Body Essentials

This place needs a makeover! Went in for 90 minute massage but was very disappointed. The therapist seemed to just be phoning in in. Sauna and steam room are co-​ed and it was just plain creepy to see a man in a towel when walking into the steam room. No place to sit and relax before the massage, the whole place is just kind of wonky For the prices they charge I would hope for a more relaxing atmosphere. Marriott needs to pay attention to what they call their spa.

Have to get a shout out to Jennifer for one of the best massages I have ever had. My back is a mess due to numerous health issues and I’ve been in a lot of pain for months. I used to get massages on a fairly regular basis but have just been too busy to take time for myself lately. I made my appt. the day before and made sure to book the deep tissue massage. If you want pressure, you need to book the more expensive deep tissue massage. This is true most anywhere as it really is more tiring to the masseuse and deserving of a higher price. Jennifer used some heavenly smelling lime and cucumber lotion on my feet and hands. Yum! The wreck I was, I should have booked a 90 minute massage. Jennifer did her best with me in the hour I had. I found the music in the spa soothing and the spa smelled great. My massage was worth every penny. I noticed that a number of the negative reviews were more to do with the location of the spa itself. It is a small spa inside a hotel. This spa is not the Sonoma Mission Inn nor does it purport to be. I’ve been to the Sonoma Mission Inn and others of its ilk and one will pay a pretty penny for that type of spa. The reception area is small and not particularly quiet, the spa is located near the hotel gym and the spa and sauna are co-​ed and available to the hotel guests. My robe was clean and my sandals fit just fine. I was treated well by both the front staff and my masseuse. The spa was clean. The only reason I’m not giving 5 stars is that this isn’t a five star type of spa where one might spend all day getting various treatments, soaking in natural hot springs, drinking tea by a koi pond etc. It isn’t a destination spa. I suggest one head over to Napa or Sonoma if you are looking for that kind of thing. However, if one seeks a massage in a clean relaxing setting for a reasonable price for a hotel spa at Lake Tahoe, this fits the bill. Jennifer has worked miracles on my back and I’m a happy camper!

Convenience and a last minute appointment looks like a teeny run down «spa,» an overpriced 60 min. Swedish massage ($ 95) and the hugest pink robe you’ve ever seen.

I used my vouchers I purchased for a nice getaway treat at Body Essentials Spa in the Marriott at lake Tahoe and encountered nothing but unprofessional behavior at this location. If THIS is an example of what I get when going through I used my vouchers I purchased for a nice getaway treat at Body Essentials Spa in the Marriott at lake Tahoe and encountered nothing but unprofessional behavior at this location. If THIS is an example of what I get when going through TravelZoo, I will not use it again!
1. We arrived to a receptionist that had no idea what to do because they were splitting their ONE greeter between TWO locations. They are too cheap to appropriately staff their two locations.
2. Upon being given our baskets with robes and sandals etc… One of our sandals was BROKEN (classy) and the robe may as well have been made from potato sacks. Its the little things that count at spas and they had no eye for it.
3. One of the massage technicians had extra onions for lunch and needed more deodorant… why do we know this? They reeked and it ruined what could have been a relaxing massage. Talk about aroma therapy!
4. The Spa messed up who had requested a male technician making the experience less than relaxing for both of us. Get the appointments and the requests RIGHT
5. Upon trying to leave as quickly as possible, we had to wait 10 minutes AGAIN for someone to run there from the other spa to run our bank card for the required gratuities that were frankly not at all earned.
6. They were incredibly disorganized constantly offering for us to wait in their sauna or steam room while they got there act together. No one wants to be a sweaty mess when getting a massage or facial. The Steam room frankly didnt have any steam in it, it was just a dank version of the dry sauna.
7. The waiting area and locker rooms are shared with the pool area for the hotel so people changing or sitting semi exposed in roves are subjected to children running around noisily while they have paid to be in a relaxing spa environment. The waiting area itself is a hallway that leads to the hotel pool with a $ 20 big lots electric faux fireplace and a water cooler. OOOOOOOO relaxation at its finest.
This was HARDLY a spa experience. It was a keystone cops comedy of errors and unprofessionalism from start to finish that seriously has our family questioning if we will EVER do business through travelzoo again much less this joke masquerading as a spa. Marriott should be humiliated to have them within their walls.

