Cielo Spa & Austin Institute for Massage & Spa Therapies

Hi Everyone,
We are so sorry to hear about the closing of Cielo Spa. I know lots of you may have gift certificates that have not been used and I wanted to let everyone know that Halina European Day Spa is trying to help out. For every Cielo gift certificate you have Halina’s with give you a one time discount of 25% off any service. Halina European Day Spa has been around since the 1970 and is close to Cielo spa on 603 South Mays, just south of downtown Round Rock in a big Victorian house. We would love the opportunity to have you come see us. Please call 512 246 9700 if you have any questions.

I have unused gift certificates here and they closed down without any notice. How do we get our money back? I’ve loved their services but this is unacceptable.

Please help Unilocal!Community. I, like many others purchased laser hair removal certificates worth a lot of money. Now they’re suddenly shut down. How do I get reimbursed???

Booking appointments was a nightmare at this place, they never returned call. But their services were just fine – not great, but good for the price.
However, I also purchased 2 massages that I have not used, so apparently I’m also out some dinero. If anyone else has a case with RR PD that they would like me to add to, Im happy to do so. Sounds like there would need to be a bunch of us for them to do something about it.

Looks like a few people are having the same issue here. I paid for some massage packages as well and am unable to get in contact with the owner of this business for a refund. I contacted my bank to see what could be done and was instructed to file a police report with Round Rock PD. My bank was unable to pursue a refund since the charge was made in October 2014. I would instruct others to do the same. RRPD non-​emergency line is 512−218−5500

I have been to this location before for massages. I purchased a laser hair removal directly through the email portal when they were promoting there new laser hair removal machine. I spent $ 160 on a laser hair removal package and they never made anyone aware that they were closing and was never refunded my money.

I have going here for years!!! And had pre purchased about 10 massages. I had 2 left to use and now they have closed and I am out 2 massages:(This is bad business. No notification and no refund. I have been such a loyal customer and always referred people here. I want my money back!

Dang. I purchased gift cards. Been calling them all day. Why can’t they at least be professional and change their outgoing message. Only from reading these reviews am I learning that they are closed-​gone out of business. Now i have worthless gift cards. Uggh. Uggh. If these owners re-​open somewhere under a new business name, i want to know, so that I can NOT give them my business.

Was planning on calling today to dispute being charged for their premium monthly service, yet again, but to my surprise they’re closed! Cielo was right across the street from my apartment, so I enjoyed it as a close spa. It was good introduction to getting massages, but I realize now that this place wasn’t that great. Staff was really friendly, the therapists were really kind and I never had a bad experience but I never had an outstanding experience either. Great for the price, as it was super cheap.
I’d give 3 stars, but the fact I had to call my bank to stop being charged $ 10 a month for nothing was kind of annoying.

Purchased a laser hair removal package in January with services to begin ²⁄₂. Follow up email received end of January stating they had not received equipment and it would be 2 more weeks before services could begin. Called ³⁄₁ and left a message for an update. no returned call. Sent email ³⁄₆. Physically drove to the location today to find out they are CLOSED and being EVICTED. Disputing with my credit card company and hoping I get reimbursed.

I purchased two laser hair removal packages as gifts. I made multiple attempts to schedule appointments. I was told, on multiple accounts, that they were not ready to start scheduling appointments. Fast forward two weeks. Today the establishment is closed for business. I paid upfront for services that will never be delivered. I have not received any refunds. There must be a law that protects the consumer in the event this occurs.

Had 2 massages scheduled there today. Received an automated email yesterday confirming the appointment, drove 30 minutes, and the place is shut down. They could have given us the courtesy of calling to cancel our appointment & refund our money.

This review is in response to Tracy W.
I’m sorry I missed your call and didn’t contact you before your usual appointment time.
I’ve been very busy trying to figure out what to do after Cielo closed its doors.
One night I’m scheduling appts for a client and 8hrs before my first appt I’m told that we are out of business.
I hope to be back in business very soon and after texting with you this morning, I hope things are a little clearer.
I will contact you as soon as I’m ready to work with you again.
I really appreciate you coming back to me for the past few months.
Its clients like you that make my job very rewarding.
Hope to see you soon.
Luis Martinez, LMT
(956) 648‑8580

This is the McDonalds of spas. Wham, bam, keep it moving. Nothing indulgent or relaxing about this place. They short changed me on my 15 min soak, and set the timer while I was in the bathroom so I only got 11 min. Find that out while I’m already naked in the water.
The Body scrub was nothing of the sort, just a mask applied to my back and left to shiver on a wet table with a wet towel on my butt.
I was about to say thanks but no thanks to the massage but very glad I didn’t. It was excellent. Ask for Liz.
I suggest going if you need kinks worked out, and that is all. You don’t go to McDonalds for an indulgent, romantic meal, so don’t come here for an indulgent relaxing spa day.

