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Original poster

Spa Horror Stories

72 replies

Lolarosemama · 29/08/2021 00:14

I don’t really have a horror story from a spa 😅 but I was at one this week and thought some people must have some embarrassing or ridiculous stories from spas!! This bored sleepless mama wants your stories!

Like I said I don’t have a horror story, but I once got given a voucher for a second facial as the beautician talked non stop the whole way through and massaged soap into my mouth 🤢

OP posts:
MysweetAudrina · 29/08/2021 21:01

I love an authentic Thai massage. A few years ago I booked a full body massage in my city centre. When I got there I asked the masseuse what I should leave on. She replied, why you shy? I left on my pants and lay down. I ended up getting a full boob massage and she went way too near my fanjo for comfort. When I left I rang dh to tell him that i wasn't sure if I had just been unfaithful. Have since found a lovely place with better boundaries. I did check the reviews on the first place and there were some comments about extras being offered etc...

Cecillie · 29/08/2021 21:11

I have only ever been to a spa once !
Many years ago when dc were tiny, went to a Belgian version of centre parks and our luxury lodge came with free spa entry.
Only when we arrived did I realise it was a naked spa Grin
Being tight arsed, we had paid for it and were going to get our money's worth . Had stern words with ds 1 and 2 previsit about this being completely normal etc then basically used tiny dd as a human shield to cover my modesty when walking around Grin
One visit was plenty !

WhateverHappenedToFayWray · 29/08/2021 21:21

I've worked in spa's and some of the things I have experienced were disgusting.

Men making in appropriate comments and noises. Stripping off completely when I requested that they leave their underwear on. I even had to massage a boss and he would always book in for a two hour session every week and surprise, surprise he was always naked. It was so fucking uncomfortable. I've had people scream and shout at me and generally treat me like shit. I don't do it as a job anymore.

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LoveFall · 29/08/2021 21:52

This is pretty disgusting also. Went in a steam room and an older woman was, believe it or not, horking and spitting on the floor repeatedly.

I hightailed it out of there. I think it was a cultural thing but it was just too horrible for me.

LibbyL92 · 29/08/2021 22:31

I was about 23 and I went to a spa and booked a full body massage, my first time!

Anyway. The lady comes in and says to tak my bathing suit down and then lay on the bed face down.

I got confused and took the whole thing off. Rushed onto the bed and pulled the little sheet over my backside.

She then came in and immediately removed the sheet to re position it… my big pale white backside on view. I was mortified!! She meant down. Not off!!

KilledByWitches · 29/08/2021 22:41

Spa horror story?
I spent five hours in front of the TV and they only raced one lap. 🥸

bad F1 joke could t resist

FuckingFabulous · 29/08/2021 23:00

Husband went to a "spa" for a massage I booked him as a gift. The spa turned out to be a sort of wet room in someone's house that had a CD player piping out tinkly music and some joss sticks burning. The bloke told my husband to get his clothes off and DH declined, saying he was only there for a shoulder massage. Bloke said most people prefer to be massaged naked but it was DH's choice and then told him
that he and his wife offer a bespoke package with various services that made it clear they were running a very different sort of spa! I only booked it as it came recommended by the masseur's mum, who worked with my mum. I wonder if she knew what her lad was really up to. Dh did not get his shoulder massage, he suddenly felt very unwell and had to excuse himself pronto.

Sewaccidentprone · 29/08/2021 23:20

I trained to be a massage therapist a few years ago.

Towards the end of the year’s training we operated open clinic sessions to get used to treating people we didn’t know.

I massaged one bloke’s back who had been really badly sunburnt the week prior. As I massaged his back with oil the dead skin rolled up into little balls which I swished off with a small hand towel every now and again. It was hilarious, but I couldn’t laugh until he’d left (as I was v professional!)

Original poster
Lolarosemama · 29/08/2021 23:57

@KilledByWitches

Spa horror story? I spent five hours in front of the TV and they only raced one lap. 🥸

bad F1 joke could t resist

Nice 😂 it was so boring 🙄🙄
OP posts:
Original poster
Lolarosemama · 30/08/2021 00:16

@Sewaccidentprone

I trained to be a massage therapist a few years ago.

Towards the end of the year’s training we operated open clinic sessions to get used to treating people we didn’t know.

I massaged one bloke’s back who had been really badly sunburnt the week prior. As I massaged his back with oil the dead skin rolled up into little balls which I swished off with a small hand towel every now and again. It was hilarious, but I couldn’t laugh until he’d left (as I was v professional!)

This would make me vom, not laugh 🤣
OP posts:
Tulips15 · 30/08/2021 00:22

Treated myself and DD (Age 13 at time) to a few hours use of the hot tub, steam room and facial ...
We had to get out the hot tub as they had put far too much chlorine in it, it made me dizzy within mins..
The facial product irritated us both a bit!
we got full refund.

The second time at a new spa ( DD 16 ) the outdoor hot tub had loads of dead flies in it and the sauna had loads of used towels in it, the manicure we both booked was cancelled on arrival as the lady wasnt there- again full refund .

