Star Nails and Spa

Went here this past week and it was overall a great experience! The place was quiet and relaxing with calming music, and my pedicure and gel manicure turned out great! One thing I really liked about this place was how they set timers for things like massages – that way you know they are really giving consistent service. The place was also extremely sanitary and clean, which made me feel more comfortable. They also use a ton of great products like skin scrubs and hot waxes that made my skin feel fantastic! I had Andy as my nail technician, and he did a really good job.
The only reason I gave 4 stars instead of 5 is because the whole process seemed a little rushed. I spent $ 60 to get a manicure and gel pedicure, both of which were done separately in about an hour, which is much quicker than most salons I have been to (many could argue this as a pro I guess!). On my day off, I had hoped for my spa experience to last a little longer, so perhaps next time I will spring for an upgraded pedicure so I can spend more time relaxing in the massage chair!
Overall my experience was very pleasant and I will definitely be back!

This place is great! With all the mixed reviews I was a little nervous.
They have bags covering the pedicure tubs as well as the little oven that sterilizes the tools which made me feel very comfortable. My technician didn’t go crazy on my cuticles or trimming and she gave a great foot/​leg AND an unexpected shoulder massage! I also appreciated how they used timers to time the massages so I felt like I was assured to get the right amount of time. I was pleased with the amount of service for the price. I’ll definitely come back!
The only 2 drawbacks were that you have to pay cash tip (although they do have an atm in the salon) and my friend’s technician was super unfriendly, but she still did a good paint job and massage.

I just went in for a pedicure, with a gift card for $ 30. I decided to upgrade to the spa pedicure, which added a hot stone massage and a few extra perks for $ 15 extra.
I absolutely loved it. At first I was a bit worried because this is more than I have ever paid for a pedicure, but it really was worth it. They do so much for your legs and your feet — it’s fantastic! And then there’s a neck and shoulder massage while you wait for your nails to dry.

2 days after my gel manicure at the Middletown location — I have a giant chip in my thumb nail. There is still polish all over my fingers as the manicurist kept getting it all over. This was by far the worst manicure I’ve ever received. The pedicure was great, which is why I’m giving it a 2 star instead of 1, but for $ 30 I really expected a manicure that would lat more than 2 days.

I was told the wait would be 20 minutes but after 45 minutes I walked out. The man who told me the wait did not even look to see how far along everyone was and simply told anyone who walked in it would be 20 minutes. When I asked for an update he told me 5 more minutes but after those 5 minutes I had to leave. Will not be going back.

Star Nails has been my go-​to since 2010. After five years of coming to Star Nails and receiving awesome, friendly service, I’m sad to say that the one experience I’m about to describe has caused me to find another nail shop when I’m in town.
So Easter is probably an odd day to head to the nail salon, but seeing as I was in town for a five week class and had nothing better to do I decided to head in. I had just been in the salon two weeks earlier for a fill; a new friend had been so impressed with my nails after that visit that she wanted to tag along to get hers done, too.
Unfortunately for us, they had the B Team working on Easter. We did pedis, waxing, and nails — I got a set of the UV gels that are one of the worst looking sets of nails I’ve ever had. Hers weren’t much better. A bit of an embarrassment considering how much I talked the salon up. and how much our bills were when we left.
My friend was pretty unimpressed with the entire experience and attempted to tip to that standard; the gal who did her nails was pretty aggressive about calling her out on it. I tipped my usual only because it was the holiday and my conscious demanded it but hell, if you give poor service. expect poor gratuity. After all, a gratuity is not an entitlement, but an indication of my happiness (or lack) with your service.
Even worse was the ‘tude — over the years I usually see the same ladies and gents working the salon. always impeccably friendly and polite. Not that day. Unsure if they were frustrated about working on the holiday, or just woke up on the wrong side of the bed, but wow.
All things change, right? I guess a good thing can’t stay a good thing forever.
PS: you can’t tip on credit cards anymore.

I’ve been disappointed my last two visits. The manicurists filed my nails square without asking me. Today I went in for a manicure and they wanted to charge me an extra 5 bucks to remove the silicon gels. I thought that should be included in a manicure. This used to be my favorite salon but I think they are slipping.

I have had dozens of mani/​pedis here over the years.
PROS: clean, quality products + services, ample parking, 10 pedicure chairs = short/​non existent wait, reasonable prices, 3 min neck massage included with mani or pedi.
CONS: only accept tips in cash, loyalty card fee = $ 5
As someone who does not carry cash, I find this cash-​only tip policy annoying. I get it that you need to pay taxes on credit card tips. Raise your prices to cover the taxes. I would rather pay $ 1 more for a pedicure than to go through the hassle of charging the service and digging out cash for a tip.
I was there today and the most profane rap music loaded with crude sexual/​violent lyrics, F-​bombs and racial slurs was playing throughout the salon. When I brought it to the attention of the woman manicurist, she replied «It’s Pandora». I told her they really needed to change it, as it was terribly profane and offensive. I am so glad my young children were not with me. There was an African-​American woman having a pedicure as the rapping about n-​ggas was playing throughout the salon. Absolutely appalling! The manicurist mentioned it to her male co-​worker who thankfully changed it immediately.
There was a time when this salon allowed for purchase of a personal set of manicure implements. It was a one time fee and they were numerically numbered and stored. Suddenly a couple years ago they disappeared. This was one of the reasons I really liked this salon.
Additionally, after 10 visits they once offered a free service (I can’t recall if it was a pedicure or 5 min chair massage?). Now they charge $ 5 for a «loyalty» card ($ 2 replacement fee). After spending $ 100, they give you $ 5 back. Meh. This is another annoying practice — a loyalty card with a fee.
All in all it used to be a lot better salon. I see it slipping. I find myself frequenting this establishment less and less.

