Venus Light Spa
Venus Light Spa
3.5
This location was reported permanently closed
About
Clean skillful reasonable price spa in Hanoi
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
3.5
13 reviews
Excellent
6
Very good
0
Average
3
Poor
2
Terrible
2
Audrone C
7 contributions
Mar 2017 • Solo
I came in just for a mini (closest place to the hotel), but was "upsold" a phyto facial.
Pros:
A friendly owner - speaks good English
A nice cup of tea
A great facial - a bit on the expensive side (900K dong)
Cons:
The facility itself is not a high-end spa. A bit dark, some smells, noise from the street.
The mani left a lot to be desired I don't think they use a topcoat (couldn't see, as I was getting the facial simultaneously), so the damage started showing before I left the spa and continued at the hotel. Don't expect it to last.
Pros:
A friendly owner - speaks good English
A nice cup of tea
A great facial - a bit on the expensive side (900K dong)
Cons:
The facility itself is not a high-end spa. A bit dark, some smells, noise from the street.
The mani left a lot to be desired I don't think they use a topcoat (couldn't see, as I was getting the facial simultaneously), so the damage started showing before I left the spa and continued at the hotel. Don't expect it to last.
Written March 4, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nublet
UK60 contributions
Jan 2019 • Friends
Massage was average, but the rooms were clean. You’ll be hassled for a tip straight away, we imagined to ensure the front of house didn’t get any? From looking around there are better places to go!
Written January 14, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AKflyboy
Dubai, United Arab Emirates146 contributions
Mar 2015 • Solo
The keepers of ancient mythology tell us that "Venus is the Roman goddess whose functions encompassed love, beauty, sex, fertility, prosperity and desire." Whoa, cowboy! Can we shrink that down just a tad? A few of those words (maybe sex and fertility?) could be left out. Let's do it like this: in a word, sensuous. This little massage studio/day spa does the Goddess proud.
I'm not the kind of guy who gets a massage. More accurately, I wasn't. That was before I took a work assignment several months ago landing me in Southeast Asian for the foreseeable future. Well, they say "when in Rome, do as the Hanoi-ans", and it wasn't long before I decided to investigate what all the hype around massage in this part of the world is about. Worst case? I'm out $35 and a couple hours of my life.
I first ventured into Venus Light around 6 in the evening. This seemed a proper time befitting a gentleman (like myself) who is not looking for any funny business, but just wants a great pre-bedtime dose of relaxation. The front entrance of the location makes you feel as if you're ducking into the basement of a questionable establishment, but the feeling ends once you step in the front door. The lady who runs the place, is both friendly and savvy enough to step back and let Westerners agonize over the menu of options to their heart's content. As I pondered the laminated list of massage styles, I was happy to note that most of them fall in the 350 - 750 dong range. No matter what happens here, we shouldn't break the bank. Peering over the top of the card, I noticed that the lobby area is clean, well-maintained, and practically sound-proofed from the hustle & bustle out-side.
I selected the hot-stone massage for 650 dong. It seemed a safe route to take for a novice. A very professionally dressed massage therapist handed me a pair of sandals, reminded me to duck my head below the 6' altitude it normally occupies to avoid a low ceiling beam at the foot of the steps, and led the way up-stairs to a nice, clean, darkened, private room. This isn't the kind of darkened that makes you feel like you're about to begat small half-Asians, but a soothing, somewhat sophisticated space that instantly relaxes you and prepares you for what lies ahead.
I'll save the complete breakdown of the massage as this is far from my area of expertise. A few quick points to ponder however:
* I've been here twice now, and both times, the ladies have been completely competent and professional. At no time did I feel as if I was being treated by an amateur masseuse/professional lady of the night. (I know that sounds ridiculously Victorian, and I'm not an apt prude, but you get the point.) If you're looking for that type of establishment, you need not go far to find it. But not here. 'Nuff said.
* I've always asked for a very firm massage, and the two best massages in my very limited experience have been here. End of story. For me that is. Some of my friends have come here, and have not shared my experience. My advice? Tell the lady what you're after. She won't bite. ...that I know of.
* It seems the manager and all employees are female. If you are uncomfortable with this arrangement, move along. Again, 'nuff said.
* I will become a regular here. I recommend this place with a great degree of selfish reluctance, recognizing that I am gaining a bit of a following in this part of the world, and my recommendation could backfire. Some of you may selfishly try to take my preferred appointment times. I can only hope that in good Asian style, they will soon appropriately consider me a VIP, and cancel your appointment if I need a last minute, unplanned massage. Thank-you. I thought you'd understand.
