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Graceful Services
Categories: Beauty and Spas Massage Beauty and Spas Skin Care Beauty and Spas Cosmetics & Beauty Supply Shopping Cosmetics & Beauty Supply Massage, Skin Care, Cosmetics & Beauty Supply [Edit]
1095 2nd Ave2nd Fl
(between 57th St & 58th St)
New York, NY 10022
Neighborhood: Midtown East
(212) 593-9904
Announcement
Summer promotion waxing 50% off at Graceful Services.
- Nearest Transit:
-
Lexington Av/59 St (N, Q, R)
59 St (4, 5, 6, 6X)
Lexington Av/53 St (E, M)
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 10 am - 10 pm
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- By Appointment Only:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
51 reviews for Graceful Services
51 reviews in English
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Review from Natalie B.
New York, NY
11/8/2011
Having been a pretzel in my former life as a professional ice dancer, my body still finds gnarled knots that have yet to be unkinked. And, in my endless search for a consistently effective massage place, I think I may have found that ever elusive Atlantis. Graceful Services just may be the ticket to painless days and happy, untangled muscles.
I have been to many spas offering the best massages around and have wound up, inevitably, unsatisfied and with a hefty price tag. Luckily, I found the no-frills, super serious Graceful Services to help me with my daily muscle pains. i have been here countless times and have been more than satisfied every single time: not only with their incredibly reasonable prices, but with their exceptional masseuses as well.
Here's the scoop: you do forego the incense and spacious private rooms lit by candles and other nonsense. If you're going to come here, you're serious about getting those kinks worked out, not for the ambiance and (in my opinion) BS that high-end spas use to allure you. But, come on, why do you need such an incredibly peaceful, zen surrounding when you spend 99% of your time in the room with you head face down on a massage bed or face up with your eyes closed? Exactly.
So, looks aside, what you get at Graceful Services is quality. A serious quality massage for a seriously awesome price. I highly recommend this place for those who are in dire need of a good, deep tissue rub down. You won't be disappointed, I promise. -
Review from Lili K.
11/20/2011
This place is ok. Not the best, and not the worst.
I got the Swedish massage for $60, and I was able to use a $50 gift certificate from Spa Finder (they don't accept those in their Chelsea location, fyi). The hole for the face was not very comfortable-their piece of paper they put on top kept sticking to my face. The massage wasn't very ahhh soothing, maybe it was too light because I passed out for about half my massage.
Did it work out the kinks in my back? Nope. Was it an ok experience for how much I'm paying? Sure, but I wouldn't come back here, as there are many other similar massage places to check out. -
Review from Aphrael R.
Manhattan, NY
6/14/2011
A no frills decor but a very thorough massage. I did the hour hot stone massage with a groupon and left feeling very relaxed. The evening hours made making an appointment very easy.
Highly recommended for a very relaxing procedure as long as you aren't looking for the fancy spa experience. -
Review from Bebe M.
Bronx, NY
10/23/2011
OMG this place is amazing!! I went during spa week with two friends and we all got the deep tissue massage. After reading the reviews I thought it was going to be a cheap looking place because of the whole " curtain separating the beds". But it's actually a very nice looking atmosphere. I'm not sure if it's just because I was in desperate need of a massage but this place wowed me. Sarah, did my massage and she was friendly and made sure I was comfortable the whole time. I only heard people walking in and out twice but I can imagine I would get annoyed if it was a constant thing. I am def coming back!
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Review from Suzana U.
New York, NY
4/3/2011 1 Check-in Here
Summary : Nice massage and INEXPENSIVE.
2 hours - 1 hour massage and 1 hour facial = 120
What else I can ask for in NY! Okay is not the best massage i ever had but after 2 hours and you are not able to relax you have a problem..
I really enjoyed this experience of course if the massage was a little better I could even give 4 but since they don't have 3 and half .... I am giving 4 stars for the service , the fact i did leave happy and relaxed and my pockets were not empty.
