Kata Spa

This was my first massage EVER, and it was just OK. Nothing spectacular. It was my birthday and I wanted to pamper myself. I didn’t want to travel to NYC so I opted for this place instead. I paid for a 30 minute massage, and barely got 20 minutes. Sunny seem to have had a cold that day, and all I kept hearing was her sniffing. The girl on the front desk was nice, and did not try to push future sales which was nice. I will not return and do not recommend.

I really enjoyed Kata! I was able to walk in and was taken right away, no waiting! The receptionist, Jean, was delightful! She was smiling and bubbly and made me feel welcomed! She showed me the list of services and confirmed which one I would like. Jean then had me fill out an intake form. I specified my focus areas and handed it back to her. She communicated with my massage therapist what my requests were. Jean then introduced me to sunny, my massage therapist.
Jean lead me into the room and showed me where I can store my things. (Only con: Sunny knocked on the door twice before I was finished getting undressed and settled. A little more time to change would have been nice.)
The massage was fantastic!!! I enjoyed the 30 min Swedish massage. She focused on exactly what I asked her to, and the pressure was just right. During check out, Jean had hot tea and cold water waiting for me! That was a pleasant surprise and a nice touch. I was definitely thirsty!
I will definitely be back for a longer massage.
Thank you so much!

I really like kata. This place is your no bs goto massage place. They don’t try to hard sell you certain beauty products. You just go there and get what you need and go home. Great service and so convenient for LIC residents. They open till 10pm so if you had a long day at work and your back is killing you. Call and make an appointment there. I have back pains from having a stressful office job. I would pay 15 bucks for a 10 chair massage and still feel horrible afterwards. With a 1hr massage from kata I am good for a while.

Professional, clean, reasonably priced. This place has it all. If you need a relaxing, though no frills massage, make an appointment easily via text message which is answered right away at any time of day (including 9:30 the night before), show up, and be prepared to have a great experience. Will absolutely be coming back here.
–Vicki

We learn at a very young age that it’s okay to share. Well, share certain things. I love the quiet and private feeling that I am the only one who discovered this place.
BUT aside from that, I want to share that KATA is a clean, convenient, professional, genuine, and authentic little massage spot in our community. Treat your body to some massages here and you will not be disappointed. Talk to the owner/​manager and discuss your preference of massage. Very open and very kind.
Prices are so reasonable!

I’ve gotten over 2 dozen masses there, and find the massages and staff wonderful. The facility is more than adequate, and the prices are great. But the best part is you can usually get an appointment on short notice.

Have been here numerous times… so many that I’ve lost count!
As other reviewers have noted, the facilities are quite clean, fairly roomy (not super-​cramped like some spa places in Manhattan), and the prices are very reasonable (especially if you purchase the 4-​pack).
Depending on what room you get (they have multiple rooms, maybe 4 or 5 I believe), the noise from the street outside may potentially detract from the otherwise very relaxing environment, although they do offer ear plugs if needed.
The masseuses /​massage therapists are all nice and professional, although they have different styles or methods, and are of varying quality. Some go a lot harder /​rougher than others. I have had some of the best massages here, while other times it was just «OK».
My advice is, if you have a really good session, find out the therapist’s name, so you can request them again the next time you make an appointment.
Overall, a great massage place /​spa, in my opinion.

Writing an update to add a star to my previous review. Spot is perfect for a basic massage and the facilities are nice and clean. A bit of Russian roulette the massage therapists but you will not leave terribly disappointed (there is «meh» potential). If this spot is local and you do not want to hit Manhattan, it does the job.

Terrific place and reasonable prices. Sue is a fantastic masseuse. She can find the specific tension spots and you leave relaxed and reset.
The place is quiet and roomy. Great find

They lost my appointment… offered nothing in return. You suck kata. This review was too short so it was added as a tip. Here’s a tip these folks suck.

Great massage by Sue. Went right to work on my trouble areas and worked them well. Very pleasant and certainly wanted to please. Will certainly return yet again.

I reviewed Kata a year ago, and it has only gotten better. This is truly the best massage place I’ve ever been to (and I’ve been to ridiculously fancy spa vacation places, and super low budget places in Manhattan). It’s beautiful and calming with pretty lights and scents (without gimmicks like cheesy cookies and slippers) and the staff is super nice (Jean is so sweet and the host has the coolest outfits!).
The best part is Sue. She really knows how to give a strong massage. Never once has she disappointed me. She is an expert at finding knots and tension and easing it out. And is the nicest person ever. I really love going to her, and would selfishly keep her a secret for myself (and my husband), except she deserves all the compliments.
The package deal is great.

