Burke Williams Day Spa

Had to beat the 113 degree heatwave! Spa day!!! Haha any excuse for me to go to BW lol Since my beloved West Hollywood just closed its doors .and I was so underwhelmed by Santa Monica I made my way into the blistering valley hell hole to the Sherman Oaks gallery. Man o man .It is now officially my favorite location! Its like Pasadena and Weho had a baby. It suits my needs perfectly. The mens spa area is nice and dim and spacious, strong jacuzzi jets, cold deluge (not a cold plunge like weho grrr) wonderful dark quiet room, perfectly sweet lemonade and my favorite vanilla lemongrass tea!
And now my fav therapist (from weho) Lila is here!
Had the best BW facial from May. Omg her hands were amazing and she was super knowledgeable about skin. Had the Men’s facial with a hydroquinone/​vitamin C mask, mixed fruit acid mask and vitamin blast. Also had an amazing massage from Michael. His flow left me in an insanely relaxed state. I was neither here nor there. I think I may have drooled a little bit.
They also brought me frozen grapes when I was chillin in the quiet room. Dope! Amazing 5 star service.
Officially my number one. Lets see when Hollywood opens up if they can win me back.

Went here only once but had an incredible experience!

To start I can say that I am NOT a spa guy. Mom’s cooking, a drink and a comfortable chair are pampering enough for me, but my Doctor said that regular back facials might help my Keratosis Pilaris.
Although a lot of reviews for this place wail about the price, I shopped around for estheticians in the Valley and found that the member pricing at Burke can’t be beat. I pay about $ 110 with tip per 50 min back facial. There are some estheticians that are a little cheaper ($ 80 w/​tip), but many are just an introductory offer OR work out of their homes. They can’t compete with the value of the locker, showers, steam rooms, etc. You get at Burke. I was nervous about a common changing area but I usually go on Fridays between 4 & 6 and have never seen more that just one or two others in there.
There were some complaints here about talking in the waiting rooms, but I didn’t have any issue talking in any of the spaces, except the Quiet Room, where you’re not supposed to be talking.
The service is great. The ushers and cleaning staff are very courteous and discreet. The estheticians that have worked on me have uniformly been extremely professional (in appearance & their work area) and very knowledgeable. None had any doubt about working with my skin condition and all knew exactly what it was. Each made me feel very comfortable and NOT like I was some fop. I’ve always left feeling extremely relaxed and knowing the tip was deserved.
I did not rate five stars only because their front office staff seems so hopeless. Consistently the exact opposite of the staff in the spa. Each time I go there is some hold up or weird issue when charging. It feels like they are always training new people. Fortunately, there is at least one person there that is experienced and resolves issues, only there are usually more people there than that person can handle.
Going to try the massages next.

Always great service and very clean, I recently got a membership and went last week to use 2 of my services. Love this place!

I have visited this spa Sherman Oaks location twice, Bad got Worse. I was given a complimentary service for my second visit based on a horrific first visit where my service was cut short from 50 minutes to 30 minutes. The excuse I was given is that I unfortunately booked the service during a shift change. I complained to management and was given a complimentary service for another time. After receiving the second service, they could not find it in the system, CONVENIENT! Thankfully, I brought the email with me, but unfortunately, it was still not honored… glitch in the system! I had to pay for it. When I complained to the manager that offered it to me she admitted it was a mistake on their part and could RE-​issue me another gift card reimbursement for a future service. I have declined the gift card as I will never go back! Terrible experiences! NOT RECOMMENDED!
*UPDATE: Following the posting of this review and a review left on Burke Williams Corp office, I received a telephone call from Sherman Oaks Manager offering to refund the complimentary service that I had to pay for. No apologies, just a refund. I never heard back from corporate.

Just had a really bad experience at the Burke Williams in Sherman Oaks. They refused to honor a coupon that was emailed to me by their corporate office. And they made me feel completely humiliated as the line of people backed up behind me, while the counter girl left to discuss my issue with her invisible manager. Didn’t help that it was the night before Mother’s Day, and they were understaffed to handle all the people arriving late to buy gift certificates for their mom. So I’m standing there for ten minutes while eight people were getting very angry behind me. I didn’t really care what the services cost, I simply didn’t want to be ripped off. And I’m so angry and stressed right now that the very expensive massage I just had was a total waste.
Of course, there is no need for this at all, if they simply allowed you to pay for services up front when you make the reservation. If there was any issue with their coupon, I could have been told that upfront, and resolved the issue and paid my bill on the phone, without wasting anyone’s time or arguing with staffers AFTER my massage. But they won’t let you pay in advance. The last thing I want to do after my message is argue with some under experienced counter person, and make others wait for me. It’s totally lame. And I won’t return to this spa.

