AvantGard Spa
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 10:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.
Fri-Sat 10:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.
Sun 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. - Price Range: $$$
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Street
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- By Appointment Only: Yes
23 reviews
San Mateo, CA
"So i have to explain why i love this place so much!!! fist off i drive all the way from San Francisco to get San Mateo just for Bella…" read more »
26 Reviews for AvantGard Spa
This is a beautiful spa with great services. One of my favorite spas on the peninsula to get massages. I have never tried any of their other services but each time I have had a massage (with different masseuses) they have been great. I also really like the overall ambiance of the waiting room, which can help to start off your whole treatment!
I visited this spa for the first time after receiving a gift certificate. I had a massage with Marcella, a pedicure with Vanti, and then had my brows done. I get nervous (ironic huh) at spas, so I appreciated how everyone was very friendly and told me what to do next and what to expect. My massage was terrific, and so was my pedicure, which included a lot more leg/foot massage than I'd expected, given that I'd booked the "fast" version that doesn't include so much of that type of work. Why not five stars? Well, it's a little awkward moving between treatments with the nail place being in another building, and my pedicure was a little light on the polish with a bubble in the polish on my big toe. But I really like this place overall. I don't do the spa thing often, but this will probably become the place I go regularly when I do go.
I just came back from Avantgard and i had a very pleasant experience!
All the staff were extrememly nice and knew how to make you comfortable.
Today I saw Yani at the "brow bar." She was really sweet and definately knew what she was doing! Quick, painless and look stunning!
The ambiance overall was really relaxing. Very nice interior decorating i might add =]
AWESOME EXPERIENCE! i got my brows done there and i am in LOVE! Yani does a fabulous job! I highly recommend her. I cant wait to go back!
I've finally found a place that does it all! Nails, facials, waxing and massage! And they do it all so well!
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I have been to this spa a few times for body treatments/massage and have always left feeling wonderful. Andrea is an amazing masseuse and I will continue to request her. The prices are 'spendy (a good massage aint cheap!), but certainly better than comparable places in the area.
I've only given four stars considering I havent tried more of their services, but will update if that happens.
I am a big fan of this Spa. I am willing to spend money if you get excellent service, and at Avant Gard thats exactly what you get.
I have been coming here for over a year and started my Bridal package facials with Gail. Thanks to Gail for making me beautiful for my wedding, for offering me advice and for being my friend. The Salon is so beautiful and relaxing that you will feel that you have come back from vacation after every treatment.
Instead of going to cheap places every month, save up and come here every 2 months. Gail Coombs is the best for facials and is a total pro.
Enjoy this awesome Spa!!
i just got my first prenatal massage ever at AvantGard. it was awesome. Andrea was my masseuse and she was excellent... she increased the pressure when I asked (I hate wimpy massages) and did not talk too much. it was super relaxing. my massage was at 9am and while at dinner at 10pm i still felt gooey and relaxed.
the atmosphere is great -- i will definitely go back.
Been here twice. Had a mani, pedi, customized facial, and massage w/ seaweed back treatment.
Mani + pedi: Probably one of the best. They have a lot of colors to choose from and the staff is really friendly. My nails didn't chip until well into the second week. The pedicure is really expensive though...I think i paid about $65 for the one up from an express pedicure. I really didn't see what was so special about it. I didn't really feel like they did a lot for $65.
Massage w/ seaweed back treatment. My masseus was Fernando. He's really nice and his hands are really soft. The seaweed back treatment felt really nice and even cleared up some of my blemishes on my back. He had the right amount of texture, because i'm pretty bony i like my massages to be medium. Next time i want to try a scrub + massage.
Customize facial: very relaxing. I had Diana. She's really nice and even threw in a free glycolic (?) peel because i waited for her for nearly 20 minutes past my appointed time. She's really good and the facial was very relaxing. Before I knew it the hour was up. Her facials are also very educational. She'll talk to you about your skin and won't be mean if you come with really shitty skin.
Another plus: very accomodating for Spa parties. However they require a 10% deposit of all services.
