As someone who fully admits to having an expensive hobby (yes, I’m a proud spa snob), I can confidently say the new spa at the Salamander exceeded all my expectations and then some.
From the moment I booked, the experience was seamless. I scheduled 60-minute wellness massages for myself and my best friend, and wow… Francesca was phenomenal. Her warmth, kindness, and attention to detail made the massage feel like a full-body reset for my nervous system. It wasn’t just a massage, it was an experience. Between the back scrub, the intentional care, and her calming energy, I truly felt seen and cared for. She checked in on pressure and made sure I was comfortable the entire time. I walked in stressed and left floating.
The spa itself is stunning. The new facility is gorgeous, clean, calming, and beautifully designed and plenty of luxurious amenities. The relaxation room was immaculate, the pool is a dream, and yes, they handed us champagne. The front desk staff were so accommodating and even confirmed our dinner reservations at Dogon afterward (also amazing, review coming soon).
All in all, from start to finish, the customer service and spa experience were top-tier. If you're like me and take your self-care seriously, run, don’t walk. This is luxury done right.
Ben Karsai
-
September 18, 2025
I almost never leave reviews, because I believe businesses deserve the benefit of the doubt. Unfortunately, that is not the case here.
We booked a couple’s massage for $450, expecting a hotel credit to apply. When we learned it wouldn’t, we canceled well in advance. Despite this, the spa charged us the full $450 for services never rendered.
They justified this by citing a cancellation policy we were never informed of, claiming it was outlined in a confirmation email we never received.
There is simply no way this is a customer-first organization. It is mind-boggling that they believe it’s acceptable to charge hundreds of dollars for nothing. Guests deserve transparency and fairness—you will not find it here.
Leslie Isler
-
June 24, 2025
Absolute perfection. With the recent renovations to the Spa at the beginning of 2025 and the expanded two level facility, my spa day was complete with a sauna, steam room, hot tub, and separate lounges men and women. Valet parking with a spa reservation is $18. Salamander Hotel DC is also black and women owned.
Frank Borris
-
April 25, 2025
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.
Jordan Alston
-
August 22, 2025
I had an excellent experience at the Groom Guy barbershop within the Salamander Spa. The barbershop has a well-designed, upscale vibe. The barbers were kind, knowledgeable, and clearly very skilled--I received a great haircut and face shave from Eric. The shop's use of hot towels, shampoo, and products designed to prevent skin irritation were great touches. I'll definitely be returning for future haircuts.
Our Address
1330 Maryland Ave SW, Washington, DC 20024, USA
Claim Listing: The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Washington D.C.
Please Login or Register an Account to Claim Listing
As someone who fully admits to having an expensive hobby (yes, I’m a proud spa snob), I can confidently say the new spa at the Salamander exceeded all my expectations and then some. From the moment I booked, the experience was seamless. I scheduled 60-minute wellness massages for myself and my best friend, and wow… Francesca was phenomenal. Her warmth, kindness, and attention to detail made the massage feel like a full-body reset for my nervous system. It wasn’t just a massage, it was an experience. Between the back scrub, the intentional care, and her calming energy, I truly felt seen and cared for. She checked in on pressure and made sure I was comfortable the entire time. I walked in stressed and left floating. The spa itself is stunning. The new facility is gorgeous, clean, calming, and beautifully designed and plenty of luxurious amenities. The relaxation room was immaculate, the pool is a dream, and yes, they handed us champagne. The front desk staff were so accommodating and even confirmed our dinner reservations at Dogon afterward (also amazing, review coming soon). All in all, from start to finish, the customer service and spa experience were top-tier. If you're like me and take your self-care seriously, run, don’t walk. This is luxury done right.
I almost never leave reviews, because I believe businesses deserve the benefit of the doubt. Unfortunately, that is not the case here. We booked a couple’s massage for $450, expecting a hotel credit to apply. When we learned it wouldn’t, we canceled well in advance. Despite this, the spa charged us the full $450 for services never rendered. They justified this by citing a cancellation policy we were never informed of, claiming it was outlined in a confirmation email we never received. There is simply no way this is a customer-first organization. It is mind-boggling that they believe it’s acceptable to charge hundreds of dollars for nothing. Guests deserve transparency and fairness—you will not find it here.
Absolute perfection. With the recent renovations to the Spa at the beginning of 2025 and the expanded two level facility, my spa day was complete with a sauna, steam room, hot tub, and separate lounges men and women. Valet parking with a spa reservation is $18. Salamander Hotel DC is also black and women owned.
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.
I had an excellent experience at the Groom Guy barbershop within the Salamander Spa. The barbershop has a well-designed, upscale vibe. The barbers were kind, knowledgeable, and clearly very skilled--I received a great haircut and face shave from Eric. The shop's use of hot towels, shampoo, and products designed to prevent skin irritation were great touches. I'll definitely be returning for future haircuts.