BURKE WILLIAMS DAY SPA

4 instead of 5 reviews bc of the talking in the girls locker room/ spa. I understand that people come here after going to the gym next door but it takes away from the "spa" experience. i had the best massage from abby. she works with your energy and besides trying to sell you an "upgrade" she does a great job. This bw is not as good as the one in SM but its so close to home that it will have to do. more

4 stars instead of 5 bc it was loud. chatty people. I like the BW in SM better. its quiet and peaceful! more

went with my wife and ended up staying the whole day! Even ordered in food!! more

I've been to Burke Williams many, many times, In fact I have a membership there because the services are absoloutely amazing as well as the ambiance being relaxing and facility is always immaculate. I give all the hard working technicians there 5 STARS. Keep up the good work. On a recent visit to the spa I felt the need to ask my tech if the pay was good and she honestly told me NO, she said that they basically get paid minimum wage and most of their income if not all depended heavily on TIPS. I was beside myself in disbelief. So I asked the next tech I had that same day for for a differant service and they confirmed what the other tech told me. I am disgusted that BURKE WILLIAMS SPA would ever treat their employees this way. It is truely SLAVE LABOR. Those poor employees. How do these people even make a decent living there? How do they survive? I'm still in shock and disgusted that what I thought to be such a prestigius and elegant spa would low ball and rip off their very great and hard working employees. BURKE WILLIAMS shame on you! So people please, please take good care of your tech and make sure to TIP them at the very least 20%. I will be re thinking my decision on keeping my membership there unless those poor techs/therapists get a raise. DISGUSTING! You are taking advantage of your employees. That is poor business ethics if you ask me! more

While most people will definitely enjoy this spa and all of its amenities, let me just say that there are a few that this facility would not be for. I can see how some people might be "put off" by the sometimes insincere attempts at customer service like big smiles and hands on your back to lead you, noisy dressing rooms at peak times and perhaps hokey décor. I myself have sometimes been a little uncomfortable with the whole hand-on-the-back thing, but I just go with it because it is such a small part of the experience. And I have to admit that this says a little more about me than it does about the spa. For those of you that find the spa experience diminished because of these things, I recommend "Urban Retreat" on Ventura Blvd. in Tarzana. They still provide a relaxing environment but they are just a "massage and go" kind of place. For the rest of us, this place is heavenly and I always dream about it until the next time I can get there. I have never had a bad massage, and in fact, few places give you all the rest of the amenities like a Jacuzzi, aroma therapy towels, fruit and ice cold water (there is even lemonade in the lounge and you can also ask for hot tea). The showers and restrooms are equipped with everything you'd ever need like shampoo, conditioner, body wash, razors, hair ties, toothbrushes (w/pre-applied toothpaste), Qtips, sanitary napkins, tampons, facial cleanser, toner, moisturizer, lotion and mouthwash. They even have under-arm spray deodorant as well as bathroom deodorizing spray! At the ladies' dressing table, you'll find an array of hair sculpting products along with clean brushes, combs, hairdryers, curling irons and even extra magnification mirrors. They even provide plastic bags for wet swimsuits (though, a swimsuit is not required for the whirlpool). I don't even have all this at home! And did you know that you can ask for fluffy cottony robes instead of the still-quite-plush terrycloth ones? If you need bigger robes or sandals, they'll get you that, too. At BW, you never have to search around for a waste basket and neither do you ever wonder where to put your soiled robe which hasn't always been my experience at other massage salons. You can also make free local calls from the phone booth areas and you'll also find that your cell phone gains service while in them (I also discovered that my cell phone will work at the furthest ladies dressing tables, too). I have been able to pass more than an hour on my own quietly sleeping or reading my guilty pleasure- rag mags- in the Quiet Room which is something that is nearly impossible for me to do with my daily work schedule and toddler twins at home. This alone would have been enough for me but the rest of what BW supplies puts them far and above your average massage parlor. Last winter, I swear my chronic bronchitis was vastly improved by spending 20 minutes each in the sauna and in the misting room. I find the general atmosphere at this BW absolutely relaxing and though I haven't tried anything there besides the massages and nail care, I have found that the value for your money can't be beat anywhere. You may be able to find a slightly cheaper massage but not really by much. A 50-minute massage for $105 is pretty much market price. And considering that you get all the rest of the stuff AND you can stay as long as you want as long as they're still open, this place is one of the last great service bargains left! BTY, I just visited 10/15/10 and they were running a gift certificate promo that gives a percentage off of your treatment that day depending on the future certificate value you purchase. I am kicking myself now for not having bought one. I need a massage right now! more