I’ve been coming to this spa for several years during my trips up to Tahoe. Although this is not a high end resort spa, nevertheless, I’ve enjoyed all my treatments and the personnel. This year I had three trips to SLT and lucky for me, I happened upon one of their TravelZoo vouchers which provided a full hour (not 50 min) massage and full hour facial. All three appointments were on time and easy to book — it was during the slow season. Susan provides outstanding facials — I love how she began with the fragrance of lavender to relax me. And the pumpkin mask was awesome. I felt really pampered by Susan. One of my most recent massages was with Miguel who I understand is fairly new to the staff. What a great addition because Miguel definitely knows his craft and was terrific at working the knots out of my shoulders and neck. BTW, Susan’s facial provided a wonderful neck massage too and stretching of those tense muscles. Everyone was aware that I was a guest on a TravelZoo voucher and yet I was treated very much as a full paying guest. Yes, I had to pay $ 33 up front before my sessions for gratuity — and that’s unfortunate because frankly, I would have probably provided more $ for each procedure as a gratuity left in the room (e.g $ 20 each). Guess they’ve had too many people not pay gratuity? shame. I do agree with other reviewers about the locker room — time to spiff it up, how about a comb/​brush in the disinfecting jar and some hair conditioner in the shower. The robes are clean and comfy enough — the locker room is very clean, even the tiles. That’s what counts. The only big issue is the waiting area… it’s a tiny alcove off of the front entrance and the doors to the pool have people going in and out past you. So wish they had a waiting/​holding tank area that was private, soft lights and piped in music. That would certainly class up the spa atmosphere.
If you see new TravelZoo vouchers for this spa — grab them at $ 99, it’s well worth it in comparison to other spas in the South Lake area. And if your staying at the Marriott, be sure to ask if there is a discount for Marriott guests.

I visited this «spa» during our recent stay at the Marriott Grand Residence. I made an appointment ahead of time for a facial. When I arrived for my appointment they gave me a form to fill out and immediately asked for me to pay for my facial prior to my appointment. I have been to a lot of spas and I have never been asked once to pay ahead of time. The front desk receptionist handed me a basket with a lock, an old robe, and sandals (a size 5 and I am a size 9, when I asked for a bigger pair the receptionist said they didn’t have anything available). The receptionist in my opinion should have been dressed in business attire or in a uniform of some sort in my opinion. She was in jeans and tennis shoes. This would help increase the professional feel of the spa in my opinion.
As you walk down the hallway to the locker/​changing area you will notice the hotel’s gym across the hall from it. The spa shares the locker room with the gym and pool. There were people changing out of their swimsuits and exercise gear while I was trying to change. The locker room actually looks like my middle school locker room (not an exaggeration). There was very limited room to change in between the lockers and benches. The changing area really needs some updating to help give the spa a more relaxing feel.
Once I changed I then waited up in the front desk area (there is not a separate waiting area for the spa so everyone going to the locker room or fitness center sees you sitting in your robe. That really doesn’t make you feel especially relaxed, I felt exposed. The woman who did my facial was 15 minutes late to my appointment, claimed that she had to clean the room (which I appreciate but when I make an appointment I expect people to be on time).
The room was clean, I liked how the bed was heated. She did take the time to ask about allergies or if I sensitive skin. The facial was not great. I felt like she put every product known to man kind on my face (I have had dozens of facials and have never had this many products put on my face during one session). I was also disappointed that she didn’t do any extractions, which really helps to clear up my skin. She massaged my hands and feet during the facial which was okay. I liked how she put heated mitts on my hands during the massage (I have had that done before) and she attempted to massage my neck… which was horrible. I had to have my husband massage my neck later because she caused my neck to cramp up. My face now feels like sandpaper and is so dry that it hurts. I have never had my skin look so bad after a facial.
I frankly wouldn’t recommend coming here. They have a lot of work and changes that need to be made in my opinion before I would come here again.