I just had a fantastic anti-​aging facial at this location. It is my favorite Burke Williams location and I LOVE coming here. I also have had massages and spa passes here and it is just amazing every time. My skin looks flawless and feels nourished, the facilities are fabulous and the staff all amazing!!! I love coming to Burke Williams Sherman Oaks — can I please live here?!

I want to start off by saying that I am Burke Williams member so my experiences here may be different than everybody else’s. I got suckered into getting a membership when I came in for the first time with my sister in law and was blown away by this place. My massage was so amazing and I was so impressed by the amenities that I got into a year long contract. My contract is technically over but I have remained as a member, despite my busy schedule. $ 89 a month does not seem so much when you have all these amenities to enjoy. I have tried many of their services and can say that BW is a place to feel relaxed and pampered. You do not come here to actually get work done. Let me elaborate…
I think their facials are a joke. They do not clean out your pores like you would expect from a facial. When I get facials, I like someone to really get deep into my skin and clean out my pores and blackheads. You won’t get that here. They don’t use tools for extractions, only a tissue to push out whatever they can get. Their massages, on the other hand, are very relaxing. I have only done the pure relaxation so I can’t say much about the other ones. I did their signature Savannah’s Surrender a few months ago and it was quite a fun experience. You’re naked during the entire session, but you should know this going to Burke Williams. I have gotten a scrub similar to this at another spa in Montrose and I would like to say that I enjoyed the other treatment more. I almost feel like BW is scared to actually scrub hard or get into your pores deeper because of their clientele. They do not want a customer complaining that they got scratched during the scrub because the masseuse was too rough with them. Anyway, I love the ambiance of BW and I will hold onto my membership for as long as they make me happy. I did want to add that Alexandra at the front desk is amazing and has helped me with crediting my account for missed months. I am currently in grad school so I cannot always make it out there but I am hoping this will soon change for summer vacation. I would give them 5 stars if my facials actually cleared my face rather than just making it feel good.

I must say that I enjoy coming to this Burke Williams. Ive tried other facilities but the thing I like about this location is that it is small and more secluded! I always come every month for different types of treatments and since I am a member I like to enjoy all the perks of this place. I come early and try to get my appointments by 9am and on the weekdays so I can enjoy the peace and quiet before it gets packed!
They have a lounge area where you wait to be called and I like to sit there just before I start my treatment to grab some water refreshments and sit by the fire, listening to soothing sounds of the music! Like I mentioned Ive tried so many differ t therapists but this experience I just had the past few days was definitely one I cant forget! I had Morgan (Asian lady in her mid 40’s) and when I met her she knew right off bat how tense my body was! I told her what areas to focus on and she did! I also added the hot stones which I always add these to my treatments every month, but her style was quite different and used in a more soothing technique! I cant wait to schedule my next appointment with her! Definitely felt like a new person once I got done with my 80minute pure relaxation treatment!

Literally my second home!!! And it’s 3 min from my actual home… My fav is the Wet Room w Chauncy as she is amazing!!! And for my pure relaxation massage I love Sonny and Candice! Get your head face and ears massaged and u will be in heaven!!!

I love this place. I got a gift certificate for a 50 min massage and use the facility. I was in my robe, with lemonade in hand, used the steamroom, the sauna, the jacuzzi, showered, relaxed and then got my massage. My robe was put in a heater. The massage was Soooo Relaxing. 4 hours later, I asked about membership.
Now, it’s $ 89/​mo, but if you like massages and a little mini getaway from reality once a month, I think it’s totally worth it.
Now, I’ve been a member for several months. I’ve had 4 massages and 1 facial. I’ve had a lady masseuse who I just felt was a beginner. Too light, seemed nervous, was pretty disappointed. There are 2 male masseauses that I request who are just excellent.
The facial was very relaxing, my face was clean, but she did forget to massage my feet which I asked the manager about and he totally appreciated that I brought it up because I was supposed to get a foot massage… he comped me for 4 hrs parking. Still, I thought the facialist was great and she totally pampered me (just not my feet).
The facility is clean, calm, relaxing, enjoyable. I enjoy the quiet room and the rest of the ammenities.
So, if you are a massage addict like me, enjoy being pampered and appreciate «me» time at least once a month, the membership is totally worth it. Even if you miss a month, it carries over and if you want to do more than once a month, you get a discount.

