Relax and Recharge… With a Massage!

For another entry on inexpensive kid-free escapes in Renton, I was forced to do a little research.  Let me say how miserable this experience was.

Or not!  While not wholely on the inexpensive side of things, a visit to Massage Envy at the Landing to take advantage of their $39 introductory special was a perfect recharge on a Saturday after a busy week. 

My visit started when I was ushered into their “quiet room” to complete my intake paperwork.  Soft lighting, a comfortable couch, a cool glass of water, and the light sounds of a fountain immediately helped take the edge off of a morning of running errands with a toddler.  I completed a couple of brief forms and relaxed for a few minutes while my therapist got my room ready.

With a little one due in June, I chose the one-hour pregnancy massage.  While this is not an option offered on their website, I called ahead to see if this was available.  Arastede has been offering prenatal massage for almost ten years, and I felt comfortable with her immediately.

As with all good massage therapists, she explained what she would be doing ahead of time.  The massage itself was exactly what I needed to feel like I’d had a longer break in my day than my schedule actually allowed.

Something to keep in mind is that this $39 massage is an introductory special.  This means that as you leave, they’ll provide you with information to try to sell you a membership to the entire chain of hundreds of Massage Envy franchises nationwide.  For a little under $100 a month, you can book discounted massages, hot stone treatments, and other therapies on the schedule of your choice.  The ladies at the Landing location were low-key with the sales pitch, but be aware that it will still be there.

Should you want to go back, repeat visits without a membership are $79 for a one hour massage, making the membership a good buy for anyone wanting more frequent treatments.  One benefit to Massage Envy over more traditional massage clinics are their operating hours: the Renton Landing location is open 8am to 10pm seven days a week, making it ideal for busy parents to squeeze something in somewhere!

If you choose to try out the $39 special, keep in mind that you’ll also need to tip your therapist.  As with a restaurant, a 15-20% tip on the full value of services is customary, meaning you’ll need to add that to your budget.  For the intro package, this will add $12 to $16 to your end bill.

Ultimately, for a one-time massage, it’s a better deal than you’ll find pretty much anywhere.  If you’re looking for a short escape that will make you feel like you’ve been away much longer, a massage might just be what you’re looking for!