I was only in town for a couple of days and I was fortunate enough to get an appointment time at Body Essentials, the one in Heavenly Village. My swedish was given by Laura and my facial by Paula BOTH OF WHICH I LOVED! Everyone — from the front desk appointment person to the therapists — were very warm, welcoming and professional from beginning to end.
The music and smells were calming and soothing too. I was able to get in on the TravelZoo special and walked away with a TWO hour treatment of massage and facial for $ 99 + gratuity. Super great deal and a very wonderful experience for me!

My Birthday yay! so my father booked me a massage here, as i walked in i noticed a bigger girl and told her i was checking in very sarcastically she said ok,!i then looked around and noticed the place is not too cozy i did not let that affect me i figured the massage should be good so it would make up for the rudeness, the locker room is not as nice and well kept as other spas the steam room looked dirty so i did not even bother to use it .So far you can tell my experience has been bad! i then got taken to my massage room the room was extremely small! the size of my closest is way bigger! and that is my closet, at this point i thought can this get any worse! It Did my massage was horrible i even asked my self if the girl knew how to give a massage i told her that the pressure was too light she told me i was booked for a Swedish massage and not a deep tissue, i then told her my Father booked it and must have not known i always get deep tissue i told her it was no problem at all and i would pay the difference she grunted and began what i call the worst deep tissue in my life i almost got off the table! i know i can be picky and a pain in the a#$ but i tip! if im a big pain big Tip, but anyways she was not getting a big tip! after the massage was over i knew she had to be new or just graduated from massage school, to my surprise she was new to the massage world. this was definitely not what i expected from the spa at the Grand Residence, i let my dad know and we did some research it turns out this spa is privately owned and not part of the Grand Residence. They just rent it out! no wonder its not Marriott Quality! later on we realized there was another spa right next door, it my dad made it up to me and booked me a deep tissue there it WAS AMAZING! so my recommendation check other places out before you COME HERE! there is some more really close to the Grand Residence! THAT ARE OF GRAND RESIDENCE QUALITY!

First of all, the spa is small but in my opinion if you want all the fancy schmancy (is that a word?) stuff go elsewhere. My girlfriend and I were there for a massage and facial and we were so pleased! My facial with Paula was one of the best I ever had and what was really great was that she didn’t push any products on me. My massage was wonderful too, and what I liked about it was the therapist would occasionally ask if the pressure was ok. We had the Travelzoo package which is a great deal, but keep in mind that gratuity is based on full price of services. No problem, worth every penny.
The only issue with the spa is that the steam and sauna are coed! We didn’t use these facilities but we were cool with it. Front desk ladies are sweet and professional, we will definitely be back.

First off, my massage therapist, Amanda was fabulous and I wish she would switch and go work at another spa (on ski run) instead because I unfortunately will never go back to body essentials.
When I arrived, the receptionist thought I was getting a facial at 4, but I was getting a massage at 3. She did not welcome me and make me feel comfortable, nor did she act like she cared. I went in the steam room and sauna and then waited for my massage by the front desk and I could hear the therapist wondering what was going on. She was asking the receptionist why she was not informed of her 3 o’clock client. I was brought in for my massage at 3:15, and was a bit cold after leaving the sauna and sitting out near the door (it was April and cold and there was a draft coming through) for 20 minutes waiting. There was obvious tension between the receptionist and therapist and I was not welcomed with a relaxing tone, which is really important for me when getting a massage. I upgraded to deep tissue and was very satisfied with my massage itself, however I never got to relax. Outside the therapy rooms is a weight room and the steam room/​sauna for use by the hotel guests allarently. Weights had been dropped next door multiple times, which caused loud, major disruptions. Then the receptionist had brought clients down to show them the steam room and sauna. The guests made no attempt to be quiet and were screaming when the steam came on. My therapist went out and requested for them to be quiet as there were massages taking place. Obviously, the receptionist had not informed them that the massage rooms were right there. 5 minutes later there was another disruption with people talking loudly. I asked my therapist to go out and again ask for them to be quiet. The receptionist again was the culprit. My massage ended and I still had not found the relaxation that I so needed and wanted. I figured after my massage I could go in the steam room and sauna and meditate and relax. When I went in, there were young children (Tweens) enjoying both the steam room and sauna, and they were talking and obviously they were not informed of spa etiquette. I also go to the spa to be away from children and just to relax, so this just bummed me out. I live locally and I am very disappointed with what happened. Massages are too expensive to not fully enjoy my experience.
I wrote management an email and they made excuses for what happened and it’s obvious they have low expectations for their staff. They offered me a 30% discount at their sister location at Cecil’s fountain, which in my opinion is a slap in the face.
Never will I return. Go to Bio Spirit instead.