I told myself I wouldn’t go back again because of the last experience, but I guess because it’s the only place you can get into on short notice I went back. Every time I go I get the guy who couldn’t care less about doing my nails. I have to remind them to do things like file ALL of my calluses and clean under the nails. 90% of the time he’s looking around, paying no attention to his work. He doesn’t have to talk to me, he barely speaks English, but at least pay attention to your job. I’ve ended up for the third time in a row with a really crappy mani– pedi.

This is the first time I have ever had a neck massage included in my manicure, which was wonderful and definitely makes me want to click the «Yay! I’m a fan» 4-​star. Really enjoyed those 3 minutes with the warm towel, which made up for the fact that my manicure otherwise was a bit rushed and I was sad there was no cuticle soak. I was part of a larger group of 7 girls and we had to wait for about 20 minutes after our original reservation time for our appointments to start, which may explain why they went a bit quick.
Note: there’s 2 Star Nails and Spa locations in the area, this one in a strip mall in Middletown and another one in Newport itself. Their Unilocal pages have identical photos, although when I saw the ones on this page of the row of pedicure chairs I was surprised because it did not look nearly that nice in the location we were in. While the services ended up being great, several of us were surprised because we did not have a good first impression of the place when we first got there of the outside or the inside.

So glad to have found this place. I got a $ 15 manicure here as a walk in on a Thursday afternoon. Place is very clean, modern and calming. The gentleman working on me was very gentle and soft to the touch. He cut my cuticles and did everything perfectly. While my hands dried, he have me the best 3 minute massage ever! I was in heaven! I can’t wait to go pack and add a pedicure to list.

The best spa pedicure I have ever had. Would highly recommend it if you are visiting.

This is the best place. The prices are a bit high, but the service is incredible. The hot stone pedicure is heaven!

Amazing !!! My nails like new and neck massage while nails dry — highly recommended !

I had a very poor experience here. I was directed to sit at a manicure station that hadn’t been cleaned yet. There was finger nail clippings and polish on a paper towel. When the guy started my manicure he did not clean his station first. Normally there is a soap/​water dish to place one hand in while the other is being worked on. I dunno if he skipped this or doesn’t use this technique. He acted like I was an inconvience and continued to sigh, huff and puff while working on my nails. It was very rushed and I felt uncomfortable. He made me feel so uncomfortable that I didn’t let him finish his massage.
My nails turned out fine. But when I am going to pay 35 dollars to get my nails done I expect to be treated a little better.
Don’t plan on ever going back.

While they are a little steep in pricing compared to the other salons, it certainly is worth the extra few dollars. The manicures and pedicures are long lasting, and meticulously done. The energy is vibrant and bright, and it is always very busy. My favorite part is the 2 min back heated towel back massage that they give you as your nails are drying… it is the best! Another thing that is unique is all of the pedicure add-​ons… they are reasonably priced and give you a lot more than just the typical pedicure! It gives you a very spa-​like experience.
My favorite part is that they are the only place on the island open Sundays… thank you!

When I got a gift certificate to this place, at first I was scared because I had heard bad rumors of fungus, etc. But when I pulled up for my pedicure, the place was packed. I enjoyed a really great pedicure by Joanna. She was kind and spent a long time on the massages, unlike some of the people next to me who were getting the minimum treatment. Some of the men working there would try to push women into getting upgrades, but I think Joanna knew how to ask the right way and they should learn from her. I got the best french pedicure with callus remover!

I love Star Nails and drag everyone who is interested in a mani/​pedi here with me. Everyone has left very happy. The bonus neck and back massage at the end MAKES it. Plus, its super clean and even if there’s a line out the door (Yes, that’s right. Sunday mornings, that happens), the wait is never terribly long. Sure, its a little pricey, but so is everything else on Aquidneck.

Very happy every time I go.
Moderately priced.
Excellent mani, pedi, shellac, removal, and massage.
I always pay the $ 5 for the callous remover.
Every manicure comes with a Paraffin Wax treatment which is essential as a part of RI winter care.
They will offer but do not push their extra services.
The hot stone and green tea pedicures are a nice treat.

Star Nails is one of the better (affordable) nail salons in the area. It’s always clean and I’ve never had a long wait for a manicure or pedicure even when it’s really busy. They have waxing and massages but I’ve only ever had the manicure and pedicure.
Not all of the staff speak English but they are always pleasant and polite and will gladly call over another employee to help translate.
Pricing is not great but still decent and I feel you get better service here than at other nail places. They give you a short neck massage during a manicure and another short massage while your nails are drying.
They have massaging pedicure chairs and the baths always seem clean. The extra leg massage for an additional fee doesn’t seem worth it.
They use OPI and Essie nail polishes but they don’t seem to have the latest and greatest colors available. Maybe it’s because of the clientele but they don’t have many of the wild and crazy colors that are fun to try on a whim without having to buy a whole bottle.