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Carlsbad Mineral Water Spa
Categories: Beauty and Spas Massage Beauty and Spas Day Spas Massage, Day Spas [Edit]
2802 Carlsbad Blvd(between Christiansen Ave & Grand Ave)
Carlsbad, CA 92008
Neighborhood: Carlsbad
(760) 434-1887
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- By Appointment Only:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
14 reviews for Carlsbad Mineral Water Spa
14 reviews in English
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Review from Susan N.
Capitola, CA
1/1/2012
I'm new to Carlsbad and this was my first visit. I have to say I really enjoyed all of my treatments. I got a gift certificate for the Royal Treatment and used it today. The mineral water bath is really nice. If you are used to hard water, you will really be able to feel the difference of the water. The temperature of the room and water were perfect. After about the first 15 minutes, I think your body gets used to the warmth of the water, so the room did feel a little on the cool side. But, I wasn't overly cold like some of the other reviewers seem to have experienced. Besides, I figure water cools down (at least it does at home). So, if I felt cold, I just submerged myself deeper in the warm tub.
Next was the massage. I usually get a deep-tissue massage at other spas, so I was wondering if not having a deep-tissue this time would make me feel like I missed out, but it turned out that the massage therapist's pressure was great. By the end, I was super relaxed and feeling rejuvenated.
The last treatment I had was the mud facial. I saw that other reviewers weren't happy with their facials, but my experience was good. First a short steam with a warm, wet towel. Then, cleanser, then exfoliation, and then a mud mask. Again, I didn't have the same experience as a previous reviewer, the gal who did my treatments didn't make me rinse mine off, she did it. After the mask, there was a toner step and it ended with a moisturizer. It was great, so I can say I really enjoyed my facial.
As for the spa itself, I can see how it might not be some people's cup of tea. The entrance and waiting area are not particularly spa-like, so if you are one of the wives of the OC and accustomed to going to a spa like La Costa, you might turn up your nose. But, if you can get past its lack of a winding garden path, the sound of trickling water, and a waiting room without cucumber/citrus water, the treatment rooms are great.
I was in the Roman-themed room and I totally got into it. First the rooms are on the larger size and the ambiance is great -- in a Madonna Inn sort of way. More importantly, it was clean, the bathtub was spotless, and there was a little private restroom. I was grateful for that after I drank so much of the Carlsbad water while taking my bath. I found the temperature of the room to be pleasant, not too hot, not too cold. There was good, low lighting and spa music. My therapist was very pleasant and a quieter, which I was always appreciate. Nothing worse than an overly chatty masseuse, as has been my experience at other spas. I believe I was the only person having a treatment at that time and since I got the first morning appointment on New Year's Day, if there are noise issues with hearing others in the spa, I didn't experience it.
Overall, I really like my spa morning here and will be coming back. -
Review from Susan W.
Carlsbad, CA
3/15/2011
I'll start off by saying the rooms/ambiance are amazing! The mineral bath was not what I expected, it's just a big tub that runs cold by the end. The massage and facial were horrbile, no effort or expertice what so ever. I guess I could of over looked all the bad stuff if there was one ounce of good customer service.
The girl massaging me seemed like she didn't even want to be there. Being the nice person that I am I still felt obligated to tip at the end. I paid for the service and tipped with no "thank you" or even eye contact from her. I felt horrible and humiliated. I will never step foot in that place again. -
Review from Ali G.
San Diego, CA
6/17/2011
There's a lot to love about this place. I like to skip around but, I've been going here off and on for years and each time I've had a great experience. The people who work here really care about your health and well being and it shows. The themed rooms are cool and lately, they've dropped their prices (check em out on the website) so low that there's no excuse not to go and endulge yourself. I've had facials, massages and the detox wrap (which really works by the way). They also sell fresh mineral water right off the tap. They're just as good if not better than the others in town. If you haven't yet, give em a try. I'm sure you'll be just as glad as I am for it~
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Review from Tawnie b.
San Diego, CA
7/10/2007
As I was on my quest to find a spa that was reasonably priced as well as relaxing I landed upon the Carlsbad Mineral Water Spa. It was fantastic and much more than I thought it would be.
The rooms are private and themed according to what package you get. I was in the Cleopatra room (because I am a drama queen) Anyway, there is a personal bathroom, tub, and massage area. One thing that I don't like is having other people walking in or having conversations when you are trying to relax - so this was perfect. You have one masseuse who does all of you services, facial, massage, body wraps -which is great to me because I already have a connection with the person.
You will find this is a diamond in the ruff and for what you get is inexpensively prices.. which is right up my alley! -
Review from Tanya R.
Vista, CA
12/15/2011
My husband and I had the worst spa experience here. We booked a couples massage for our anniversary. On the way to the massage someone rear-ended us. I called the spa to let them know what had happened to see if there was any way we could reschedule and they said we could not, that we would be charged either way so it was our choice if we wanted to get there late. We did arrive late since we'd have to pay anyhow and figured maybe the massage would help with the mild aches from the fender bender. When we went up to the couple's room it was FREEZING! When we laid down the tables were hard, there was no calming music or relaxing/romantic ambiance, and the massage was severely lacking. It was basically like someone was just rubbing my back, I mentioned that a firmer pressure would be good, but there was no change. My husband said his was the same. Someone on here mentioned it being inexpensive, but our massage that ended up only being about 40min becuase we were late cost us almost $200! And to top it all off there are no amenities, or at least none that we were made aware of, such as a sauna, whirlpool, lockers. I would not go back here unless I happened to get a gift certificate. I got a better 30min neck/back massage for $35 at one of the local foot massage places then I did here and they got me in as a walk-in!
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Review from Yan M.
