The I Spa

Kelsey Kizer is the main reason I keep coming back to this spa! She’s wonderful and gives a fantastic facial. She’s gentle but effective, and always offers helpful but not but pushy suggestions for improving your skin holistically. She helped me transition off a chemical heavy regimen from my dermatologist that was both irritating and ineffective. She’s a wealth of knowledge for natural health and wellness, and helps your skin glow from the inside out!

Got a groupon and got the facial and massage package deal. The facial was pretty much just rubbing cream all over my face and a machine emitting steam. No extractions were done. I was pretty disappointed with the facial. Staff was nice. The amenities weren’t all that and I think they could’ve done a better job on cleanliness and replacing rugs (they were old with threads hanging) to name the least. Keeping the women’s lounge room tidy and water cups refilled were things that stood out to me. Staff was nice… I did enjoy the massage. Skylar worked very hard and I totally recommend her. She’s Proffesional and good at her craft. I would’ve gave it 3 stars but that facial…

This spa has so much potential to be better. They have a great location in SF and the staff is great.
Cons:
Small
VERY old
Hot tub is gross
Pros:
Great location
great service
Love the hotel

Hey. I want to complain about the terrible service I Spa InterContinental. Address 888 Howard san francisco. I bought a Groupon as a gift for my husband for his birthday, but on this day there were no appointments. Well, it happens, and we decided that my husband simply assign a massage the other day. he called to make an appointment on Sunday, sweet female voice asked him to wait a couple of minutes, my husband waited 20 (!!!) Hold minutes after that, he was told sorry but we can not take your call, leave your number and we’ll call you back soon, my husband left them my phone number, and guess what ??? they never called back !!! it is simply humiliating attitude towards the customer. I want to completely get my money back and warn all of this terrible Spas! never again!!!

The massage was good.
The spa is cold everywhere
Small steam room and very bright. Also not hot enough.
Very very small .
Very clean and nice happy employees.

I’m only giving this a 3 star for two reasons. First, I felt rush by the receptionist. I understand I got there just a couple of minutes before my start time because I got stuck in traffic but boy were they really on a tight schedule? My massage was cut short by 10 minutes because of that. I didn’t see anybody else waiting outside or in the waiting area. They didn’t even offer me any refreshment. This is supposed to be a high end spa with great customer service. :(

¹⁰⁄₁₀ will return.
The treatment was superb! The facility itself was ectremely well kept. As a germaphobe this was godlike. Everyone was extremely professional amd accommodating.
I had the sweedish massage and a facial. Kelsey may be the sole reason for my return, she was a dream.
The only downside in a landslide of upsides: Minus one star because, this spa is located within a hotel, each area is segregated and requires key card entry. I wish they would have provided me a key card. So, I could have come and gone between facilities at my leisure.
Pro tip: go during your lunch hour, if you can. No one is there. It feels like you have the entire spa to yourself.

I had an awful experience at the I Spa. For paying $ 166– I left totally unsatisfied.
No one offered us any beverages when we arrived, and after we asked, they were brought to us by 2 staff members cracking up. This was completely inappropriate as we were in the «relaxing» room. The towels piled up in the locker room area and when we asked for one additional towel the staff member resisted and said only one more towel because they were low. Then do the laundry of the pile of towels that have been sitting there all day! The locker room was completely unattended and there wasn’t any water left. When we checked out, we wanted to split our bill/​reservation. Monique at the front desk had a lot of attitude about this easy request. She took over 7 mins and still hadn’t figured it out. Then another staff member came and helped my friend and managed to split our bill within 5 seconds and rolled her eyes at her coworker, Monique. The staff experience for what is supposed to be an upscale spa, was so horrible. I have worked in customer facing positions for years, and couldn’t believe what I had experienced.
As for my facial, the woman was nice and seemed to know what she was doing, but had no idea about professionalism. She asked if I see a dermatologist and when I responded with no, she asked if that was because I don’t have insurance. Totally inappropriate. Then she was telling me that she didn’t want to do certain things to my face because she didn’t want it to look «crazy.»
I am extremely upset with how much money I paid for such a horrible experience. The staff needs to be retrained or changed before you lose all of your clients.

Go to spot for massages.
Starts with $ 15 for 3 hours of valet parking. Easy.
Then, friendly service. Steam room. Access to hot tub, pool, and gym. I’ve only taken advantage of the hot tub. However, a little workout before a massage sounds quite lovely.
Mimosas if needed.
Extremely clean, excellent high-​end service. LOVE.