Been put off going again anywhere tbh

Estara · 30/08/2021 00:48

Ooooh, flash backs..
Mid massage on a cruise ship, in rough seas. I got that cold, clammy feeling of wanting to hurl. I had to ask her to stop as I didn't feel well, she left the room and I promptly threw up in the sink. Oh the shame. On my way back to the cabin they had put out sick bags everywhere, I guess I wasn't the only one feeling the effects.

Another one with the fire alarm going off at the gym just as she was finishing my massage. She went out to check if it was real and came back to say someone had burnt their toast is the cafe and we had to evacuate.

hahahayoumustbejoking · 30/08/2021 01:02

I once went for a massage a few years ago. Lay face down on the table and a very old little thai woman with limited English popped up and started to pummel me. All fine. Asked me though gestures to turn over and then she suddenly proceeded to massage my breasts. Quite vigorously. I didn't know what to say! She finished, I paid, joined DH in the pub and sat stunned for a bit.

Not sure to this day what that was all about. Confused

Rogue1001 · 30/08/2021 01:42

@AtillatheHun

(There was also the time I foolishly booked to go horse riding an hour after a colonic at a spa in the actual rain forest; I recommend that if you do ever go in for that treatment, you need to be able to fully let go in front of a total stranger. Nor a time to clench, makes for a very sloshy rising trot.)
I feel that you win!
MrsClatterbuck · 30/08/2021 02:48

Went to a spa on holiday for a beauty treatment. Facial waxing. She didn't use the traditional wax put on with a wooden spatula thing and removed with a cloth but used what I can describe as like glue which has gone not hard but more like the consistency of putty. This stuff was pressed on my face and then pulled off plus she didn't speak the whole time. Glad to get the procedure but also glad to get out.
Also not at a spa but at the hairdressers and got talked into a head massage. It was nice at first but I started to feel uneasy as I thought she was never going to stop. It was my first head massage so probably not expecting it to go on for so long. Certainly got my monies worth.

PolkadotsAndMoonbeams · 30/08/2021 03:14

The hotel spa in Turkey that had apparently mixed up their CDs and was playing panpipes/whale noise Christmas songs in July was funny more than anything.

I was less keen on the way she whipped my bikini top off, then disappeared at the end of the massage without a word leaving me listening to Silent Night and trying to work out where she'd put my bikini top (the door handle).

Malin52 · 30/08/2021 04:10

When you travel first class with BA there's an Elemis spa you can use before your flight.
We were flying to SFO so I plumped for a nice facial. DH went for a head and shoulder massage.
For the next half hour all I could hear from the room next door was DH talking at the poor therapist about football.

Ohmygodyesthatsit · 30/08/2021 18:24

@MrsClatterbuck that's hot wax actually much kinder to skin and should be used to wac the face. Its harder to use so therapists often use warm aka strip wax (applied with spatula, removed with cloth) as its easier to control.

Ohmygodyesthatsit · 30/08/2021 18:28

Im a therapist and I hate it when clients talk to me during facials or massages. I feel like clients get less from the experience if they are talking.
I do wish I could say to clients dont worry about all the things you worry about, your body (i seriously do not judge, and have never heard other therapists judge), funny noises we dont care, snoring take it as a compliment.
And I am never repulsed by anybodys body or feet genuinely i have no yuck feelings ever.

Janaih · 30/08/2021 18:33

My mum got me a massage voucher off Groupon for my birthday once. The masseuse was a rather stern Polish woman. She was quite heavy handed. Halfway through she said "you have a very strong back, most people cry at this point".
It remains one of my favourite compliments! Grin

YouJustDoYou · 30/08/2021 18:46

unisex spa area (fucking WHY?!!), all three times using it when I was in my 20s, the men, different men each time, leached on the women and younger women using it also and one guy even started to touch himself. Just adds to the grossness I feel when even looking at males.

hayley013 · 30/08/2021 18:49

My friend and I were having a massage in a hotel in Bulgaria when a man burst through the door, pushed our wheeled trolleys across the room and the police burst in, while we're topless on our fronts, and they injected him with something and he passed out then they literally dragged him away 😳

Tealwarrior · 30/08/2021 19:00

@Ohmygodyesthatsit

Im a therapist and I hate it when clients talk to me during facials or massages. I feel like clients get less from the experience if they are talking. I do wish I could say to clients dont worry about all the things you worry about, your body (i seriously do not judge, and have never heard other therapists judge), funny noises we dont care, snoring take it as a compliment. And I am never repulsed by anybodys body or feet genuinely i have no yuck feelings ever.
I spent the afternoon at a spa today and had a scrub, a massage then a facial. I’ve no idea what the facial involved as I fell asleep minutes into it and only woke up when I woke myself up snoring an hour later.
Tealwarrior · 30/08/2021 19:03

And I’ve just recalled the time n holiday when I had a couples massage with my husband. He’d fallen asleep and towards the end when the masseuse was slapping his back he woke up shouting ,what have I done, what have I done’.

Loubiemoo · 30/08/2021 19:08

First ever time having a back massage Head in the hole lying on my front. I was so relaxed I dribbled on her foot. Blush