I have been here a number of times now for both the school massages and professional massages. I have enjoyed all my experiences. They have some wonderful packages at great prices. My favorite package was the aromatherapy bath, salt scrub and 30 minute massage. The place is very clean and the people have always been friendly and accommodating. I have had pre-​natal massages. They don’t have the tables with the hole in the middle but I just lay on my side and it works. This is definitely my go to place for a massage.

Awful Business… my husband has bought me several gift certificates here. The first time I went to get my massage, I come out of my massage with them telling me I did not have a gift certificate on file. «There went my relaxed body…» after arguing with them and having to get my husband to email me the confirmation number… low and behold, they found it! It was in another persons account that had the same name as me. It was fixed!
I have two more certificate this time one was bought in house and another on-​line. Mind you all different packages. Well today I go in so excited, give them my gift certificate card and I’m taken straight to the back. Again, come out relaxed and in a wonderful mood and again… I’m told my card has already been redeemed! WTF… stressed out instantly, what a waste! If that was the case why would you allow me to render service? The manager is called over the phone and I’m told, «We can take the cost out of this other gift certificate you have on file and you’ll still have a credit of $ 60.» I think… Really, this place is a joke!” This place has lost my husbands business for good.
Please don’t waste your time here at this place, go down the street to Massage Envy or Elements!

I bought a massage package for my mom’s birthday, that was suppose to come with 15 minutes in the aromatherapy whirlpool, a mud mask and a 30 minute massage with the option of upgrading to an hour massage for $ 20 extra. They did not have any female therapists, which we requested, so we had to reschedule the appointment. I also wanted to add the extra 30 minutes to the massage so my mom could get a full hour. The receptionist assured me that the package already came with a full hour massage and that she would have a female therapist. In the end my mom only got a 30 minute massage with a male therapist and I was charged $ 20 more than I was suppose to be charged.
I called and explained what happen to the receptionist, there was no apology, she just said that she would talk to her manager and see if she could get the $ 20 refunded. In the end the $ 20 was refunded, but it just was not a good experience. Not only does this place lack communication skills, but are also lacking in the professionalism department.

This place has the worst customer service I have ever seen. I prepaid for an appointment and they forgot about my appointment??? i waited in the lobby for 45 minutes… no one at front desk. Now they can’t seem to find hpw I prepaid for my appointment… althought they have my debit card on file and charged me. Most unorganized establishment I have ever seen!!! DO NOT GO!!!

This is a review for the school itself. I am a former employee of the spa, so my opinion would certainly be biased…
The thing to know upfront is that you will learn a massage routine that is unlike anywhere else. The tables are set low (18 inches off the ground) to perfect a different body mechanic than what is taught at other schools. It took about 10 days before I was over the soreness of moving in such a new way.
The other thing you need to know about this radically different massage is… it is probably the best massage you’ll ever have. I cannot tell you how many times a day I hear «that was the best massage I’ve ever had» or «your technique is so different, and I LOVE it!» I honestly have a difficult time receiving a massage from someone who hasn’t learned the MyoCentrix Massage. Since actually learning the massage is probably 90% of school, I find this to be a huge factor in choosing one that’s right for you…
Of course there are other factors involved with school. One other area that needs mentioning is internship. The state of Texas requires a 50 hour internship for licensure. AIMST program includes a 120 hour internship. You will come out of school with close to 3x the experience of other newbies, but you will also work your tail off to earn said hours. It will also (at times) truly prepare you for the world of high-​volume massage.
The last thing I will touch on is the third semester. It was a killer for me. I ended up having to quit my part-​time job because I couldn’t keep up with the amount of studying. It is a lot of information crammed into a short period of time. Know that you will most likely just be memorizing data rather than learning it…
Overall, I am very happy with my attendance of AIMST. I highly recommend it to anyone who is looking to learn the steps of a fantastic massage. The only reason this is not 5 stars is because of accommodations. The school is ¹⁄₃ of the cost of Lauterstein though, so you can expect some things to be on the «cheaper» side…

UPDATING MY REVIEW since my last visit — So I gave then another chance since my bad experience that last time with an intern.
Today I got a paraffin wax facial with Melissa — WOW — what a great experience. She was very gentle and explained to me the process along the way since I haven’t had a facial of that type I purchased. It was so worth the price of $ 60.00 and I totally recommend that type of facial if you have very dry skin, like I do and be sure you ask for Melissa.
Thanks Melissa for a great experience!!!