They are chinese massage ladies and they do accept credit cards for the massage but the tips you have to give in cash. I would go back because is clean and inexpensive but I am still looking for the best massage place in NY! -
Review from Erin R.
New York, NY
2/26/2011
Something you need to know about Graceful before going there. They are of the Chinese Medicine school of thought. This is not a houghty toughty massage place where the rich upper east siders go and drink wine while having a massage and a pedicure at the same time. This is more like a bath house. The staff are all in scrubs and I thought were all very professional. Yes, the spaces are separated by curtains but that doesn't detract from the quality of service. It is very clean, modern decor, a nice waiting area, with just the necessities for a massage. If you are mindful of the other people in the space, you'll be fine. If you can't do that, than this is not the place for you.
I came here with a Groupon for a 1 hour hot stone and it was great. My masseuse was Sam and he was wonderful. He could tell where I needed more work and was very attentive, he even brought me water at the end of the session and talked to me about how to lesson the tightness in my shoulders.
Overall a good experience. -
Review from Tina Z.
Manhattan, NY
10/7/2011
You get what you pay for. The place itself was clean but the beds are separated by curtains - not that big of a deal. But they don't even have a "indoor voice" policy walking around the spa. You hear everythin going on. I would call it more of a massage center than a spa. The massage itself wasn't bad but it just wasn't what I was looking for. I probably won't be back no matter how inexpensive it is.
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Review from David N.
3/22/2011
This is one of the best massages in the city. It's a great balance of clean, overall solid therapists (so you don't have to worry about getting a lemon) and value. You know I like it because I've seen grace there a few times and she says to me " you come here a lot".
Be aware that if you have a lot of knots, you might have a rough time unless you tell them to take it easy or just bear it. -
Review from Christine S.
New York, NY
7/14/2011
This is hands down the best no frills day spa in the city. I highly recommend Shelly. She has fingers made of steel, if you like that sort of thing. I got a 90 minute massage last night, last appt of the day, and she still did an outstanding job after what I am sure was a long day. 90 minutes with Shelly= HEAVEN. P.S. 90 minutes=90 dollars. At "nicer" spas it would cost around double. I'll just go here twice vs an over priced spa once.
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Review from Olivia C.
Manhattan, NY
8/25/2011
i LOVE this place, why? because every single person working here knows go to give a damn good massage. I leave her HAPPY no matter who I get and I never have to worry if my money is going to be wasted. This massage is not for the faint of heart, I am not a very easy person to massage so Im always impressed with the skill and professionalism here. I tried somewhere closer to home, and even though this place costs twice as much and is in Manhattan, I am ONLy coming here from now on!
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Review from Shakti H.
Washington, DC
5/23/2010
All I can say is: ASK for CLARENCE!
I'm a former massage therapist so I know what I'm talking about.
I don't go here for: a zen experience, plush robes, organic herbal teas, or the lilting sounds of door chimes. I go for an incredibly therapeutic, makes your voice deep afterwards, massage. And Clarence delivers.
Clarence works with presence & expertise. My body is twisted, turned, stretched, deeply kneaded, rubbed with hot towels and left for deep peace when it's all said & done. After many disappointing massages at places that received great reviews (public ignorance?) I simply don't trust anyone else to know what they're doing.
And, on top of all that, this place is crazy affordable! $60 bucks for an hour, I don't think it gets better in NY. The space itself is clean & efficient. Works for me. -
Review from Jennifer F.
Santa Rosa, CA
8/18/2010
The pros: The massage was thorough and felt great, and my masseuse was responsive when I let her know that I needed a lighter touch. The hot towels were definitely my favorite part, and my muscles were definitely loosened up after the massage. I had a gift certificate, but I saw that my hour-long massage was $60, which I know is a really good price for Manhattan.
