Aequis An Inclusive Retreat

I too was not impressed with this spa. I found the personnel to be pretty, but not highly skilled. They were overpriced and the atmosphere was a little over the top for me. In fact it gave me the willies....a little creeepy more

My husband and I have had the couples massage here several times. The experience has been superb each time. The atmosphere is very relaxing. The experience begins with a foot soak and foot rub. You then embark on an aromatic journey. As you sit with your eyes closed, you will "sample" the aromas of various essential oils. After you choose your "recipe", the massage begins. Aequis has several types of massages to choose from. Toward the end of the massage, you will get the hot oil scalp treatment. Let me tell you - it is what keeps me coming back!!!! The warm oils are drizzled over your scalp and massaged/brushed in. At the conclusion of your treatment, you are invited to relax if you wish. A hot shower then awaits you. My husband and I have made a committment to treat ourselves once every three months. The only negative that I can point out is the price. It is expensive; more so than other places. Pros: Couples massage, Scalp treatment Cons: No Parking, Expensive more

The spa is so so, but not what I was expecting. Contrarty to the last review I felt rushed & far from special. The facial was average & the surroundings were pretty, but a bit over the top. Pros: pretty Cons: overpriced $$$$$$$$$$ more

The aesthetics of this retreat are stunning. I was greeted and felt cared for the moment I arrived. The attention to detail, mastery of making the client feel special and creating a sense of privacy and individual care..............rather than a scripted, do this...go here....wear this.....were fabulous. Jamaica not only administered a relaxing and comprehensive massage, she did so while making me feel as if I were her only client that day. (and they were busy............though one would not know it) Jamaica worked on a muscle strain I shared with her and she did so with such expertise and kindness. Upon leaving she spoke to me as to how I might encourage the healing process. I was lead to a personal showering area when I was ready and allowed all the time I needed to re-enter society. I will be back and look forward to referring friends knowing they will be as grateful as I am for the delightful experience. To those who question the perceived higher rates...........SO WORTH IT! Thank you Aequis and THANK YOU Jamaica! Pros: This is what a SPA should be! Cons: Hmmmmmmmmmm...can't think of one! more

This experience was truly blissful. I randomly decided that I should treat myself to a massage today. This full body massage started with a foot treatment. When I entered the dimmly lit treatment room I was rubbed from head to toe with what I am guessing was a hot stone. The masage therapist, Timothy, was talented in his work. He moved from toe to head, allowing me to escape to another world. The beutiful music, and scents that I chose helped this process. I walked out of there completely blissed out. The 45 minute treatment more than sufficed. The pricing felt right for the atmosphere and service. This is a special place. Pros: Professional, warm staff - great atmosphere Cons: No jacuzzi more

Please shop around. This spa is overpriced & the staff is snobbish. I have been to Aequis 3 times & the reception is always the same....cold. more

My husband bought me a package for Christmas. The sitting room, with offered tea was amazingly beautiful, although a little on the chilly side seeing as I was barefooted and in a robe. The massage was as well amazing. That was the best part. I had a facial next and although it seemed a little short, it was well done too. Next I had a manicure and pedicure and was not prepared for the "organic" practices of this Aequis. No electric tools are used and ALL filing and picking is done by hand with organic style simple tools. Only as I am used to the speediness of the drills and such, I was not used to the lengthy picking and hand-filing. I just wish I had known in advance to prepare myself. After my treatments, I was welcomed to lounge at my leizure in the sitting room once again with tea. Again, this room seemed chilly and I found myself seeking out one of the tiny floor space heaters and huddling next to it. The NICEST suprise......after my treatments, a lady turned on a beautiful shower for me and asked if I may like to shower before I go. HOW SWEET IS THAT!? This place is different, and with the exception of a slightly chilly but georgous sitting room. It was a nice experience. Pros: Super friendly staff. GREAT massage tech. Cons: Chilly sitting area. Yucky downtown parking. more

I have been getting massages for years, but have never had a "spa massage" experience. WOW! You definitely get what you pay for. For the moment I walked in, my experience was very calm and relaxing. The entire staff was very nice and accommodating. There was a wonderful foot bath/scrub to start which set the tone of relaxation. Then I got to choose my favorite essential oils. The massage was amazing, with a "put you to sleep" scalp massage afterwards. The experience concluded with a hot waterfall shower. I will go back to Aequis time and time again, and definitely recommend to everyone I know. Pros: Ambience, Staff, Products, Location more

I received a gift card for my birthday from friends and after months of trying to figure out what I wanted, I finally sent an email via the "contact us" on the website. I received a quick response to my questions and called to schedule an appt. I had decided on a facial as I had not had one before and thought my skin was a little dull. Shannon, my aethetician, was so great! they start you out with a foot soak so I was totally relaxed by the time we got started on my facial. I will recommend Aequis to anybody! Thanks You more

I agee that the spa is overpriced. Shop around, you'll see, I have been threr twice in the past year. Whenever I try to book a "special" they are not available> This spa puts on airs as if all their specials are sold out far in advance when actually the availability is very limited. Use your head, don't get caught up in the presentation. Pros: smells great! Cons: see full comment more

