The Buff Day Spa

I ve been in this spa couple of times, but the last was not really good experience. I did facial and back massage. Massage was great. Facial wasn’t. I still have my black dots on the face, I thought it’s just waist of money. Girls I wouldn’t recommend do facial in the buff day spa.

This is a tough one and it is is a 3.5 star rating, really.
I’ve been going to The Buff Day Spa for about 10 years now. Right in the middle of the city, it used to be convenient for me, back in the days when I worked in D2.
As handy as a city centre location is, it is never quiet. The spa has a newly done up relaxation area which unfortunately isn’t very relaxing: you hear all the street noises including the busker who’s always outside the Gaiety. I’m not saying his music is noise but it does take away from the spa experience. The noise pollution also applies to some treatment rooms which is especially bad if you’re getting a massage.
Massages and facials are what I come here for, the nail services are too expensive for what you get and the pedicure stations are uncomfortable and too ‘on display’.
I book the same 2 therapists for years and if they were ever to leave, I’d leave with them. And that is the main reason why I keep coming back: the quality of treatment provided by therapists Ciara and Niamh. The odd times my request for either therapist was mixed up or overlooked and someone else did the treatment instead, I never felt it was worth the money. And cheap it isn’t! Expect to pay 55Euro for 30minute back massage and 75Euro for a Dermalogica facial.
Having said that, they do have a small sauna upstairs that you can use before your massage to help loosen those muscles and it is complementary. They also do have monthly special offers, usually combined treatments for a slightly better price.

I had just a wonderful experience getting a facial at Buff Day Spa. First of all, I had to change my appointment last minute two times, and they didn’t give me a hard time at all. They simply said, ‘No problem,’ and rescheduled the appointment. When I finally went, I got there about 30 minutes early, so I could relax in the relaxation room, which was just lovely: I recommend getting there early if you can so you can enjoy, too! There’s also a sauna and a shower, if you’re into that.
The facial was nice and relaxing. The therapist used Dermologica products — very good stuff! I felt cleansed and refreshed after. It’s pricey, but what spa isn’t?

I have been here before an loved it. I was sent a email from them giving me a free mini facial for myself and a friend so we jumped at this.
My beauty therapist was Paula and she was absolutely fantastic. Really bubbly personality an really explained everything truly so you knew what was going on.
Although it was only 15mins I left feelin rejuvenated an was offered some free herbal tea an a seat to relax after.
This place is a treat and I will be returning again soon for a longer facial :)

First of all, I went in for a shellac mani/​pedi and my hands and feet came out looking BUFF. Second, despite the name, everyone is not in the BUFF (although their prices are so steep that you might leave without your shirt…).
My main quibble is that they didn’t check my coat, etc., and I was reBUFFed when I asked to use a space in the locker room that I saw upon entering. I was instead directed to leave my coat and purse in a nearby chair (and my boots, socks, and shopping bag on the floor next to it). Luckily, I could keep on eye on my belongings. Not adding to my serenity (and probably not to theirs), everyone else in the main treatment room could, too! A steady stream of clientele emerged from the locker room wearing robes and clogs, another privilege denied to me as I was also asked to walk barefoot across the floor for my pedicure. Boo! Cold, but not cool! At least the technician brought my footwear to me AFTER my pedicure.
Buff has recently been renovated and looks lovely, but form doesn’t necessarily follow function. Pedicures are performed at a tiled wall installation that serves no one well. You have to climb up to an inordinately high tiled wall bench (it was a stretch for me, and I’m 5’9″). It is straight-​backed, lacking arm rests, and just not very comfortable to sit upon (even with the couple of pillows provided). It also features built-​in foot basins, which seem senseless to me, given the lack of piped-​in water. I can’t understand the point of creating this type of tile installation without the associated plumbing. The manicurist literally had to carry water across the large room. (I’d pull the plug on this tiled monstrosity, but, if they are going to use it, they should at least move the water heater/​cooler source closer — or get a second one.) And, due to the lack of arm rests and the minimal space between the foot basins, a manicure cannot be performed at the same time as a pedicure (resulting in additional time for client and spa — not good for a customer who might be in a hurry — fortunately, I was not — or for their bottom line). That the pedicure was very thorough and took a long time would normally be a positive for me, but not when I couldn’t relax back or even rest my arms. At this price level, I expect cushy, reclining — perhaps even massaging! — chairs.
And, some people might not care, but reading some quality fash trash (oxymoronic and I know it) is one of my delights in going to a salon, and the reading choices need to be buffed up. I was given two thin magazines, which I quickly devoured and these weren’t replenished.
Buff is a nice, quiet retreat upstairs from King street, and my nail treatment was great (manicure lasted two weeks, pedicure at least four), but it could have been a real treat. Overall, I see it as aesthetically pleasing, but felt that the pleasure was only skin deep.

I’ve never treated myself to something like this. It took me two years to accumulate birthday vouchers before I got up off my tense ass and descended upon The Day Buff Spa with knotted muscles at the ready.
I decided upon the Mud Massage Therapy Body Treatment, which costs € 110 and lasts 80 minutes. It consists of a body wrap of earth clays and natural oils, followed by a complete Swedish Body Massage.
I’ve never felt so pampered. The receptionist was ultra friendly. She handed me a towelling robe, sandals and a disposable thong (which didn’t exactly cover much). She asked if I had a bobbin to tie up my hair with. I replied that I had.
«Because if you hadn’t, I would have got one for you,» she said sweetly.
Damn, I spoke too soon! (I’m a lover of the free things.)
I was escorted by my masseuse (let’s call her «Pleasure») to a dark, heated room. The sound of relaxing music and crashing waves eased my nerves of being massaged almost naked by a stranger. She said I had a great tan and that I looked Swedish. Nothing like a few compliments to put a woman at ease.
Pleasure spread mud all over, enveloped me in cling-​film, then proceeded to give me a head massage. Everyone should have head massages at least once a week. Bosses should hire masseuses to massage their employees’ heads at regular intervals. Our politicians, national sports people, scientists, astronauts and beer-​makers shouldn’t be allowed do what they do ’til they’ve had their obligatory skull rub.
I had so many endorphins crashing around my noggin, I thought my brain would explode.
Pleasure then wrapped my now green body in a towel, walked me to the shower, adjusted the temperature and gave me another pair of disposable undies. She asked if I knew my way back downstairs, gave me directions and I still managed to walk in on a poor woman mid-​massage.
Pleasure told me the best was yet to come. She gave me a full Swedish massage. I never knew your shins could be erogenous… Yes, my mind still wandered and I pondered on money and holidays and men and Facebook and even this review but there were moments when Pleasure kneaded me deep that I could think of nothing and let myself go with the wonderful sensations.
Afterwards, Pleasure took me to the relaxation room, made me a mint tea, handed me a couple of magazines and told me to stay as long as I wanted.
And no lads, she didn’t ask me if I «want happy ending». I might need to save up three years of birthday vouchers for that…