- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
Spa Butterfly
Categories: Beauty and Spas Day Spas Beauty and Spas Nail Salons Day Spas, Nail Salons [Edit]
155 E 44th St(between Lexington Ave & 3rd Ave)
New York, NY 10017
Neighborhood: Midtown East
(212) 682-6073
- Nearest Transit:
-
Grand Central - 42 St (7, 7X)
Grand Central - 42 St (4, 5, 6, 6X)
Grand Central - 42 St (S)
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- By Appointment Only:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
Le Salon Nowel
Get 43% off your purchase at Le Salon Nowel
46 reviews for Spa Butterfly
46 reviews in English
-
Review from Sandy C.
7/23/2011 2 Check-ins Here
This place is fast! You almost feel rushed. I've never had a quicker mani & pedi ever. I came here for their spa week back in April, I couldn't resist a deal for a massage for only $50. I reserved it for a day after work and of course when I arrived it was rush hour for them. I was prompted to wait in their cramped waiting area. It was cramped because they moved the massage chairs in there and there were 3 women getting back massages.
After they setup my room, I was rushed in and quickly changed. The massage itself was very good and since it's a Korean owned nail salon & spa, they do the typical stretching at the end of the massage. I had a friendly male masseuse. Afterwards he directed me back to the waiting area. I sat there for a few mins until he came back and asked me what type of manicure/pedicure I was getting. He escorted me to a pedicure seat and started prepping my nails. Little did I know he also did nails. I wasn't sure if he was only prepping me or if it was his first time, because the other women there treated him as if he were new to it. In any case, he did a good job and he was pretty quick, although I'm not sure if he's licensed?
A few weeks later, I returned with no appointment for just a manicure/pedicure. There was about a 10min wait, especially after work hours. Someone else assisted me but there he was again doing nails on another customer. It's a little unusual to find a male nail technician.
I like the fact this places sanitizes and it shows. They're tools are in packages like at the dentist office. They're pumice stones and files are also thoroughly cleaned and then sanitized. The stations are clean and organized. They place your bags in cloth shopping baskets.
Even though they're really quick with the paint job, they still provide stellar service. My nails last the typical week before they start chipping but if you're in a rush, this is the place to go. Prices are decent for the city.
They offer a huge selection of both Essie and Opi colors. -
Review from Chisai S.
New York, NY
1/13/2012
I'm kinda, sorta ready to break up with them.
I used to love this place fore pedicures and would generally get either the sea salt or the signature pedicure. They were not cheap, especially the signature, but my god, they were amazing. My feet looked perfect when they were done. The last couple of times I've gone though, I've had pretty bad experiences. The last time, the manicurist cut 2 of my toe nails past my nail bed. The time before I ended up with bruises on my calf and shins from the massage. They used to totally be worth the money but not so much anymore, at least in my experience. -
Review from Michelle C.
Chicago, IL
10/9/2011 1 Check-in Here
I love the pre-populated verbiage when I give a place 2 stars, "Meh. I've experienced better." ...because, meh - I've experienced better.
I came here on a whim on my last night in NYC after a long week of business meetings. I was looking for something relaxing and something that would help to soothe my tired feet.
The spa itself is very nicely decorated and furnished. I am a big fan of the ambiance and the amount of stations they have so several people can have services done at once without the place feeling too crowded.
I chose the "regular" (or classic?) pedicure and was tended to immediately. I knew this baby would cost me $32 smack-a-roos so I expected a $32 experience (I say this because I know NYC is known for super inexpensive salon services - hello $8 manicure!). What I got instead was a $10 pedicure experience. I think I was in the chair and being serviced for about 20 minutes. I did like whatever gel she used in the foot soak bath and I loved the 2 second she massaged my legs, but that's about all.
But the thing I hated the most was how she just pushed and pulled my feet and legs without asking me to move them myself. All she needed to say was, "Lift your leg" or "Right foot" and the process would have been much better. I rather be spoken to than physically directed around.
I bumped my toe when I was drying my toes in the dryer machine and when I notified a salon staff she said, "Already?!". Yeah...already. Now get someone to fix it.
$32 is too much to pay for a lackluster salon experience. -
Review from C J.
Brooklyn, NY
9/2/2011 1 Check-in Here
I wasn't expecting such a nice, clean set up, but I was pleasantly surprised. I did expect more expensive prices, but that also wasn't the case. I got a mani/pedi and it was very reasonable for the city/midtown.
Unfortunately, the lady who did my nails was either a mute or had horrible customer service skills. She didn't talk to me ONCE unless she was commanding me to move my foot there and here. Of course, when I handed her a nice tip, she finally had a smile for me. I wouldn't use her again, but the rest of the staff was friendly and attentive. -
Review from Jane K.