I've had quite a few massages in my time, but I have to say the best was the Thai massage I received from Kaleb. It was like doing yoga, but without all the work. :) He even took the time afterward to show me some stretches that would benefit my tight spots, which have really helped to keep me feeling relaxed long after my visit to their beautiful spa had ended. I'll be getting an appointment with him again soon...BTW, to those who say it's overpriced, $130 for a 65 minute treatment works out to about $2 per minute. Didn't people pay more than that to talk to Miss Cleo? I certainly think it's worth it! Pros: beautiful decor, friendly staff Cons: street parking more

I too used to frequent this spa. I decided to go elsewhere after a couple of scheduling mixups and one run in with a discourteous staff member. It seems like the spa has lost some of it's best employees. I really don't understand why people continue to pay outrageous priced for mediocre service. Is it a status thing? I am much happier in the new spa I have moved to. In fact, I found them on this website. Give the other local businesses a try. I think you will feel that you got your moneys worth instead of having immediate spender's remorse. Pros: design was fun for a while, but I'm over it Cons: insincere staff, not worth the $$$ more

Don't waste your money here! I had a facial and what was supposed to be a reflexology massage (hardly any time was spent on my feet). SO much was wrong and unpleasant, I would never recommend this place. They must not pay their employees very well. I will say the "free" foot bath at the start was the best part. (But they include that in your visit time, so if you sign up for a 60 min massage it will really be 45 minutes because they do the foot bath at the beginning). Go anywhere else! Save your money. I am trying Kanani Spa in the Pearl next more

I had a pedicure at the spa and found it to be the best I have ever had. I used to get pedi's every 2 weeks but with my busy schedule it's been way over due. My nail tech was Amber and she was amazing. She paid close attention to detail and made sure my feet were silky smooth by the time it was done. The leg and foot massage were also wonderful! By the end I was relaxed and she really took her time to make sure my french polish was exactly how I wanted it. Everyone was friendly and It was a great experience! more

Aequis is simply the best spa I've been to. I've been to spas in several major cities, and still Aequis is the gold standard. I'm proud to be from Portland where I think we have the best restaurants and the best spas! My massage there this last week was with Michelle and she was smart, fun and calming all at the same time. Great massage! I love the footsoak, the robes, the music and the decor! Pros: Spacious, Beautiful, Kind Staff more

I visited this spa with high expectations. Don't buy into the hype! Overdone Pier 1 decor & incredibly high prices. The service is so so & noting all tht up to par considering the price! Must be nice to be overcharge people & get away with it. Cons: see above more

I recently visited and received treatments at Aequis Spa and was absolutely blown away. I had done a lot of research planning a romantic weekend getaway (I live in the Seattle area) so I had read many of the reviews on this site. I was concerned by the one negative review but remained hopeful because all of the others were absolutely glowing. I have received treatments in many different spas so I was also worried that I might be hard to impress or that my expectations might be too high. I was NOT dissappointed. The spa is beautiful and the staff was very professional and kind - every details was attended to. It was an amazing experience and worth every penny. I'm buying 3 gift certificates this Christmas for my family. I can hardly wait for them to receive their treatments! By the way - my boyfriend loved his treatment too. more

This spa is amazing!!! The decor is amazingly peaceful and zen like, without the forced appeal like many other spa/salons. It has a very warm ambiance, and an almost sensual atmosphere. I went in for an hour and a half massage with Sally, my first at the spa and with her. She has magic hot stone hands!!! She made me completely at ease, starting with a foot soak in a wide open room, seated on a soft couch. My massage was in the tower room, which I HIGHLY recommend for couples. She used various techniques, and I thought one of them was hot stone. Come to find out after the massage, it was only her hands. I feel that she is so connected with what she does that she generates warm, positive, loving energy from her hands. It was amazing. After a relaxing shower (love the rainmaker), I left feeling like a new, much more relaxed person. I couldn't recommend a person or place more. Much love Magic Hot Stone Hand Sally. Thank you!!! Pros: Sally, Ambiance Cons: I can't go every day more

We went to Aequis last night for the R& B Music night. It was chill, very mellow -- we had our couple massage to Sade, Barry White and others I didn't recognize. What a cool time. The massages were great, but the room we sat in beforehand was intense. The light were turned way down and there had to be 100 candles. Guys, if you want points - this is the place to go - trust me. Unquestionably the best massage I've had and I'm hard to impress. Pros: Great Music & Great Massage more

My husband and I decided to celebrate our first year anniversary in Portland. I researched and decide on Aequis spa for the romantic couple's massage. We received a wonderful first impression. The open room was so relaxing and peaceful. It was hard to believe we were downtown portland. Our therapists were very personable and gave great customer service. We had our massage in the tower room which was amazing. My massage was one of the best ever. My husband was a little disappointed because he had asked she concentrate on the lower back but she did not spend as much time as he would have like. My hair was extremely oily - even after a shower. I would highly recommend this spa and would return on my next trip to Portland. Pros: wonderful relaxing environment and customer service Cons: oily hair after a massage more