The cons: The little rooms aren't really rooms - it's a long corridor separated by sheets. The spaces were so tight that my masseuse had to literally jump over the table, momentarily straddling me (thankfully I was face-down at that point) to get to the other side of the room. On the other hand, she was practically gymnastic during that move, so I imagine it must've looked impressive. She didn't ask me anything prior to the massage - whether I had any physical issues (I had shoulder surgery a year ago) that needed work. I heard the girl in the space next to me (like I said, there's only a curtain) have to tell her masseuse three times that a place was tender, and it wasn't until she finally said, "Ouch!" that the masseuse seemed to understand to lighten up.
If you're looking for a really nice spa experience, I would suggest you go elsewhere. For me, I really need those extras to get into a relaxed zone for a massage, and I like to be in my own room for a stronger sense of privacy. However, if you're looking for a more no-frills, inexpensive massage, and you're assertive enough to speak up for yourself ahead of time, then this place is a good choice. -
Review from Alba U.
New York, NY
5/6/2011
WOW. I've had a lot of massages over the years, and this was one of the very best ever. I was surprised that the decor was actually much nicer than what was described in previous reviews. Perhaps they've redecorated recently? It was very clean, serene and quite elegantly appointed. I took my lovely BF for a 90 minute--the perfect length to really relax-- massage for his birthday, and as I said, WOW. He'd been hankering for a massage for a while and I was way past due. He reports Nancy's skills were top notch, and I gotta say, Peter, well he really went deep, and I feel all wrung out and buzzing with qi!! We will be back :)
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Review from Gina C.
Brooklyn, NY
12/18/2007
This is my favorite place to get a massage and I've gone everywhere in the city. Hole-in-the-walls, luxury day spas, I've done them all. The massage therapists (I always go to Mimi now) seriously kick your ass, which it turns out is really what I wanted all the years that I had been going to get massages and inevitably decided to try somewhere else.
The pros of this place are that I seriously think it's the best massage I've ever had and I've probably gotten 100 massages in my lifetime. I bruise very easily but somehow, despite the fact that they are definitely rough I have never walked out bruised. Also, the price is phenomenal. It's $50 for 45 minutes, but my first time there the buzzer went off and I actually reached under the table and handed the masseuse my credit card while moaning the words "KEEP GOING." $60 for the hour is an awesome price even for an average massage.
The cons of this place don't bother me at all, but hold me back from recommending Graceful Services to most of my friends who are more appreciative of bells and whistles than I am. I find it very easy to block out noise, but I know that's a problem a lot of other people have. There are only curtains on the door so you can hear all the comings and goings outside of your room. Again, I mentioned that they're pretty rough, which I could imagine is not a selling point for all. Other warnings, the masseuse I always go to actually mounts you during the massage in order to evenly rub you down and also there's quite a bit of butt touching, which I could imagine makes other people uncomfortable, though I apparently have an undiscovered fetish.
My experience there is definitely five stars, but I'm only giving Graceful Services four because I think that a sign of a great establishment is versatility, as where I think right now this place was designed with me in mind. -
Review from A C.
Brooklyn, NY
1/2/2011
Got a groupon for this place, so went the other day with my boyfriend. There is one room for the massage and someone was in there when we arrived so they put us in the bathroom together to get naked and hit the sauna, which is like a closet but was fine. After the fifteen minutes we were sent to the room, which as others have said is small and there are curtains in between beds. I'm glad I knew the person getting the massage next to me, or else it would have been SO WEIRD.
The massages were good, although I'd have to say, we got the tech neck and thumb and days later we are still sore! Maybe we just needed the deep pressure.
As others have said, it's no frills. I would not go back here, I like a more upscale place and think it's worth the extra dollars at another spa. I also like others who reviewed like to relax a bit after but they usher you out so the next person can get in the room. -
Review from Maria M.
Woodside, NY
9/20/2007
I like pain. And I like an hour of it for $60.
Or at least I did when I was 28 and could still take it. I guess this is proof that 31 may not be that far from 28, but the difference in tolerance is huge. Whereas I used to demand they use "firm" pressure, as in, "knock me the fuck out", now I quietly say "Um, can you take it easy? Maybe light to medium pressure?" And never underestimate short, teeny women. They can sure pack a punch (ah-thank you).