Charged with finding something fun to do with five bridesmaids and a soon-to-be bride for my very first Bachelorette party (and at risk of being forced to go to a Power Yoga lunch), I went to Yelp.
Everyone likes to get their nails done but the trick was finding a place that was lax about BYOB champagne-popping but was also kinda fancy so we felt pampered rather than at risk for Hep C.
Enter Spa Butterfly.
Despite losing my month in advance reservation (which included putting down my credit card!) when I called day-of, they were so empty that it didn't matter at all. If you do have a large group though, be sure to call that morning as a reminder...hey, it's still a nail salon.
The space is clean and serene. They have a cute little lounge area where you can hang out and gab, get back massages etc. We had some champers and little treats that we put out for our group as well. As far as a nail salon goes, it was alright. A bit pricey for what we got -- mani and pedi totaled around $50 with tip.
But in the end, they were patient and easy going. The bride and all the bridesmaids were happy we all had a chance to relax and gab in a pleasant setting. And I was happy I didn't have to do power yoga at 9am on a Saturday. -
Review from Kelsey T.
9/21/2010
Came here for a mani/pedi with some colleagues and had a great experience. Our group was about 30 minutes late and the staff were nothing but gracious to us. They have two areas set up for pedicures, and they saved one for us so that half of us could get pedicures together while the other half got manicures.
I started with the pedicure. I'm a bit squeamish about people touching my feet, but I do enjoy a good pedicure and I got one here. After getting my feet scrubbed to get the dead skin off and soaking them in a gelatinous bath (they added something to the water to make it do that), my feet felt amazing. Polish was applied quickly and two weeks later, it still looks great.
Next up was the manicure. The manicure stations were set up so that there are two stations on a table. This is nice if you came with a friend, because you can sit next to each other and chat while your manicures are being done. Manicure was pretty standard and it looked great. It's been two weeks and I haven't done anything to help upkeep my nails at all, and it's only barely started chipping.
Overall, very good experience, especially with such a large group. They even let us bring in some wine to drink while we were there. Beautiful decor, very clean, spacious salon. I would definitely consider coming back if I'm going to be in the Murray Hill area. -
Review from alaina p.
Brooklyn, NY
6/8/2010
I work it the office building next door so Spa Butterfly is very convenient. Sometimes i am lucky enough to have business associates treat me to a manicure and pedicure there. I have noticed lately that they have gone downhill. The manicurists have on two separate occasions been rude to the people I have been with and basically demanded tips. This was even before my friend had the chance to leave the tip. Both times my business associates did leave generous tips, despite the rude behavior.
I also think that for the price there are a lot of better places. My pedicure the last two times was pretty terrible.
I won't be recommending Spa Butterfly or going there I. The future even though it is so close. -
Review from Jean S.
Manhattan, NY
7/19/2011 1 Check-in Here
Close to home and they do a great job on my nails. I like when they give me this little neck pillow infused with yummy smelling flowers. i've had a massage done here, too. the interior is very appealing and beautiful almost like you are not in New York.
-
Review from Amanda E.
New York, NY
Updated - 2/13/2010
Unless your alternative is some lice-infested place in Chinatown, DO NOT COME HERE!
Spa Butterfly, I used to love you and I tried to give you some free passes but while it pains me, after a few terrible visits, I have no choice but to rescind my praises.
-Quality has diminished considerably over the years - the previously talented staff has been replaced with incompetents.
Since they've changed management, I've had two mediocre mani-pedis and a terrible facial that left me red for almost a week.
-Cleanliness has also decreased.
-Customer service (multiple experiences) is now appalling.
They lure in customers with advertised specials and tell you only after your treatment that the promotion (while still advertised online and on signage in the lobby) is discontinued and you now need to pay 50% more. Their excuse? They don't have one! Instead, they selectively pretend to not understand English to avoid confrontation. Unacceptable!Listed in: My Happy Places
1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
5/16/2008
There are SO many other things I'd rather do my time than get a manicure, so it's a rare occurrence.… Read more »
-
-
Review from Adam R.
5/4/2010
This review is for the massage part of this spa.
Let's get one thing straight, right off the bat... I don't do spas. Totally not my thing at all. Blow your mani/pedi out your rear end. Save the facial for someone who cares. I'm a manly man! We don't do such things!
However, on the way to work, this big muscle in my back decided to rebel and caused me intense, shooting pain. So much that I looked to find the nearest spa for a massage. I found Spa Butterfly.
