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Hidden Gems Of Boston // Brunching at McCabe's

Spa-aaahhh Time With Bliss Spa Boston

Bliss Spa in Boston, MA: Inside the facial treatment room.
Bliss Spa in Boston, MA:  Wall decor inside the ladies' waiting room.
Bliss Spa in Boston, MA: Wall decor in ladies' locker room.
Bliss Spa in Boston, MA: The "Spaaaahhh" entrance.

I started going to Bliss Spa in San Francisco back in 2005.  I don't remember how I got to know about them, but it really doesn't matter because it was love at first sight!  I've had many spa "trial and error" experiences and realize that I get what I pay for - I once had an allergic reaction to an extraction done (probably due to un-sanitized tools) and once had a manicurist cut too deep into my cuticles and resulted in major bleeding.  Needless-to-say, I've since learned to be very selective when it comes to spas!

With Boston being my adopted home these days, this Bliss location has become my go-to spa.  It's relatively small, but the high-ceiling design ensures that there is plenty of natural light coming through the space, giving it a very welcoming vibe.

Bliss Spa in Boston, MA: Lobby Area.
Bliss Spa in Boston, MA: Lobby Area & Product-Testing Station.
Bliss Spa in Boston, MA: Entrance to the fabulous ladies' locker room.

some tips to ensure you get the best spa experience

I know that with Bliss' pricing, it is a splurge.  Since I don't go every month, I try to "reasonably" justify the visits by dividing the cost by 3 (I usually go once every 3 months) and it's essentially one less eating-out dinner per month.  I know I'm fortunate that my budget allows for this splurge, and I think the most important thing is that you find a spa you love and your skin loves and that the place is clean, has a responsible staff and offers you amenities to substantiate what they charge you

With that in mind, I am sharing below the 6 things you should look out for when checking out a spa.  Being able to verify these things will help you make your "justified" spa choice and will ensure that you walk out of the place completely happy and worry-free!

WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR WHEN VISITING A NEW SPA #1Cleanliness of the Space1. Yes, I transform into Inspector Gadget when I am at the spa!  It's better safe than sorry.2. Plus, it's worth this time investment to ensure that I can truly enjoy my exp…
 
 
WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR WHEN VISITING A NEW #2Know Where The Tools Are Coming From  1. Just like when you visit your dentist, you expect all the cleaning tools to be freshly sanitized.  2. You should demand the same at the spa!3. And if the s…
WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR WHEN VISITING A NEW SPA #3Know What Products Are Being Used1. You know how we spend so much time researching skin care products that suit our skin needs?  Same care should be done for your spa treatments.  2. The …
 
 
WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR WHEN VISITING A NEW SPA #4Communication From Your Esthetician1. A responsible esthetician always asks about your current ritual to flag any possible reaction to products used during treatment. This is particularly important for …
WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR WHEN VISITING A NEW SPA #5Pushy Sales People? No Thanks!1. I want to be fair to the spa staff who truly cares about their clients as they make recommendations.  I love them and would take their reco any day.2. I do watch ou…
 
 
WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR WHEN VISITING A NEW SPA #6Generous Offerings of Snacks and Drinks1. I always joke that I can live in a good spa waiting room forever, but all jokes aside, part of going to a spa is to rejuvenate your body, so having a small offe…

my Top picks for bliss pampering

Bliss checks all of the above and that's why they have my loyalty all these years. In case you're interested in checking it out, I want to share what I like and why I enjoy going there so much.  I'll start with a few of my favorite treatments that I've been getting since day one.

MY TOP PICKS FOR BLISS < FACIALS >Fabulous Facial1. The Basic:  This is a "basic" facial that includes your usual cleansing, exfoliating, masking and extractions.  But don't let my "basic" description fool you - You'll also get extra…
 
 
MY TOP PICKS FOR BLISS < NAIL CARE >Hot Cream Manicure1. The Basic:  Consider this their basic manicure, but there's nothing basic about it.  Your hands get prepped with a hot cream soak to get your skin nice and moist…
MY TOP PICKS FOR BLISS < OTHERS >Brow/Lip Waxing1. The Basic:  Bliss uses their signature "Poetic Wax" which has a nice aromatic scent.  It's strip-free and absolutely painless! I'd only let a Bliss esthetician touch my bro…
 

Not your ordinary spa

While the facials and manicures are awesome, what I always look forward to is what I think sets Bliss apart from other spas I've visited.  I always make sure I tag an extra hour to my appointment just to be able to enjoy this little gem, which is their amazing ladies' locker room and waiting room facilities.  And here's why...

~ 6 reasons I love bliss so much ~

REASON ONE // The housekeeping staff always keeps the ladies' locker room clean and neat (I mean, just look at those perfect rolls!!).

REASON TWO // An abundance of Bliss skin care and body care products!

Bliss Spa in Boston, MA: An abundance of Bliss skin care and body care products inside the ladies' locker room.

REASON THREE // The eucalyptus steam shower (The heavenly combination of eucalyptus-scented steam + Bliss hair and body products + rainshower = Bliss).

Bliss Spa in Boston, MA: The eucalyptus steam shower inside the ladies' locker room.

REASON FOUR // The wall decors are to die for.

REASON FIVE // I can live in this waiting room forever.

Bliss Spa in Boston, MA: Inside the waiting room.

REASON SIX // Last but not least, the amazing service from an experienced crew performed in an ultra chic and clean environment.

something unique at every bliss location

In case you're interested in visiting a Bliss on your next destination trip, there are currently 21 locations across the U.S. and internationally.  Majority of them are located inside the W Hotel.  And if you know someone who lives at the W Residence, there is a 10% resident discount (Only selected W Hotels have W Residences).  What's so cool about these locations is that each one has a little uniqueness to it.  While you can expect consistent service level, there's always an element of surprise when you walk into a different Bliss.

~In the U.S.~
Bliss Spa in the U.S. (From top left) // Chicago, Atlanta, Hoboken, Soho NYC, 49 NYC, Dallas, Hollywood, Scottsdale, San Francisco, Fort Lauderdale, South Beach, Washington D.C..

Bliss Spa in the U.S. (From top left) // Chicago, Atlanta, Hoboken, Soho NYC, 49 NYC, Dallas, Hollywood, Scottsdale, San Francisco, Fort Lauderdale, South Beach, Washington D.C..

 
~Internationally~
Bliss Spa Around the World // Barcelona-Spain (row 1), Doha - Qatar (row 2 #1), London - U.K. (row 2 #2 + row 4 #2), Hong Kong (row 2 #3), St. Petersburg - Russia (row 3 + row 4 #1).

Bliss Spa Around the World // Barcelona-Spain (row 1), Doha - Qatar (row 2 #1), London - U.K. (row 2 #2 + row 4 #2), Hong Kong (row 2 #3), St. Petersburg - Russia (row 3 + row 4 #1).

The Boston Bliss is located inside the W Boston at 100 Stuart St, Boston, MA, on the mezzanine level.  For other location details, visit Bliss Spa site.

I hope you've find the 6 tips in this post helpful in finding a good spa or in re-examining the one you've been going to.  I also hope that you've enjoyed the visual tour of Bliss.

What is your favorite local spa?  Would love to hear from you!  And if you're visiting Boston and would like some recommendations for estheticians at the Boston Bliss, let me know and I'll be happy to share.

Thanks for stopping by!


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Saturday Snapshots - Boston Charm

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Boston Charm: Make Way for the Ducklings statue in Boston Public Garden.
Boston Charm: Snowy scene in Boston Public Garden, Founded in 1837.
Boston Charm: Acorn Street, the most photographed street in the historical Beacon Hill neighborhood.

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