Services Offered
Verified by Business
Reflexology in 8 reviews
Deep Tissue Massage in 2 reviews
Body Scrubs in 1 review
Swedish Massage in 1 review
Facial Treatments in 3 reviews
Body Massages in 1 review
Body Treatments in 1 review
Skin Extractions in 1 review
Review Highlights
“Melinda immediately took charge and determined that I needed reflexology and myofascial release.” in 19 reviews
“Jackie was extremely delicate with every part of my body and she knew exacting where I needed work.” in 6 reviews
“I struggle with rosacea, and the products she uses (esthederm) helped me so much - my skin is far less irritated now, which is awesome.” in 2 reviews
Location & Hours
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Amenities and More
About the Business
Business owner information
Melinda N.
Mon Sanctuaire is a studio designed to provide a healing atmosphere for our clients. We offer a wide range of holistic therapeutic services as well as traditional ones. Reiki, Reflexology, Craniosacral therapy, remote and in salon Healing sessions. No need to worry which service is right for you we will help you decide. We use and sell Institute Esthederm skin care. Institute Esthederm is an exclusive, independently owned French Skincare range that is based on over 30 years of research and over 80 proven patented formulas. Instead of looking for external, temporary solutions, we are interested in re-educating skin, teaching it to repair itself.
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Overall rating
39 reviews
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- Jennifer V.Fort Washington, MD1102Nov 13, 2023
Taylor did a great job with my back and accommodated my requests since I am dealing with chronic pain. I would definitely go back to see her.
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Melinda N.
Nov 17, 2023
Thank you for taking the time to leave a review, Jennifer! We hope to see you again!
- K O.Burke, VA110Sep 1, 2022
I enjoy the peaceful ambience of the spa. Massage therapist, Dorukan, is professional, understanding and makes sure he is addressing the presented issues. Dorukan's kind disposition makes it easy to work with him. I always feel so much better after my session!~ Karyn
Helpful 0Thanks 0Love this 0Oh no 0 - Shayla B.Antioch, Nashville, TN101Jul 11, 2020
Melinda gave the best facial I have ever had. She provided great education of the process and products she used. After using the products, my face started clearing up immediately!
I will definitely will being returning and scheduled another appointment before I left.Helpful 0Thanks 0Love this 0Oh no 0Business owner information
Melinda N.
Jul 12, 2020
Hi Shayla
Thank you so much for your review! I look forward to working with you to address your skin care concerns.
Melinda - Lindsay M.Alexandria, VA87101Aug 2, 2019
I booked a 50-minute foot reflexology appointment with Donya, and it was amazing! From the beginning she was very friendly and easy to chat with, and gave me instructions on the phone that made the building easy to find. The reflexology itself was relaxing and the perfect amount of pressure. Donya was very knowledgable about the practice and gave me tips afterwards. It remains to be seen whether it will actually achieve my goal of inducing labor (now 40 weeks + 4 days pregnant) but once this baby is out I will definitely be back!
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Melinda N.
Aug 3, 2019
Hi Lindsay
Thank you for taking the time to write a review! Donya is a great therapist and a valuable part of our team. We wish you a easy delivery and look forward to seeing you soon! - Ellen D.Washington, DC018165Feb 18, 2016
Don't let the French name fool you, this place is plain, tiny, and not very spa-like at all. It is literally a hole in the wall, think broom closet. The front door opens into a hallway that is about 2 ft wide with a seating area for the massage therapists. There are two tiny massage rooms down the hall.
Making an appointment is a huge hassle, since it is sort of fly by night deal. You have to call and text what I assume is the owner's personal cell. Lots of back and forth texting to get an appointment squared away.
The massage started with a foot bath, which was literally a metal basin with warm water in it, filled one cup at a time by the therapist. No bath salts, nothing aromatic, just a lukewarm foot soak for 15 minutes by yourself. Not very relaxing or pleasant. The "reflexology" part of the massage consisted of light patting and tickling of my feet. Not reflexology at all. The massage was OK, but not exceptionally relaxing, just OK. At the end I was handed a plastic cup with room temperature water.
Luckily I had a Groupon, but I still dished out close to $115, after tip, for what amounted to a very mediocre 60 minute massage. The foot bath was a joke. I consider this price for what I received to be a rip off. I would have been hopping mad if I had paid the advertised price of $160.
I would not recommend this place at all. It is not a spa at all and the prices, even with a Groupon, are ridiculous for what you receive.
(As an aside, the defensive reply from management sort of sums it up for you, over and above my review. This is not a professional establishment by any means.)Helpful 4Thanks 0Love this 1Oh no 0Business owner information
Melinda N.