I initially booked an appointment for a chair massage, as it was cheaper. But then I saw the chair and my lower back said "No, I think not." So I upgraded to a table massage.
Much better. The room was large, the thing that I put my face down into was comfortable, and the music was Stravinsky. The massage table was also pretty long, which was nice.
My masseuse really got into it too. She worked the hell out of the muscle that was giving me problems. I said I was okay with pain up front, if it meant me feeling better at the end. She listened. Holy Jesus, she listened. At one point it felt like she had her palm on the part of my back that hurt, and her other arm on top of it, with both of them pushing.
Then she stopped pushing, and I heard a "thump" from my muscle. She commented "Wow, that was visual." I don't know what my back could have done that was visual, but it slightly blew my mind.
Anyway, the massage was helpful, and she iced me down after, which was really soothing.
I'd go back. -
Review from Joanie K.
4/24/2008
Sorry Laura D for your awful customer service! All the times I've been here have been really great. One of the girls had the parafin hand wrap spill all over her dress and the salon offered to dry clean for her while she was getting the rest of her treatments. That's a gold star.
Love love this place. It's calming and a mini retreat.
The one neg. experience I've had was when the manicurist had a hissy fit with the manicurist sitting next to her. It wasn't so much as negative as it was amusingly uncomfortable. (i was rooting for mine to win the catfight!) -
Review from Amy C.
7/6/2009
One of my co-workers swears by this place so I had to give it a try. They have an easy-to-use online reservation system which I liked. I got an email confirmation within 10 minutes of making the reservation on their website.
I went in today for their Sea Salt Pedicure ($49). I walked in full of high hopes which were lifted even higher by the decor and ambiance. The waiting area is set up like a living room with a comfy white couch, faux fireplace with a faux fire all lit (yes, even in July), and a flat panel TV hung above the mantel. As I went in search of the restroom, I caught a glance of the massage rooms all built with frosted glass. Everything looked clean and felt very serene. I made a mental note to return for a massage or facial. Then came my pedicure...
The nail technician was so rough with my feet they still feel sore and raw 3 hours later. You would think with all that scrubbing, my feet would feel like satin. Wrong. Despite all the harsh scrubbing, I still have dry, rough patches. I know they can be rid of with the right treatment since I get pedicures once a month (even in the winter). Even though we started 10 minutes earlier than my appointment time, I also felt like she rushed through the whole thing, especially in the end when a customer came in and sat in the waiting area. She rushed me over to the drier and said, "You must pay now. Tip has to be in cash." Uh, I know--I read the sign at the front desk about the tip. But whatever happened to courteous service? I must pay now?! Did she think I was going to run out in my flip flops with strips of paper towel between my toes?
The service did not stand out at this place and it definitely did NOT come close to meeting my expectations. All in all, the whole place feels like it's TRYING to be a relaxing day spa but it fails miserably because of the poor service. At the prices they're charging, we might as well spend it at a REAL spa with quality service. -
Review from Lisa C.
Bronxville, NY
11/11/2010
I booked an appointment on their website for a massage and facial. They seemed to think I was late by 30 minutes, there was some confusion, but I told them when I booked my appointment and nobody seemed upset.
This was my first time getting a massage. The room was warm, low lighting, I loved it! Grace was my masseuse, we made some small talk and then homegirl got down to business. I told her it was my first massage so she went light on me which I appreciated. She kept checking to see if the pressure was ok which I thought was thoughtful of her. Afterwards, she helped me bring my things to the facial treatment room.
Donna was very nice, she brought me water and then washed my face, examined it. She used a bunch of different masks and such on my face, I don't really know what but it all smelled really nice, herbally. Her extractions didn't hurt that much & she used tea tree oil on my blemishes.
Overall I thought the staff was pleasant, very accommodating, polite. I loved the decor, it's all earth tones, rocks, stone, dim lighting. Someone mentioned in another review about not being able to put the tip on credit card, that's standard around here, I have no problem with that.
Will come back! -
Review from Rae K.
New York, NY
6/27/2009
I normally never treat myself to anything like this, but got an amazing package as a bday gift from a few friends.
I walked in looking like Punky Brewster's body double and was immediately escorted to a leather couch next to a fireplace filled with every magazine known to man. As I was filling out my massage questionnaire and overhearing a bunch of Louis Vuittons talk about their Hampton's weekend plans, I noticed how amazing it was that the place didn't smell like nail polish!