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I went to Avant Gard for a facial and was very pleased; I have never had a facial before, and I left the spa relaxed and glowing (both literally and figuratively). It was a really pricey, though, and had it not been a gift from someone, I probably wouldn't have gone.
Since I had a good time with the facial, I booked a manicure / pedicure for my sister and me a couple of days before my wedding. The mani / pedi was WAAAAAY overpriced and disappointing. The woman who did my nails, Thuyen, skipped over a lot of the steps, like she just wanted to get the process over with; the woman doing my sister's nails gave her a much more thorough treatment, with heat wraps, etc., even though I had booked the same treatments for both of us. And the price for both of us together: $200.00 (???!!!!!). Get real!!! I could have bought half a plane ticket for my honeymoon.....
This place is awesome! One of the best massages I've ever had. Beautiful and clean space. The people who work here are always nice and friendly and always on time.
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I went to AvantGard a month or so before my wedding to have my eyebrows 'shaped'. I was very nervous about this but their specialist was great. I resisted wax on the basis that I don't have a lot of eyebrow to begin with but she insisted it was the way to go and it wouldn't be bad.
She was right; they looked good, though I would never bother with such maintenance again.
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I have been to Avant Gard for massages and brow waxes. Jessica at the "brow bar" is great she has been there for a long time and does a great job on my brows. She listens to what you want and will advise you on what she recommends, but it always comes down to what "you" feel comfortable with.
The girls at the desk are always smiling and really nice - they all look very nice too.
I have only had two massages and both times they were very relaxing and enjoyable. I also buy face cleanser and moisturizer from them too. Yes on the expensive side but you are buying good products and they last you awhile!
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Such a beautiful place, especially since its remodel.
I love getting pampered here. They treat you so nice.
I always get a massage follwed by a nice relaxing facial. The people here are so nice and they make you feel at home. I always like to take time out to treat myself and this is definitely a place to do that.
I really really dislike this day spa. I just get attitude when I've visited here. No one is super friendly and I may have had the worst massage known to man/womankind here. Rough, painful and just completely distracted. I don't care how much money they've put in to redo this place, I won't go there again.
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I have been going to AvantGard for years and love it! I go every two weeks for my brow wax and highly recommend Jessica at the brow bar. She also does a fabulous job with make-up application. All the receptionists are super nice and feel like I am meeting up with friends when I go there! Manicures/pedicures as well as facials are top quality and you will always walk out of there relaxed and refreshed. The only downfall is that it is pricey.
Yesterday was my second visit to AvantGard. It's very nicely decorated and is very calming. I did the Aqua Muscle Soak and the Sports Recovery Massage with the Foot Renewal. My soak was a little longer than I expected (the pager didn't go off) so I exited the bath early and sat in the lounge a bit and enjoyed the mint flavored water and trail mix. My massage was in one of the relaxion rooms upstairs (I had no idea there were so many room upstairs) Each room is decorated slightly differently with different themes for different purposes. The whole place is very zen like. The only thing missing is showers in the changing area - I believe they are only available when you do a body therapy treatment .
The services are very good, the establishment is well kept and the prices are reasonable. My massage therapists on both visits were great. They did recommend products to purchase afterwards but were not a heavy sell like other spas. I did buy some candles that were so soothing that I could smell them in my living room and didn't even light them yet.
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A Calming Spa with Knowledgeable Staff
My first experience at AvantGard Spa was positive. A kind staff greeted me right away and was brought me to the quiet room. The docer is very zen and tastefully done. I had a facial by Karen and she was very knowledgeable about skin care which I loved. I asked her questions about my skin and asked on the behalf of my husband. She had great suggestions and her facial techniques were very gentle & soothing. I just wished there was more of a facial massage however it could have been the type of facial I requested. In the end, my stressed out skin is now "glowing" and hydrated.
Ommmmm.
