Pro, Con, Pro…

At the risk of sounding like an overgrown sorority girl, at the Phi house, whenever we didn’t have anything 100% positive to say, we would use the “sandwich” method of delivering unpleasant opinions and occasionally, I still employ it to this day.

So here’s the deal. I’ve got to “Pro-Con-Pro” Spa Sydell. I have a real love/hate relationship with SS and y’all, I generally feel like spas are like pizza: even if they’re not the best, how bad could they really be? Well…

Here we go.

Pro: I adore their airbrush tan. Best in the city. I have mentioned my tan-obsession and my favorite recessionista-esque way to DIY to a (safe, wrinkle-free) gorgeous tan. But sometimes the stakes are higher and you need to call in a professional. This is when I book Kim at the Buckhead Spa Sydell location. I’ll spare you the deets and the countless other locations, technicians and spray tans I have tried. Listen, I have done my research. Trust me: Kim is very detail oriented and really knows her stuff and after she is through ordering you into a zillion positions, your tan will look ah-ma-zing. Fact. It costs $50 and lasts about a week.

Con: Let’s face it: the facilities are a little busted and the service isn’t that great. Now, the VP of my company (who is, in my opinion, the be-all-end-all in all things fabulous) tells me that in Spa Sydell’s glory days, when there were just one or two locations, it was spectacular and zen-like and everything an Atlanta-caliber spa should be. However, it seems that over the years and through the expansions, they have unfortunately lost a little in translation. I tried them a few times for facials and massages, and I have personally never had a truly relaxing experience. It definitely isn’t a discount salon and at their prices, there are certainly better places to go. When I went last week for my tan, I sat in the “Tranquility Room” (looking at old, strewn-about Jezebel magazines and a half-full carafe of warm water with chunks of old lemon floating in it…and no glasses) for 45 minutes until I ventured out to find someone to ask about the hold up when I was finally told that they had run out of tanning solution and someone was driving to Alpharetta (at 6:00 on a Thursday) to retrieve some. The lack of communication, disorganization, and the dirty waiting room are not my only beef. I have to tell you, the bathroom and showers were grimy, the robes were threadbare, neither hand towels nor toilet tissue were anywhere to be found, I got the “ick” from the flops they want you to put on, and I’d have to do a whole new pro-con-pro to describe their receptionist. Sorry. It had to be said.

and finally…

Pro: Flo Massage Creme. Kim turned me onto it to help me keep my tan and it is f.a.b.u.l.o.u.s. I use it as a daily moisturizer and it is the very best I have EVER found. My skin stays super soft, never greasy, and the one I use, Soy Comfort, has a subtle vanilla scent (L+L are huge suckers for vanilla-scented lotions.) The only place to get it, as far as I can tell, is Spa Sydell. And ok, y’all, this 8oz jar is only $12. Fab, fab, fab. DK even has me import it to Birmingham whenever I come.

In short, Spa Sydell, I think you’re nice. I’m just not sure you’re QUITE L+L material. You can come back for pref night, though.

xx, L

Spa Sydell

Buckhead Plaza
www.spasydell.com
3060 Peachtree Rd NW
Atlanta, GA 30305-2234
(404) 237-2505