Illa Spa
Illa Spa
2
11:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Monday
Closed
Tuesday
11:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Wednesday
11:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Thursday
11:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Friday
11:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Saturday
11:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Sunday
11:00 AM - 10:00 PM
About
At Illa Spa, one can find a place for peaceful relaxation and momentary escape from the hustle of the capital. Our client centered services will be provided by highly skilled therapists who have years of experience. Located in the heart of Dupont Circle, a little walk away from Dupont Circle metro station, Illa Spa is easily accessible and commuter friendly.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Dupont Circle
How to get there
- Dupont Circle • 3 min walk
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
2.0
18 reviews
Excellent
3
Very good
2
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
13
Lily G
1 contribution
Mar 2024 • Couples
I placed an order with Groupon for Illa Spa in March. They called me about an hour before my appointment and asked to push it back. When I got there, they said they couldn't find me in the system. I showed them my booking. They called a manager in and she started yelling at the employee and made her cry. I was so uncomfortable - in addition to the fact that the spa was dirty, smelly, and the workers did not look in professional or clean attire. I told them I was uncomfortable with what I saw at the spa and their service and told them to cancel my appointment. They yelled at me and told me they were still going to charge me for the service I did not receive, and I left, feeling like I was no longer safe there. I was refunded by Groupon, but they charged by Credit Card because I needed it for the reservation. I reported this business as dirty, smelly, unsanitary, and unprofessional.
Written 12 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lorna B
1 contribution
Jun 2022 • Solo
Absolutely atrocious customer service. They sent me an email requesting to change my appointment time, which I did not see, but no effort was made to confirm that I knew they could no longer make my time. When I arrived for my appointment and they could not accommodate, I rescheduled it, but said I would need to call and confirm that day. They said fine. I called 6 hours before my appointment and asked if I could find a different time. She was INCREDIBLY rude, immediately defensive, immediately YELLING, saying that they would have to charge me. I said keep my money, I’ll leave a review. I immediately get a threatening text! Place is shabby and unclean to boot. Don’t waste your time.
Written 22 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PBP
1 contribution
Jun 2023 • Solo
Terrible “spa.” I made a reservation based on the Lyle hotel claiming it as their spa. Walked in a hot today to an even hotter office space that was dirty and dingy. I asked for water and was given a baby cup. I started feeling lightheaded and told the owners I would have to leave because the stifling heat was making me feel sick. When I raised it they were extremely rude and responded that it was 75 degrees inside so I should have no reason to complain and would not be getting a refund. I have never been to any place that would try to tell me 75 degrees was cool and a hot day. Stay away from this place, it is not at all a real spa and completely lacking customer service.
Written 24 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Leslie M
3 contributions
Jul 2023 • Solo
I suspect the reviews are so mixed because it depends heavily on which therapist. I can only speak for Shuichi who is very skilled. My friend and I used to see him at another spa where they charged a lot more. She loved a gentle relaxing massage, and I like to work out knots from working out. He does both styles well - just let him know! So if you are interested in a great massage at a reasonable rate and not splashy decor, Shuichi is for you.
Note that English is a second language (Japanese being his first) but he is professional, listens, checks in on you about pressure, etc. He has even taught me stretches to help between sessions. I've never had any coupon problems so i can't speak to what others have said about it. Summary: Go see Shuichi
Note that English is a second language (Japanese being his first) but he is professional, listens, checks in on you about pressure, etc. He has even taught me stretches to help between sessions. I've never had any coupon problems so i can't speak to what others have said about it. Summary: Go see Shuichi
Written 10 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tasha Ky J
1 contribution
Oct 2023 • Solo
First, I havent even had the pleasure to receive an actual massage; I couldnt get past the very unprofessional mannerisms over the phone regarding my booking! I spoke with a woman just today about a booking and she was VERY RUDE(and hung up on me). I will not be spending ANY of my money here.
Written 31 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kimberly R
4 contributions
Oct 2021
I don't know why everyone is so upset. The massage was every bit as relaxing and peaceful as I expected. The setting is not luxurious and pretensions as other high-end spas. This is a local no-frills day spa where I found the pain relief that I needed.
Written 14 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
cubes1234
Narragansett, RI162 contributions
Feb 2020
Bought a groupon for a massage at this spa for my daughter, who is pregnant. They told her it would be $45 more for a pre natal massage (ok, get that!) When she gets there, the massage therapist asks her if she has ever has a pre natal massage to which my daughter answers, Yes. Then the therapist says she has Never given a pre natal massage. My daughter basically coaches her through it. When finished, the owner INSISTED that she pay the $45 or she will call the police! What a joke!
Written 27 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DC_local_20009
6 contributions
Oct 2019
This place will steal your money. While we generally liked the massages we've received here, there is always a problem with the packages that we've purchased. We purchased one several years ago (initially through Groupon) and then would buy an additional three massages at a time. But they track their appointments and gift certificates through a paper system that doesn't lend itself to updating and tracking easily. In the past, we've needed to use credit card statements and views of our Google calendars to show when we've used massages on our account because Illa was unable to find the information in their system. It's been years of this, but they refuse(d) to issue a new card or anything that will help simplify the matter and facilitate future visits. When we dealt with this last time, they insisted that we pay at the time of service and trust that they would issue a refund when they had it all worked out on their end. We instead stayed until it was worked out.
