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Refresh Massage
Category: Beauty and Spas Massage Massage [Edit]
Ballston Common Mall4238 Wilson Blvd
Ste 3084
Arlington, VA 22203
(703) 528-2062
- Nearest Transit:
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Ballston Metro (Orange)
- Hours:
Mon-Sat 10 am - 9 pm
Sun 10 am - 7 pm
- Price Range:
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$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Garage
- Accepts Insurance:
- No
- By Appointment Only:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
Isaac L. said: "Saw Pam for a 90 Thai massage. She incorporates her elbows, hands, feet to perform assisted stretching (favorite is the Standing Cobra) and deep tissue massage on a floor mat. She's professional, prompt, passionate about what she…" read more »
28 reviews for Refresh Massage
28 reviews in English
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Review from Kristy G.
Arlington, VA
1/18/2012
Today is the first time I realized maybe you're not supposed to disrobe here....much to my embarrassment.
I've been here about ten times for back massages and stripped down to pants-only every time. Then today my masseuse pulled the towel over my back and went to work through the towel....no lotion or oils. So I came to Yelp to read what other people thought and found a lot of people saying it's meant to be a quickie, clothes-on spot. Oops.
The funny part is they've always oiled me down before, which makes for a phenomenal deep tissue every time. I've paid much more and gotten a lot of tickly crap massages that do nothing for the mountain of knots I accumulate in my shoulders and back. Refresh delivers, and at a great value ($1/minute). I just hope next time I get the lotion again. -
Review from Mari R.
Bethesda, MD
1/30/2012
This place is great for a quick and inexpensive massage.
Pros:
-clean facility
-fast service
-knowledgeable masseuse
Cons:
-there is no sound barrier. you can hear everything.. everything. -
Review from Lina A.
Washington, DC
12/22/2011
I bought a gift certificate from them for my friends birthday, she was very satisfied. Price is very reasonable!
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Review from Jen M.
Fairfax, VA
10/5/2011
YES this place is intense. Seriously. If you are looking a gentle, relaxing new-agey, incense-burning, overpriced bullshit rubdown then this is not the place for you. If you are looking for a cheap and convenient place with masseuses who will show your back and neck knots who's the fucking boss, then come to Refresh Massage.
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Review from Su Jin K.
Arlington, VA
4/22/2011
I was skeptical of a massage place in Ballston mall, but after my half marathon, I desperately needed a massage that wouldn't cost me 3 digits (ergo, no Teal Center this time). Refresh basically charges $1 per minute, no matter what kind of massage you get (unless you get the 2-hours for $100 special). I got a 60-minute foot massage for $60, and it was definitely adequate. I've had harder massages that got kinks out better, but I also paid a lot more for them.
What I liked most about Refresh was the convenience of it. I booked the appointment 2 hours before I arrived, but it turns out most people can just walk in. There's about 0 privacy, though, as you can hear people talking on their cell phones as they walk by, or even your neighbors' conversations (there are only 4 chairs and 4 beds, separated by thin curtains). However, you avoid most of the foot traffic because it is on a higher floor of the mall, across from Sporth & Health. If you're getting a full body massage, you have the option of oil or no oil; no oil means you keep your clothes on, and . . . I'm pretty sure nothing would induce me to go the oil route here.
Basically, I will continue going to Teal for my more "serious" massages, but when I want a spontaneous massage or just want to save a few bucks and ambience doesn't matter, I'll probably come back here. -
Review from Valarie C.
Alexandria, VA
9/25/2011 1 Check-in Here
Total lack of communication. Not asked about any injuries or pressure I would like. Not told that tips were cash only until after then rudely informed I "had" to leave a cash tip (I had no cash). The response was a sigh and a statement, "so you really aren't leaving a tip!?". It is so dangerous to do a deep tissue message without asking about injuries..I won't be back.
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Review from Jason L.
