I’m extremely disappointed with my experience with Salamander Spa. I received a confirmation call yesterday asking me to arrive at 8:30 a.m., which was already 30 minutes before my scheduled appointment time, that was no problem as I knew to get there earlier for check-in etc. Then, at 8:32 a.m. this morning - 6 minutes away from the hotel, after I had already prepared and arranged my morning around this appointment, I received a call saying the massage therapist had been in a car accident and they could no longer accommodate me.
First and foremost, I sincerely hope the therapist is okay. However, the handling of this situation was poorly managed. If clients are expected to arrive by 8:30 a.m., it raises the question of how there was apparently no indication of an issue until after the time I was told to be there. The timing and communication simply does not make sense.
What made the experience even worse was the complete lack of effort to make the situation right TODAY. This appointment was a Mother’s Day gift and something I was genuinely looking forward to. No meaningful accommodation was offered. I was not offered another therapist, a same-day alternative, a complimentary service, or even an attempt to fix the matter TODAY, the only day I have available. I was simply told that I could spend time at the facility (complimentary), and a manager would email me. Please let me know how that would suffice when I booked a massage?
For a luxury spa with the reputation and pricing of Salamander, I expected significantly better solutions, communication, and recovery efforts when inconveniencing a client at the very last minute. The lack of solution-oriented service was very disappointing.
Kourtney Hayes
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May 22, 2025
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.
Marquis Peoples
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March 16, 2026
I recently visited the spa at the Salamander Washington DC and had an incredible experience from start to finish. I booked the Ultimate Zen Experience, and my masseuse, Shawn, was absolutely amazing. The service began with a dry brush exfoliation that left my skin feeling refreshed and energized, followed by being wrapped in what felt like a warm cocoon, an incredibly relaxing moment before the massage even began. Shawn then delivered one of the most restorative massages I’ve had in a long time. It was exactly what I needed to release tension and fully unwind.
Beyond the treatment itself, the overall spa staff were exceptionally kind and welcoming, which made the experience feel even more elevated. A huge shoutout to Benjamin, the men’s spa attendant, who kept the men’s quarters meticulous throughout my visit. He made sure everything was fully stocked, answered questions, and was attentive without being intrusive, details like that really make a difference in a luxury spa environment.
I also really enjoyed spending time in the vitality pool, sauna, and steam room, which were perfect for relaxation and recovery after a workout. The entire spa environment felt calm, clean, and thoughtfully designed for rejuvenation. Overall, it was a fantastic experience, and I would absolutely return for both the treatments and the amenities
Bunny K
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June 18, 2026
Had a wonderful time and got a bombass massage from Jayden on May 20th. She was great and gave me so much information after the massage and was very considerate during. Gives a detailed explanation afterwards and very easy to talk to. She really Gets. Those. Knots. Was sore the next day but incredibly relaxed. Ask for her if you ever visit. The facilities were nice and the staff was very friendly and accommodating. Everyone there was helpful and it was really worth the price.
Michelle
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March 10, 2026
As someone who has stayed at the Salamander location in Middleburg and enjoyed their spa many times, my first visit to the DC spa location left more to be desired. First off, the reception staff were very kind. The facilities are beautiful and recently renovated. The showers, steam room, and jacuzzi were all clean and stocked with everything you need from towels to vanity kits. My only issue was with the actual massage itself. My treatment was supposed to be 90 minutes but only lasted 75 minutes. My masseuse Jayden kept taking long breaks in between to adjust the massage table, get more oil, etc that it made for a very disjointed experience. Lastly, I did ask for a slightly firmer pressure and she proceeded to incorporate more pressure with her elbows that was painful. All in all, not the worst experience but I did not leave relaxed and will be very hesitant to return.
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I’m extremely disappointed with my experience with Salamander Spa. I received a confirmation call yesterday asking me to arrive at 8:30 a.m., which was already 30 minutes before my scheduled appointment time, that was no problem as I knew to get there earlier for check-in etc. Then, at 8:32 a.m. this morning - 6 minutes away from the hotel, after I had already prepared and arranged my morning around this appointment, I received a call saying the massage therapist had been in a car accident and they could no longer accommodate me. First and foremost, I sincerely hope the therapist is okay. However, the handling of this situation was poorly managed. If clients are expected to arrive by 8:30 a.m., it raises the question of how there was apparently no indication of an issue until after the time I was told to be there. The timing and communication simply does not make sense. What made the experience even worse was the complete lack of effort to make the situation right TODAY. This appointment was a Mother’s Day gift and something I was genuinely looking forward to. No meaningful accommodation was offered. I was not offered another therapist, a same-day alternative, a complimentary service, or even an attempt to fix the matter TODAY, the only day I have available. I was simply told that I could spend time at the facility (complimentary), and a manager would email me. Please let me know how that would suffice when I booked a massage? For a luxury spa with the reputation and pricing of Salamander, I expected significantly better solutions, communication, and recovery efforts when inconveniencing a client at the very last minute. The lack of solution-oriented service was very disappointing.
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 recently visited the spa at the Salamander Washington DC and had an incredible experience from start to finish. I booked the Ultimate Zen Experience, and my masseuse, Shawn, was absolutely amazing. The service began with a dry brush exfoliation that left my skin feeling refreshed and energized, followed by being wrapped in what felt like a warm cocoon, an incredibly relaxing moment before the massage even began. Shawn then delivered one of the most restorative massages I’ve had in a long time. It was exactly what I needed to release tension and fully unwind. Beyond the treatment itself, the overall spa staff were exceptionally kind and welcoming, which made the experience feel even more elevated. A huge shoutout to Benjamin, the men’s spa attendant, who kept the men’s quarters meticulous throughout my visit. He made sure everything was fully stocked, answered questions, and was attentive without being intrusive, details like that really make a difference in a luxury spa environment. I also really enjoyed spending time in the vitality pool, sauna, and steam room, which were perfect for relaxation and recovery after a workout. The entire spa environment felt calm, clean, and thoughtfully designed for rejuvenation. Overall, it was a fantastic experience, and I would absolutely return for both the treatments and the amenities
Had a wonderful time and got a bombass massage from Jayden on May 20th. She was great and gave me so much information after the massage and was very considerate during. Gives a detailed explanation afterwards and very easy to talk to. She really Gets. Those. Knots. Was sore the next day but incredibly relaxed. Ask for her if you ever visit. The facilities were nice and the staff was very friendly and accommodating. Everyone there was helpful and it was really worth the price.
As someone who has stayed at the Salamander location in Middleburg and enjoyed their spa many times, my first visit to the DC spa location left more to be desired. First off, the reception staff were very kind. The facilities are beautiful and recently renovated. The showers, steam room, and jacuzzi were all clean and stocked with everything you need from towels to vanity kits. My only issue was with the actual massage itself. My treatment was supposed to be 90 minutes but only lasted 75 minutes. My masseuse Jayden kept taking long breaks in between to adjust the massage table, get more oil, etc that it made for a very disjointed experience. Lastly, I did ask for a slightly firmer pressure and she proceeded to incorporate more pressure with her elbows that was painful. All in all, not the worst experience but I did not leave relaxed and will be very hesitant to return.