Anyone who wants to work at Burke Williams needs to know about how rude the esthetician trainer Michelle is and a very rude woman named Caren Weaver. They let me go from there company after 2 1/2 weeks of training. They were very rude about letting me go. They never gave me a reason why they let me go. I was devistated. I feel sorry for all the girls left and to leave in that facial BOOT CAMP!!! Pros: They teach great sale techniques Cons: The Trainer Michelle is so rude!! more

This is a great place to come and get those kinks worked out. The dim lights and smell is relaxing the moment you walk in the door. I read a comment about people being freaked out about the staff gently placing their hands on our backs while guiding us to and from the rooms. But what they don't realize is that it is a gentle way to guide us through the dimly lit hallways and to not walk into the walls after the treatments when we're so relaxed and sometimes dizzy from a great massage. If you don't feel comfortable being touched that way, it doesn't hurt the therapist's feelings if you ask that they only touch you when you're on the table, really it doesn't. If you ask in a "no big deal" way, it's treated like it's no "big deal". My friend is like this and it's never looked at as weird. I don't think they care, they just want to make you happy and comfortable. Yes, sometimes there are ladies that can get really noisy and chatty in the spa. Some think that their money allows them to be rude and annoying. So I make a point of enjoying the facilities when I know I can really enjoy it. Sunday evenings and week nights are my favorite. I can feel like I have the whole place to myself. Weekends there seem to be bridal parties and birthday parties that come in. There is no getting around that. So I go when I know I can count on peace and quiet. I see the staff being frustrated sometimes and have a difficult line to walk when clients have no care for others and are rude and loud. They complain about being asked to lower their voices. And others complain that the staff didn't do enough to ask them to lower their voices. You can't please all the people. But they certainly do their best and try not to insult anyone in the process. One of the things I've done is bring ear plugs or my iPod, so I can really be in my own world. As far as the antlers in the front lounge...really?I've been going there for 5 yrs and I never noticed them until recently. Big deal. At least it's not a whole head of an elk on the wall. I think that would have been ugly. I can see the masculine, sport chalet look they must be going after, but whatever. What really matters is that I get my moneys worth. And here, I do! From the friendly and accommodating staff, to the fantastic massages and warm robes. I will be a long time client and gee...think I'll book something right now! Oh yea, I was wondering about the person that commented that she's been here several times and everytime it was not a good experience. Why does she keep going back? Pros: Great massages, great facials Cons: Sometimes noisy clients on the weekends more

Burke Williams Spa in Sherman Oaks is so comforting and homey! The only thing I didn't like about the decor was the antlers? That was wierd. The staff was very friendly and attentive. My facialist , Lilly, was wonderful! She give the most amazing massage! I felt like I got a facial and a massage!! She was very sweet, and not too pushy with products. I will definitely go back to her. I do miss the fruit water. more

I came for the enzyme facial a few weeks which was great for my face! The facility is nice but was a little cold for my taste. The woman that did my facial was personable enough but not as warm or welcoming as other Burke Williams staff I've had in the past. I enjoyed the spa facility with it being overall quiet enough. The only highly agitating thing was having staff interrupt me in the quiet room whenever I happened to be there at an hour mark... they would disturb each person to ask if they had a treatment. Twice I drifted asleep only to have a staff member wake me to see if I had a treatment. Irritating. My overall experience was okay but I will be going to another facility before I come back to this one.... Pros: Clean Cons: A little chilly, staff interrupt people resting in the quiet rooms. more