How do I spell relief? C-R-A-C-K. I mean the 5 or 6 cracking sounds my back made when the massage lady pressed down and then ground her elbows into it. Oh, that was wonderful indeed. I can walk taller now and can actually stand to put my shoulders back instead of hunching. I feel taller, and that, to my 5'1" self, is invaluable. I also loved the massage of my calf muscles. Those get tight beyond belief, and massage lady worked them OUT. And maybe it was intuition, but she knew to rub my knees, as if I had already told her that I have the worst knees ever. Pain-free now! I feel like I'm even walking a little better. They even massage the booty as an extension of the back, which is great, especially when you sit for most of the day.
However, I have been having this weird pain in my lower back. Sort of like this anvil set right on it, and she couldn't get rid of that. Oh well, I'll just have to take more painkillers. Not that this upsets me, but whatever. The weird thing is, I can still feel exactly where on my back massage lady put her hands. I feel kind of like I am developing bruises.
And so, I have to scout out a new place to get my crack addiction taken care of. The price will be hard to beat. Graceful Services is very clean and I feel comfy about getting in my nudities here. They aim to keep things quiet, but it's actually getting a little loud in there lately. And you can hear the person in the next room groaning and whatnot, which is a tad funny, and not ha ha funny. I try so hard not to make the noises I did when I used to get massages at home (Oh, Eric, where art thou???)
This place is/was all over the magazines, like New York and Allure. This just goes to show you can't always take their word for it.
3.5 stars, gracefully rounded up. -
Review from Phannie P.
Milwaukee, WI
7/30/2009
My "phannie" was fondled.
(Yes, you read that correctly.)
I've never had such a deep tissue ass massage in my life!
She was kneading my cheeks like they were dough balls, and it was incredibly...
Uncomfortable. (Y'all thought I was gonna say something different, huh?)
"Why didn't you ask her to stop?", you ask?
Well, because I thought to myself, "Maybe my butt actually is tight, and therefore needs a good massage..."
So I let her enjoy herself , and while she elbowed and forearmed and fingered my butt(cheeks), I was practicing lamaze. I didn't know any other way of getting through that bruising gluteus maximus massage. I tried to breathe slowly so that I wouldn't tense up. But I still did, b/c i can't imagine relaxing while someone is vigorously squeezing and pushing on me like that.
Other than the intense focus below the border, I was pretty happy with the massage. She really focused on the back and shoulder area, but not so much on extremities. Then she ended it with a head scratch (short, quick, and useless) and draped me in warm towels. The towels were my favorite part :)
Overall, not bad. But I guess next time I will speak up, and if she even THINKS about pulling down my panties again and having at me, I will kick her and yell "MOLESTER!"
haha...j/k....umm...actually, not really.
So in conclusion, make sure your ass is clean.
...because, yes, they go down there. -
Review from michael a.
New York, NY
10/2/2010
Paid $1/minute for intense pain to the point of tears.
Great tui na massage. I wouldn't come here for the ambiance and I definitely wouldn't classify this as a "spa".
Also, my $10 tip was not graciously accepted by my masseuse who gave me a disgusted look and walked away. I thought 15 to 20% was pretty standard? -
Review from Emily R.
Bronx, NY
10/17/2008
This is my favorite place to get a cheap massage. I'm a no-frills/get 'er done kind of gal when it comes to massages. I like pain, and I like it cheap. I hate those pansy massages from most of the really trendy places in town. The therapists are always trying to talk you to death while you're trying to relax or they are just not strong enough to put in all the pressure that I typically like. The tiny little asian women at Graceful may not speak the best English, which can cause a bit of confusion if you're trying to be really specific about what you want, but that also means they're gonna shut up and just pummel you for an hour.
I have had at least 10 massages here. There have been times when I have left bruised and uncomfortable because I didn't speak up and say that they were too rough, but there were plenty of times when I felt like a puddle of mush because I was so relaxed and pain free afterwards. It all depends on who you get. But I've learned that you need to speak up if you don't like what you're getting at any massage place. If it's too rough, tell them, if you want more pressure, just ask. Nothing sucks worse than paying a lot of money and leaving an hour later unhappy with what you got.