Let's get down to business, the massage was amazing. The masseur was gorg and ridiculous professional. He didn't even mind that 1, I didn't shave my legs, and 2, that I wore the most ridiculous pair of panties my mom had sent me of kittens and puppies playing lacrosse. He applied the perfect amount of pressure and made sure to address my biggest problem areas. I repaid him with a moan...yes folks, I made a sex noise during my massage!
All and all it was a fantastic experience that I wish I could have daily. If you're looking for a great massage or a perfect present for a friend, I would recommend Butterfly. Just don't forget to shave!Listed in: Anywhere but here...
-
Review from Keri M.
New York, NY
2/6/2009
This is my go to place to take client for mani's - it's very clean, modern and cozy. Good selection of colors and very hygienic. They have a cute little lounge area with great trashy and classy reads and they give you this fabulous aromatherapy warmed neck wrap while you get your nails done. Heavenly.
Oh! and I love that they have little baskets by your feet for your bags, nothing worse than putting your purse down on a yucky floor. Well done Spa Butterfly!
Important note: you cannot tip on your card. Kind of annoying. They should change this to something like - for anything under $30, must be cash tips. -
Review from Alison C.
9/29/2008
Spa Butterfly is a beautiful spa. Though it looks like just fancy nail salon at first, inside you will find a full-service spa offering a wide range of services. The prices are fairly reasonable and the service is sophisticated.
I went to Spa Butterfly for a manicure/pedicure and was very happy with the results. My nails were well trimmed and polished. The results lasted for weeks.
I would definitely recommend Spa Butterfly. -
Review from Miss Maven ..
Austin, TX
10/10/2006
I have been looking for a place to get my nails done near Grand Central and this is it. For a mere $8 I got one of the BEST polish changes I have ever had. The place is GORGEOUS and CLEAN. The staff is kind and willing to please. And the decor, music, and atmosphere is calming without feeling "new-age" like.
Enjoy Spa Butterfly! I did. -
Review from Vanessa S.
New York, NY
8/22/2007
Huge, beautiful space with calming music and a great relaxed feel. Manicures are $12, and I'm more than willing to pay the extra $2 to go here instead of one of the hundreds of other standard/no-frills nail salons in the city where you have to ignore some questionable sanitary practices (if the floor looks dirty...) But this place is spotless. As a bonus, they even put a warm, scented cushion on your shoulders while they do your nails.
Pedicures here are nice as well - a standard pedi will run you $29, and unfortunately there's no break if you get a mani/pedi combo. I've never tried any of their other spa services, but I would definitely consider it. Love the Butterfly! -
Review from Carolyne Y.
Queens, NY
4/30/2010
I haven't gotten my nails done for a while, so I decided to treat myself a bit. Decided to come to Spa Butterfly based on some of the positive reviews I saw on Yelp. Making a reservation here is quick and simple - I made mine online for a French pedicure a few days before and called the day of to make sure they had it on record. No problems here.
The spa/salon itself is quite nice and clean, and when I got there on a Thursday at 5:30 p.m., I was happy to hear that it wasn't obnoxiously loud with people talking or music blaring. Quite a few other patrons were already there getting their services done, and I was quickly led inside right on time.
The girl who did my pedicure for me didn't say much, but she was quick, polite and obviously knew what she was doing. I thought the pedicure was great, she scrubbed my feet to get the dead skin off but was neither too rough nor too gentle. When she was done painting my nails, she led me over to the dryer. Once the cycle was done, she came over and helped me get the paper out from between my toes and said I could do another cycle on the dryer if I wanted, which I did. I do wish someone had asked me if I wanted some water or something because I was parched... also, when I left no one said anything to me as I walked out the door. Maybe a "thank you" or "please come see us again" would have been nice?
Overall, it was a pretty good experience I had--I'm happy with my pedicure, though it was a bit on the expensive side. It was also super fast; I was in and out in just over a half-hour. I wouldn't have minded if it had gone on for a bit longer.
I'd come here again, but might want to see if I can find a slightly more inexpensive place for the same quality of service. -
Review from Betsy W.
New York, NY
5/13/2008
Love this place! I get to go pretty often to entertain clients and it's always a great experience. They even let us bring in bottles of wine to share with our parties.
The pedicures are great. They put this crazy blue stuff into the basin that feels like your feet are in a warm snowcone.... if that makes any sense. It's slushy and fantastic! They also do a great job wrapping up your feet in saran wrap when you leave. I've had other spas resist doing this, but Spa Butterfly is always more than happy to wrap your feet up. Sometimes as my nails dry, they've even come over to give me a quick neck massage.
They've decorated the spa fantastically so it's a calming space and relaxing experience. I highly recommend Spa Butterfly, but why four stars? It's definitely a good experience for the price, but nothing out of this world. -
Review from Jasmin G.
