Ashmead College is a school of massage, so I went in with lower expectations. I was pleasantly surprised to find a very well-trained staff, excellent students, and a relaxing environment. For $30 an hour, it's WELL worth the price.
My husband and I have gone on a fairly regular basis for the last couple of years. The caliber of the students does vary a bit; we've each had massages that were phenomenal and massages that were not quite up to par. But the comment sheet at the end allows you to give valuable constructive feedback to the students. And of course, you can always give feedback during the massage as to your own likes and dislikes.
While it is very relaxing, it is not so much a spa-like environment. There are a couple of large carpeted classrooms that have a number of curtained areas for privacy. The light is dim and it is very respectful and quiet, but it can be a bit disconcerting to hear someone moaning a few curtains away if you're not expecting it. (Usually the soft music keeps that type of thing fairly well masked, but not always.) You won't have to undress in front of anyone else, obviously; you have your own area. But if you're a very private person, you might not appreciate the setup as much.
Also, the instructor always checks in during the massage to see if the student needs any assistance or has any questions, and also to make sure you're okay. Again, they are always very respectful and I've never found it intrusive, but I have friends who kind of freaked out a little about this.
I really love going to Ashmead and I am happy to continue to support them in every way possible. Any minor inconveniences I might experience are more than offset by the incredible price (far less than half the going professional rate), and the fantastic massage. It's well worth a visit--but don't be surprised if you find yourself coming back again and again.
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