Loved it!
Yes, it is expensive. My first visit was a gift by a close friend of mine (thank you Pargev Grigoryan!) However, it isn’t just a massage… rather it’s an experience. From the moment you walk in, you enter a world of relaxation, soft ambiance, aroma therapy and a place that takes you away from the problems of life on the other side of the doors of Burke Williams.
If you buy a membership, you get steep discounts so be sure to check those packages out before coming here. $ 120 vs $ 90 with a membership. Here is the direct link with prices and packages:
What I loved:
— Enjoy a nice conversation in their quiet room.
— No phones allowed. Instead, they offer a phone booth to use so that you do not disturb others.
— Great amenities! Sauna, steam room, jacuzzi, showers, all of your bathing, showering and shaving needs are provided.
— They offer delicious fruit infused water, lemonade (although a little too much sugar for my liking), and my favorite… frozen grapes! Yum!
— Staff are excellent, kind, soft spoken and spoil us with attention.
— I received a deep tissue massage from Veronica and she was just fantastic. Her hands are magical. After my 50 minute massage, I was light headed from relaxation.
I will be treating myself here at least once every couple of months. Nothing like a great day spa for a stressed, hard working man with a huge amount of responsibilities like me. It allows me time to recover, get my head straight, refocus and conquer life’s obstacles.
About Burke Williams Spa
The original urban Day Spa, Burke Williams first opened in 1984, redefining and elevating the spa experience to a new art form. Our facilities incorporate the finest elements of a world-​class European spa. Our dedicated, professional therapists will treat you to the ultimate in relaxation and renewal.
A Spa Is Born
In the early-​1980s, Bill and Theresa Armour were an over-​worked businessman and over-​wrought stay-​at-​home mom. They needed to get away, find an escape that would restore their minds and bodies so they could keep up with their fast-​paced lives! Back then, luxury massages and top-​of-​the-​line skincare were only available in the finest destination hotels. Who had the time or money for such indulgences?
Their Solution? The Day Spa!
Burke Williams is designed as a place where the ambitious career individual and the perpetually tired parent can escape the demands of life – without dismantling their day-​to-​day schedules. Still owned and operated by the Armours, the company opened its doors in Brentwood where Bill and several friends performed the treatments themselves!
Today, ten facilities across California are, and have always been, inspired and built by friends and family. Nearly three decades later, with hard work and the loyal support of guests, Burke Williams continues to be the world’s finest day spa.

I had a mani/​pedi here on 11÷13÷5. I’ve also had a massage here awhile back and it was very good as well. My technician was very nice and did an awesome job! They give a neck wrap and blanket while you sit in a comfy chair. My favorite part was the steamer they use for the pedicure. Unlike the typical water tubs you put your feet in this is hygenic and stays warm the entire time. The ambiance is very relaxing and beautiful as well.

This place is okayyyyy. Personally me I much rather go to the Korean Day spas or those cheap $ 20 – 25 foot massages places. I ended up coming here and getting a 80 minute massage along with the facial. The massage was a joke it was supposed to be a detox massage but the only thing that I saw was that she used oil and than sprinkled some pepper or something on my back and rubbed it in and that was it, I don’t know what’s detoxifying about that. Yes massaging the body gets toxins out but I didn’t get what the whole sprinkling pepper or whatever she did on me. The massage was average, personally I have had wayyyy better. My facial though was nice, I actually enjoyed the massage more that my esthetician gave me than my actual masseiuse. If you have time to use the ammenities yes it’s nice but I personally don’t care for frozen grapes and all that. I liked their sauna/​steam room but you can go to any sauna/​steam room if you have a gym membership. Nothing here really stood out.
This place is extremely overpriced, if you go to one of those Korean day spas you can get more bang for your buck and their rooms are better. I wouldn’t return here again unless I had a gift certificate like I did I wouldn’t even waste my money even with the 20 percent off I got on the massage it was so not worth it. Oh and the fact that you have to walk from the spa back to the parking lot it’s like doing the walk of shame and it’s right next to the 24 hour fitness and damn what if you don’t want people to see you. Ha-​whatever I’m over this place. It’s just the name and I wouldn’t go back.