Alexandria, VA
8/10/2011
Pros:
-Very nice people
-Effective deep tissue massage
-Good price
-Fast service
-Good ambiance (lighting and relaxing music)
Cons:
-Noise from the mall (there are no enclosed rooms with doors)
Overall:
I was somewhat skeptical in going here for a massage but Linda did a really good job. She would periodically ask me if the pressure was just right and if there are any areas to focus on. I highly recommend this place since you don't need to make a reservation. -
Review from Jess M.
Arlington, VA
5/29/2011
Came in for a 60 minute foot massage, which went by too fast so I opted for the 2nd hour full body Swedish. And this definitely was not your typical weak petting from a fru fru spa, this was a very "holy crap this is kind of intense" massage.
Four stars for the service and price, would have given it 5 if it weren't for the lack of noise barrier separating my experience from screaming babies, other patrons and mall goers. -
Review from Daniel A.
12/9/2010 1 Check-in Here
Positives: This is a really great price at $1 per minute, so I paid $60 for an hour. The focus on muscles was very good. Effective deep tissue massage in quite they really worked the knots. I went to have my back and right calf worked which was really tight and it definitely helped.
Disappointments: First, there are no private rooms. Just a big open space separated by curtains. 2) You are fully dressed for the full body massage which is difficult depending on what you wear. 3) Next, and possibly the biggest is that there is no front door to the shop so it's impossible to keep the typical "mall noises" out which prevents you from relaxing. I constantly heard phones ringing, kids running in the malls, etc...
I would go back for a short (less than 30 min) body part specific massage b/c I think they do deep tissue very well. But it's not the type of place that will leave you fully relaxed like a spa...
Tip that others have mentioned (wish i saw previously)
Wear clothes that are easy for the masseuse to work around so you can get skin contact. -
Review from M R.
Arlington, VA
10/10/2011
I saw all of the good reviews on this place, so I went to check it out. The massage was different from others I've had; pressure was harder and techniques were slightly different. The guy did some pressing and squeezing around my neck area that was rather painful, but I figured he knew what he was doing. I was wrong. The next day I had a terrible bruise on the back of my neck where the guy had squeezed really hard. I've never had any bruising after massage. I don't think these people are licensed and, if they are, they may not be trained well. Be careful. See a picture of the bruising here - http://www.flickr.com/...
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Review from Pete U.
Arlington, VA
6/28/2011
It had been 7 months since my last massage and I had been running, hitting the gym, sitting on airplanes, and being stressed for all 7. I wanted a deep tissue massage so I stopped by Refresh. They started immediately. I got a 30 minute deep tissue massage and asked the masseuse to focus on my shoulders and back. They meant business! They were sure to ask whether they were giving me an OK amount of pressure. I love that feeling when you get up from the massage bed, your neck feels loose again and you feel miles away from any kind of stress headache. The masseuse was very good and made sure to spend a little more time on all the points on my back/shoulders that I said were bothering me, and the tension is gone now. It did the trick for $40!
Note: I went at 8:45 PM and didn't really hear anything from the mall. It's open until 10 PM on weekdays and (I think) Saturday. -
Review from Sloe R.
Updated - 3/28/2010
Their deep tissue is hard core. I repeat, HARD CORE. There is no deep tissue lite version here. It's definitely not for the weak. I also love how they pay as much attention to the knots in your derriere as they do the rest of your body. And be prepared for some serious head - that is, they'll work over your scalp like a mob interrogator.
I think they started charging an extra ten for deep tissue but the price is still right.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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2/19/2010
Who - Lily
What - Walk in Massage
When - Random weekday afternoon
Where - Ballston Mall Arlington, VA
… Read more »
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Review from Michelle H.
Arlington, VA
7/3/2011 1 Check-in Here
A better value than "you get what you pay for.". Perfect for the emergency massage when your body doesn't love you back, or when you just need a treat. Be clear about your preferred massage pressure - it tends to be on the firm side.
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Review from Coco L.
Arlington, VA
5/27/2009
Since I'm a personal trainer, many of my clients always ask me what they can do to quickly recover from the dreaded yet appreciated feeling of soreness.