This place is kinda small, most of the "rooms" are separated by curtains hanging from the ceiling. You definitely can hear all the noise around you from other masseurs and their clients, but I'm pretty good at tuning that stuff out and they really do try to be as quiet as possible. The back room, the red one in all the nicer pictures of the place, is the best place to be since there's only two beds there. So chances are you'll get more privacy back there. I had it when I booked a body scrub/massage package. The scrub was great and they have a nice shower for you to clean off with after your scrub. After that and all the oil from my massage, I was soft as a baby's bottom.
This place isn't for those that want a super zen environment to relax and chill out, it's really for people that need the kinks worked out for a cheap price. If you want to be pampered and drink cucumber water in your nice terry robe, go elsewhere. If you want a little woman with strong hands to walk on you and work you out, this is the place for you! -
Review from Vicky L.
1/25/2006
if you didn't know about this place, you definitely would not be able to find it. i knew where it was and I still had trouble finding it. It doesn't really have a storefront, but if you go to where the address is and then you look UP, you can see a banner with their name on it.
I recommend getting the couples room because it's private and quiet. You can get a facial and a massage for 90 bucks. -
Review from JoAnna S.
Des Moines, IA
7/31/2007
I was in desperate need of a massage after moving to NYC. This place was fairly close to my office and seemed reasonable enough. Their prices run about $1/minute, which isn't bad at all for NYC.
Little bit of a language barrier with the therapist but she was sweet and professional. I had never had a hot towel thing done with a massage so that was a bit of a surprise but I totally dug it. Overall, it wasn't the best massage I've ever had but it did the trick. I also got a hot stone facial, which wasn't bad but wasn't great either. The therapist totally giggled the entire time that she was waxing my upper lip (it's not *that* bad) and she ended up missing a spot.
I'd go again if I was in need of a massage badly but definitely wouldn't get my waxing done there again. A no frills place for sure but it got the job done. Check their website for "package" deals and price breakdowns. -
Review from Justine L.
St Paul, MN
2/17/2011
I've had a lot of massages in my life, and this was one of the most therapeutic. Initially I was a little concerned as the decor was a little scary; it looks like a dirty hole in the wall. It was a really tight quarters, and you were literally 5 feet away from the person next to you getting a massage. Nevertheless, if you can get past that, the Asian masseuse will kick the butt out of your back and neck...
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Review from Annabel A.
New York, NY
9/13/2009
Having grown up in Asia, i'm used to getting weekly thai/chinese (tui na)/indonesian massages.
My experience here made me feel like I was back in Asia getting the real deal.
$60 an hour (incredibly cheap for nyc) No frills- you're in a room w/ beds separated by curtains. Massage therapists are mostly Chinese, but speak fairly good english. They crawl on top of you, twist your back, move your legs in weird positions, use oil and hot towels- very thorough.
At first, I thought i just got lucky with my masseuse, but then my mom who was in the next room also commented it's one of the best massages she's ever had.
Highly, highly recommend this place. I also believe they have a sister spa- graceful spa down in the West village. -
Review from Courtney O.
Highland Park, NJ
9/30/2010
I booked the Groupon deal for a 60 minute thumb tech massage for $39. Great deal! The decor and interior of the spa is less then impressive, with curtains similar to a medical clinic or hospital separating two bed from each other. It is in an apartment building and the spa owns at least two of the units, from what I saw. The masseuse was professional, and asked many times if I was comfortable. I don't think I would return to pay full price for a massage here, but it was def worth the value for what I did pay.
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Review from Hannah C.
Astoria, Queens, NY
5/19/2009
I'm giving this place 4 stars because even though I really didn't think it was all that special my roommate, who went with me, thought it was *amazing*.
