I have been going to this salon on and off for 15 years.

My last visit was for a colour correction - dark brunette to blonde. I have had the same thing done before with a different salon and my hair turned out good. I booked the appointment with my regular, senior stylist. From the beginning it was obvious she was not comfortable doing my correction despite the fact that my hair is very... more

I was visiting Ottawa and dropped by York Street Spa on a whim. I figured the prices would be high but I went in anyway. The front desk staff was super nice and my stylist, Vanessa, had a wonderful personality and made me feel comfortable. She understood what I didn't like about my current cut and went about fixing it. The cut was okay but the verdict is out on whether I like it. Then again,... more

The spa is beautiful. Sitting getting a good quality pedicure (perfect and lasts forever) next to the full view windows of the courtyard is so charming and relaxing. I love the facials and massages as well. The hot stone massage was really special. Loved every hair cut I  ever got over the years with many different stylists.

I went here to dye my hair and it turned out really good cost about 230$. Until I went in to get my roots done they ended up being lighter than my hair and I was still charged around 230$. And now my roots are growing in again so I have the bottom dark brown, roots to my ears light brown, and then roots right at the top blond. I'll never go again.

I would never recommend this place it's over priced, and the place is not up to date. It's not a very modern looking spa.

Overpriced salon with average service. Spent there 3hrs for classic mani-pedi for no reason. Instead of cutting cuticles and removing dry skin, she is keep grinding my toes with nail file. Unpleasant experience for more thn a 100$.

Excellent facial by Marcia. Purely blissful pampering. Friendly and professional treatment from the reception staff. An attractive and luxurious space, well designed and maintained. Lovely aveda products targeted to address all my skin care issues. I left feeling totally relaxed and restored. Well done! Highly recommend.

I had high expectations for the manicure that I had scheduled due to the high price and the Aveda name but left quite dissatisfied. The polish was uneven and the edges choppy. I made mention of it at the time, however, when I said that I may require a third coat, the young lady attending to me said she didn't think it was necessary. When I got out in the daylight it was obvious that the... more

I bought a Groupon for Minerva Spa back in February which included a massage, a body wrap, a facial and a tea ritual. They made my appointment for March 20th from 1pm - 430pm which can leave 30 mins for the tea ritual.No1 phoned to let me know that they changed to York Street Spa. I randomly went to their website and saw the message and called myself. When I called they asked me to try to... more

Hair stylist. Make sure to ask for a senior (experienced) stylist, you might pay more but it worth while. Junior ones don't listen to your request, and cut as it pleases, with an uneven result. Very frustrating.

Please be advised prices on the York Street Spa website for couple treatments are deceptive, they are per person and NOT per couple. Last week my husband, who just came back from deployment, and I went for a couple days to Ottawa to reconnect. We were on a small budget, but wanted to treat ourselves with a couples massage. So we shopped around on prices and settled on York Street Spa because it... more

I went to YSS looking to find a new salon for my needs after 15 + years at another salon that was just taking me for granted and no longer listening to what I wanted. I arrived 10 m early for my apt. having made it clear that I had to be manicured, pedicured, and had my consultation, cut, partial foil colour, & styling within 5 hours at the latest as I had a dinner date at 7:00pm.I checked in... more

Had a spa package that cost over $260-not worth it at all. Worst manicure ever!!  after they touched it up.  Aesthetician was sweet, but staff at front desk very ignorant.  Went back to tell them that the manicure was lumpy and chipped -this is after they applied it and I had a facial while it dried. Would not recommend-for the price you pay here you can get way better service elsewhere in... more

On a recent day off, I was looking to indulge myself in a spa treatment. I opted for York Street Spa because I had the impression it was a more upscale, luxurious spa for Ottawa. The facility is entirely up-to-date and really beautiful. It was quite relaxing and the ambience in the spa was nice.

