The Spa at Boar's Head Resort

“My gal pal and I came into Charlottesville for a gals trip. We were looking for an upscale spa experience and it appeared that Boars Head was the most elevated we could get. Pros: very clean. The front desk area, locker room, showers, bathrooms, steam sauna, lounge. All very clean and well maintained. The front desk staff were also very friendly and well-informed. It was mostly quiet, although as I was relaxing in the lounge post-facial, at one point the front desk woman threw the door to the lounge open while directing another staff member to which plants needed water at a volume like it was a restaurant or other space that isn’t meant for quiet. It was jarring. Loved the steam room and showers were great. Although the lounge is quite small, it was relaxing. Cons: the ridiculous overpricing of their spa services takes away from absolutely everything. For the prices they charge, there should be luxury teas (they were out of one of the only three they offer), fruit water, better more gourmet snacks, and more luxurious surroundings. There should be access to more than just a steam room (and pool, which was seasonally closed when we visited). Their offerings just seemed very minimalistic and sparse for an establishment that charged me over $300 for a facial ($205 facial + 17% automatic gratuity + 5% service charge—for what I have no idea—+ $50 hydra eye booster) and almost $400 ($205 facial + 17% automatic gratuity + 5% service charge—for what I have no idea—+ $50 hydra eye booster + $50 hydra lip booster) for the same for my friend. Our facials were lovely. The attendant was professional, kind, and very adept. She was not the issue. The issues were that we paid that much for facials that felt rushed (they only give her 45-50 mins to complete her services, and that includes any add-on treatments. If you just get a facial—45 minutes. If you add two expensive upgrades—it’s still 45 minutes.) I added the hydra eye booster for $50. My friend added the same plus a hydra lip booster. All took about 2 minutes and showed zero signs of any effect. Truly—we received facials that 100% should not have cost over $100. As I said, if the environment and extras were impressive, I could see perhaps charging a price that is slightly more elevated. But if you’re going to charge $300 and $400 for facials, they shouldn’t be run of the mill. They should literally be brag-worthy, which even at $100 they would not have been because we literally got $100 facials. Frankly, we both felt we were over charged and underserved. I’ve had countless facials that were less than half the price and just as good, if not better.”

— Elizabeth Craig, Google Review

“TLDR; lazy massage therapists, awkward flow, clean(ish) modern facilities. To start off with the good- the spa was overall recently renovated so for the most part things were clean and nice. The front desk was extremely friendly and showed me around and had great tips and were very sweet. The bad: the massages were heavy petting at best. My partner and I had 50 min massages, with I specifically getting the Monticello treatment (massage with hand/feet scrub). I felt very rushed during my experience. It was very much more similar to an experience at massage envy rather than a high end spa. During the massage itself, I asked for medium/deep pressure and it was nowhere close to that. I should’ve spoken up but it’s hard when I feel shy and I usually wait for when the therapist asks me how the pressure, but that never came. It was also very uneven from side to side and had no flow. At one point, after she had me turned around she was massaging up by my shoulder and she just stopped half way… perhaps to do a “pressure point” but I opened my eyes and she was just staring off into the distance, making me feel like she sort of zoned out. It was honestly stressed the entire time because it felt like I was always waiting for the massage to begin and thinking to myself if I should speak up. I thought maybe it was just me but my partner reported that his pressure and his flow was the same. No pressure and each side was very uneven. Just seemed very lazy. And then the coed lounge area is mostly a corridor between the different hallways. So not very relaxing before your treatment. And for a place that is charging you $190 for a massage, it’s weird when you see therapists helping themselves to the tea/refreshments and having some small talk, while patrons are waiting in the same room. I’m not saying they don’t deserve some treats/breaks but maybe it should be in the staff room? Steam room was great. My shower had hair all over the walls. It seems like they are riding on their coattails of being attached to the Boar’s head resort and namesake. But truly save your $150+ per person(and whatever 17% automatic tip they are charging you) and just go to a massage parlor.”

— Elizabeth Hoang, Google Review

“Went to this spa during a bachelorette weekend last weekend and was not impressed. Our group booked spa services and when we arrived there were no lockers available for anyone because people who were using the pool had occupied the lockers. They either need more lockers or the people who are coming just to spend time at the pool shouldn’t be able to take up a locker. The massage itself Was not great. I had booked a Swedish massage with Melissa And asked for more pressure to be applied to my shoulders twice throughout the massage and basically my massage was like a light rub down with oil. Definitely not worth the $165 I paid for and It’s not even a 60 minute massage, It’s only 50 minutes. 20% gratuity is automatically added, which I don’t agree with especially if you’re not happy with your service. Made my total &190 ish. I just don’t agree with the prices for the service. that massage should’ve been $80 at most. Everyone in our bridal party had booked a hand and foot scrub and nobody received the service. I guess that Service fell through the cracks and didn’t get booked properly. It was clean, but it is very small. Nothing overly great about this place and the pool is Nothing to be desired. This place is way overpriced.”

— Maegan, Google Review

“If you are reading this save your money and go elsewhere. This was the worst massage my wife and I have each ever had. Both of us had the same experience with two different modalities. No pressure with inconsistent and aimless technique. Random oily petting followed by long stretches of the same light circular motion as the masseuse seemed to stare of into space and forget that they were in the middle of a massage. Both of us asked for particular focus and both of us barely had that part of the body incorporated into the massage. Then at the end the automatic 17% tip because they don’t pay their masseuses enough. don’t pay for the spa premium because there is nothing to speak of and just go to a dedicated massage parlor.”

— Brian Graves, Google Review

“I recently had a deep tissue massage with Christopher, and it was nothing short of fantastic! From the moment I walked in, his professionalism was evident. The technique he used was well-executed, targeting all the areas of tension and providing immediate relief. I left feeling rejuvenated and relaxed. If you're looking for a skilled massage therapist who truly knows their craft, I highly recommend Christopher!”

— knwisecup, Google Review