Elan Day Spa

I went to Élan Day Spa for the Spa Mani-​Pedi yesterday, and had to wait to write this review until today to give myself time to calm down. It was, by far, the worst total experience I have ever had at a nail salon. Which is really too bad, since it was a nice place, and I could tell that the experience could be really nice if it weren’t for the appalling customer service. I walked in at 4:20 for my 4:30 appointment that I had made a few weeks prior. I had been informed that the time of booking that the mani-​pedi takes about 1.5 hours, so 4:30 was the latest appointment they could schedule, since they close at 6:00. I walk into the lobby, can hear people in the next room, but no one comes in to check me in. I sign in at the desk, wait a few moments, and then awkwardly poke my head into the room. There is a woman in the chair getting a manicure, and one employee. I apologize, then say I am checking in for my 4:30. The employee gets all in a huff then realizes the woman she is already starting on wasn’t me (who was on her schedule). She loudly accuses the other woman of not having an appointment (she did check her in though, apparently not looking at the name in her book). The other woman had made an appointment, but someone had apparently double-​booked her. The employee tells me that she is going to finish this manicure, skip her pedicure, and then she will get to me. So I have to wait 30 minutes to start my appointment.
It was bad from the beginning — she clearly was upset that she was going to have to stay late, and she was taking it out on my nails. She began filing them down, very roughly, paying no attention to shaping or length. It was actually painful at moments. Half of my nails she squared, some were oval, and several I had to point out to her, as they were either left extremely ragged or were super uneven. I have several nails still that are not even, and a few (including some toe nails) it seems like she was sharpening to a point on one side — they are almost triangular. She also took off a LOT of length, which makes me sad — I have to work hard for that!
Again, it was clear that if she had been in an ok mood she would have been good, but she continued to treat me terribly throughout, dumping dirty water into my footbath while my feet were still in there, taking phone calls (she would just put her earphones in and chat away for extended periods of time). During one of the calls, she spend several minutes complaining to her friend about the situation, that she was having to stay late to do my nails, and how pissed she was. It was imaginably uncomfortable. She was still on the phone when she apparently finished my nails, and without a word to me, stood up and walked out of the room, continuing her conversation. I had no idea what I was supposed to do — usually I am directed to a spot to dry my nails, or whatever. After a while, I resolved that if she didn’t come back in 10 minutes I would simply walk out. She came back after 9.
I didn’t take much time to look at my nails there, but upon inspection at home, I see that she didn’t do a very nice job. This manicure won’t last more than a week, tops. There are already chips and bubbles. I would not recommend this place to any of my friends. It may seems nice, but they aren’t concerned about the customer’s experience.

I couldn’t agree with Kim H more. This place is not good. I just came back and I’m about to erase my nail polish because it looks like a kid put it on me. The lady was terribly unfriendly and I heard her yell at someone when they came in trying to make an appointment because they couldn’t get in touch with them over the phone. I’ll never go back to this place again.

DO NOT GO HERE OR GET ANY KIND OF DISCOUNT VOUCHER/​INTERNET DEAL FOR ELAN DAY SPA! I tried for 1 MONTH to get an appointment and get in contact with this place and they finally answered the phone only to tell us they were booked for the next three weeks and then asked me to call back. Apparently they have overextended themselves with groupon/​dailydeals/​bloomspot. voucher deals. NOT HAPPY.

Poor customer service. After the spa realized that Groupon was not advantageous, they did not answer the phone and the voicemail was full. I only received a call back after calling the northside location. Had to wait 3 weeks to get a Friday appointment. THERE WAS NO ONE THERE ON A FRIDAY AFTERNOON BUT ME AND THE PERSON WORKING ON ME. While filling out the questionairre, Heather was calling other Groupon purchasers giving the same spill about limited availability and making appts far out.
I was not offered wine or a mimosa (as indicated on website), had to ask for water. I did not get the signature rose either. On a Friday afternoon, after a long week, I was looking forward to the beverage.
I did not get proper service on my facial b/​c they thought it was my groupon service (however I was paying for that and using groupon for mani/​pedi). I had to ask about extractions after she told me to get off table (luckily I knew what a facial included) and she wiped off moisturizer and did extractions. At the end, she charged me $ 65 instead of $ 75 for the facial. The water was room temp for pedi!
While the salon is nice (nice plush robe, slippers, waiting room, proper equipment, snack room, designer cologne and lockers), I think salon should give service to groupon buyers just as if they were paying full price. Giving GOOD SERVICE is the only way to get repeat business. There are too many salons in Houston and surrounding areas to get poor service. Won’t be back.

I bought a Groupon for Élan Day Spa I was able to make an appointment easily so I was optimistic about this appointment. I arrived 20 minutes early for my appointment (1:40 for a 2 pm apptmt) only to discover the door was locked! I banged on the door until someone answered and let me in. I was clearly the only customer there but I was told to sign in and wait and they would get to me when they could. ??? At around 2 the same lady appeared from the back of the salon and brought me to the nail area. Some of the interactions were strange… she would leave without an explanation at the beginning and the end of the mani-​pedi which was awkward. The entire time I remained the only customer there so I’m not sure what was going on. She gave my feet one heck of a scrub which was actually welcomed, but now that I look at my nails I see that I got what I paid for — a discounted mani-​pedi. The top coat is just a couple of strokes on the top of each nail covering about 40% of each nail. Not so great looking, but I guess it is ok from afar. I will not be returning.