I came here for a pedicure and a manicure. Overall, the service I received from the esthetician was... more

Hi, I went in on impulse needed a fix for my tired, overgrown locks.  It had been 4 MONTHS since a professional last fixed my tresses, I walked in with those little plastic clips holding limp bangs off my face.  Carmella was the only one there early Monday morning (and you know what they say about Monday stylists.....) but was I ever lucky!  I felt an immediate affinity for her, and we had a... more

While visiting Ottawa, I gave in with my 2 months overdue hair appointment with my hair dresser. So i decided to cheat on her! -- Shame on me because she is the best I've ever had.

I was very nervous about trying a new salon that also out of town! I am glad I gave York a try. I walked in with no appointment and was hoping they're nice enough to fill me in. I forgot the name of the hairdresser... more

To use a gift certificate I had received, I went for a Caribbean Body treatment. It started off well but at some point the beautician took these rough gloves and vigorously massaged (scraped) my entire body. I'm the meek type as a client and figured she knew what she was doing so I didn't say anything, even though it was a bit hurtful. After the treatment, my legs looked all scratched and dead... more

I came twice to see Caitlin, before moving to Toronto, but after my stylist of 5 years moved out to the suburbs - never to be seen again! Caitlin is an excellent stylist and knows what she's doing with curls (especially mid-length ones). I left happy both times and am honestly considering visiting her when I'm in Ottawa next. I'd heartily recommend her for curly hair ladies, knowing how hard it... more

I went for a massage here without a specific recommendation, just for relaxation.
They asked if I minded a male RMT, and I said that was fine. Well, it was the worst massage I have ever had.
The RMT used bizarre super-fast motions that were not relaxing, and he pushed WAY too h@!%!*n tender parts. I usually like very deep massage and I am not very delicate, but it was PAINFUL.
He bruised the... more

Went for a hair appointment and despite the place seeming pretty empty, the wait was really long. The stylist, Cecilia, was rude and did not do a great job with my hair. It looked the same as I when I went in. Def not worth spending the extra bucks to come to this higher end ottawa salon. Won't be back.

Anyone who knows me knows I only trust my tresses to Aveda, so this spa was a no-brainer while I was livin' it up in O-town.
When I first started coming to this spa, I opted not to venture into the world of reflexology and massage, instead vying for quality hair indulgences. In the many years of clientship at York, the talented staff took amazing care of me and provided me with beautiful hair... more

I've been coming to this salon for about five years. Although pricey for the average student (no student discounts- sorry!), I needed something on par with my Aveda-Toronto hair dresser.

The salon welcomes you with friendly receptionists, coat check and free beverages. I recommend the Aveda tea.

Hair cuts, including scalp massage, wash and dry run about $70, without tip. However, they do... more

A pretentious "spa" where I experienced the worst massage of my life.

As a regular spa goer, I decided to bring my wife for a massage after a long week at work. What a mistake! I've told myself not to experiment with new massage therapists since I have a group of therapists I regularly use and am extremely happy with. I should have taken my own advice.

The therapist (Jason) was likely the... more

York Street Spa

The atmosphere was great (they offered me tea!), and the service was wonderful; however, I was disappointed with my cut. The hair stylist was clearly very skilled, yet she somehow completely misunderstood what I had described. I was actually so disappointed when I got home that I called to make a second appointment to get it fixed. They were perfectly nice about it, and had me come in the next... more

Mixed results

Probably one of the best haircuts I have ever had... however, I had a Brazilian wax, and the waxer was very very impatient, and it was way more painful that usual. I also got a horrible infection two days later. It seems very clean, so maybe it was just my body.

I was in ottawa on business and had to kill time until my next appointment. And thought to myself, wouldnt it be nice if I could get in a massage in this time, lo and behold, York Street Spa is right in front of me.

I walked in asked if they took Walk-ins for massage and they did, but didnt have any appointment for another hour. The receptionist who was nice and accomodating, told me the only... more

As a male, I don't exactly have extensive experience at spa's. However, after visiting the York Street spa with my girlfriend, that may change!

A much-needed massage was not only helpful, but invigorating. The services here are tailored to each individual's needs; they really pamper you here. According to my girlfriend, the quality of the equipment and friendliness of staff was over and beyond... more