New York, NY
9/1/2007
its a really nice place that definitely seems more sanitary than other pedi/mani spots.
This is a really big spa - the music is calming, and a lady asked me twice during my visit if i wanted any tea or water. that's a plus.
the bathrooms are clean and the pedicure i got was well worth the 29.00 - because it was really good - they put some cool gel-like substance in the water that makes you feel like your feet are in some sort of spongy water.
haha - i'm a fan - this is a great spot near the Grand Central area - although it is a bit pricier than I'm used to. -
Review from Jane H.
New York, NY
1/25/2011
I've been a loyal customer at spa butterfly for some time after getting a referral from a colleague.
My friend and I decided to stop by on a Saturday for some girl's time. We were planning on just regular pedi but decided to splurge for one of their spa pedicures - selection is good. I got their signature pedi and it was awesome. Place's vibe was totally different compared to the lunch and after work time which is typically the time I went. It was more quiet, calming and relaxing. I always thought the spa was clean with soothing interior. But I got to enjoy the overall experience more. The staff has always been friendly and accommodating and it was no different this time.
All in all, we had a perfect time. Try to avoid those busy times for a more relaxing experience. Since we saw a good amount of people coming in for massage and facial, we will plan on going back to try their Saturday special. -
Review from Vania R.
6/17/2009
I really wish I could give half stars because the four you see up there is me rounding up. There was a time when I would have given them a solid four star rating, but I wonder if the time has passed.
I went with a friend last night for a pedicure and an eyebrow wax. I had a gift certificate that my friends had given me because they knew how much I loved Spa Butterfly. The wax was okay. She didn't really reshape my brows, but she did a good job cleaning it all up.
My pedicure was good. I love the gel they use and actual nail polish application was great! However, I used to go to this place because I felt pampered. There was no feeling of being taken care of afterwards.
Overall, they still get 3.5 stars because the place is very clean. They take tools out of plastic packages and change the pads on the scrubby things they use to take the rough patches off your feet. My friend and I also saw them literally take the spa chairs apart to thoroughly clean out the tubs your feet go into. I am willing to pay a little extra for the cleanliness, even if my foot massage could have lasted a little longer. -
Review from Annie H.
3/20/2009
I've only been to Spa Butterfly once, and this is because I didn't have time to goto my usual spot in my neighborhood.
You have to have an appointment, or else they will not take you. I once tried to walk in, and they turned me away. So the next day, I made an appointment right before I left the office and they had room for me. Go figure.
The place is very beautifully decorated and very relaxing. When you get a pedicure, they put this gel-like substance in the water so that your feet is kind of like playing in Jello. It might be a weird feeling but it feels really good! While you are getting your nails done, they will put a heated shoulder pad on you so that it can relieve the tension. This is definitely a place to go for relaxation.
They provide baskets for you to put your belongings, which is a thoughtful touch as with other places, you always just put it on some chair.
I noticed that they do mini parties too, as they had a small section sectioned off for a few girls that were all dressed up. Might be a nice place for a bridal shower type of deal. -
Review from Erika E.
Albany, CA
2/29/2008
My sis and I decided to take a 48 hour trip to NYC and shop and pamper ourselves. I found Spa Butterfly on Yelp and read a few reviews and we decided to book a one hour massage and pedicure.
We showed up to the place and it looked very nice and clean. We only had one problem. The lady at the counter said that I was booked for my massage and pedi but there was not reservation for my sister. Thank god she printed out her confirmation. If you reserve online I highly suggest that you print out the confirmation. They ended up making it work and she got her massage so that was good.
We just got the basic pedicure for 29.00. It wasn't bad wasn't too great. My girl was nice but was trying as fast as she could to get through the pedicure. But all and all the pedicure was okay. It may have been better we did the 60.00 pedicure but no way would I pay that.
We then had a massage and that was perfect. No complaints there. All and all It was a nice place. Would I go back?? Maybe but most likely I would like to try somewhere new. -
Review from Rachel D.
Los Angeles, CA
6/4/2008
Having beautiful nails makes me feel ladylike and elegant. Since I swear like a sailor and frequently spill on myself, I need all the help I can get in the elegance department. $12 seems a small price to pay to appear somewhat polished.
I've had cheaper manicures, but it's worth paying the extra $4 to be in such a clean, pleasant space. Spa Butterfly is big, so when I walked in without an appointment on my lunch hour there was no wait. Stella did a lovely and efficient job. and my nails look pretty goddamn great. -
Review from Kim V.