I got the 60 minute Swedish/deep tissue massage and it was fine, not awesome, or great, just...fine. For some reason I feel as though my massages, based solely on the fact that it is a massage, should at least reach the "good" level...but this was sufficient. The massage therapist focused mainly on my back and legs, and never really made it to my arms or fingers, which might be because my back is so knotty, but who knows. Nevertheless, very nice, however.
My roommate got the 60 swedish/deep tissue and the 60 minute Thai. She walked out like she was on a cloud (the appropriate massage response) and kept talking about how much she loved it, so maybe the Thai is great? She also plans on returning many a time.
Overall the place is nice and the experience was too. Oh and both of us had shoulder blade pain for a few days after. -
Review from Karry L.
7/24/2010
I was invited here for a bachelorette party massage organized by a bridesmaid. I had the impression that it'd be like a spa with a lounge area where we can all hang out after the massage. It was totally different than what I thought or from the images i saw online, basically you walked thru a tight hallway into an apt-like room with curtains separating the massage beds. There was no locker to put your belongings except a basket where it gets tucked under the bed. A chinese lady helped me w my whole body massage, she was ok though i prefer more pressure. The worst part is at the end of massage, i was quite relaxing and was hoping to nap for 10 or 15 mins, but i was rushed to get out w a cup of water so the next client can use the bed. After 50mins, all girls came out w puzzled faces and semi awkward spa experience.
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Review from chris r.
1/8/2009
read the reviews before i came here, so i was prepared for some pain. as my masseuse led me away to the room the receptionist called out to her and said "it's his first time, go easy on him!" i thought, ok. i'm really in for it here...
i didn't want to not fully experience how it was supposed to be, so i requested that she go as hard as she needed to, once i got settled in. it's not painful. it's relaxing. there are a few moments where elbows are involved that pinch a little bit, but it seemed like it was necessary to get certain kinks out. and they were all gone by the time the hour was up.
should the fact that the rooms are separated by a curtain bother you, because there's a person on a table just a few feet away that you might occasionally hear, there is an option to pay $20.00 extra for a private room. personally, i don't see the need for it. you might hear another masseuse quietly ask the other person a question once in a while but no one gets loud or distracting.
the hour ends way too fast. and at only $60.00 before tip, it's an unbelievable bargain. it didn't help with my insomnia, but i left feeling more relaxed than i had in quite some time, with absolutely no tension in my neck or back. -
Review from M M.
Manhattan, NY
7/17/2011
Had a great mani /pedi experience. Very friendly staff and relaxing atmosphere. I was able to walk right in and be seated. Highly recommend for an inexpensive, enjoyable time.
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Review from Michelle S.
Brooklyn, NY
7/15/2011
I tried Graceful Services because of a Groupon and I'm so glad I did. It's clean, affordable, relaxing, and they know what they're doing. I would recommend this place to anyone looking for a good massage for a good price.
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Review from Haley C.
Jersey City, NJ
6/2/2007
I completely agree with Pippi, I want to give a really good review, but my experience with Graceful Services wasn't 100%. The place was extremely clean (almost too clean, I was laying on a peice of that thin hospital table paper that didn't have a hole cut out for my face) and we didn't wait very long, but once the massaging began... PAIN!! And not the good kind. My mantra was, "pain equals endorphins." I know there's the kind of massage you get where it hurts and then after it stops hurting and you just feel really good... nope. My back hurts more now (the day after) than it did going in. The main problem is that rather than using her hands, the woman jabbed me with her elbow repeatedly. The least painful part of the massage was when she was massaging my butt because I have sufficient padding, but it certainly wasn't relaxing because I had a stranger grabbing at my booty. I should have just told her that she was hurting me so much, but I seriously did think there would be a point where all the pain would be worth it.
Also, the loudspeaker announcements "so and so to room blah blah for massage" got really annoying. I'm not sure if a more expensive massage would have been less painful, but I would hope they would have the sense not to pound my breast bone. I mean, come on, is it just me that finds that so painful? When my cats accidentally step on me there I shove them off without even thinking about it because it hurts so much.