I’ll start my review by saying I am not someone who spends a lot if any time at the spa, getting massages, or getting manicures. I have had 3 manicures in my life and 1 professional massage. Overall, I much prefer pampering myself at home.
I received a gift certificate from work for Burke Williams and decided to bring my Mom along for the afternoon. She had a facial/​wax treatment done and I opted for the Spa Manicure. The staff was incredibly friendly and helpful, from the moment we walked in to the moment we left. I am also not one to treat these people like my servants, and sadly it was clear that most of the clientele feels otherwise. I watched as people ignored the people who were doing everything to ensure a good experience for us as the customers.
The whole place smelled great, dim lighting, very clean. You get a locker to put your purse, clothes, etc. and are escorted into one of two waiting rooms where you can sip on cucumber water, lemonade or hot tea. My Mom and I apparently missed the memo that whispering is frowned upon, as we got some hilarious glares from the uptight Angelenos seated around us. This made us giggle more.
My manicurist was a really lovely gal and we had a nice conversation — I told her up front she was free to talk to me as much as she wanted and you could tell she was immediately put as ease. She did a great job on my nails, they were shaped absolutely perfectly and the color I chose was a great gunmetal black, perfect for the week leading up to Halloween. The lotions and hand/​arm massage were especially soothing.
Compared to the normal «nail salon» atmosphere, I would choose this again every time. No chemical smells, you get to sit in a comfy with your feet up and no nail technicians talking to each other and ignoring you or your wishes the whole time.
Only downside — not a huge fan of The Galleria and it was not well marked from where I parked in the structure to get to BW. However, I was happily surprised when they validated my parking ticket and I didn’t have to pay a thing!

So disappointed in today’s service, or lack thereof. I’ve been going to the Sherman Oaks location for quite a few years and after today, will not be going back.
I arrived 40 mins early to find out that my masseuse would not be in. I drove far and ended up having to cancel the 2 appointments I had made for today. The girl behind the counter offered nothing so I had to ask for the manager. All the manager did was offer 20% off of my next massage, except I always get their emails with the coupons in it. There would be zero difference.
So, I took my business to another spa closer to home within Ventura County. Similar in price, but better customer service.
Farewell Burke Williams. You will not be missed.

You know it’s a good day when you’re planning to go to Burke Williams. The massage is great and the customer service is awesome, but the spa amenities is why I love this place. I sometimes look forward to just relaxing in the quiet room more than my scheduled massage. It’s hard to not give this place a 5-​star rating.
A little tip, they recommend you arrive 30 minutes prior but try showing up 2 hours in advance. That way you’ll have time to enjoy some time in the jacuzzi, the quiet room, and just relax. Also, if you get hungry the staff will bring you frozen grapes, honey dipped apples and other random fruits. Just an overall awesome experience.

I’m pretty darn happy with this Spa!
Memberships & Massage Times: I have the Essential membership for $ 89 a month, so I go once a month. Their monthly specials are always great– it allows you to try all of their different add-​ons for free with an 80 minute massage. I’ve done an add-​on with a 50-​min massage, and 50 mins isn’t enough, it feels rushed. The 80 minutes is very much worth it! I inquired about upgrading to the 2^nd level membership above the Essential, and I was informed that it’s not worth it. You get the same deals and more bang for your buck with the Essential :)
Favorite Massage Add-​ons: Burke Williams Experience & Hydrating Body Polish! The BW add on is really awesome– it includes aroma therapy, Chinese herbs, a scrub, stones, etc. It’s a very special experience. Everyone needs a body polish– scrub off all the dead skin leaving it super soft and hydrated, smells great and feels good!
Staff, Cleanliness, & Amenities: Everything is super clean!!! Staff is extremely friendly and helpful, and it’s customer service at its best. When I brought my Mom for a spa day for her BDay, the staff surprised her with a beautiful fruit platter that said «Happy Birthday» in chocolate and gave her extra special attention :) Robes are big and soft, sandals for all sizes. Love the towels too– super soft! Amenities that I love and use are steam room, jacuzzi, showers, fruit-​infused water, and you must try The Quiet Room!!! Wanna pass out for 20 mins after a melting massage? Go into the quiet room where it’s super dim, has aroma therapy, curl up with a comfy Sherpa blanket and pass out! Super quiet, comfy, and ultra relaxing.
Recommended massage routine: Show up an hour before your services. Go in the steam room for about 20 mins to set the tone for your spa day. Relax, breathe breathe breathe. It relaxes your muscles too so that your massage is even more effective. Go to lounge for a cup of tea and enjoy the relaxing music while you wait for your appointment. Get massage. Go to quiet room for 20 mins. Enjoy the jacuzzi. Then shower.
The only problem I have, which I know is hard for BW staff to control, is the noise. People can be so disrespectful, and I feel like a B sometimes asking people to be quiet. It ruins the spa and relaxation experience when women want to talk loudly and just not have any regards for other people around them. It doesn’t happen often, but when it does, it’s very annoying!!!
Products: highly recommend the H2V products for your face! It’s exclusive to BW. I have tried every high-​end facial product out there, and H2V is not only the best but it’s very reasonably priced. BW also has a promotion for members about every 2 months– 20% off the H2V products so that’s when I stock up.
Give BW a try– you’ll be happy you did :)

