Photalai Thai Massage

No string of words assembled by me can convey what a great massage I got from Tommy. I walked out feeling like a new woman, relieved of stress, tension and knots I didn’t even know I had. I plan to come back.

Just wanted to say it’s been almost 4 years since I wrote this review and Photalai is still my #1 massage place. Even though I moved to the other side of town it’s still my go-​to.
And also, another parking trick is to drop it off at the car wash under Ralph’s. I come back from my massage drinking the little cup of tea they give you when you leave, and my car is waiting there all shiny and vacuumed for me. It’s the best!

Master Tommy is THE BEST. I went in having so much pain from a nasty fall, and by the time I left, he had worked miracles in loosening the knots in my back and neck, and I could move again. He came highly recommended to me through a friend, and although it took me a while to make it in, it was well worth the wait. Will most definitely be back!

I just left from a great 1 hour massage (Thai and deep tissue combo)!! Jenny really paid attention to my knots and tense back. She was extremely professional and did really work out some of my tension!
The price was right, although the 2 $ credit card fee is a bit annoying, and I’d rather be charged at the end of the massage than before. Just some constructive criticism.
5 stars because what matters the most to me: quality of massage, amicable customer service, affordable and close to home.

Best Massage in Town !
It was Berry good and the Girls very nice .
The room was smeling very good .
One of the best Massage in my life better than in Thailand.

Tommy is the best. I can’t get a massage from anyone else after experiencing him.

I didn’t hate it, but I didn’t love it. I was drawn to it mainly because the prices are very affordable, but I didn’t enjoy my 1 hr session as much as I thought I would. The deep-​swede combo massage was average in quality. It was decent, but I’m not sure it’s worth a repeat visit.

Mr. Tommy is absolutely amazing. His massages are painfully but you fee so much better the next day. He is meticulous and works on every single knot. I also highly recommend Walt — she’s strong and effective. The place is also extremely clean and it’s very affordable. I highly recommend it for people in the neighborhood. It’s been my family’s go to spot for years. My mom goes at least once a week and swears by it.

This was the WORST massage I have ever received! I was cold, on a massage table with no opening for the face, it was uncomfortable and the guy who massaged me was awful! No technique, no flow, was random and very unprofessional to say the least, and he kept groping me! Saying how nice my body was… Very creepy and violating. IF you choose here be carful which therapist you choose… This may take me a while to get over.

Jenny is manipulative. She just wants your money. She yaps through the whole massage about her problems (NOT relaxing at ALL) and tries to guilt you into giving a big tip by telling sad stories about her having to send money back home to Thailand, in-​laws who are in the hospital, putting a son through school,” and possibly lying that’s she’s taking English courses for the past year and that her English is horrible (prolly been living here for the past 15 years). It’s a shame bc I can tell that she actually is skilled. Too bad it’s overshadowed by her lack of professionalism, distractedness, and greed. Not for locals. It’s a total tourist trap. What a shame!

I had a horrible muscle knot in my back for 3 weeks, and Tommy fixed it! I was happy I followed the advice of others on here! I used a groupon and it was $ 40 well spent, my back feels great now!

There’s nothing quite like getting a massage when the guy next to you is clearly getting a hand job. I really needed a massage tonight and between the groaning next to me, and the woman who was massaging me really didn’t have any real skills and was LAUGHING at how stressed my shoulders were and stopping every few minutes to peak through the curtains to see what was happening with «the groaner». Truly the worst hour of «massage» I have ever had. I should have gotten up and left. They had charged my card when I arrived instead of afterwards which is probably why I stayed.
What a shame. Skip this place, I’m baffled they have a high Unilocal rating.

I just had one of those. . «Out of body massage sessions» given by «JENNY» !
Whose Massage prowness, marks a 5 Star rating in my personal massage session archives.
As a sesoned, Certified and Licensed Massage Practitioner myself of 15 years, I could not have been more impressed and satisfied from my experience.
Jenny exibited a combination of incredible knowledge, experience, and instincts that in combination, are rarely executed.
Well done to the staff being corteous tentitive, and extremely professional as well !
I will be back very soon. .. . Thank
you !
Blissfully Yours,
Robert Jones Lmt

Just got back from a wonderful massage. Jenny was amazing. Her deep pressure style was so therapeutic. She was able to use maximum pressure with out being painful. My muscles feel like jelly. I will totally be back.

Love this place! Janey took real good care of me. She found all the tension points without me having to point them out. She has a firm touch and knows how to use her body weight to hit the deep tissue. Felt like I was floating when I left. I definitely recommend a 90 minute session if your body is feeling really tight.

I’ve had thai massage in 30 cities in the world, including Bangkok, Phuket and Chiang Mai.
Jenny, a new therapist here, rates among the top– lots of pressure, old class Thai style. I’ll be coming back!

I was very tense from driving for long hours! I chose combination C, which was a great choice for relief. Boo did an amazing job!!! And I will definitely come back every time I drive to la

Hands down the best massage I’ve had in my life. I’ve been to them all. The fancy ones with the luxurious atmosphere to the whole in the wall in the strip malls where you go for the deal and service. Well word on the street is, Mr. Tommy is the guy they all go to for their massage and I believe it!
I made an appointment and requested an hour and a half massage but I didn’t specify the type yet. Just wanted to get rid of the knots in my back and shoulders.
Upon arriving, I was greated with a smile, told to fill out a form and before writing down the type of service, Mr. Tommy said «don’t worry, I will take care of you.» I felt like I was in good hands. Besides, the Unilocal reviews kind of speak for themselves.
Well, I would try to explain the actual massage as best as possible but I don’t think I could do this place justice other than saying, trust Mr. Tommy… He will assess your body, posture, pain, and adapt the service around you. He also genuinely cares about your comfort by callibrating your pain threshold and wellbeing by giving honest advice on how to keep your body in good shape between sessions.
I paid $ 65 for 90min, very reasonable considering it was at 6pm.
Park in the Ralph’s shopping center underground for free.
Make an appointment, they have a lot of fans and the word is spreading!
I usually always tip between 10−20% but I gave $ 15 to show my gratitude. And it was obvious that Mr. Tommy put his strength into it and didn’t just depend on gravity by walking on my back. He really does look for the knots and finds the right places to apply pressure.
Oh and the hot rocks were amazing, and I wasn’t charged extra. So $ 80 total was a bargain if you compare it to any place in town. Minute for minute comparison — no other place can compete.
Do yourself a favor, go to Photalai Thai Massage, see Mr. Tommy, tip him well cause you will go back. You’ll thank me later ;)

Got a massage and wasn’t very good. Not sure she knew what she was doing. She massaged my bones and it hurt. She had conversations with the guy in front sporadically. The place wasn’t sound proofed so I heard all the cars driving by and customers walking in asking to order soup bc they thought it was the restaurant next door.
Not coming back here.

They’re open till 10pm — good
The location is not the greatest, no parking for a mile! They charge you up front and that irks me…
The room was pretty and effort is taking into making it warm and inviting was evident.
The massage was $ 5 more than I pay at my favorite spots… however, one was booked and the other was closed. $ 5 extra so be it.
Well, all I can say is it was a foofoo booshite massage, with little to no healing qualities.
Nice people, I wish them the best!
Peace.