One tactic you can start off with is massage....ahh.... feels soooo goooood =) So if you can't get someone like a significant other to help massage you (or if you're like me, you've already exceeded the weekly quota of massages received from the bf and friends), then one place I recommend which is a great value is Refresh Massage, in the Ballston Common Mall across from the Sport & Health.
Let me tell you about my experience with them today. This is not the first time I've been over there, but it is the first time this year that I've visited them. They have been "closed for renovation" during the months of January and February, and I've been waiting longingly for them to open up shop again. When I walked in today to the massage place after teaching Zumba this morning, I had no idea they had also changed to another set of Chinese owners, but I did notice the place had a new look.
"How long do you want a massage for?" Jenny, co-owner of the place, politely inquires.
"20 minutes, maybe 30 minutes please," I requested. My bootie and hamstrings were aching from leading a tough leg workout during Tuesday night's Zumba class, followed by another one this morning! Pretty much every other muscle in my body was sore too, from a combination of using the computer too much, along with other strong workouts I've been inflicting upon myself!
I was escorted to a massage table that had been sectioned off for privacy. In this place, you keep your clothes on. I had a male masseuse assigned to me, and was ready for some deep tissue work. I asked him for a strong massage. And boy did he loosen up the knots in my body!! There's something about the Chinese method of massage that really hits the spot. He didn't use oil on me, and surprisingly enough, the friction didn't bother me. I like the massage to be thorough, especially when I'm very very sore, and I like how deep they get into working out the knots. I was wincing all the way since I was sooo sore.
30 minutes went by. The timer set by my masseuse started beeping. "Can I have 20 minutes more?" I pleaded. He was doing a great job and using massage techniques I had never experienced before. And I've gotten massages all over the US and around the world. Definitely unlike Swedish or Deep Tissue massage. You have to try it to understand what I'm talking about.
20 more minutes went by. Again beeps the timer. "Please, let's make it 60 minutes total," I asked. My masseuse starts working on my head and does this funky vigorous massage technique that was very unfamiliar, but felt really really goooooood. "Oh my god, can you just tack on 20 more minutes??" He then started doing foot reflexology on me. I'm impressed how good that was! I'm in total euphoric state by now....when you think they've covered working on all the muscles of the body, he finds more tight areas. I'm too young to have so much tightness in my body!!!
So all in all, I had a good experience at Refresh Massage. I would say though for the cost of their massage session, which was $20 for 20 minutes, you would be crazy to expect a 5-star ambiance. You could hear the phone ring, other timers beeping, and you were not in your own massage room. You could tell though that the masseuse had a lot of training. Jenny said in China their training lasts 2-3 years. That's a lot more than in the US. She and the masseuse were very curious about me since I spoke a little mandarin, so they sat me down and we had a conversation for a little bit (in broken Mandarin and English).
She said she and her cousin just moved to Arlington to open up the massage business. They and a couple other masseuse live together on Vermont Street. I told them how I love their business location because they're right across the hall from Sport & Health, perfectly convenient to get some muscle tightness worked on after a strong exercise session. I was impressed how good my masseuse was, and even though we could barely communicate since he spoke very little English and my mandarin was so basic, I would still ask for him again.
So check Refresh Massage out for yourself and enjoy quick and straight to the point massage.
In summary:
Pros: Polite & very skilled staff, fast service, great value, no need to undress (could be a con for you, for those who like to strip down!). Great for those in a hurry. They will stay open later for you even if you come right before closing time (but don't take too much advantage of that!)
Cons: Hard to communicate with your masseuse if you get a non-English speaking person (if you like to talk during the session). Ambiance is not too relaxing if you need total silence, so hearing any mall pedestrian traffic, phones ringing softly, and timers beeping would not work for you.
Tip:
Wear clothes that are easy for the masseuse to work around so you can get skin contact. -
Review from Ms. Monet A.
Alexandria, VA
6/27/2011
I just came from getting a massage here. Very nice. I will be back for sure. After reading all the reviews that say you dont take your clothes off, I'm confused. I stripped down to my underwear! lol. They had a hanger for your clothes, a blanket for you to lay under and my masseuse left the room for me to get undressed and everything. Maybe things have recently changed. However, most of my massage was on top of the blanket but he did bring out oil for the skin contact portion.
