A Massage for 3 Please!

By Marti Goyal
November 14, 2009

As many other salon and spa owners will probably relate to, I prefer to get massages at other salon and spa’s because I can truly relax there rather then thinking about work the entire time. Don’t get my wrong, I really do think that we have some of the top massage therapists in the city, and I have experienced amazing massage sessions with each of them, but there is something about escaping to a new oasis that makes it more relaxing for me. If you do get time, try one of Aniko Salon and Spa’s massage therapists, Grace, Candace, Silvia and Ruby, they are all phenomenal and each have unique massage styles.

So the adventure began, I decided to take a Saturday off and enjoy a spa day with my family so I began to call. I goggled top spas in Chicago 60654 and 60605, and a several search results appeared. Tirra Salon & Spa, Michael Anthony SalonSpa, Daniela’s Day Spa, Kaya Day Spa, Ruby Room, Exhale Spa and Allyu Spa.

I began by calling Tirra Salon & Spa, I have heard great things about them, they have a fabulous reputation in the city and I was hoping to experience their salon and spa, unfortunately, they had nothing available. In fact, as I recall last year I called on a Saturday to get a massage with my father, and they had nothing open that time either, I guess I’ll never get to try them out.

Then Michael Anthony SalonSpa, I have been here before for a massage and a manicure it’s convenient to my condo, but of course I heard once again we have nothing available, maybe try one of our other locations.

So onto Daniela’s Day Spa, apparently day spa can be used for places that don’t even offer massages? I’m sorry but that’s not a day spa?

Kaya Day Spa was my next attempt on my search for three massages together and I have heard about this place many times, so I thought it would be perfect and guess what…no openings today.

Let’s try the Ruby Room, I have actually admired this place every since I opened my place, there website is gorgeous, and their reviews have always been fantastic. Now this was my fifth attempt to find three massages, and yet again I was let down, I asked do you have anything open today and she said, “I do not”. I even asked her, “do you have anything tomorrow”, and she said, “I do not”. So there was nothing available on Saturday and nothing on Sunday…maybe next time.

The common, thing I found was that none of the places listed above even offered me any other services that I could possibly try. Maybe a relaxing facial that includes a shoulder massage, that would have been appealing, or a spa pedicure, anything really, options would have been nice. The point was that we really just wanted to relax. I know from my own experience that Saturday’s and Sunday’s tend to be the busiest days for salon and spa’s but it made me realize that so many people are last minute in the city and that we really should make sure we have openings for people like myself. It’s a great lesson learned.

I was kind of giving-up at this point, and decided maybe I’ll just head over to my own place and get a massage. But I decided try one more place because I thought to myself, “Marti you really deserve a break and going into work is just going to mean your going to work.” So I kept on going…

I was pleasantly surprised when I called Exhale Spa. The gentlemen who answered the phone was very helpful and they did have 3 massage appointments at 4:45pm and 6pm…sounds perfect! I then asked for manicure and pedicure appointments for before or after our massages and he offered them before… excellent. Then I said, I am going to check with my family and call you back, and he ended with, “just so you know they will book up fast.” To me that was kind of a turnoff, great that they are super busy, and kiddos to that, but I kind of felt like they were to busy for me or only thought of me as money.

So I made one final call to Allyu Spa “the art of healing” located at 600 W. Chicago Ave. http://www.allyuspa.com/ and the lady on the phone was so nice. She gave me all of my options 40min., 60min., and 90min. massages. She provided me with what times they had open for three massage appointments at the same time. She also gave me my options for additional services, spa manicures and a mini-spa facial for my husband. I told her I would call her back so I could check with my family and she said, "ok." I called back and got another nice lady on the phone and went ahead and picked Allyu Spa! From their website and looking at the photos, it looks very impressive and I am so excited to check it out. I will be sure to write a review after I am done with my massage and spa manicure!

Thank goodness for Allyu Spa, I hope it’s an amazing spa day experience for us.

Aniko Salon & Spa
1109 S. Wabash Ave.
Chicago, IL 60605
(312) 431-1573
www.anikosalonspa.com

Best Of Citysearch Widget

Aniko Salon & Spa is a proud sponsor of The Power of Pink event at The Hard Rock Hotel October 9, 2009 @ 9PM benefiting Bright Pink

THE POWER OF PINK
Includes premium Chandon sparkling wine, Belvedere vodka cocktails, red and white wine, and a dessert reception from Sarah's Pasteries & Candies.

