Okay, it can happen to even the best of spas.  My jewel of a friend needed a little escape, so I scheduled 2 massages last Saturday morning.  We drive 45 minutes to the five star spa.  The hotel is brand new and over the top.  The reason I chose this spa…I knew that the massages would be great and the service outstanding.

The appointments were at 9:00, also the time that they open.  We waited at the glass doors and finally at 8:55 the spa concierge appeared and opened the doors.  She wasn’t really rude, but not really friendly either.  She was just doing her job.  She had us fill out the forms and blandly showed the locker rooms and lounge.  We quickly changed into robes and waited for our therapists.

I was called quickly into the treatment room and bid goodbye to my friend.  Little did I know, she was going to read a magazine for a half hour, before she realized that no one was coming to get her.  She then asked spa concierge about her massage, and her therapist was a “NO SHOW” for work.

Now I have many questions.

1. Don’t you have your therapists arrive 20 minutes before the first appointment?
2. Shouldn’t you know before client intake if your therapist is missing in action?
3. Be prepared in advance.  Be a good Boy Scout.
4. Have a backup for No Show Therapists.  It is going to happen. Have an on-call therapist.  That is why Broadway shows have understudies.  The show must go on.
5. If you fail in your service, provide an over the top gift to apologize.  A mumbled “I’m sorry” with a gift certificate does not complete the service transaction with delight.

We left the five star spa without delight or happiness, never to return.  Why pay for five stars when you can pay less and get the same treatment?

You can now get certified for doggie massage.  I understand that dogs are very important to their owners, but maybe we are carrying this a little too far?  I have four dogs and I can tell you if anyone in my family is going to get a massage it going to be me.  Sure I’ll rub their little tummies, but pay for a doggie massage?   I don’t think so!

Sorry Bert, Irma, Lilly & Megabyte….the best you are going to get is doggie day care once a month.  Spoiled Rotten Woof, Woof!