I usually go to the Four Seasons, but I recently experienced Burke Williams and was Wowed!!! Warm robes after my treatment! I never thought a warm robe could feel so good after an 80 minute massage. I had Inez as my therapist, she was able to find all my problem areas that have been bothering me without having to point them out. She was really sweet and the best part was that she was quiet during my massage which to me is important because I feel fully relaxed if I don't have to talk. I will be going back and asking for Inez again, I'm sure all their therapists are great, but it was one of the best spa experiences that I look forward to seeing her again. Pros: I love how late they are open Cons: The parking is far, but I learned to Valet if I'm going to the spa... I don't far any more more

Yes, Burke Williams is a chain spa. No getting around this. I've gotten many services here and they've ranged from slightly below average to excellent. The trick is finding the good therapists. Booking with therapists who have been there over 2 years is a general rule of thumb for getting a good treatment. I've had awesome massages (deep tissue and firm swedish) with Lucy and Tomoko. I've had excellent relaxing facials here too. Weekends do tend to be too hectic for my taste so I try to go Sunday nights or during the week. The facilities are great. Yummy spa-flavored water available along with fruit. So far the staff has been courteous. My only criticism and I know it's very small, is that the facialists' oversized white swingcoats remind me of an eerie medical facility. That and the fact that you have to walk a long way from the parking lot. And I agree, the antlers in the lounge are a smidgen unsettling. That aside, the treatments & the spa fruit are what keep me returning. Pros: Spa amenities, great select therapists, open late, clean, relaxing, no hard product sales Cons: parking, white swingcoats, antlers, can get crowded at peak times more

Burke Williams is known for the friendliness and superb amenities. I have other places where I go for my services but I love B.W. for the great spa facilities and interior. But I just wanted to address the freak's review below. Your review doesn't make sense, and I can tell even without reading your user name "psych" that you are indeed one. Big deal that they touched your back just to show that you are welcome, it doesn't mean you go on City Search and post a bad review, you freak. First see you therapist begore you determine the lounge room looked scary for you. I'm not a B.W. representative or related in any way but I do look down upon people who place reviews on this site without any care and serious reason. Pros: great spa amenities, jacuzzi, showers, pool. fruits Cons: some more

I have gotten about 15 deep tissue massages from a dozen different males-spas, salons, independent contractors-in the past 17 years and have never seen or experienced anything this bad. The locker room was more noisy and chaotic than the one at my gym, and I workout at peak hours in a huge gym. Had to wait 20 minutes to use a shower. I was sent back there disorientated until someone asked me if it was my first time there. It was, and a girl gave me a hurried walk around and disappeared before I could ask her one question. After the shower I was told to wait in a lounge that had creepy deer antlers on the wall and a creepy floor lamp made of deer antlers too. It made me feel disturbed and I poked my head out to the lobby and asked if I could sit in another lounge, and I did. I noticed a parade of young girls, one after another, coming to fetch customers. They would flash big fake smiles and places their hands on peoples backs as they ushered their way down the corridor. I prayed it wasn't going to happen to me. I only feel comfortable with touch in the therapeautic context. A hand-on-the-back makes me feel trapped. I know a lot of people not fond of this gesture and in the 17 years I've been in L.A. I've only witnessed one person ever do it to anyone else. I don't even want my closest female friends doing it to me. When the masseuse came (5 minutes late) to get me, I was relieved, because I didn't think he was going to behave like those girls. I've learned it's part of some Burke William's "friendly greeting style" which I've never seen in any other salon or spa, for massage or any kind of service recieved anywhere in Los Angeles or another state -or country. The manager explained to me that it was not meant to disturb, and she was puzzled by my reaction, but I explained that the CONTEXT of the touch was important to me. Therapeautic only, please touch me only when providing the service. I want to let people know what to expect, in case they are not comfortable. Pros: Not much that I could see Cons: Noisy, crowded, poorly trained staff. Be aware of customer greeting policy. more

