t do anything, I don’t think she even knows what to do. When I asked her for a bit more pressure, she began digging her elbow into my shoulder blades. WTF IS UP WITH YOU PEOPLE AND DIGGING YOUR ELBOWS INTO SOMEONE!!! I AM INCREDIBLY FRUSTRATED AND IN PAIN. IF THEY DON’T KNOW HOW TO PROPERLY MASSAGE, SIMPLY DON’T ALLOW THEM. KATIE AND ROBIN DID JUST FINE WITH THEIR HANDS, WHY COULDN’T THE OTHERS.
I AM IN SO MUCH PAIN I WANT TO CRY, 2 HRS AFTER SEEING COLENA, I CAN’T MOVE AND CERTAINLY CAN’T IMAGINE TOMORROW. THIS IS JUST RIDICULOUS! AND OF COURSE, THEY WON’T TAKE OWNERSHIP.
THIS IS NOT JUST TO VENT, THIS REVIEW IS TO PREVENT OTHER CUSTOMERS FROM FEELING THE WAY I DO RIGHT NOW. IT’S JUST SO YOU CAN BE CAUTIOUS IF YOU DECIDE TO GO TO THIS PLACE. I WILL CONTINUE TO LOOK FOR A WAY TO SEND THIS TO THEIR CORPORATE OFFICE AND THE BBB. I don’t threaten or like to, but this is too serious. I am in physical pain and limited mobility only after going here, and within hours. It doesn’t take a scientist to figure out the factors triggering it. I am to the point where I want to look at legal options. i would have never imagined myself doing this but this isn’t right. It’s not right to want to cry from the pain after receiving a massage. It’s not right that I have to pay for the ER visit, Drs appts.

This place should be called Hand Over Your Wallet. The monthly membership is a total scam that is impossible to get out of. Don’t let the prices fool you, there are additional charges to do anything and you will end up spending a fortune. Staff is very friendly and professional but the owner clearly pushes such high pressure sales that it’s impossible to relax during any of their «spa» services. I made the mistake of trying to cancel my membership (the first of the five attempts that it took to actually cancel without losing services/​money) with the owner who took it as an opportunity to force more sales pitches.

I love my therapist and esthetician in Algonquin.
Emily and Laura both are awesome.
The whole staff has been very friendly and professional.
Take advantage of their specials for add ons when they have them.
As far as the cancellation policy– it’s well explained.
If you cancel your appointment the day of the service you should be charged.
You took up an appointment someone else could have had AND then cost the therapist income. My Drs do the same thing. Holding that spot until that day keeps you bound to your contract.
I HIGHLY recommend to at least give them a try!

Watch out on their 30days cancellation. I talked to one of the employees and clearly said that I’m out of the 30day rule because I supposed to come to them on my last session 2days before. So I cancelled mine on the day she said but they still took out money from my account. This kind of company should never be endorsed to anybody.

I won’t go into great detail, but please do not go here for your bikini or Brazilian waxing services. My experience was nothing short of a nightmare and I only wsh I were exaggerating. Also, please don’t go to Kathy for your massage. You will hear the story of her family and why she is working here when she has her own place in Barrington. Non-​stop talking. Seriously, not good!
Not to mention that after that crummy massage on the same day as a HORRIFIC waxing service, I was not refunded my money for the massage.

I have been to Hand and Stone Massage twice and prefer it over massage envy. I had 2 great massages and upgraded both times to the Peppermint Scalp massage for $ 15 which I loved. They really listen to your concerns and provide a very relaxing massage at an affordable price. I’ve done both the 80 min and 50 min massages. I always come out feeling very relaxed. My sister and law and I go every time she visits. We will definitely be back soon.
The best part is they never make you feel rushed and really take the full time for your massage. It’s also very clean and everyone is very nice and friendly.

I want to LOVE this place. I really do. I don’t see a revolving door when I walk into the establishment, but apparently they have one when it comes to their staff. And that’s been very disappointing for me.
I wanted to find a place that wasn’t overly-​expensive or overly-​haughty to go for a massage, maybe once a month or so. When this place opened in Algonquin, they did a lot of publicity, including a LiveSocial deal that got me in the door.
I was treated like a Queen from the moment I entered the establishment, and I had a fantastic massage. The therapist actually listened to what I wanted (more deep-​tissue work on areas where I had some pain, as opposed to a relaxation massage), and I walked out of there feeling great.
When I returned a few weeks later, I was disappointed to find out that the massage therapist I had before was no longer employed here. Bummer. But since I wasn’t told this prior to my appointment, I went ahead with the new therapist they had assigned me, who wasn’t nearly as good as the first. I left disappointed, and not sure if I’d return or not.
After a month-​long hiatus, I decided to give this place another try. I tried explaining the type of massage I was looking for in the hopes of finding a massage therapist who could meet my needs. Success! I left feeling great, and was eager to return.
But alas, merely a few weeks later, my preferred massage therapist was no longer there. Ugh.
I am currently in an upswing, as I have once again found a therapist here who I like. But I am not getting my hopes up that she will remain here for a very long time. The price ($ 49.95 for 50 minutes) and the location is very appealing to me, so I will continue to come here… as long as THIS therapist remains employed here! And I do hope that the business will find a way to retain their staff.

amazing service, really great and comfortable atmosphere. I have never had such a great experience getting pampered! I highly suggest the membership package there it allows you to know once a month an hour or two are all about you ONLY!!!
love love love it here!!!

Personally, I appreciate the membership plan. It reserves your price throughout the year, gives you passes for guests so they can enjoy a massage your member rate, and makes you eligible for upgrades at a discount. You can canel at any time, skip a month, and choose your start date so the charge is posted the same date every month so I think it is very convenient.
The décor is very soothing and tranquil, the music is played at a nice, low level, and the front desk staff is the most friendly and professional I have ever encountered in a massage/​facial business.
My massages so far have been excellent also, and since they have many massage therapists on staff if you get one that is not to your liking you just don’t have to book another appointment with that person.
I just wish there were more locations!

Hand and Stone massage isn’t brand new, but it recently opened in Algonquin. I saw an ad for new customers for a $ 49 massage, for that price, I decided to try them out. My main reason for booking a massage wasn’t necessarily for the relaxation but for the wellness of my muscles. I was having pain due to chronic tension in my neck muscles. I explained all of this to the receptionist who booked me to see P.J.
I do not get massages very often, but I do have to say that P.J. did a wonderful job working out the tension and knots in my muscles. He continually asked about the pressure he was using to make sure that I was comfortable. This was one of the best massages I have had. I walked out of there with some soreness (nothing painful), but it was to be expected due to the deep tissue treatment. After the soreness disappeared, I was able to feel the dramatic difference.
I was afraid that they would do a «hard-​sell» on their membership program, but I was greeted after my massage with genuineness after I declined the membership. No «hard-​sell,» which I appreciated.
The only negative experience I had was they overcharged me when I went to pay. The aromatherapy treatment that I received with my massage was supposed to be complimentary as I was a new customer. However, my credit card was charged for it. I was issued a refund without a problem. I just thought it was more of an inconvenience that it happened to begin with.
I would come back here again and book with P.J.