The Massage Atmosphere:
I was tempted to drape myself right away. Kelly reminded me of Frannie/Flora in her body type, and I felt it might be awkward. But, I was trying to test the place out for you guys, so I remained O Natural. Table seemed small, cheap and two facecloths sat on the face rest, instead of a proper cover. Large room, with sink, reminded of the old place, the skinny Kelly used to work at, off of Stoney Plain Road.
As the massage started, and progressed, the concrete floors made the sounds outside the room, disturb my peace: door closing, other sink being turned on, "Helen's" percussion massages on her client after running water, the door chime banging on the door, as "Helen" said "bye" to her customer, and shortly later, the door opening for "Helen" to greet her next customer.
KELLY'S MASSAGE STYLE:
Started good with Acupressure, up and down back, legs, shoulder and neck. Ended good with feet and leg stretching massage. The large middle portion was just one big, convoluted mess, with so much time spent on back, and back of legs, there was only a few minutes for the front. She would break each area up into left, centre, and right portions, left and right legs. She would put two hand together and push hard with both long, slow strokes and short quick strokes. Starting from the shoulders, she would be going to middle of the back 6to10x, middle of the back to glutes 6 to 10x, glutes to middle of the legs 6 to 10x, middle of legs to ankles 6to10x. The oil smelled like that yucky, useless baby oil. My legs would rub against some exposed padding making indescribable noises, the table would make creeking noises a little. At the beginning, she surprised me by getting on top. A dress masked her figure, but to me she seemed like a large lady. This table seemed too small, even for an average sized lady. I was scared that between my 200 lb.frame and hers, this table might collapse.
This is a Spruce Grove business, so I won't mention what was discussed before the flip. (Let's just say: she appreciates generous tips.) Just read the Westmount massage reviews, and you will get a general idea of how ymmv. Before the flip, she ran the water to heat it up. That is how they are getting hot towels to get the oil off.
FACILITY STRIKE 3.
Facilities: 3.5/10 (with most of the points awarded to the Sauna.)
Customer Service: 8.5/10
Massage: 5.75/10
If someone could T.O.F.T.T, call and book with Helen to see if she is any good...I would be curious. But, until they finish the renos, the price point, and sauna....is not enough for me to return and give Helen a try. Just as well: unless she was pretending to be bad at English, how would she understand what my massage needs are?