Rego Park, NY
3/29/2007
Spa Butterfly is a rising star in the land of New York's numerous and bland nail salons. Its cleanliness, asian bamboo stylings and serene atmosphere will surely impress anyone.
Pedicures seem to be their specialty. While seated in a cove of vibrating massage chairs, they clean, exfoliate and massage your feet into pure "Ahhh-land" using chocolate smelling scrubs and this crazy blue gel-foam water mixture.
Manicures are fine (nothing extremely special), but while you wait for your nails to dry, they offer you tea and small bottles of water. For groups or parties, they set you up in the couch area near a non-working fireplace. They provide a place to set up your wine and food and even give you a small goody bag of Burt's Bees lip balm and tea. Please note: If you do a party there, they will expect two girls to share a massage room at the same time.
All in all, a great find! -
Review from Marisa F.
12/11/2009
While a few blocks further from the office than Venus Nails, Spa Butterfly is worth the extra walking time. The space is lovely: clean, organized, and mostly peaceful vibes despite the lunchtime rush. I booked my manicure online (any place with online booking gets an extra star right then and there, btw), and showed up at 1 pm the next day to be promptly seated at a station. My technician was quiet but friendly, and more importantly, listened when I said "don't cut the cuticles much" (I'm not sure why, but most nail places just outright ignore this request). They have the good quick-dry oil, and a plethora of OPI and Essie colors to choose from. I actually found the one I want to use for my wedding, and bought it on the spot.
I will most definitely be coming back here, and am curious to see if their spa services are as well-executed as their nail services. -
Review from Kathleen R.
Bronx, NY
1/16/2008
Spa Butterfly is the perfect mini-retreat after a long day at work. I step outside and it's right there. Yes, you pay a few dollars more than the ubiquitous corner shops, but instead of feeling cramped or rushed, the experience is serene and peaceful. Equipment is clean. Room is spacious. Music is soothing. There's a special place to set your purse. Aromatherapy heated neck pillows. Attention to detail. You get the picture. Not everyone here speaks perfect English, but you rarely need to say more than "round or square" when they're filing your nails, right?
If you're in Midtown East and need a place to unwind, stop by and enjoy. -
Review from Joyce L.
Fullerton, CA
10/17/2008
I agree with Alison. This place is beautiful. They offer full spa services. It is not just a nail shop. I love the decor and atmosphere.
We went here during Spa week -- for a facial and a massage $50 each. Both were great!
Hooray for Spa Butterfly! -
Review from Gracie O.
Oakland, CA
10/30/2008
I have mixed feelings about this place. First off, five stars for being so sanitary! it's spic & span clean, neat, and the decor is sleek and tasteful. They have a great selection of colors to chose from, with complimentary coffee & bottled water. Prices are extremely reasonable.
As for the service itself, I came here with a girlfriend and I paid for a service that was more detailed than what she chose, so how is it that we ended our sessions within two minutes of each other? I feel like my manicurist did a wonderful job, but skimped on certain things. She also filed down some callouses on my foot, which would have been okay any other occasion, but since I ended up walking about 15 miles between that day and the next, I developed blisters every single place she filed. So that's where my mix-up comes in. Did she file too deep or did I walk too much? Combination of both? -
Review from Bobbi B.
2/14/2010
I made the mistake of coming to this place the other night for a ridiculously overpriced pedicure. I was in the neighborhood and had about an hour to kill. It was either get my badly needed pedicure or grab something eat. I chose wrong. I was drawn in by the beautiful aesthetics. I will give credit where credit is due because it really is a GORGEOUS place and it is very clean but unfortunately the service was a far cry and didn't match up to the posh atmosphere.
I seriously think this goes down in my book as THE ABSOLUTE WORST pedicure I have ever received in my life due to a multitude of reasons. To add insult to injury, I paid $85 for it, plus tax and tip.
For starters, they didn't take my coat. You'd think that one of the four cashiers they had working at the front could have taken it for me but none of them could be bothered. I had to put my coat on the ground. Then the pedicure started and it went downhill from there. I was crawling out of my skin and was practically on the ceiling while she scraped underneath my toenails and knuckled the souls of my feet. The massage was nothing short of torture to the point where I was wondering if this woman even had a license to be doing this! I should have paid her to STOP. And I kid you not when I tell you that my two year old nephew could have done a better job painting my nails than this lady did. At the end of it all, I somehow messed up my french pedicure and asked them nicely to fix it to which they told me to "come back tomorrow". What??!!! Are you friggin' kidding me lady? Did you really just tell me that? Oh helllllllll no! Get off your ass and get that white polish back out and fix this shit NOW!!! To top it off, the lady that gave me the pedicure scolded me for messing it up. The people that work here are beyond rude!