HORRIBLE!!! They do not even deserve 1 star!!! I was a Groupon customer and got treated so! I bought my Groupon in November and called every day for weeks to get an answering machine that I could not leave a message on because it was always full! So I called the North Side location to complain and finally got an appointment. I get there and to my surprise, there is NO ONE there. Being that the answer machine was ALWAYS full, I was a bit perplexed. I sit in the chair that is not as comfy as my $ 20 nail spot, put my feet in and the water is SCOLDING HOT! I tell the tech and she said, ‘well, you don’t have to put your feet in’. …REALLY??? How’s that?! ~~Strike 1 During the service, still no one comes in and the phone had not made a sound. I ask questions about why she is the only tech there if they sold so many Groupons, why no one ever answers the phone, why it’s so hard to get an appointment. Well, she (nail tech Heather) tells me that the Owner wants all the Groupon customers to return their Groupon because he is loosing money! What a crock! Maybe thats why they gave Groupon a completely diferent number to call because the number they gave did not ring there. I know because I called it while I was there! And because I am a Groupon customer that only paid $ 20 for mani/​pedi, I will get a $ 20 experience! I was not offered ANYTHING to drink, my polish on my nails began to peel while she did my feet when I told her, she did NOTHING, she made my water extra hot, and then insulted me by saying I would not pay $ 80 for their mani/​pedi BECAUSE I was a Groupon customer! I wanted to kick her teeth in! ~~Strike 2 with a couple of foul balls As i sit there and let my feet dry, she gets her ‘regular customer’ and makes sure to ask if her water is ok, offers her a drink and is extra friendly! Now, during our conversation I learned that she was on salary, so to give sorry service to me is not going to do anything but lessen her tip, yet if she would of given great service, she’s still paid! I am normally a GREAT tipper! And I tip on the whole, regular price. She, well she got and NOT-​SO-​REGULAR tip! She almost did not get that simply because when I went to the front desk to tip. the male rexptionest was asleep!!! I was flabbergasted! I hit the desk to wake him and informed him I just called and the answer machine was full. If he was bored, call some people back! ~Strike 3 And they’re OUT! Even with an offer of something to drink, this service is NOT worth $ 80. If you are looking for a spa mani/​pedi pampering, I STRONGLY suggest
They give the best treatment EVER! They have a wonderful services! My money will never go any where else!
I have sent 2 emails and not a word from them!!!

I recently purchased a groupon for Élan Day Spa for a French Manicure and Pedicure. I was able to make an appointment promptly with the Spa. When I was running late for my appointment, I called and the owner was very kind about accommodating my unforeseen circumstance. Once I arrived, I lost all track of time and received the best French Manicure and Pedicure ever. It’s lasted, without chipping for weeks now, and often, I forget that I’m trying to protect my fingers and toes from damage.
There were times when I closed my eyes and felt as if I were floating away on a cloud during my pedicure. It was also nice to receive all of the pedicurist’s attention and not feel as if she were rushing to get me out of there.
This was very relaxing, and I hope to return.
I was upset to read the other reviews, but I had a rejuvenating time.

For every yin, there’s a yang. And Élan Day Spa is the counter to my previously positive review.
My co-​workers wanted to get manicures and pedicures for a co-worker’s birthday and saw a $ 22 Groupon for this place. I had vowed never to buy a Groupon for a place I haven’t been to previously, but in the spirit of celebration I went ahead and bought it.
After 5 – 6 attempts to get in contact with this place, they finally answered the phone only to tell us they were booked for the next two weeks. So we went somewhere else and decided to try again around Christmas time.
On our second attempt to book an appointment, it was the same story on trying to get in contact with them. Messages were left, and there were no callbacks. When my co-​worker finally spoke with them, they said they could not book more than one Groupon user at a time. Hrm.
I had to book my appointment here by physically going to the location. I frazzled woman I assume was the owner told me they only had appointments at 9 AM during the week unless I wanted to wait a week or two. I ended up settling for NYE at 11 AM.
This place is trying to be fancy, but it’s definitely faux fancy. The gold-​painted chairs and the Renaissance inspired ceiling remind me of a bad Vegas hotel.
The nail area is SMALL. Only two pedicure chairs and two manicure tables. No wonder appointments are booked so far into the future. They don’t have any space. The nail polish selection is also very sparse. I suggest bringing your own.
The person who did my pedicure attacked my hands and feet like a sadist. Every action she performed was overly harsh. My foot is a bit sore today from her intense rubdown.
In short, this place should be avoided. The only reason I give it 2 stars is the manicure and pedicure looked ok for the $ 22 I spent. But for the normal retail price of $ 80? Someone should be shot.