This review is a little overdue, but I can clearly remember how pleased I was with the services at Salamander DC. My wife and I were celebrating her 60th birthday so we started with an early massage. My masseuse was Shaneise and Upon meeting her I was immediately put at ease. I could sense she was focused on me having a fully immersive and satisfying experience. After confirming a few areas of focus, intensity and my choice of oil. She got to work a was amazing!!! I like a heavy massage and she really knew how to use her body weight without staining and kept a great pace. Eventually, I started a conversation and I found out a little more about why she is passionate about her craft. After my massage, I enjoyed the steam room, took a cool dip and some time to relax in the lounge before having my head shaved in the men’s grooming shop. This too was an exceptional level of service. After rejoining my wife, I was not surprised to hear her experience was equally enjoyable to mine. We are looking forward to going back soon.
Sherrell Jones Whitfield
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February 10, 2024
It was not worth the cost of the services. The Spa is under renovation so services are being performed in a suite. There is no use of any other spa amenities, which is a downgrade, however the price does not reflect such, and is not comparable to what is offered. Although I enjoyed the service itself, I felt robbed. I waited an hour past my appointment time because a therapist did not show up. I was unable to use a gift certificate which was sold under the premise of "no expectation date" because it was purchased while the company was Mandarin Oriental even I never received notice of the policy. The atmosphere simply did not measure up. The prices are still set for luxury services and I did not receive a luxury experience. I would not recommend patronizing the Spa at this time.
Elie Smith
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June 09, 2024
A fine mix of hospitality with luxury,complete with highly dedicated staff. While the stay continues,one staff member who caught our attention because of her passion for what she is doing is Eskedar. For 6 days we enjoyed every moment besides Mrs Eskedar, the other staff members who caught my attention because of their passion for what they do were : Dolly, Soto and Jesus, they were at the 8th floor for breakfast.
David Morris
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November 29, 2024
I booked a 90-minute couples massage for my fiancée and me on Tuesday, November 26th. When we arrived, there was a hiccup with our booking—the receptionist informed us that we had been scheduled for two separate sessions instead of a couples massage. However, she handled the issue promptly and professionally, ensuring we could still enjoy our time together.
Our massage therapists, Linya and Duane (apologies if I’ve misspelled their names), delivered an exceptional experience. Duane, in particular, provided what was probably the best massage I’ve ever had. His technique, strength, and ability to find and work on the perfect spots with the right pressure were unparalleled. I requested hard pressure, and he delivered flawlessly.
While the service was incredible, the pricing and gratuity structure leave something to be desired. At $280 per person, the massage was already on the higher end compared to other spas we’ve visited. On top of that, there’s an automatic 20% gratuity charge, bringing the total for our couples massage to $672.
When I checked out, the receptionist asked if I wanted to add more gratuity, explaining that only 17% of the 20% charge goes directly to the therapists. This was confusing—why not just charge a 17% gratuity and incorporate the remaining 3% into the cost of the service? The current system feels unnecessarily complicated and a bit off-putting.
In summary:
- Service Quality: 10/10
- Staff Professionalism: 10/10
- Value for Money: 5/10
The experience was top-tier, but the cost and gratuity policies would likely deter me from returning. Salamander Spa might want to re-evaluate their gratuity system to make it more transparent and customer-friendly.
AZK9org
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December 12, 2024
Here’s a polished version of your review:
---
I feel incredibly fortunate to have stayed at this 5-star hotel during a recent work trip. Its location is perfect—just a short walk to federal offices and the Wharf. The hotel itself is absolutely stunning, and the staff truly go above and beyond to make you feel welcomed and cared for. The amenities and hospitality were second to none, making my stay both productive and enjoyable. The onsite bar was lively and delicious. I can't recommend this hotel enough and look forward to returning in the future!
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This review is a little overdue, but I can clearly remember how pleased I was with the services at Salamander DC. My wife and I were celebrating her 60th birthday so we started with an early massage. My masseuse was Shaneise and Upon meeting her I was immediately put at ease. I could sense she was focused on me having a fully immersive and satisfying experience. After confirming a few areas of focus, intensity and my choice of oil. She got to work a was amazing!!! I like a heavy massage and she really knew how to use her body weight without staining and kept a great pace. Eventually, I started a conversation and I found out a little more about why she is passionate about her craft. After my massage, I enjoyed the steam room, took a cool dip and some time to relax in the lounge before having my head shaved in the men’s grooming shop. This too was an exceptional level of service. After rejoining my wife, I was not surprised to hear her experience was equally enjoyable to mine. We are looking forward to going back soon.
It was not worth the cost of the services. The Spa is under renovation so services are being performed in a suite. There is no use of any other spa amenities, which is a downgrade, however the price does not reflect such, and is not comparable to what is offered. Although I enjoyed the service itself, I felt robbed. I waited an hour past my appointment time because a therapist did not show up. I was unable to use a gift certificate which was sold under the premise of "no expectation date" because it was purchased while the company was Mandarin Oriental even I never received notice of the policy. The atmosphere simply did not measure up. The prices are still set for luxury services and I did not receive a luxury experience. I would not recommend patronizing the Spa at this time.
A fine mix of hospitality with luxury,complete with highly dedicated staff. While the stay continues,one staff member who caught our attention because of her passion for what she is doing is Eskedar. For 6 days we enjoyed every moment besides Mrs Eskedar, the other staff members who caught my attention because of their passion for what they do were : Dolly, Soto and Jesus, they were at the 8th floor for breakfast.
I booked a 90-minute couples massage for my fiancée and me on Tuesday, November 26th. When we arrived, there was a hiccup with our booking—the receptionist informed us that we had been scheduled for two separate sessions instead of a couples massage. However, she handled the issue promptly and professionally, ensuring we could still enjoy our time together. Our massage therapists, Linya and Duane (apologies if I’ve misspelled their names), delivered an exceptional experience. Duane, in particular, provided what was probably the best massage I’ve ever had. His technique, strength, and ability to find and work on the perfect spots with the right pressure were unparalleled. I requested hard pressure, and he delivered flawlessly. While the service was incredible, the pricing and gratuity structure leave something to be desired. At $280 per person, the massage was already on the higher end compared to other spas we’ve visited. On top of that, there’s an automatic 20% gratuity charge, bringing the total for our couples massage to $672. When I checked out, the receptionist asked if I wanted to add more gratuity, explaining that only 17% of the 20% charge goes directly to the therapists. This was confusing—why not just charge a 17% gratuity and incorporate the remaining 3% into the cost of the service? The current system feels unnecessarily complicated and a bit off-putting. In summary: - Service Quality: 10/10 - Staff Professionalism: 10/10 - Value for Money: 5/10 The experience was top-tier, but the cost and gratuity policies would likely deter me from returning. Salamander Spa might want to re-evaluate their gratuity system to make it more transparent and customer-friendly.
Here’s a polished version of your review: --- I feel incredibly fortunate to have stayed at this 5-star hotel during a recent work trip. Its location is perfect—just a short walk to federal offices and the Wharf. The hotel itself is absolutely stunning, and the staff truly go above and beyond to make you feel welcomed and cared for. The amenities and hospitality were second to none, making my stay both productive and enjoyable. The onsite bar was lively and delicious. I can't recommend this hotel enough and look forward to returning in the future!