Highly recommended -
Review from Jeff S.
Laurel, MD
2/21/2011
This was my first time ever getting a massage, so I don't have anything to compare it to. However, in general it seemed like a good massage (I went with hot stone) at a slightly high price,$40 for 30 minutes (though as I mentioned, I have no comparisons).
A note on location: while the mall location is convenient, the fact that there is no sound barrier between the massage area and the mall commons area is very annoying. Though they try to cover it up with soothing music, the ambience suffers significantly. They should look into putting up some doors. -
Review from cl j.
Arlington, VA
9/1/2011
I live across the street, and come here more often than I want to admit. Quality, honestly, is hit or miss. I'd say 3 times out of 4 you get an awesome massage that is worth way more than the $1 per minute they charge; the other time you get someone who doesn't know what they're doing and just kind of randomly pokes at your back. For $1 a minute, though, I'll take those odds.
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Review from Victor L.
Logan, UT
5/21/2011
I was in town for work and had several hours to kill before my flight. I found this place near my hotel and booked a massage. When i found the place, I thought it looked a little sketchy because it's in a shopping mall. But I got a 60 minute massage and it was really very excellent. Better than almost all others I have had. Very good pressure and technique. They
knew several pressure points and worked very carefully on knots.
It costs just a dollar a minute. It lacks ambience because you are in a mall storefront with curtains separating you from passers-by, but the noise really isn't that bad. I am definitely going again next time I'm in the DC area and if I have free time (but not enough to go the National Mall) -
Review from Jimmy S.
McLean, VA
12/10/2010
I am a massage snob. I've received somewhere in the 100's, from NYC to LA to SF to DC and the list goes on. I don't believe you will always get a 100% consistent massage anywhere you go if you become a regular, but this place comes close. And in such a surprising location.
The ambiance: there is attention to detail in this store, both in the soothing music and aesthetics. If you are speaking at a normal level, you may be asked to whisper to not disturb other customers, which you really appreciate when you're face-down. Truly an escape in this fast-paced meto area.
The people: speaking to massage consistency between visits, I think the folks here must go through some kind of bootcamp where they are taught that massage is not just a mechanical exercise, but you're supposed to put care into treating customers. If you go, you will know what I mean. It seems everyone who works here takes pride in what they do, as opposed to other local shops I've been to (such as Massage Express in Tyson's, which is unfortunate because that place is a lot closer to home for me). You really feel cared for here.
Value: let's face it. If you have the money, you can pay twice the cost of this place at a spa and you won't get twice the massage. If you are like me, you don't see the point in paying a premium for a more modern looking facility where massage is just a means to pay the bills for many of the therapists.
The location: could be better for sure. Save time by driving a few floors up in the garage, skipping the slow-moving escalators/elevator in this mall. It will cost you a buck.
My favorite style massage is probably Thai massage, but a good Thai massage place does not exist in the metro DC area, sorry to say it. I've been to Chaan Thai in Falls Church, and if you've had a good Thai massage in California, the place only matches in atmosphere, I don't understand how it got such high Yelp reviews, I'm glad I got a discount there during spa week...
So, for any kind of relaxing or deep tissue massage, this is by far the best bang for your buck in the area.
See my other massage reviews if you're in the LA area on travel for a few tips! -
Review from Alisha D.
Fort Myer, VA
3/26/2011 5 Check-ins Here
I LOVE THIS PLACE. It's convieniently located on the quiet third floor of the Ballston Mall. They have about six table massages and three chairs for foot massages. I really don't like getting undressed, and this place you don't. It's incedibly relaxing and they are always so courteous and friendly. I've been here three times and intend to come back soon! Plus, parking at the Ballston Mall is only a dollar for 3 hours or less.
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Review from Jeff S.