This place has a ton of potential but they need way better customer service. Especially for the price they are charging. And hopefully the other employees give better foot action than the woman I got because she's so bad that I am positive she's burning bridges with potential regular customers. One pedicure from her and there's no way someone will repeat. I don't even think a refresher course could help her out at this point. Obviously, giving pedicures is not this woman's forte so I'd highly suggest that she start looking into a new career path. She just doesn't have it.Listed in: BB Bitchfest
-
Review from Teresa G.
10/11/2008
Beware! This place has a stricter cancellation policy than my doctor's office. I should have been suspicious when they made me provide my credit card number when I booked my manicure... Are you serious? You are a NAIL SHOP.
They informed me over the phone that I would have to cancel in advance to avoid being charged, but they failed to mention that it would need to be a full 24 HOURS in advance. Apparently hours before is not acceptable... for a NAIL SHOP.
Anyway, they held my credit card hostage despite a near empty salon, so my friends and I were forced get our manicures there. As if our appt. would have prevented them from filling our chairs with walk-ins. It made NO SENSE. Horrendous.
The girl doing my nails had a miserable attitude and terrible technique. I had to remind her to do things that are standard practice ("Ummmm, don't you want to remove the lotion from my nails before you paint them?") She was vicious with the cuticle pushing as well, to the point that I had to ask her twice to be more gentle. The poor girl next to me was actually CUT while having her cuticles clipped and they wrapped her bloody finger in a tissue while they continued working.
With all of the places to get a manicure in this city, customer service is paramount and this place disappoints sorely. I will NOT be back. -
Review from Nicolle S.
New York, NY
8/4/2008
I have never been more disappointed in a spa experience!
After hearing this was a great place to entertain clients, I decided to test it with a colleague since it is in a good location for our business contacts. We made an appointment for 2, I requested we sit together for pedicures and prepared to be amazed.
Our chairs weren't ready at the same time but I was still confident...until I was led back there and seated in 1 of three open chairs - separate from my colleague. They made no move to relocate my colleague and when I asked if she could move to one of the chairs by me, the manicurist FREAKED OUT - swearing, waving the tools at me and saying she wasn't moving.
I asked my manicurist to get the manager, who came over, patted the crazy manicurist's back and asked her to calm down - but started to explain that they had already started my colleague's pedicure and sorry that they didn't seat us together. When I said I was testing their salon to bring clients here, she seemed to not care and said that the manicurist was one of her favorites - as the manicurist was glaring at me!
They finally moved my colleague, the experience was fine - until 24 hours later when I realized it was actually a bad pedicure after all that. Needless to say, I won't be back - it was embarrassing enough without having clients there!
I'm still on a hunt for the great client entertaining spa but until then, I'm getting my nails done at the $30 Mon-Wed special at my East Village fav - good pedicures, decent manicures & great service for an excellent price. -
Review from Margaret C.
New York, NY
10/6/2008
I have only ever been here at midday, and it gets rather crowded with women (and the occasional guy) who work in the neighborhood, as I do. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, and though it gets crazy busy around lunch time, you never feel rushed or hurried through, like at other nail salons. There is a nice lounge area with comfy chairs and magazines where you can sit while waiting to get your nails done. I always get manicures here, and they do an excellent job every time. The little headed shoulder and neck pads they give you when you're getting your nails done are a nice extra treat.
For such a nice, spa-like atmosphere (and indeed, there is a full-service spa in the back. I haven't tried any of the treatments, but would like to!), the prices are reasonable - what you might expect to pay at any other nail salon. Overall, highly recommended! -
Review from Dee M.
New York, NY
4/18/2010 7 Check-ins Here
I stumbled upon this East Midtown gem when I considered getting someone I recently met a gift certificate for her birthday, but when I heard the price for the mani/pedi package I quickly scurried away and opted for something more in the "new friend" price range. I however went back a few months later to treat myself for a mani/pedi on one of those "I only have $20 bucks left in my account but what the hell, I deserve this" days and I fell in love! I have no problem pampering and spending when it comes to me! They're not anymore expensive than any other place I've been to in the city so don't get thrown off by that earlier statement. You get what you pay for right?!