Bonus: Kick-off Party at Bull & Bear Oct. 1st included with pre-sale ticket!

Friday October 9, 2009
9:00pm-12:00am

The Hard Rock Hotel
230 N. Michigan Avenue
Chicago,IL

TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE!!
http://www.bebrightpink.org/events.html
(Buy discounted tickets before Oct 1st and attend our kick-off party for free)

**JUST ANNOUNCED**
Matt ROAN of Crossfader King will be spinning!

We can't wait to see you on Friday for The Power of Pink!  

Tickets are almost gone so be sure to encourage your friends to buy theirs today before we sell out.  When you arrive at the Hard Rock Hotel, we will have a list that will include everyone who has purchased tickets so do not worry about not having any sort of tickets in hand.  

In addition, we have two really exciting announcements!  First, we have added another amazing hostess, Radhika Desai, from Top Chef!  Second, we have an amazing silent auction that is centered around each of our hostesses "favorite things," so be sure to come prepared to bid on some of your favorites.  Some of the amazing items we will have available include:

A Gorgeous Gucci Tote Bag & The Ultimate Bloomingdales gift basket (Amanda Puck)

A basketball signed by the entire Bulls Team and tickets to an upcoming game (Ashley Bond)

A party for 10 friends at Bull and Bear and bottle service at Stone Lotus (Erica Bethe Levin)

Robbie Gould signed picture, signed jersey and signed football & a 2-night stay at The Hard Rock Hotel (Kathleen Henson)

3-month spa membership at The Peninsula (Kim Peiffer)

Ali Precious jewelry & Cleise Brazilian Day Spa facial (Korey Karnes Huyler)

Luxury suite at a Horseshoe Casino show (Natalie Martinez)

A once-in-a-lifetime private dinner prepared by Chef Radhika (Radhika Desai)

A B96 in-studio tour & the opportunity to spend an hour with J Nice, Julian and Showbiz Shelly during a live taping/2 tickets to the B96 Jingle Bash (Showbiz Shelley)Power 

A Platinum Spa Day Package from Aniko Salon & Spa (Marti Goyal)

Event: THE POWER OF PINK
Date: Friday, October 09, 2009 at 9:00 PM - Saturday, October 10, 2009 at 12:00 AM (CT)
Location:
Hard Rock Hotel
230 N. Michigan Avenue
Chicago, IL 60601

Guests are encouraged to wear PINK attire!

Aniko Salon & Spa
1109 S. Wabash Ave.
Chicago, IL 60605
(312) 431-1573
www.anikosalonspa.com

Aniko Salon & Spa is a proud sponsor of ELEVEN Collection's Launch Event at Elements of Style Boutique September 26, 2009 7-9PM!

Join Aniko Salon & Spa tonight at Elements of Style Boutique to celebrate the launch of their new women's contemporary clothing line from the ELEVEN Collection.

7PM -8PM Cocktail Reception
8 PM- 9PM Interactive Fashion Show

Please RSVP to julita@elementsofstyleboutique.com

Elements of Style Boutique
http://www.elementsofstyleboutique.com/
1130 S Wabash Ave # 101
Chicago, IL 60605-2315
(312) 408-3080

Aniko Salon & Spa
1109 S. Wabash Ave.
Chicago, IL 60605
(312) 431-1573
www.anikosalonspa.com

Aniko Salon & Spa is a proud sponsor of Get Down UP on the DOWN Low hosted by PoorLittleRichGirls.com at SUB51!

Get done UP on the DOWN low! Join PoorLittleRichGirls at Sub 51 on October 1st, 2010

Host: PoorLittleRichGirls.com
Date: Thursday, October 1, 2009
Time: 8:30pm - 10:00pm
Location: Sub 51
51 West Hubbard St
Chicago, IL 60654
Email: info@poorlittlerichgirls.com

You're invited to a sublime beauty & cocktail event hosted by PoorLittleRichGirls.com!

Join PLRG, Salon Blo, Aniko Salon & Spa and Celebrity Skin Couture Air Tan for an evening of complimentary Grey Goose cocktails, beauty treatments, face tans and gift bags!

Sponsored by: Salon Blo, Aniko Salon & Spa, Grey Goose vodka and Celebrity Skin Couture Air Tan

Aniko Spa: 1109 S. Wabash Ave.
Aniko Salon: 1117 S. Wabash Ave.
Chicago, IL 60605
(312) 431-1573
www.anikosalonspa.com

Aniko Salon & Spa is excited to sponsor a Benefit for Bridge to Success...An Evening of Wine, Chocolate, and Shopping for a Great Cause!