Tips:
**Valet parking at the Galleria is $ 8
**Validation for parking is only given for 4 hours, after that its like .75 cents per half hour with a $ 20 max
** Located next to 24 hour fitness
** Cheesecake Factory and El Torito Grill located in the same plaza
I stopped in for a full day worth of spa services and had an amazing time. Bare in mind this was not my first visit to this location but I had more services with this visit then my last visit.
The customer service staff is very friendly and will attend to your needs if asked. The on-​site concierge is there to help you manage your day, schedule extra appointments, get extra towels, a new robe, or even order lunch. I asked the concierge to have lunch waiting for me after my 75 minute service and like clock work I was met in the lounge after my service and my lunch was given to me from Cheesecake Factory. My understanding is that they only order lunch Monday-​Friday so keep that tip in mind if you’re visiting the spa on the weekend.
I would recommend starting your day with a spa bath. TIP (Spa bath is free for pregnant women) This is a 20 minute bath that is heavenly. You can book your bath in a room alone and sit there and relax in hot water with power jets running. The room does come equipped with 2 baths. Be sure to let the host know that you prefer to have a bath alone (if that is your perfenece). During the bath cucumbers are placed over your eyes and a warm towel, while you lay back and relax. Half way through the bath you’re given a glass of flavor infused water and served frozen grapes, oranges and apples.
Next I would recommend a massage (see their website for choices). I chose to try their new Emilee Infused massage. At first I wasn’t a fan but after 15 minutes I really started to feel relaxed. This massage isn’t for those who aren’t a fan of heat. You will get SWEATY during this massage. They wrap you in a lot in heated towels and the bed is also heated. You can ask to not have your scalp massaged (if you do not want your hair to be touched).
Their spa style facials are also amazing. Their facials also include a mini foot massage, a paraffin hand dip and hand massage.
The women’s spa facilities include an aroma therapy hot tob, mist room, steam room (wet and dry). Also, there are amenities to wash your hair, clean your face, comb your hair, etc.
The women’s spa and Mens spa are separate but is Co-​Ed in the common lounge areas. This means if you’re looking to enjoy a spa day with your opposite sex partner/​friend then this isn’t the spa for you. This spa caters to a «girls» day or «guys» day or an ALONE day. Its more of a relaxing venue. If you’re looking for a girls day to chit chat, talk and catch up, this is a quiet spa and you will be told to «pipe down». (Which I like).
If you’re looking for a nice spa day away… bust out your check book because I do recommend Burke Williams!

Let’s start this with the cliché, «you get what you pay for» —and more! I am an absolute fan of this Day Spa (specifically this location, though I’m sure service compares across the board).
The staff are welcoming, helpful and responsive to individual guests needs. The atmosphere here is so relaxing –unlike some spas where you feel a bit judged by everyone walking around. They also have so many amenities and spaces for you to relax, and provide fresh naturally flavored water, apples/​bananas/​oranges to snack on while you wait for treatments or in between using the different amenities.
I’ve only received massages here and utilized their sauna, steam room, quiet room and showers. But every single time I walk out of there feeling like a new women!
Highly recommend –if you don’t want to splurge on yourself, buy a gift certificate for that very special someone!