Venus Bodywork

Venus Bodywrap is located on the 2nd floor, and appears to be a (not so) renovated apartment turned spa. Everything felt very homey, from the dated drapes to thick old paint and haphazardly placed spa machines. They didn't have music, spa water, or uniforms - I wasn't certain I was in the right place when I first arrived, and there was zero spa ambiance. If you don't ask questions, you could very easily be left in a dimly lit room with no background on the service (when is it done? what will happen? what results should I expect?)

I can't attest to the skills of the masseuses or estheticians, as I came for a body wrap which promises to help you lose inches immediately. I lost none, but perhaps I have less water weight to lose (I drink ~1 cup of water per day).

I am not docking stars on Venus because of the service despite the lack of results - I think body wraps are a bit of scam - however, I am docking a star because their location could use a bit of updating and it didn't feel like a very professional business.

Let me just say, I HATE San Francisco. Well, not really, but I do hate driving out there. If you schedule an appointment here, CHECK YOUR EMAIL FOR INSTRUCTIONS. I didn't, which resulted in a bad trip.

Entered the address in my navigator, and was on my way. When it said I had arrived to the destination, I pulled over (plenty of street meter parking, but BEWARE $3.00 per hour, or the parking garage charges $2.00/15 minutes!!), Scrambled and found 15 minutes were of change. I was thirty minutes early, so I walked up the block to the gas station for some change, "No change" the hooded boy said. Walked back to my car, didn't see Venus ANYWHERE. Called about 10 times, no answer.

Jump BACK into my car, and head down Folsom looking for Venus. No Venus. Eeeeek, WRONG right turn, put me back on 80EAST, FUCKKKKK!. U-Turn and had to pay ANOTHER $4 toll, even after explaining to the toll guy I paid it 12minutes ago and was just lost. Pulled over, READ the email, "We are located on the third floor instead SOMA HEALTH, please enter security code upon entrance to building." I was parked across the street from it the whole time. RAWR!

Almost late for my appointment (I hate to be late for ANYTHING), ran inside and asked Marcia if she had change. She gave me 3 bucks in coins in exchange for 3 dollar bills. Ran outside, put three bucks of quarters in the machine, ran back upstairs, 5 minute prep time, 30 minutes overall.

Sam look care of me, really nice and sweet girl. I didn't get the vibe from Marcia like everyone else here on Yelp did, so I can't give five stars. I don't think I'll be returning :(

This place does not deserve to be in business. Been trying to make an appointment, called several times and never reached anyone live. Left messages on their voicemail and no one returned my calls. Did their online appointment form, still no response. Totally feel taken for having bought the Groupon vouchers for this place. Will contact credit card company next for my money back.

Pros: Extremely nice employees!
Cons: no parking, uncomfortably hot/sweaty/constricting, immediate results that do not last.

I would give it a 2 but the people were just so nice. I did the clay mineral body wrap and seriously did not enjoy it. You start off by stripping completely naked besides a mesh/tissue-like thong. Then you get painted with this gel-like material and get wrapped in gauze. Then you lie on a bed of saranwrap with a heated space blanket and you sweat out your toxins. You lie there 40 minutes. Seriously it was comfortable for perhaps 10-15 minutes. Then it gets so hot that you feel like you're lying in an oven and baking. It gets so unbelievably uncomfortable. I felt suffocated by the heat and the constricting saran wrap, even though nothing was over my face. It's really too hot to sleep or do anything. So you just stare, wait, and hope to be released from your hot prison.

I left feeling really woozy and lightheaded from the intense heat and all the water loss. I was SO FREAKING THIRSTY and starving. I saw a slight difference around my waist-line, but in the same way where you look skinnier when you wake up in the morning compared to when you sleep at night. COMPLETELY not worth 85$.

Save your money for a gym membership. And take the time to jog instead. At least then you'll leave feeling more healthy and invigorated.

I'm obsessed with Groupon and bought the Venus Bodywork deal- $35 for a $85 voucher. I booked a Sudatonic body wrap because I wanted to slim down before my vacation to Maui and the receptionist said this treatment would show immediate results.