I have probably gotten 100+ massages in my life, and in NYC it can be tough to find something reasonably priced that isn’t shady as hell. When I found Kata near my house (and at ~$ 60 an hour), I was very excited.
Since then I’ve had three massages here. They have all been alright. The staff is friendly, and they are good about getting you water before and after the appointment. That said, the layout leaves much to be desired.
All of the rooms are clustered together and have paper walls. In addition to hearing lots of ambient noise from people moving, they have a bell on the front door that constantly rings when someone walks in, you hear the receptionist making phone calls, etc. — it’s hard to zone out.
So that’s all fine, it’s what you get for $ 60 an hour in NYC right? Well, yesterday I had a really, really weird massage.
First off, you know how during a massage, most masseusi (?) take great care when moving any part of your body to the point of it being absurd? Like, they want to move your arm slightly to the right, so they theatrically lift it, ever so gently place it in the new spot, then gently pat it as if to apologize for the inconvenience? This woman moved me with the delicacy of one of those coin-​operated toy grabber cranes. That, when combined with the especially persistent noise that day, was not very relaxing.
But that was not the highlight. The highlight was when she punched me in the armpit.
As I said, I have had lots and lots of massages. and I’ve rarely had anything done to my armpits at all. I most certainly have not had my arm bent back over my head, my shoulder stretched in an uncomfortable position, and then been hit full strength in the armpit. Six times per side, for those keeping score at home.
There are more important things, like the fact that a massage should never start without asking about areas of focus, previous injuries, etc., but I would like to focus on the armpit punch.
Kata is a nice option to have in the neighborhood, but I have not had an an overall experience yet that rose above «just okay.»

I’ve been to many places and have had many different types of massages but can’t say enough about Kata Spa. I continue to go there not only because of the price but also because everyone makes me feel welcomed. My lower back pain I used to have is gone and with my continued treatments it has not returned. The therapist I see does an excellent job working on areas I need the most (deep tissue massage) and just because someone is strong doesn’t mean they are good however the therapist I see is excellent. I realize massages can be different for everyone however this place has treated me extremely well, the prices are reasonable, lower back pain has been eliminated and all this equates to a very satisfied client.

They’ll try to sell you a four-​pack of massages, and you should let them. The massages are strong and serious, and the space is cleaner and more private than it should be, given the relatively low prices.
I’m a lady who likes to get a little abused on a massage bed. HOWEVER. The massages, if anything, are too strong and too serious. «Just tell yourself he’s here to help you,» is the mantra I whispered at myself to relax into the pain and take is like a woman. I was very sore for about 36 hours after my first trip.
So my huzzo and I will be back to finish off our four-​pack, but I will surely ask for a more relaxing rub this time, and I might suggest you do the same.

Wow, I am both lucky and unlucky that this place is so close to my home! Lucky since it is the honestly the best deep tissue massage of my life and unlucky since I am sure I will be back plenty so I am gonna have to add massage visits to the budget! lol. I was able to score a last minute reservation for a one hour deep tissue massage and the practitioner was really thorough and knew what she was doing. It is definitely pricier than my West Village cheap spots, but I will have to treat myself to a massage here from time to time for sure!

Great little gem in LIC! As someone who has received plenty of massages from different spas throughout NYC (Silk Spa used to be my favorite but they are $$$) and around the country I can confidently say this is right up there. Kata is reasonably priced, accommodating for appointments, has a very professional and calming atmosphere with beautifully set up private rooms, a friendly owner, and excellent therapists (I’ve had some good ones here but had Soo tonight who knocked it out of the park).
Living a block away from here really helps and will be the only place I go to for my sessions from the foreseeable future!

As a massage therapist myself, I have been trained how to not HURT people.
I have woken up with bruises on my upper back.
I requested a firm swedish massage, not a PAINFUL one.
And I’m pissed because I tipped the girl well. As a massage therapist I know how hard we work.
I said full body, but focus more on the back. Not, spend 45 minutes on my back, and then punch my legs to feel like they were worked on.
AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, DO NOT MASSAGE DIRECTLY ON THE SPINE — DO YOU KNOW HOW MUCH THAT HURTS? ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU ARE USING KNUCKLES?
The place is clean and sterile, the bathroom is kept very clean as well, the room was warm. The receptionist was friendly and so was therapist.
But what was most important, was the massage. Was not RELAXING at all and that is what I requested.
I told the girl to lighten up her pressure when I said so, instead she just kept using firm knuckles. Maybe I’m not New Yorker enough and should of been more assertive.
Out of 10? 4.

Used a living social deal and was pleasantly surprised by this hidden gem. I was warmly welcomed and although very early was taken on right away. I never received a hot stone massage before but would splurge to do it again.
My husband also went the day before our wedding and enjoyed his massage.
Two thumbs up from us!

I am an avid massage-​getter. Like at least once if not 2−3x/week. I live up the street from Kata. I think anyone that says for $ 50 (yup, they have special whereby you can get a full hour massage for $ 50) is beyond extra-​ordinary. You pay more than that for an hour chair massage at a cheap nail salon. And the only places in NYC that offer this rate have you in a room with 50 beds.
I LOVE GOING TO KATA-​the atmosphere and energy of owners an staff is just peaceful and loving-​The rooms are always beautiful, clean, serene and lovely. The massages are awesome-​They do the trick.
I love that they moved into my neighborhood and go all the time and have gotten a bunch of gift certificates.
Plus i call sometimes 10 minutes before I want a massage and they always seem ready and able to accommodate me.