Mar 1, 2016
I want to thank you for taking the time to write a review. Complaints are always welcomed because there is always room for improvement and sometimes things are misunderstood so I want to answer your complaints.
Everyone has an idea of what a day spa should be and it's hard to know what people expect or are looking for when they book online, especially if you are purchasing a Groupon. The description of our business was written by them, not us.
In the "about us" section on our website we describe our space. "Mon Sanctuaire is a small intimate studio designed to provide a cozy atmosphere for our clients." We have two treatment rooms our front treatment room is a medium sized room but the one in the back is large enough for two massage beds so you must have been in the front room.
The phone number you were texting is our spa's main land line number not a cell phone. We have a service that allows clients to text or call our number. For first time clients we still need to speak to directly because it's too much information for texting. After that you can book on-line, call, text or e-mail us to schedule an appointment.
The foot bath that you soaked in was infused with magnesium flakes and yes they are odorless. It is our intent to tell our clients what they are soaking in sorry if you were not told or that it was odorless. We use pitchers to fill our foot baths and add hot or cool water to suit the client's preference.
We use magnesium because of the therapeutic value of transdermal magnesium. The body uses magnesium for over 220 processes and one of the main benefits is muscle relaxation. You mentioned you were left alone to soak, we do this to allow clients some time to relax before their treatment.
Since I don't know who your therapist was its hard to respond to your experience of the reflexology and massage. We strive to provide the best possible service to our clients, your feedback would be appreciated! Please reach out to me so we can discuss this further. I can be reached at melinda@monsanctuiare.com - Kay P.Northwest Washington, Washington, DC02Feb 26, 2018
Mon Sanctuaire had the exact experience I was looking for. I'm used to large bath house types of spas, but this time I wanted an intimate space for skin care and massage therapy. All of the staff are beyond professional. I felt like I was with family. Cathrerine was amazing. Very clean and chic space. Very informative treatments, pricing on par with the industry. I can't say enough. Thank you ladies. I've already booked my next service. See you soon!
Helpful 1Thanks 0Love this 0Oh no 0 - Lisa H.Alexandria, VA1101Apr 30, 2018
Had a combination massage from Catherine, and all I can say is WOW!
It wasn't the traditional massage (in the sense that I selected a pressure of massage and she did the technique). Rather, she spoke to me first, did reflexology and identified my problem areas and worked techniques specific to me. I am pain- free and sleeping well!! Can't say enough good things!Helpful 0Thanks 0Love this 0Oh no 0 - Mac O.Alexandria, VA66310482377Feb 17, 2012
Because she's thoughtful like that, Moms gifted me with a facial at Mon Sanctuaire. Just because. I've only ever had one facial before, years ago; the extractions were so painful, and the esthetician so judgy, that I never went for another. So, naturally, I was a little nervous about going for one at Mon Sanctuaire. Turns out I had nothing to worry about, and that not all facials are created equal. The facial I received from Melinda -- the Esthederm Cellular Water Hydrating Mini Facial -- was totally different from my first.
As soon as I lay down, Melinda had my number. Over the years my skin has become more and more sensitive. She noticed the problem areas immediately and asked all kinds of questions about my cleansing routine and the products I use. She walked me through every step of the facial, fully explaining each one's purpose and the Esthederm products she was applying: a cleansing milk, a deep cleanser, an exfoliant (free of harsh beads for sensitive skin), and moisturizer. Each product was applied and removed with a light, calming massage.
After the 30 minutes were up, I felt completely relaxed, and my skin looked more radiant than it has in a long time. My complexion was smoothed and evened. And Melinda made recommendations for my cleansing routine without pushing any product (although if I had an unlimited bankroll I'd stock my bathroom with those Esthederm products).
If you're looking for relaxation and to have your skin expertly analyzed and thoroughly pampered, make a facial appointment at Mon Sanctuaire. Melinda offers a wide range of options (as well as massage, reflexology, and body scrubs) at reasonable prices. I'm already looking forward to a return visit.Helpful 9Thanks 0Love this 7Oh no 0 - Liz L.Alexandria, VA021Mar 31, 2014
I went here because of the deal on Groupon - facial or massage for $59. I got the facial. I will not be returning.
Upon entering the "spa" I immediately realized why they were posting on Groupon. What a dump! There is no waiting area at all. I sat on a small bench by a messy desk where the phone kept ringing incessantly - no receptionist in sight. I could here people talking in the next room, but didn't want to interrupt a session in-progress. After about 5-10 min, someone peeked their head out and looked startled that I was there. They said someone would be with me in just a minute. A few minutes later Melinda appeared and ushered me into the back area.