Hopefully I will have a positive massage experience, so I can refer you guys to a place that won't leave you super achy the next day. -
Review from dina e.
Manhattan, NY
4/14/2011
I love this place. Everytime I am stressed I call in to make an appointment. The staff is very nice and the massages are amazing. Highly recommended!!!!
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Review from Pippi L.
South San Francisco, CA
3/20/2007
You know, I really would like to give this place a good rating after reading the other reviews but I can't. I decided to try this place based on the reviews and for the price, it is inexpensive and i expected it to be no frills but man, this is definitely not a place where you can relax. The evening of my appointment, I checked in 15 minutes early and as I was sitting and reading my magazine I get a call 15 minutes later to find out my therapist was running 15 minutes late. Hmmmm, i thought that was strange since I was already sitting there. When it was time for my massage I was lead into this tiny cramped little space and I wondered how the therapist was going to be able to move around. The table itself seemed kinda rickety and not properly sheeted but rather covered with that paper used to sit on when you go to the doctors office for a physical. As for the massage, it was fine, and for most of the time, the therapist was literally on top of me giving me the massage. She seemed nice enough, didn't speak much english. What annoyed me the most about this place was that during the whole session I heard all these kinds of noises: alarm clocks going off, feet shuffling loudly back and forth, two guys in the next room speaking and laughing, the front doorbell ringing, doors slamming and so forth. There was no silence at all during my 90 minute session. Not cool.
For the price, maybe that's NY standards but I didn't think it was worth it at all. I felt more stressed out leaving than I felt checking in. Would rather spend the extra money for a better facility and to relax. -
Review from Tricia F.
Manhattan, NY
8/9/2010
This place is not fancy or terribly spa-like but they give great cheap massages. I just had possibly the best massage of my life today, from Jeff. Yay, Jeff!!
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Review from Julie M.
11/14/2007
once you've experienced chinese qi-gong massage (i think that means "small freakishly strong chinese girl climbs on your back and pummels you"), you'll never go back to swedish or sports massage. if you can handle it, you'll leave feeling like jello.
hurts so good. and for $60/ hour, you can treat yourself regularly.
oh, i think they offer facials and other stuff here too. but i'd stick with massage. it's what they do best.Listed in: Girl Stuff
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Review from Anne C.
New York, NY
10/29/2006
I was attracted to this place by its late hours and low prices and it was absolutely worth it. Sure it's just a 20'x12' room with massage tables separated by hanging fabric, and yes, you can hear the guy next to you sighing (or groaning), but even absurdly-modest-me felt comfortable and the massage was top notch. This is a no-frills massage. $60 for 60 mins.
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Review from Erica M.
Rego Park, NY
3/16/2009
Adventures are more fun with friends. I asked my friends Keren and Evelyn to go with me for a massage. Keren suggested Graceful Services, a place she found before her wedding that she really enjoyed.
She found out about it from a friend, and I am glad she did. There is no way I would have found this place on my own. Despite winning lots of awards for being a great budget spa, it looks like a hole in the wall, from the street. It's on the second floor, and you pass by an apartment. Really no-frills. When you get in, you are greeted by a clean, if not sparse or clinical looking place. Judie was the receptionist, and she was friendly and nice. The policy is to pay first, so that you don't have to deal with the silly financial stuff when you are totally blissed out. I have to admit - the major draw of this place is their prices. Both Keren and I received a Swedish/Deep tissue one hour massage for only $60. Evelyn had a one hour Reiki treatment for $90. The deals and specials are really, really impressive.
I was a little nervous at first though. I had been burned by my previous massage, and although Keren vouched for this place, I think I am a little prissier than she is. I had nothing to worry about it. But - I should give fair warning. It's not private rooms - it's essentially one big, narrow room, each bed separated by curtains. The beds are only a few feet from one another, but everything seemed really clean. Nice, soft music was playing, and the room was nice and dim (even though mine was right next to the window). We were a half hour early, but they were able to take us right away. You are given a box to stow your stuff under the bed, and instructed to remove your clothing (except your underwear) and get under the first sheet. I love clear instructions. I disrobed, and peeled back the first sheet to find a strip of paper - like you would find on your doctor's exam bed. Not really super spa like, but it was definitely softer than at the docs. I put my face in the head rest thingy, and with it, went my last conscious thought.