I bought a Groupon for a facial and massage. The waiting room could be more relaxing instead of a room where staff walks through. My facial from Kelsey was average/​good. She was very pleasant. The massage therapist was very good. He recognized that my back and legs were tight and worked out the tension. I realized afterward that he didn’t massage my hands which I really enjoy. I regret not pointing that out to him. When I was the iSpa a few months ago, I had an incredible massage. I think the massage therapist was Gary. He used his forearms getting the tension out of my back. I felt very relaxed when it was over.
The shower was nice and big with lots of shower heads. That was very nice. The front desk staff was efficient. I didn’t know that I could have had access to other amenities until just now when I saw the video. No one informed me of that. I definitely would have used the spa and maybe the fitness center as well.
I would go back the next time I have a Groupon. Perhaps I’ll even go back without a Groupon.

Warning to other plus size women, this spa can’t really accommodate us. I’m use to big, oversized robes and large fluffy towels. Nope. I looked all over for a size XL robe (I’m a size 18) but couldn’t find anything larger than a L. It barely covered me. The towels were also small. Needless to say I did not use the steam room and felt very embarrassed walking around.
The hot stone massage was just okay. Nothing special. I don’t plan on going back.

Do NOT come here for a massage. I didn’t think it was possible to have such a terrible massage, but the Intercontinental Spa shocked me. I had a male masseuse (he truly does not deserve to be called a massage therapist) who was the most unprofessional, inappropriate individual during my massage. Not only was he lacking in technique (starting in sensitive places, not adhering to proper draping practices, pressing his entire body against me), but he left the lights on bright and was playing and SINGING along to music that is literally the music I hear in clubs. I did not feel safe or comfortable speaking up being in such a vulnerable place and left appalled and disgusted. DO NOT GO TO THIS SPA.

Sheryl gave an amazing massage. I’ve had several massages here, and did not think to write a review on any of them. But Sheryl, is someone who had an amazing healing touch. My shoulders and neck had some major tension issues, and she worked it out like no other masseuse. She not only worked out the knots, but she never lost the flow and rhythm of the massage. I usually ask for male therapists, since I think they have stronger hands, but Sheryl’s level of pressure was perfect. She is very professional, very intuitive about what you come in for, and I can’t reiterate enough, to try her out if you have not had a massage with Sheryl!
Thank you, Sheryl, for your healing and restorative heavenly massage!
And thank you, Cici for excellent customer service! I came here last week, and found Cici’s warmth and customer service to be so inviting and attentive. That’s the exact spirit you need when you come in for a massage to destress! Thank you, Cici!

The 5-​star is driven by the promotional price I got from travelzoo, combined with extremely friendly staff and very nice amenities. Without promotions it’s a little pricy in my view.
I got the $ 139 deal from travelzoo, which included a 50min Swedish spa and a classic facial. They both went very very well. The esthetician cleaned out all my blackheads and pimples, and it didn’t hurt that much. And the massage was just very nice. I spent another $ 10 to upgrade it into a deep tissue, totally worth it! Felt so much better after
And a little tip: I went 1 hr early to use their facility, which includes in door pool, gym, and steam room.

Agree with the overall rating that this is probably a 3.5 star spa.
Pretty solid– but not as well run as I would like.
FACILITIES
The facilities here always don’t disappoint! There’s an almost uncomfortably toasty eucalyptus steam room, a changing area, digital lockers/​locks, fresh cucumber water, and chilled cucumber slices in the bathroom for tired, puffy eyes. There’s also some small bites to nibble on in the waiting area, but nothing too exciting (trail mix, dried cranberries, tea).
Love that you get your choice of complimentary wine or champagne! You may have to ask for it though. as I noticed most patrons did. I suggest getting there extra early and wandering the facilities as you sip your drink of choice or sitting outside on the spa terrace. Warning though, it gets windy/​cold up there (this is still SF, after all).
MASSAGE–
My masseuse was obviously deeply educated– I asked her to exclusively focus on my back, traps and shoulders. Although the massage was slightly painful at times– it was definitely a good kind of hurt and I was amazed at how much tension she got out in a short amount of time!
The massage rooms are dim, relaxing and most importantly CLEAN. I also love that they use heated beds– it adds so much to the experience!
My main complaint? My massage started *at least* 8 minutes late. I was whisked away around 3:05 for my 3:00 appt, and looked at the clock on my way out– on the dot 3:50. If only they could be so punctual to start on time :) It’s not a huge deal, but I’m a value player and thats $ 13 of massage I didn’t get! Kind of lame.