Arlington, VA
1/10/2011
Very cool place. I had considered trying it for awhile and finally took the plunge. Had a great 30 minute massage and the deep tissue strokes were excellent. I have lower back/neck issues and feel better than I have in a long time. Very, very good value compared to spas that would cost double the price (yes, you don't get the steam room and the dried fruits, but you get a great massage and that's what I'm really going there for). I like that they use a lot of pressure, and they are very friendly and accommodating. They know just the right spots to work.
Other plusses: You can walk in; garage parking for $1 after 6 pm. -
Review from Jennifer B.
Arlington, VA
1/1/2011
Refresh Massage has made a repeat customer out of me. I have received numerous massages from chains like Massage Envy and they cannot compare to Refresh Massage. The one thing that is missing from the chain massage is the ability to request more time. I love that I can start with 60 minutes and increase to 90 minutes if I feel the need on the spot. The price is $1 per minute and every minute is used! I love that they accept walk-ins. The longest I've had to wait for a therapist is 15 minutes. The personnel are polite, attentive and each has their own style, but one thing that is consistent is quality. This is the place if you prefer a deep tissue or sports massage. Say goodbye to your knots and kinks.
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Review from Tania L.
Alexandria, VA
9/11/2010
You find great things in the strangest places!
I have basically given up stodgy old spas for this in and out, $1 per minute slice of heaven. No need to make appointments, so whenever you feel like it you can stop by. The place is set up like a traditional Thai massage place, with the 'rooms' created by hanging curtains for privacy and then there are 4 large comfy reclining arm chairs up front for the foot massages. There is a large screen TV across from the chairs with relaxing underwater movies playing, if you are able to keep your eyes open while you get one of their fabulous foot massages!
Since Ballston Mall is not the busiest place (when I've been there anyway) there is not a lot of ambient noise, and I find the spa like music they have playing adequately muffles any disturbance that the mall might give.
All masseuses seem to have excellent experience in reflexology and deep tissue (unlike the randomness and up-selling at spas). The foot massages are heaven and the shoulder massages are done with all your clothes on so make sure you dress accordingly. I thought that this would be weird, but in fact I haven't found it to be so. They are very thorough, and during the shoulder/back rub do a great job of getting your whole back and butt. They are not light massages, so make sure if you are not a deep tissue kind of person you make that clear, they will start out strong!
Definitely worth stopping by if you are anywhere near the place, start with a short foot rub and work your way up from there, trust me, you will! -
Review from Jennifer L.
Arlington, VA
3/12/2010
I like this place. It's on the 3rd floor of the Ballston Commons Mall, but it's fairly quiet. $1 per minute massage is a pretty good deal. They will do back and shoulder, full body, and reflexology. It's just a short walk from my place, so I wander in sometimes when I'm feeling depressed. When I want a serious massage, though, I go someplace else.
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Review from Paul M.
Falls Church, VA
5/10/2011
Excellent sports and deep tissue massage. The Refresh Massage team are real experts in sorting out muscle and tendon injuries. This is a really handy service for all runners in the area, check it out!
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Review from Tony S.
Washington, DC
2/9/2010
I went to Refresh because my back and neck was in some serious need of working out knots and tension ... and they took care of me. This place has a basic set up ... about six tables in one room separated by curtains. It's not the place to go if you want complete quiet and privacy. However, if you want a good massage where the therapist puts in a lot of effort for a very reasonable price, this is a great place to go.
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Review from Jamie B.
Arlington, VA
Updated - 4/3/2011
The expert masseuses at Refresh are trained both in China and the U.S. They are the best! And it is so convenient!
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/3/2011
These folks have the secret of healing! Most were certified in China and the U.S. and they use the… Read more »
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Review from Matt R.
Arlington, VA
8/17/2010
I've been to Refresh a couple of times and each time have had a great experience. I agree with other comments regarding both affordability and the vigor of the deep tissue. I'm a big guy, run and exercise a lot, and am generally disappointed with weak, skin-deep massages. That is definitely not a problem here! They attack the knots and just keep working until they're gone. Plus, the staff is very friendly and the location is super convenient. Great place for the weekly, pop-in massage while running errands. I would highly recommend it!