I was laying there and a few seconds later, a woman came in. I never saw her face (her name turned out to be Lydia), but she asked in a soft voice to confirm I got one the hour. I could hear Keren in the next bed over being asked the same question - but it wasn't distracting. Then, the massage beings. Oh. My. God. It was amazing. It was some sort of combo between deep tissue and Swedish and it was incredible. The next thing I know, this tiny woman is climbing all over me. I felt like a giant and she was my little Lilliputian helper, intent on working out every knot I ever had. It was incredible. Because my face was down before she ever walked in the room, I never saw her face, but about a half hour in, I decided I would marry this woman and do anything to make her happy.
After what I assumed was about an hour, the woman left my little curtained off area. Anxiety started to set in. If the massage was over, why didn't she tell me? How long do I lay here, in my little cloud? I shouldn't have worried. Less than a minute later, she was back - with steaming hot towels. She put them all over my back and legs and rubbed through the hot towels. Not only was it super-relaxing, but it also rubbed off any oil. Bonus! Then, I turned over and she finished the treatment. I couldn't believe it hadn't been an hour yet.
When it was over, she left me alone to get dressed and brought me a cup of water. I couldn't even speak, I was so relaxed. I met up with my friends in the waiting room, and we all fell asleep on the subway home. We are booking our next massage (90 minutes this time) for April. -
Review from Natalie T.
Union City, NJ
10/13/2008
AWESOME!!!! A couple of friends and I went there for spa week and were blown away. We all walked out of there on cloud nine. The massage was tough, but I feel like a new woman. Don't know what others had but I was in a private room, right near the front door and had no problem with noise. I was so relaxed i fell asleep. You get your moneys worth. I'm going back there as many times as my pocketbook will allow.
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Review from Hannah L.
12/30/2009
this is not your state of the art spa, so if that's what you are looking for, this is not the place. it is clean and reasonably priced, and a job well done.
you basically get naked on a table in a room-let, formed by sheets from the wall (hospital style). you put all your clothes and items in a bin that goes under the bed-table, and then massage starts.
got a 90 minute deep tissue massage, and man, they do not mess around here! she worked out my back knots for a good long time, and they give you a legit butt massage! like, squishing and moving! i had never had a legit butt massage before, but this is the place to have it done. at first i was a little weirded out, but at the time, my body had become jelly-like from the first 45 minutes of rubbing.
it's hardcore. but, an experience well worth it. i think i prefer the more relaxing kind, as this is a super intense muscle smacking, knot-rubbing massage.
but facilities are clean and my masseuse knew her shit. i could hear the guy next to me getting smacked and his cell going off, but whatever. still a good affordable place to go in the area! -
Review from Christina S.
New York, NY
5/31/2005
Fantastic, relaxing, no frills massage in a somewhat staid environment. Tables are separated only by a white sheet, so don't be too put off by the visions of feet passing by. Unbelievable value ($60/hr), and well worth the slightly sketchy surroundings.
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Review from Anthro food e.
New York, NY
1/27/2006
i had my first massage here and it was fantastic! now i know what all the rave is about! it was during spa week but even if you cant come here during spa week, the prices are still reasonable...my friend and i had a room together and got the hot stone massage...we were thoroughly pleased...even though the hot stones felt great, i would recommended getting just a regular massage for an hour because the stones wont get every nook and cranny...towards the end of the hot stone massage they will give you some sort acrobatic massage...these lil asian women are literally on top of you, but dont fret! you wont even know it because they weigh nothing...now thats talent!!!
after an hour, i couldnt even walk in a straight line on the way home...i was soo relaxed that i literally felt drunk...
i guess thats when you know youve gotten a good massage....
"its tingling, that means its working!"