San Francisco, CA
3/31/2007 1 photo
Bf read a writeup about this place and we were headed for this direction when in Carlsbad. He came from a town where there were lots of natural resource for mineral water so we were intrigued to find this one in the middle of California in the town of Carlsbad!
We didn't get any services done here but we did fill up a gallon bottle of water in the front kiosk for only $0.50. That's cheaper than any grocery store and it tastes mighty good...not that mineral-y tasting unlike one other gentleman was telling us while we were filling up. Such a cute lil gem in the heart of town. -
Review from Lindsey P.
San Diego, CA
3/26/2010
Kind of an odd spa...
I have enjoyed both of my visits here so far - this last time I was really in need of some R&R and went for the Roman body facial and mineral water bath - AMAZING! First, your body is painted with dead sea mud and you lay on the table drying for about 15 min. Then, you jump into a mineral water bath (you float!!) and soak all of the toxins out of your skin.
Such a great experience, my skin felt and looked great when I came out -- Next time I'm going for the facial (future yelp!)! -
Review from Julie G.
Berkeley, CA
11/20/2006 4 photos
You really feel like you've walked into Chitty Chitty Bang Bang world here as the spa is in the original Alt Karlsbad building located in downtown Carlsbad. Of course this spa doesn't come with all the toot-sweets and other craziness of the flying machine and Bavarian castle. You will get a wonderful massage here as well as their famous mineral baths featuring Carlsbad Mineral Water.
Evidently, Carlsbad Mineral Water is about 9500 years old and in 1955, the California Senate declared its mineral well a Historic Site and Monument for its "Most Healthful Water."
I order this water and have been for years and it is the best tasting water as compared to all of the local bottled water brands. The service is great and if you have a problem they always take care of you. You can even go to their water kiosk right in front of the spa and fill up your bottles. -
Review from laura j.
Topanga, CA
12/2/2008
From the outside, this historic landmark almost looks like a haunted house, but once you step inside, the ambiance is extremely soothing. Spa treatments are by appointment only, so don't walk in expecting to be served that day. You get your own private spa room and it does cost some big bucks.
What I recommend is the mineral bath (AMAZING) and the mud treatment. I also did the detox wrap (be prepared to sweat ALOT) and the massage (I've had better, but my friend said her girl was amazing).
Overall a decent experience. -
Review from Melody D.
San Diego, CA
1/28/2008
It doesn't look like much on the outside...you can't even tell it's open until you walk up to the office. It's a good experience for the price. After a mud wrap and a mineral bath, I felt soooo good and relaxed. I agree that the massages could be a bit more deep tissue. I've been here several times and the massages are ok, but not amazing. I like that each room is a different theme which makes it feel a bit more personal.
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Review from judy s.
Oceanside, CA
2/25/2011
let me make this short & sweet. cute place w/ nice decor does not make up for the service... bleh :/ the massage was lacking to say the least, the facial, can they even call what they do a facial? can I say turn up the heat on the bath??? I was shivering by the end of my bath! so basically we over paid for a cold bath, lotioned up body and a face wash. They are very nice but that's not what I paid for! And they charge a 3% fee on your credit card payment! I should have known when I saw that the last time the were recognized as a business was over 10 years ago!
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Review from Erin C.
Carlsbad, CA
7/16/2007
Definitely an experience. I'm not I understand why the mineral bath was so expensive. The massage was good but not as therapeutic as I had hoped -- I went there because I had strained my neck. I paid cash because they charge an extra 3% for using credit cards.
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Review from jessica t.
New York, NY
12/21/2008
I wont call it a bad experience but I must admit it could have been better. I started out with the Mineral bath, which was good at first- but it started to get a little bit cold near the end. I loved the room, it was Egyptian themed and it was very cozy, I felt like I was in someones home rather than in a spa. I didn't like that I could hear everything going on in the next room and upstairs though, it sort of ruined the ambiance of the bath, but oh well.
Next was my slimming wrap. I got rubbed down with a mask, and then wrapped like a mummy from head to toe in ace bandages then got wrapped up in foil blankets like a burrito. I was so warm and cozy and would have loved to take a nap but my masseuse was draining and cleaning the tub, sink, supplies etc. the whole time so I couldn't relax once again. I thought that part was a bit unprofessional.
Onto my main disappointment, the facial. The facial was hardly a facial. They put a scrub on your face, then wipe it off, then a mask, then let it sit for Like 30 minutes, then come back wipe it off and put lotion on your face. THATS IT!! No face massage, no scrubbing, no temple massage, no hand and neck rub, nothing. I could have bought a mask at walmart and done that at home.
I loved my massage, although i should have gone for the deep tissue instead of the Swedish cause it was nice and relaxing but not hard enough. Also she didn't do my feet which is my favorite thing ever. I wish they had a form where you could put down what you prefer in a massage because she spent most of her time on my legs and butt which I'm not too keen on and not enough time on my head, hands, feet, and neck which is what I like the most. I must say it was the 2nd best massage I have had though. She was very nice and personal. I would go back but next time I would only do the bath and massage- deep tissue. Good prices, facial not worth the money. -
Review from Landa S.
Alpine, CA
4/29/2010
The themed rooms here are very neat, spacious and fun to look at. The 2 rooms I've been in both were fairly large, had personal bathrooms and bathtubs. In all of the years I've lived here, I never knew it was a spa! You wouldn't know from the outside. The building is set up in an interesting way. All of the rooms, except for one, are outside of the lounge (which is locked at all times). The walls are pretty thin so you do hear what is going on in the next rooms. My experiences weren't terrible, but weren't the greatest. It was more fun being in the rooms than it was getting the actual massage. They use lotion for the massage, fyi for those who have allergies. You can request to have them use oil but it normally costs more.