The treatment was interesting but definitely not worth the full price. A great deal if you have the Groupon because it's only worth about $35. I didn't see any difference after my treatment but I was famished after sitting in the extremely hot body wrap for 45 min (I think that's how long it was). You will sweat like crazy.

Make sure you use the bathroom before your wrap begins otherwise you're screwed. It's really difficult to get out mid-treatment.

They have had at least one good esthetician working here to my knowledge, but their management is snide and disappointingly unprofessional.

I originally purchased a deal through groupon to try this place out; I normally do this if a place is new to me. When I was there, the manager spent a good amount of time complaining to me about how groupon had strong-armed them. He went on about how they had wanted to do the promotion in the winter or spring, but groupon pushed it back to the summer and at that point Venus Bodywork was committed and couldn't back out. This, he said, was causing them trouble because their discounted groupon clients were conflicting with their regular clients as business picked up in the summer. I literally felt guilty for having booked an appointment with a groupon voucher. The facial I had was thorough, but it was hard to feel like I was in a place of respite given the circumstances.

Against my better judgement with respect to management, I booked a package for another treatment, because I thought the esthetician, at least, was good to work with. After the 1st session, the esthetician I had worked with disappeared. I called to make an appointment and was told she was no longer in the state of California. No courtesy call in advance, nothing. The management acted like they had no obligation to their customers to update them on such goings on. I requested a refund for the remainder of my package and they REFUSED to give me a full refund. I would have disputed the credit card charge with American Express, but at the point this happened the deadline to do so had passed.

In general, I think Venus Bodywork would be a good experience if it weren't for the callous attitude of the management and their inability to accept responsibility for negligent behavior. There are plenty of reasonably priced spas in San Francisco; try taking your money elsewhere.

I tried calling the studio looking for a massage and wasn't treated the best. I am asuming this place is for women only.

Being that I am a certified massage therapist who has been employed for over 7 years at Kabuki, I found it strange that they had no interest in trying to book me a massage. I kept asking when the next available appointment was and they were evasive with me.

If it is a place for women only, fine, I can deal with that, but maybe they need to advertise that and not be rude to legitimate male customers.

I was first introduced to Venus Bodyworks by Yelp's coupon. After one session of dermasonic and endermology, I noticed a difference. The thigh part was nicer and smoother looking.

So I bought their package of 3 treatments and 2 wraps. I looked wonderful after the treatments were done. My body was nice and toned. The fat around my body were just more well spread so there was no lumpy areas. Also, I noticed that doing cruches and running the day after the treatment increased the tone-ness of my body. If you want to be bikini ready, I would def. come here and check them out. I do believe they are reasonably priced.

Also, it depends on how much body fat you have, so for me, I'm Asian and weigh 107 lbs when I first went to Venus, so they said I only need about 3-5 sessions to look great.

By the way, I did this during the spring/summer months. And of course after the summer, I have exercised a lot less and have not received a treatment, so some of the cellulite do appear back.

I love Venus Bodywork. I went there and had a body wrap, and it was such a delightful experience.

But what I really want to talk about is Miria. She's the owner of Venus Bodywork, and she has an energy about her that's just what you want to be around. She's genuine, loving, and kind. She's the kind of person that will truly make you feel valued and appreciated.

The body wraps and other services are wonderful, but THAT'S why this place is so popular - because of the LOVE coming out of it. Yummy.

I've been coming here for almost 5 years to have regular waxes with Genevieve. She's amazing, does wonders- professional, fast and kind. She has a very calming and soothing tone that makes you want to just relax.

I've also have had three facials by her- one was a peel and the other two were their signature facial. I had never gotten a peel before- but Genevieve did an amazing job setting me up with the right expectations (my skin would get dry, etc) and a kit with creams and a facial wash to sooth my skin. Again her mannerisms make you just relax. She's always open to questions and suggestions.

I'm a member here now and also come for their body wraps and dermasonic (sp?) regularly. I've enjoyed the treatments and feel good immediately after. In addition to Genevieve, the staff, especially Cheryl, is great to be around. All very knowledgeable and flexible! I get email reminders as well as a phone call to remind me of my services.

All in all- a great experience every time. Thanks Venus Bodywork!!!