I'm not the kind of guy who gets a massage. More accurately, I wasn't. That was before I took a work assignment several months ago landing me in Southeast Asian for the foreseeable future. Well, they say "when in Rome, do as the Hanoi-ans", and it wasn't long before I decided to investigate what all the hype around massage in this part of the world is about. Worst case? I'm out $35 and a couple hours of my life.
I first ventured into Venus Light around 6 in the evening. This seemed a proper time befitting a gentleman (like myself) who is not looking for any funny business, but just wants a great pre-bedtime dose of relaxation. The front entrance of the location makes you feel as if you're ducking into the basement of a questionable establishment, but the feeling ends once you step in the front door. The lady who runs the place, is both friendly and savvy enough to step back and let Westerners agonize over the menu of options to their heart's content. As I pondered the laminated list of massage styles, I was happy to note that most of them fall in the 350 - 750 dong range. No matter what happens here, we shouldn't break the bank. Peering over the top of the card, I noticed that the lobby area is clean, well-maintained, and practically sound-proofed from the hustle & bustle out-side.
I selected the hot-stone massage for 650 dong. It seemed a safe route to take for a novice. A very professionally dressed massage therapist handed me a pair of sandals, reminded me to duck my head below the 6' altitude it normally occupies to avoid a low ceiling beam at the foot of the steps, and led the way up-stairs to a nice, clean, darkened, private room. This isn't the kind of darkened that makes you feel like you're about to begat small half-Asians, but a soothing, somewhat sophisticated space that instantly relaxes you and prepares you for what lies ahead.
I'll save the complete breakdown of the massage as this is far from my area of expertise. A few quick points to ponder however:
* I've been here twice now, and both times, the ladies have been completely competent and professional. At no time did I feel as if I was being treated by an amateur masseuse/professional lady of the night. (I know that sounds ridiculously Victorian, and I'm not an apt prude, but you get the point.) If you're looking for that type of establishment, you need not go far to find it. But not here. 'Nuff said.
* I've always asked for a very firm massage, and the two best massages in my very limited experience have been here. End of story. For me that is. Some of my friends have come here, and have not shared my experience. My advice? Tell the lady what you're after. She won't bite. ...that I know of.
* It seems the manager and all employees are female. If you are uncomfortable with this arrangement, move along. Again, 'nuff said.
* I will become a regular here. I recommend this place with a great degree of selfish reluctance, recognizing that I am gaining a bit of a following in this part of the world, and my recommendation could backfire. Some of you may selfishly try to take my preferred appointment times. I can only hope that in good Asian style, they will soon appropriately consider me a VIP, and cancel your appointment if I need a last minute, unplanned massage. Thank-you. I thought you'd understand.
Written March 2, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Dominic,
Thank you very much! We all miss you and your wife.
We look forward to welcome you back to our spa soon.
With best regards,
The Venus Light Spa
Written August 10, 2016
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Grace S
5 contributions
Dec 2018 • Solo
If it matters, I went in as a middle aged woman alone and not with my group of friends. I was really really excited to get a mani-pedi and massage while my friends went on a food tour. I really try hard not to be a whiner or high maintenance and to be pleasant and polite. Walked in and I was the only customer at the time. Offered tea, made to sit in chair, had one sip of tea and had tea yanked out of hand. Had asked to sit in chair with clothes on for massage, forced upstairs and told to take all clothes off—was not given any other choice. Massage was actually wonderful. Then, the masseuse refused to leave the room so I could get dressed and hit me up for a cash trip right then and there standing in front of the door so I could not leave the room. I’m usually a pretty generous tipper, but I felt really uncomfortable. Went downstairs for mani-pedi got an equally indifferent reception and terrible service. The nail tech kept talking on her phone and running off to help other customers and did not pay attention to the point where the mani was never finished. Same deal with the pedi, which was really not fully done. Meanwhile, I am watching everyone around me get wonderful and massages (which I did not get) with their mani-pedis and the full attention of their techs. Finally I had enough and just wanted to leave. Stood up, put my own shoes on, which ruined the polish, but I didn’t care. The first tech added up the services, and the calculator clearly said the price was 975,000. I paid, then the other tech came out and told me I owed her more money—1,250,000. I asked her to do the math again, and the calculator again said 975,000. She insisted I owed more 1,250,000. We both knew she was robbing me, just not at gun point. At this point I was so disgusted by this place I paid and left. Needless to say I was not happy and relaxed. I think they thought I was a good mark as a dumb old American lady. The other people of Hanoi I met who provided services were lovely and gracious people—and very honest—nothing like this place. Please go somewhere else.
