Etiquette & FAQ

Appointment Time

Please arrive 10-15 minutes early for your scheduled appointment time to allow for check-in, paperwork and to discuss any questions you may have in order to get the most out of your service.

Cancellations

Escapes Spa requires that the client provide notice of cancellation 24 hours prior to the scheduled appointment time. Failure to provide proper notice will result in a charge of the scheduled service(s). Repetitive cancellations via our online booking and/or cancellations online without 24 hour notice may exempt a client from future online booking options with Escapes Spa.

Lateness Policy:

The time that we have booked for you appointment is your time to enjoy a relaxing treatment. In order for us to provide excellent service to all of our clients, we ask that you arrive on time. New clients are encouraged to arrive 10-15 minutes ahead of their appointment time to fill out their paperwork and meet with their provider. Should you arrive late, we MAY deduct those minutes from your appointment time. Although we hate to do this, it is necessary so we can ensure ALL CLIENTS are seen at their appointed time. Thank you for your time consideration of the staff and other clients.

Noise

We strive to provide and maintain a peaceful, relaxing atmosphere. We ask that you, please, silence cellphones and other electronic devices and try to speak quietly - what we, in the spa industry, call "spa voice" :)

Gratuity/Tips: Gratuity is not included in the price of your service*. In general, an appropriate gratuity is 15-20% of your service total - however, this is entirely left up to your discretion. If you would like to add a gratuity, the best time to do so is typically upon check-out.

*An 18% gratuity will automatically be applied to all groups of three or more.
Health Concerns: There are several contraindications for receiving massage and bodywork. It is vital that you inform your service provider of all health/medical conditions prior to receiving any services or treatments.
Medical Contraindications: With health conditions such as cardiovascular conditions, high/low blood pressure, cancer, diabetes, epilepsy, deep vein thrombosis (DVT)/blood clots, etc., it is recommended that the client seek approval from their physician before receiving massage or bodywork.

Those who are pregnant should discuss receiving massage or bodywork with their OB-GYN prior to receiving the service(s). Escapes Spa does not perform massage or bodywork in the first trimester of pregnancy - only the second and third trimesters.
Local Contraindications: Conditions like varicose veins, easy bruising, inflammation, etc. should be discussed with your service provider so that they may avoid sensitive areas.
Total Contraindications: Under no circumstances should anyone receive massage/bodywork or any other spa services if they are currently experiencing any of the following: fever, contagious diseases, skin diseases, cold/flu symptoms, severe pain, kidney disease, etc. Receiving spa services under these conditions could be very dangerous to both the client and the service provider.

Except for total contraindications, having a contraindication does not necessarily mean you shouldn't receive massage/bodywork. In fact, many conditions may be helped with massage therapy - it's just important that your service provider be informed on your condition(s) to ensure that you are fully accommodated.

A health history form is to be completed by all first-time clients receiving massage or bodywork. This form (and other forms) are available to fill out online (under the "Forms" tab) or hard copies of all forms can be provided at Escapes Spa.

As always, feel free to ask about any questions or concerns you have!

Massage & Spa Services

All of our massage therapists and estheticians are trained, licensed, and experienced in therapeutic massage and esthetics.

All massage therapy and spa service session sales are FINAL. No refunds.

If you are unsure about massage/spa etiquette or expectations, listed below are some helpful explanations.

Communication: Let your therapist know if it’s your first massage and they will be sure to explain the process and all other pertinent information. Before each massage session, the therapist will, generally, ask about how you've been doing/feeling and what specific issues you'd like to address for this particular session - you are free to change your mind at any point during the session. During the massage, if you feel any discomfort, please inform your therapist immediately so that they may accommodate you. We want you to be 100% comfortable!
Draping: Maintaining our client's modesty is extremely important to us. After a brief discussion about your goals for this session, the therapist will step out of the therapy room so that you can disrobe to your personal level of comfort and get situated under the blanket and flat sheet on the massage table. The therapist will knock on the door before re-entering to ensure you are ready. During the massage, a sheet/blanket covers your body, except for the region that is being worked on. At absolutely no point are any private areas exposed. Our therapists use very secure and professional draping techniques to guarantee your comfort and modesty.
Pressure: Inform your therapist at any point during the massage if the pressure being applied is too much or is outside of your preferred comfort level. If you feel discomfort due to the amount of pressure being applied to any particular area, the therapist is using too much pressure and they need to be informed immediately. Feeling pain, or even moderate discomfort, from pressure applied during your massage will NOT help you. Sometimes clients think that feeling pain during the massage means it's "working", but this just isn't the case.
Conversation: Massage can be therapeutic for your body but it can also be psychologically therapeutic. Some clients feel more relaxed having a conversation throughout the massage, some even like to "vent" about personal issues. Other clients like to enjoy the peace and quiet - perhaps the only silence they'll experience all day. At Escapes Spa, we certainly don't judge your choices either way and everything you choose to say is kept strictly confidential. If you want to talk, were here to listen. If you want complete silence, we entirely support that. Whatever you need (within our scope of practice, of course), we're here to provide.

If you have unanswered questions, please don't hesitate to ask! We love informing our clients about all things massage!

You can call us at 540-830-0483, email us at EscapesSpa21@gmail.com, send us a message using the message form under the "Contact Us" tab, or stop by the spa to talk face-to-face.
Inappropriate Behavior/Solicitation: Escapes Spa has a ZERO tolerance policy for client/employee sexual solicitation, inappropriate behavior, or any and all sexual misconduct within our spa setting. Should the therapist or client feel uncomfortable, the session is immediately over. Escapes Spa provides only nonsexual, therapeutic massage. Should the client in question not vacate the premises, the local authorities will be contacted immediately and further legal actions will ensue.

Virginia law states: Criminal solicitation of prostitution is punished by up to 12 months in jail, a $2500.00 fine, and a sexually transmitted disease blood test. The crime of solicitation involves the attempt of the accused to incite another to commit a criminal offense. It is immaterial whether the solicitation is of any effect and whether the crime solicited is in fact committed.
Group Information: Groups of 3 or more require a 50% security deposit to secure appointment times and booking of our employees. Should the group not provide 24 cancellation notice, the 50% deposit will be charged by Escapes Spa. As stated above, groups of 3 of more will automatically be charged an 18% gratuity rate for their services. Please call for booking options and to discuss group rates.
House Calls: House calls for massage are available upon request. Our massage therapists are licensed professionals. As stated above in the inappropriate behavior/solicitation information; the appointment is left up to the discretion and comfort level of the therapist. Should they feel uncomfortable for any reason they will not book the appointment. Any inappropriate behavior will be immediately reported to law enforcement. We reserve the right to also allow a chaperone to accompany the therapist should they deem that necessary. No late night calls or appointments will be accepted. Additional fees for travel and set up of equipment WILL apply. Call Escapes Spa in advance for possible availability.