I have been to this location several times and each time has not been a good experience for me. I do like the spa features and the cleanliness of this place however my services are terrible. The last time I got a facial the girl talked the whole time about her boyfriend and living at home with her parents. She didn't have time to give me a massage and forgot to take off the paraffin treatment from my hands. The last time I got a massage the girl kept pinching me, it was very uncomfortable. The same day I added a bath, it was really nice except for the fact that the girl took my robe out of the room and someone else took it by mistake. I had to wait in the lobby for someone to bring the key for the locker and I had to put all of my things in a new locker. Pros: spa features, cleanliness Cons: bad service more

Love this place, couldn't have been a better experience. They treated us like royalty and had great amenties...will go back again and again. more

As soon as I checked into the spa I knew it would be a good day. The front desk staff were extremely busy, but made me feel like I was the only person checking in. I got my key and they confirmed my appointment for a Deluxe Relaxation massage and I was on my way. The ladies spa was a bit crisp, but it was completely forgotten after I put my robe on. The spa attendants were cheery and very attentive with all the amenities, gladly giving me some contact solution when my eyes started to water from the jacuzzi. My massage therapist, Megan, was on time and looked young, but after the massage I immediately went to the front desk (before I forgot) and told them that the next timeI came in, I wanted her, and only her. She was the best therapist I have ever had. She was very thoughrough and I could feel that she loves her job. As far as I know, she only works evenings but I will gladly recommend anyone to her! Shes great. After the massage, I sat in the steam room (only after Megan's recommended 2 glasses of water) and then sauntered off to the quiet room and took a nap. Looking back on the day, I havent felt that warm, relaxed and at peace in any other spa! Pros: Megan was fantastic! The spa was clean, smelled great and parking was easy. Cons: cant afford to go every night! more

I like the spa a lot but have one complaint. Some ladies come in and talk loudly to each other and do not respect the fact that others are there for relaxation. The attendants make no effort to keep the spa quiet although there are signs asking ladies to use their "whisper voices". It is far from relaxing when ladies are laughing or trying to talk over the noise of the showers. On my last visit, I complained about the noise. Overall, the spa is great and the massages are wonderful. I like the cucumber-lemon water they provide throughout the spa. Pros: Massages Cons: Noise more

I've been to spas throughout the world, and have found the Burke Williams Spa in Sherman Oaks to be as good, if not better, than anywhere else! I recently got married, and my husband and I returned from our honeymoon in Hawaii to have spa treatments at "our" Burke Williams. We knew that the quality of facials and massages would be outstanding, and did not want to take a chance on someone unknown, so why waste our time and money elsewhere??? I can count on Geneve to provide a five-star facial and my husband counts on Grace for a phenomenal massage! more

Between the Burke Williams in Pasadena and this one, i have to put my recommendation here. The atmosphere was much more relaxing and the layout of the spa was easier to figure out. It was also easy to schedule an appointment here for the weekday (evening). I was even able to call the same day and change my scheduled treatment with no hassle. Pros: Relaxing atmosphere Cons: Front desk was slow more

Burke Williams is the ultimate in class and relaxation. Separated by sex. Speaking for then men's side, outstanding quality staff waits on your hand and foot, treating you with utmost respect. Fresh fruit awaits, as well as ice water scented with slices of lemon, lime, orange, and cucumber. Jacuzzi large, but sauna and steam are small (although never crowded). Staff brings you iced towels for your face and head while in the hot rooms. Herbal baths with Fango Mud put you into orbit. Cold deluge is addicting. Staff even arranged an indoor picnic lunch brought over by Cheesecake Factory. Served to us in lounge while wearing terry-cloth robes provided by the spa. What more could one want? Most spa treatments were excellent, although my deep tissue masseur was mediocre, especially for the high price (echoed by other guests). Stick with everything else and you'll be VERY happy. Pros: High Service Levels, Class&sophistication, Ultimate relaxtion Cons: Mediocre massage more