Great massages by Gabe and Jen! We both extended our 60 minutes to 90! Music was so nice.

While staying in South Lake Tahoe this weekend I was lucky enough to come to Body Essentials for a 30 minute Swedish Massage. For $ 60 it was exactly what I expected– the Marriott was nice, the locker rooms were very clean, but not overly accommodating (they didn’t have a lot of amenities that other spas have; and the actual massage was very good.

I love the convenience of visiting the spa within the Grand Residence rather than walking to a location around the corner (sister spa), but I feel that the towels should always be stocked, the robe baskets should be cleaned, and the massage therapists could use a bit more training for target areas. Overall, I was relaxed, but longed for a better massage and steam and sauna that are not coed.

I bought a voucher for this spa on Travelzoo. It specifically states that «This deal is not valid on holidays or holiday weekends.» When I called to make an appointment AFTER Christmas they told me, «The deal is not good from December 24 — January 2^nd» and that is states that on the voucher. Wow, really a holiday weekend is 10 days long. No thanks. Sleazy. Hope I can get my money back.

Outstanding 50 minute organic massage facial and 30 minute Swedish Message! Michelle was a gift as well. She has found her career/​Tahoe calling and I loved our time together. Would recommend to locals and all out of town guests. Time at Body Essentials will be remembered long after the vacations is over. — Enjoy!

My daughter and I each did a «Rejuvenation Package.» I get massages regularly and I thought that any package that had a facial and a massage and a body scrub was going to give you less than you wanted of any one of them. Instead, the service was just fabulous! The practitioners were both excellent and each of the services was wonderful.

I couldnt have been more disappointed in the services I received at this spa (marriott location). The prices were ridiculous, $ 350 for 2 50 min massages and 2 mani/​pedi. I have to say that the technicians were very friendly but lacked in talent. The massage was «ok» but the mani/​pedi was one of the worst I have ever had. No whirlpools for the pedi, just stagnant water in a tub, no massage chairs and as I stated before the polis was sloppy, all over my feet and fingers when she was done. The overall appearance of the spa was cheap and messy and not even that clean. I would never EVER refer this spa to anyone…

I looooved this spa. Did a two hour package for $ 200 and it covered a 1 hr massage, body exfoliation, sea weed wrap, signature facial. Kristen worked on my body and face… she was just amazing! She knew what she was doing! I was sooo relaxed and the facial she gave me was great. Really loved it! Thanks Kristen!

I booked 2 massages for my husband and I the day before our wedding. We were really really looking foreward to the massages, but ended up being disapointed. We paid $ 250 plus tip for his therapist to talk his ear off, and mine to hurry through my massage. We LOVE getting massages and do it all the time back home (for way less!) and were really bummed out that the facility was more hospital-​like than spa-​like.

Expensive, young masseuses at this spa located inside the Marriott Grand Residences building near the gondola. Has a bit of the spa atmosphere, but the gym and sauna are located down the same hall as the treatment rooms; which depending on who is using those facilities at the time can be a bit noisy. I had an excellent reflexology treatment here once, and have had some good massages as well.