I have visited I Spa several times over the past several years. My first visit was after purchasing a groupon for multiple massages to try them out. My experience has always been great. They have a small but nice lockeroom were you can enjoy the steam room or the showers before or after your massage. It is always generally pretty quiet so it is easy to unwind quickly. The staff has always been nice and helpful; they often offer you wine or champagne while you wait.
I generally go for the 80 min massage, typically with John. The massage is always great. I come out totally relaxed everytime.
They have an online booking system which is easy; my only complaint is that I have to book well in advance to get the time and masseur I want. It is a bit pricy, but it is easy to find deals online for them.

Booked my wife and wonderful mother of my child for a Mothers Day massage and day at the spa on Sunday. She turns up, gets changed into a robe, and eagerly awaits her massage and relaxing time using the facilities. Waits and waits. Finally goes back to the front desk and finds out that her masseuse has not turned up to work and there are no other masseuses available. But no one bothered to tell her. Very sadly she gets dressed again and departs.
Thanks for ruining my wife’s Mothers Day Intercontinental Hotel.

Wish we had longer to enjoy the facilities before treatment began (see my review of Luce, their restaurant downstairs). They have a swimming pool, gym, Jacuzzi on the outside, as well as a steam room in the locker room so you can go in your birthday suit if you like.
The front desk staff is very nice and was able to give us a good tour. There’s also complimentary bubbles if you ask. The showers/​locker room seem to have all the amenities as well. I’d like to think of myself as a seasoned spa goer, and this place was comparable to others I’ve been to. They have lockers with digital locks for your stuff.
I used a travlezoo voucher for a facial — normally priced at $ 140. There’s also a $ 7 facility fee, and WITH validation parking is ONLY $ 15 (orly??) As far as the facial went it was pretty nice– I had Danielle work on me and she seems to know her skincare well. She was able to asses my skin and make recommendations based on what she saw, which is why I get facials. I was a little bummed it didn’t come with paraffin had wax like some other spas, but the facial was so relaxing and I definitely felt comfortable. I’d totally give her my business again.

Bought 2 groupons for a 50 minute massage and facial.
Me and my boyfriend both had a groupon for the 50 minute massage and 50 minute facial. When the time came for our scheduled appointment, we showed up and whoever booked our reservation on the phone only booked a massage and facial for me and not my boyfriend, when I specifically asked to book two appointments for the both of us simultaneously! We were excited and in need of relaxation time for a while, and when we arrived we were pretty upset. However, the front desk did accommodate us by re booking us appointments plus complimentary mani/​pedis.
However, when we did finally get out massage and facials they were supposed to be 50 minutes, but the masseuses actually cut the time short and the massages only lasted 40 minutes. I know this because I checked the clock before and after the massage. The facial felt like it was cut short as well. The mani/​pedis were not bad, the ladies were nice. When we were finished, the front desk tried to charge us a $ 30 «spa health fee» or something like that. WTH? We didn’t pay it however, the receptionist voided the fee because we were shocked that we had a groupon and we’re still asked to pay some sort of fee.
Overall, the looks of this spa was ok, nothing extravagant. The massages and facials were cut short, which is definitely a no no especially when people like me and my boyfriend were in desperate need of relaxation. That just isn’t right, and we felt cheated in a way. I won’t be back here again.

I think the mistake I made in coming here was coming in with the expectation that this would be a great alternative to Burke Williams. However, despite being in a ritzy hotel, this is not a super ritzy spa. While yes, there is a pool and a hot tub, it’s the hotel’s pool and hot tub and there’s a giant window from the gym where people on treadmills can gawk at you while you sit in their over-​chlorinated jacuzzi. There is also a steam room, but I’m not a fan of being steamed and the hot air that blasts in there every 3 minutes doesn’t help with the experience. No hot sauna either, that made me sad.
The prices for their services are on the higher end too, at $ 130 for a 50-​minute massage, $ 185 for the 80 minute, etc. I honestly wouldn’t have come here if not for the Groupon I had for a 50-​minute massage at $ 70.
The massage itself, however, was great. I got the Swedish massage and my therapist asked beforehand how much pressure I wanted, which I never get asked about. And of course, I opted for more pressure and she went to town on my stiff shoulder muscles. I do recommend coming here for their services, just don’t expect the same amenities as Burke Williams.