The Spa at Sec-He

Palm Springs, CA

Booking date: July 2023

Website:  https://thespaatseche.com/

How to get there:  I drove from LA which is about a 2 hour trip with favorable traffic

Communication prior to booking: I received a confirmation email when I booked and a reminder email/ text the day prior. 

Reception/ checking in:  I don’t recommend walking here as I did. I repeat. Don’t walk even if you are a few blocks and it is in the morning.  The spa was a short distance from my hotel but it gets so hot there with no shade cover it was miserable. Apple maps was also showing their old location, which I went to first. I called to get redirected and the front desk staff was unable to help give me directions. When I finally arrived I got a curt, “sorry you had a rough morning”  instead of admitting their maps location was wrong and they need to be able to direct people when they are lost. 

Wait time:  none

Atmosphere:  The spa has an indoor/ outdoor feel in the waiting area and had a tranquil vibe throughout the inside. The antigravity chairs were all taken so I didn’t get to try those. Other guests using them were on their phones and one on their laptop, working. The pool was lively a lively scene/ party vibe.

Therapist:  I loved my aesthetician and the attention she gave me.  She was the only one to express concern about the tough check in process but since aesthetics is not my practice I will focus on the massage and therapist.  My therapist was nice.  She was fighting a cough the whole session though, trying to stifle it. I could tell what the problem was and finally said I would like it if she could drink some water to help.  It wasn’t a very relaxing 90 minutes. The massage techniques were also sub-par fo the price tag and facilities. 

Session:  The taking in the waters soak I was told was a strict 15 minutes. I grew up in Montana near many naturally occurring hot springs and am no stranger to soaks.  This set up felt like it was a money maker and sterile, taking advantage of a free natural resource. I was shown into the private soaking tub room and no one came to get me, nor was there a clock on the wall to tell me when my time was up. The said 15 minutes in there was definitely not abided by so I am not sure what all the fuss was ahead of time about when they didn’t enforce it and seem to have forgotten about me.  I eventually poked my head out since I couldn’t’ feel like I could truly relax or enjoy it since I had no way of knowing when my time was up and 15 minutes is such a short time. No one was around so I left the soak to go to the waiting room.

Once taken in for the massage I immediately smelled a strong, bad cologne when I entered the room.  I tried to ignore it knowing I have a very sensitive nose but once I was on the table it was overwhelming and unbearable.  I asked the therapist when she entered the room what the problem was and she said the sheets and face rest cover had been replaced. I asked for the face cover to be replaced again. From what I could gather, the smell seemed to be on the table from the previous guest and not just in the sheets. It was really awful. 

The table had a special crystal pad covering the table to lay on.  I didn’t notice any benefits from it. The arnica was also unnecessary and doesn’t have an effect unless you use it more the once, regularly for a while. Overall, I wasn’t a fan of the massage and couldn’t wait to be out of there but didn’t want to be rude. 

Checking out:  I discussed my experience and my feedback when I checked out. I was told a manager would follow up with me.  I waited a couple weeks and tried again.  I saw the great potential of the spa and services but also where they were falling short. I thought they would appreciate my feedback since it had just opened a few months prior to my visit. I never heard back to so reached out via socials and was told the manager was out of town and would get back to me.  Almost 3 years later, a manager never followed up. 

Cost:  $305 plus tip for the massage, $150 plus tip for the facial. Taking of the waters (hot springs soak) came with booking over $200 in services. Eyebrow shaping was $27. They did offer a AAA discount I took advantage of but was only 10% off services. 

What was done well: The facilities are well done and provide a nice tranquil getaway in the desert. I especially loved the waiting area with the indoor/ outdoor feel with the skylight, vegetation, and spring running through.  The pool area outside was also nice but should have noise restrictions. The changing area was also very well stocked with supplies you need and very well done.  

Needs improvement: So much needed improvement. I think when I visited they may have been working out the kinks of just opening.  Regardless, management should have followed up and been open to feedback. Maps and directions should be corrected and staff trained to help customers. More training for the front desk staff on how to turn around someone’s experience, especially when it is on them for things not going well. Therapists should be allowed to have water in the room to drink while working and should not be working when they are sick. The soak room should have a timer or someone to know when time is up if the timing is such an issue. Guests should be advised and not allowed in with overbearing perfumes and colognes.  Better cleaning practices to remove those scents from the room and table should be practiced between clients. Therapists should be more experienced and better trained. 

Would I rebook or go back: I would be open to going back now that they have been open for almost 3 years.  More likely, if my visit was paid for by the spa. I do make the most of every experience and did make a point to enjoy the moments I had here in the beautiful setting.

Rating: 30/100