Written December 27, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sherilyntanyz
Singapore, Singapore10 contributions
Feb 2016
My boyfriend and I wondered into this place by accident while looking for another spa (that was closed for Tet) and it turned out to be the best massage experience we had in Hanoi.
The atmosphere was pleasant and relaxing - nice and dark place to relax. We had the shiatsu massage for 75 minutes and it was simply divine to have the aches and weariness kneaded out of our bodies using a combination of finger pressure and palm rubs.
My boyfriend has had medicinal massages in Europe for his back and he told me later that this massage was both therapeutic and relaxing. I personally had many massages throughout South East Asia and this was one of the best (although pricey).
The best was the 10 minute facial/head massage at the end. We had a full body massage so the excellent head/face massage at the end was such a pleasant surprise.
Totally recommend this place! Caution: use cash to pay because using a card had an extra bank fee of 5%.
The atmosphere was pleasant and relaxing - nice and dark place to relax. We had the shiatsu massage for 75 minutes and it was simply divine to have the aches and weariness kneaded out of our bodies using a combination of finger pressure and palm rubs.
My boyfriend has had medicinal massages in Europe for his back and he told me later that this massage was both therapeutic and relaxing. I personally had many massages throughout South East Asia and this was one of the best (although pricey).
The best was the 10 minute facial/head massage at the end. We had a full body massage so the excellent head/face massage at the end was such a pleasant surprise.
Totally recommend this place! Caution: use cash to pay because using a card had an extra bank fee of 5%.
Written February 13, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
cumquat81
2 contributions
Sep 2019 • Solo
I tried the 70 minute traditional massage which was great. Just the right amount of pressure and the therapist was skilful and attentive.
Thoroughly recommended!
Thoroughly recommended!
Written September 24, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lesleys8888
Woollahra, Australia9 contributions
Sep 2019 • Couples
Really really bad... I wish I had read TripAdvisor before I went. I went in with my partner I had an average to bad massage, he said his was alright. We were force to pay a tip which was pretty much half the cost of the two massages or else we wouldn’t have been able to leave. It felt very sinister and my partner believed if we didn’t pay we could find ourselves in trouble, needless to say, we paid. My recommendation, stay away and save yourselves a really unpleasant experience that does not match the rest of my time in Hanoi, which has been brilliant.
Written September 12, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RayICue
Cornelius, NC4,126 contributions
Sep 2018 • Solo
Forget surroundings , massage ok.
But the ambiance is hard to overcome, from no A/C to shower/commode combo. But my first massage in Vietnam was memorable for this . And I’m glad I experienced. Wouldn’t do over though!
But the ambiance is hard to overcome, from no A/C to shower/commode combo. But my first massage in Vietnam was memorable for this . And I’m glad I experienced. Wouldn’t do over though!
Written September 11, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Carlawain
26 contributions
Jul 2016 • Solo
Thought I would get a quick gel mani before I left Hanoi and its lasted 2 days, already peeling. The manicurist took over an hour and I could tell it was one of the first times she had done nails, I asked how long and she said 3 months. The polish was all the way down to the nail bed, and Rough around the edges. Wouldn't recommend unfortunately however the foot massage was good
Written July 11, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Carlawain,
First of all, thank you for using our service as well as sharing your experience! It is valuable for our improvement. We are sorry for the manicure service that was not up to our standard. We take the comment seriously and necessary actions has been taken for our service improvement.
We do hope to have another chance to welcome you back to our spa to offer you such a good service.
Thank you very much and looking forward to the opportunity to be at your service again!
With best regards,
The Venus Light Spa
Written August 10, 2016
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Dominic L
Istanbul, TĂĽrkiye10 contributions
Jun 2015 • Couples
Had a lovely massage here every Sunday for 2 years. Great value, friendly service.
The owner is Hoa who speaks great English and understands what you need. Try all the services on offer.
Thank you Hoa and Linh
The owner is Hoa who speaks great English and understands what you need. Try all the services on offer.
Thank you Hoa and Linh
Written June 15, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
No questions have been asked about this experience
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
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