The atmosphere is relaxing and upscale. I love the layout of this place, kinda serene. You dont feel the hustle and bustle of midtown and its not a quick and cheaply done mani. I am a loyal person/customer once I find something that I like and love there is no getting rid of me; ive been going here for about 3 months now. I used to go to another establishment in Chelsea for over 7 years but hopping the train to shuttle over to the west side and head downtown after work to then go back uptown (to go home) was kinda draining and turned me off from getting mani's as frequently; so when I found this place it was a GOOD DEAL right in the area of my job and if I say so a better experience overall. Seven years compared to 3 months c'mon! Honestly speaking, going back on what I just said about having to train it around town to get to my old nail salon, I think no matter what area I was in, in the city I would make my way over to Spa Butterfly because I love the job that they do that much. I have a regular lady that I see at Spa Butterfly (I wont say her name cause I want her ALL to myself) who I just love, she gets it right EVERY time...when I ask for SQUARE I get SQUARE as if they were lean press on nails and not rounded-square or whatever the hell she feels like doing. She takes good care of me and is very sweet (even tho she barely speaks English, but still you can tell). So in conclusion head on over to Spa Butterfly, its worth it!!! -
Review from Shar B.
New York, NY
8/23/2009
Oh how I love Spa Butterfly! The 1st time I went, I was getting a mani/pedi, which I get maybe once every few YEARS, for special occasions . Service is very accommodating & friendly; facilities very clean (yes you see them unwrap new mani/pedi kits for use on you). I put in a request to NOT have the balls of my feet sloughed off too much (I had a rare high heels event coming up) & they obliged me nicely. I felt pampered in every way through the whole process. I like how they asked what kind of mani/pedi I was getting when I was in the chair; I like the more expensive Oasis Day Spa too but more than once I've ordered a special mani/pedi from them, only to receive a regular one & not realize it until the services started winding down & it was too late anyway. So I appreciated that greatly. I LOVED the gel they soaked my feet in, what a blissful feeling...! When my polish was drying, I ended up watching the first 20 mins of "Benjamin Button" (closed captioned so I could read what was going on), that was fun.
Another time I went, I was on the heels of a really stressful day, I needed a TREAT. The 60 minute massage ($90) was a bit spendy for the impulse pampering I was seeking, so I went w/ the half hour chair massage (it's not listed but yeah I added up the prices of the 10 & 20 mins chair massages & that's what they charge for one, $50). And I found out pleasantly that the 30 mins chair massage & the 30 mins private room massage are the same price, so I gladly took the option to get my massage in a tranquil private room; 30 mins solely devoted to my BACK - I was in heaven! I hope to make that a regular part of my life, at least every other month if not monthly!
Other things - the little basket for your purse is nice. The way they greet you by name afterwards (hey it's the little things). The relaxing, unhurried environment, even when it's a bit busy (note, I've never been here at lunch time). I've made online reservations & I've called the day of, both times things went smoothly. The reasonable-for-a-day-spa prices are super. I work nearby & I love visiting here... damn it, I deserve to! I'm amazed that such quality pampering can be had easily while I'm on my way home from work.
(Oh yes, one thing - tips must be paid in cash, not the greatest policy but whatevs, I'll deal). -
Review from Alexandra K.
Astoria, NY
Updated - 3/24/2009
Just as great as I remember. I came here on a Friday afternoon/early evening, was seen immediately, and had one of the best manicures I've ever received.
Listed in: The Secret Life of a Manhattan…
1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
7/16/2008
From the moment I stepped into Spa Butterfly, I was optimistic about my manicure. They have a large… Read more »
-
-
Review from jamie w.
Manhattan, NY
2/7/2011
omg I had mani/pedi/massage/and facial at this place.
grace was good for my massage donna was nice for my facial(amaging experience) kelly was so good for mani/pedi
here so clean and everybody so nice to me
l like this place !! l love to go to spa butterfly -
Review from laura d.
New York, NY
1/14/2008
Here it is - my first negative review. I really want to like this place. REALLY, I do. I'm torn between how great my feet feel when they are getting pampered and how absolutely horrendous the customer service is at this salon. At first I thought I was being crazy but today I had my second negative experience with their customer service and decided I should write a review. My first experience ended with my leaving the salon before any treatments because I was left waiting for 20 minutes while 3 walk-in's came in and were seated before me (even though I had made a reservation). Not sure how long I would have actually waited to be taken care of since I hightailed it out of there. But alas, I decided to give it another shot. This morning I called them at 11:00am to make a 7:00pm reservation (they close at 8). I walked in and they had no record of my reservation and told me that I would have to wait and only would be able to receive 1 out of 2 of the services I requested. I was annoyed but not angry ---- until the person taking care of me rushed through the service because she wanted to get home. I'm not sure I will ever make it back to this salon - even though it's right across the street from me. There are just some standards you have to meet in order to receive my hard-earned money.