Upon seeing the space, I should have turned around right there. The massage room had no doors! A sheet had been hung from one wall to the next and was not draped well enough to hide the person getting treatment. So unprofessional. I'm glad I didn't opt for the massage. My room at least had a doorway and a door, but the back doorway was draped with a sheet and I could hear the people in the next room. The facial room was cramped and the table was one of those cheap folding ones. Not comfortable.
Enough about the space. Now on to the treatment itself. Melinda has a lovely british accent and was a very calming and pleasant person. Unfortuneately, that's about the only positive thing I can say. The treatment was miserable. She put a clay-like mask on which needed to dry. Upon removal, instead of just wiping it off with a damp cloth, she used an abrasion tool to scrape it off my skin. Little flakes of dried mask got everywhere - in my eyes, in my nose, in my mouth, in my hair! It was really irritating and unpleasant. For some of the other parts of the facial she would run water from the sink at odd intervals (to clean the washcloth, I think. Shouldn't they use a new one for each part of the treatment?) During this whole time, you could hear the people in the other room. The best part of the whole thing was when it was time to leave.
I have had facials and massages at several local establishments and never had an issue. This place really needs some work. I would not recommend it, and I certainly wouldn't pay full price for anything here.Helpful 6Thanks 0Love this 1Oh no 0Business owner information
Melinda N.
Jun 26, 2014
Hi Liz
Thank-you for taking the time to write a review, I really appreciate it! I want to clear up some of your concerns and misunderstandings.
When you mentioned that I had an English accent, I realized that your appointment was not with me, it was with our Esthetician who is from Scotland. I do remember you because I was in the back end of the spa when you came in. I saw you look through the white curtains, (we do not have sheets hanging in the spa they are curtains), that's when I realized I had not closed the divider wall all the way, which is behind the curtains. I can assure you that you did not disturb my client. We will now make sure we always keep it closed. Thanks.
We use a French skin care line Institute Esthederm that has over 80 proven patents and products that are uncommon in the American market. When you try to compare other skin care lines and facials to Esthederm, it's somewhat like comparing an apple to an orange.
The mask that you referred to that flaked off and should have been removed with a cloth, is actually not a mask it is an exfoliant. It is very different from what people expect from a facial scrub. The texture is smooth versus feeling grainy or gritty and can feel much like a mask, as you stated, but that's where the similarity ends. This scrub respects the skin's balance because it hydrates and exfoliates, thus the smooth texture. It is applied and allowed to dry, then using specific massage techniques it removes dry skin, no scraping tool is used to remove it. Yes, it does flake or more specifically, rolls off and can end up in the eye area. We ask clients to keep their eyes closed until it is removed, and after brushing it off we use a warm towel to remove the residue.
We use sponges that do need to be rinsed, and the warm lavender scented towels that were used during your facial, are from a towel cabinet, and are never re-used.
It is difficult to know how much a client wants to know about what you are doing, and how the product you are using during the facial will address their concerns. Some just want to be quiet and relax, others want to know what you are using and how it works. I appreciate the opportunity to provide information and education about our products. I have used Esthederm for over 25 years and believe that their products produce amazing results. You did not say how your skin felt and looked after your facial, so I don't know if your results were satisfactory.
Mon Sanctuaire is a small intimate studio designed to provide a cozy atmosphere for our clients. I understand that we are not a match for every client that comes through our door.
Melinda Naff - Angel W.Arlington, VA907402193Jun 24, 2010
I love Melinda! She is the owner of Monsanctuaire in Alexandria (take GW Parkway into Old Town and it's right there in a salon). Melinda is very talented with 30 years of experience. I originally found Melinda through a Groupon for a facial. I thoroughly enjoyed the facial. This is not the type of facial where you will get extractions, but the upside is that I totally felt like I had a full body massage. I left thinking I had gotten a massage but I only had a facial. That's what made me continue seeing Melinda as a massage client. She is very perceptive and pretty much knows exactly what you need. She is a practitioner of cranial sacral therapy also.
I stopped getting massages at other places because I would leave feeling worse than when I came in. Melinda never hurts me and I always leave feeling fabulous!. I had a hard time relaxing at first but she worked with me and now being on her massage table feels like being in a grave (I know that sounds so morbid, but that's the extent to which I can now relax). I am a type A personality and am pretty anxious so the thought of laying on a massage table makes me hyper but Melinda changed all that for me.
Melinda is such a nice woman too and her massage room is very clean and relaxing. It's best to book an appt for a Sunday since the salon is a bit quieter then. She also offers some package deals to reduce the price.Helpful 9Thanks 0Love this 4Oh no 0
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