I really love this place, especially in the new location. I regularly go for a "meditative bath" and relax in an oversized Jacuzzi tub with jets and relaxing salts. Lovely hanging lamps with lighting I can control allow me to let it all go. VERY attentive staff. Good prices. Massages are very good, too, and I recommend the Neck and Shoulder Massage ($70 for 40 minutes). Bliss!! **Alondra is great!**
Also, their skincare line is nice. Try the Chamomile Facial Cleanser!
Here's the thing: there are loads of spas in the Bay Area but what sets AG apart from the rest is the LACK of attitude. From the moment I enter, until the time I leave, I am treated like royalty with a smile and great service.
Update 1/18/08:
Went today for a 50 minute soak in their meditation bathtub. Walked in a stress-monkey and walked out fabulously mellow. Worth every penny.
I have been going to Avant Gard for a number of years and they have the best treatments. The staff are very accomodating and friendly. Avant Gard is my escape whenever I need to decompress and relax!
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great place - better for massages than for manicures or pedicures (although the pedicure spot is beautiful and they do nice nail art). the decor is lovely and they have great therapists.
this place is a MUST!!
(Whoever gives this spa a 3 star review is Not with it.)
It's a wonderful place with a feel of culture. I received this giftcard and let me tell you there's nothing like escaping to a far away spiritual land of rejuvenation. The spa itself is filled with massage artsy rooms that leave you breathless. I got a Relaxing bath and a massage and hope to return real soon. Check out the products that they offer as well.
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I went to Avant Gard for a pedicure and was very disappointed. I booked a mystical spa pedicure. I received a typical pedicure without the extras you would expect from a day spa that charges much more than a nail salon. I have had much better pedicures at Universe nails. I won't be back.
******EDITED******
I had a rather unfavorable review posted for AvantGard because of an experience I had had there. The owner, Blanca, was concerned and very generously gave me another chance to enjoy her day spa. I decided I would use that opportunity for my birthday and would get a facial and asked my mom to join me.
My mom and I had booked facials in a duet room (so we would be together in the same room for our treatment). When we arrived, Roxanne, the front desk attendant was very welcoming and gracious. She gave us a tour of the new AvantGard facility which neither of us had seen yet. Absolutely gorgeous. It's warm, inviting, cozy and the decor is just perfect. We ended the tour in the waiting room where there was a fire going and we enjoyed some hot tea. Irene and Courtney, our estheticians, arrived to take us to our room. The duet room was nice and warm (it was a rainy cold day) and we got into our facial beds and pulled up the covers. Irene asked me about my skin and then began. She explained to me what she was doing, what she was using on my face and while I had a mask on, she gave me a wonderful head and shoulder massage. My skin felt amazing afterwards and both Irene and Courtney had some great suggestions for both my mom and I as far as products and techniques for our individual issues.
I am a San Carlos girl. I love supporting my local, non-giant-corporate businesses. I am so glad I gave AvantGard another try. I would recommend the ambiance, the service and the nice attitudes we encountered to anyone.
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Everyone deserves to experience this place. It's my refuge when I want to escape and give myself a treat. Great place to rejuvenate and refresh your state of mind. Their new location is absolutely gorgeous. The minute you touch the door, you'll feel as if you're in a far away place - let the relaxation begin! You're welcomed with a unique shopping opportunity in the lobby (decently priced unique items). The interior design is gorgeous, serene and mesmeric - thorough and consistent throughout every aspect of the building. Come early just to visit the gorgeous restrooms (!) and enjoy the relaxation lounge as you wait for your massage therapist or esthetician to come and get you! Highly recommend Caroline for facials and waxes. I just experienced the most heavenly manicure and pedicure in the "pedicure lounge" and I can't wait to experience it again. Looking forward to a facial and massage with bath - hopefully SOON! *They're currently renovating their previous location which will serve as the primary manicure/pedicure site in the future.
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Best spa on the peninsula! Now in its brand new location, Avant Gard offers an array of treatments from customized facials to hot stone massage. The atmosphere is very warm and comforting. Each room is filled with authentic pieces from locations all over the world, including Bali, Thailand, and Mexico. The staff is extremely friendly and knowledgeable. Try Shiatsu massage for a totally unique experience!
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