We went to use our 3rd (and final) massage today and (as usual) encountered problems. But this time, we arrived early and tried to get it worked out before our massage because we didn't want to ruin our post-massage high. Not surprisingly, they couldn't track how many massages we had left and needed to call in the owner. We asked how long it would take, were told 5-10 minutes, and it took closer to 15-20. When she walked in, she recognized us, said something to the receptionist who was otherwise arguing with us about when we had first been there and asking us to tell her all of our different appointments, and then walked away to service another client. She never spoke directly to us, and the receptionist provided no real service either (including any apologies or intentions to get it worked out). After waiting for 55 minutes to get things worked out (40 of which should have been our appointment), we decided to just leave and sacrifice the last massage because the stress they induce with their terrible process and awful customer service just isn't worth it anymore. Hate to let them win and leave our final massage on the table, but it's just not worth it. In their lack of caring about customer service, the receptionist (who did not seem that concerned in getting things worked out) told the owner that we were leaving, and the owner made no attempt to try to keep us there. They let us just walk out the door.
Would not recommend them to anyone.
We went to use our 3rd (and final) massage today and (as usual) encountered problems. But this time, we arrived early and tried to get it worked out before our massage because we didn't want to ruin our post-massage high. Not surprisingly, they couldn't track how many massages we had left and needed to call in the owner. We asked how long it would take, were told 5-10 minutes, and it took closer to 15-20. When she walked in, she recognized us, said something to the receptionist who was otherwise arguing with us about when we had first been there and asking us to tell her all of our different appointments, and then walked away to service another client. She never spoke directly to us, and the receptionist provided no real service either (including any apologies or intentions to get it worked out). After waiting for 55 minutes to get things worked out (40 of which should have been our appointment), we decided to just leave and sacrifice the last massage because the stress they induce with their terrible process and awful customer service just isn't worth it anymore. Hate to let them win and leave our final massage on the table, but it's just not worth it. In their lack of caring about customer service, the receptionist (who did not seem that concerned in getting things worked out) told the owner that we were leaving, and the owner made no attempt to try to keep us there. They let us just walk out the door.
Would not recommend them to anyone.
Written 13 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LyndsD81
Arlington, VA2 contributions
Apr 2019 • Couples
My husband and I had a couples massage here, and left floored at how bad it was. This was particularly true for his massage therapist, although mine made some very unsafe and bad decisions too. He left quite sure that his therapist had never before given a massage. We've had many massages in the past and none have ever been like this. His masseuse would stop massaging for very long periods of time and he would not know what she was doing. At one point, it was clear that she was using her phone rather than massaging. Also, she plopping lotion directly from the bottle on him and would smear it on like you'd butter a piece of bread. She did not appropriately cover him, and would uncover him without any technique or concern for his privacy. She massaged both legs at the same time, which is never done in other massages. She jumped from one part of the body to the other without any pattern. She banged into his head MANY times and also just laid her body on his for several minutes for no reason, not massaging at all, just like a lump. He left saying this was the absolute worst massage of his life and that we will never go back there again.
On my side, I am a person with chronic illness and showed my massage therapist an accessed mediport on my chest, and then he began massaging me very hard and I asked for a towel to cushion the pressure around the needle. Then without asking or explaining what he was doing, I realized that he was WALKING on my legs and lower back. I cannot imagine a massage therapist who would see someone come in with a needle in their chest and then think it is ok to put his entire body weight WITHOUT asking or explaining what he is doing. He is easily 40 pounds heavier than me. Also, did this without asking for a medical history even though I made clear that I had health issues. THEN he saw a band aid on my side and stopped the massage to ask what it was and only then did I get a chance to say that I am on blood thinning medication. At that point, both therapists walked out of the room to ask the owner if they could massage someone with a mediport, but this was AFTER he'd already WALKED ON ME!!!!! Those were glaring oversights and terrible choices made without consent.
Lastly, the therapists were in the room no longer than 40 minutes tops for a supposed 60 minute massage. All around the behavior was completely unprofessional and unethical. We will never return to this place and felt a need to warn others.
On my side, I am a person with chronic illness and showed my massage therapist an accessed mediport on my chest, and then he began massaging me very hard and I asked for a towel to cushion the pressure around the needle. Then without asking or explaining what he was doing, I realized that he was WALKING on my legs and lower back. I cannot imagine a massage therapist who would see someone come in with a needle in their chest and then think it is ok to put his entire body weight WITHOUT asking or explaining what he is doing. He is easily 40 pounds heavier than me. Also, did this without asking for a medical history even though I made clear that I had health issues. THEN he saw a band aid on my side and stopped the massage to ask what it was and only then did I get a chance to say that I am on blood thinning medication. At that point, both therapists walked out of the room to ask the owner if they could massage someone with a mediport, but this was AFTER he'd already WALKED ON ME!!!!! Those were glaring oversights and terrible choices made without consent.
Lastly, the therapists were in the room no longer than 40 minutes tops for a supposed 60 minute massage. All around the behavior was completely unprofessional and unethical. We will never return to this place and felt a need to warn others.
Written 27 April 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Angel T
1 contribution
Dec 2019
HORRENDOUS service.
1. Guest was directed to book on 3rd party and asked for payment.
2. Received NO confirmation.
3. Called the spa just to hear 'appointment not booked', 'need to rebook' 'but ma'am date is full'
4. Got Charged for Not Showing Up (to this unbooked appointment)
DISGUSTING.
1. Guest was directed to book on 3rd party and asked for payment.
2. Received NO confirmation.
3. Called the spa just to hear 'appointment not booked', 'need to rebook' 'but ma'am date is full'
4. Got Charged for Not Showing Up (to this unbooked appointment)
DISGUSTING.
Written 28 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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