Benefit for Bridge to Success...An Evening of Wine, Chocolate, and Shopping for a Great Cause!

Host: Angelique & Sarah
Date: Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Time: 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Location: Metropolitan Club (Sears Tower)
233 S Wacker Ave., Floor 67
Chicago, IL 60606
Phone: (773) 458-3529
Email: Sarah@ChicGemsEtc.com

Guests will enjoy a complimentary wine tasting by PRP Wine, Chocolate Tasting by Katherine Anne Confections, and Appetizers by Tizi Melloul.

Shop these great collections to benefit the cause, as 10% of sales from the evening will be donated from: Chic Gems, Beijo Bags, Katherine Anne Confections, Five Accessories, Koru Street, Lindsey Ryan Designs, PRP Wine, and The Perfect Gift.

The evening will also include raffle prizes including: jewelry, an interior design consultation, a graphic design gift certificate, a wardobe consultation, handbags, and more!

This event is sponsored by: The Metropolitan Club, Aniko Salon & Spa, Tizzi Melloul, Mint Experience, Interior Minded, PRP Wine, Bess & Loie, The Style Muse, and Katherine Anne Confections.

Gift bags valued over $100 each will be given to the first 100 guests who RSVP to Sarah @ 773.458.3529. Tickets are $25 at the door, receive $5 off ticket if you bring lightly worn professional clothing to donate to the cause.

About Bridge to Success: Bridge to Success, (www.TheBridgetoSuccess.org) a social enterprise program of Heartland Human Care Services, provides coaching coupled with high-end interview and work place appropriate clothing for low-income, hard-to-employ men, women and youth to build self-confidence through appearance, interview preparation and a sense of "belonging" at the workplace.


Aniko Salon & Spa
1109 S. Wabash Ave.
Chicago, IL 60605
(312) 431-1573
www.anikosalonspa.com

Introducing our "Guest Artist" Andrea Brewer from RAW Salon -- who will be joining us at Aniko Salon Oct 1st - Oct 3rd!

Andrea Brewer – Stylist / Colorist and Aniko Salon's Guest Artists

Andrea Brewer, owner of Raw Salon in Wisconsin, is joining the Aniko team with over 12 years experience. Andrea has a passion for the industry that keeps her career multi-faceted. She started in the business as a nail technician and still prides herself in keeping up with the latest technology in the nail industry, including gel enhancements and colored gels. As a stylist she has taken pride in her continued education. She has trained extensively with Wayne Grund, formerly of Grund Haircare and currently with Surface Haircare. This training has given her complete confidence in razor and sheer haircutting to customize the perfect haircut for your hair type, facial shape, hair texture including curly hair, and head shape. Andrea has also done extensive, hands on training for Redken Haircolor. She has trained with top industry experts from Redken and prides herself in her ability to create custom, beautiful, believable color to meet any demand. Andreas true passion for the industry is to see young stylists grow their business and has a long past of successful associates she has coached, mentored, and technically trained over the past 4 years. Andrea also has worked with KRS, a salon consulting company, to learn how to best grow her business through education, promotions, and exceptional guest service. She consulted Aniko in their start up and truly feels honored to work with their company. Andrea will be available at Aniko Salon one Thursday-Saturday once a month at this time.

Andrea will be our “Aniko Guest Artists” on:
Thursday October, 1st: 10am - 8pm
Friday October, 2nd: 10am - 6pm
Saturday October 3rd: 10am - 4pm

Andrea would like to offer the following promotions for her first time guests:
Receive a FREE Fusion Manicure with any Color and Haircut Service. *Save $25.00
30% OFF a Haircut & Color Service from 10am - 3pm Thursday Oct 1st & Friday Oct 3rd

*Offers cannot be combined with any other promotion, discount of gift certificate. For first time guests only. Appointments must be booked with Andrea Brewer. Please mention our "blog" when you book these appointments.

Call (312) 431-1573 to book your appointment with Andrea Brewer today!

Aniko Salon is located at 1117 S. Wabash Avenue Chicago, IL 60605 between 11th and Roosevelt.

Aniko Salon & Spa
1109 S. Wabash Ave.
Chicago, IL 60605
(312) 431-1573
www.anikosalonspa.com