What a cool city! Who knew that there’s so much history and things to do here?!?! My son and I came to town to see the Ravens game. While here, we learned so much about this city. This is the home of George Herman Ruth (aka The Babe) and the famous poet Adger Alan Poe. In fact, did you know that the Ravens were named after Poe’s famous poem “The Raven”? There is so much to do here from the amazing Aquarium, Science Museum, and The Babe’s birthplace which is also a museum, and of course a great city for a massage!
When looking for a place to get a massage, I googled places near M&T Bank Stadium, the home of the NFL Baltimore Ravens. I didn’t want the typical franchise place. Instead, I wanted a small business licensed place (of course) with a homey welcomed feel. Tranquil Traditions was the 2nd option that popped up on google with a 4.9 -star rating. I clicked the website to do some research. It was clean, simple, and easy to navigate. I scheduled a 90- minute massage with a foot and back scrub without any issues; super easy.
During the month leading up to my appointment, I received a few emails and text reminders. The week of my appointment, I received a text informing where the entrance is location in addition the code to enter on the locked key pad, and to head to the 2nd floor of the building. So grateful for that, especially if you read my experience in Houston, TX lol. I also received an email asking to complete the intake form before I arrive; took me less than 3 minutes to complete.
I arrived five minutes early to the building labeled Union Brother’s and walked around to the main entrance. The box to enter the code was to the right of the door handle so you can’t miss it. The entrance looked like a lobby for everyone in the building; a couple leather chairs, a beautiful wood table, books, etc. Super cute and colorful. They had an elevator and a set of stairs available. When I approached the 2nd floor, it was easy to spot the Massage Studio. The character of the floor, and the building, was really neat. Being a fan of old buildings and architecture, it was easy to appreciate the details such as the original hard wood floors, brick walls, etc. I walked in to greet the lady at the front desk of the spa. She checked me into her system, offered me something to drink, then instructed that I have a seat in the lobby which was to my left. I sat in the quaint lobby for about 4 minutes till I heard my name. I stood up, looked around the corner, and saw my Massage Therapist waiting. She immediately started walking and asked me to follow her into the massage room. After walking in, she asked me the typical questions such as, confirming that we are doing a 90-minute session plus a back and foot scrub, “What brings you in today? What do you need focus on? Are glutes ok?” I told her that I’m a single mom with multiple jobs and workout 6 days a week, very much looking to relax, and gave permission to work on my glutes. She instructed me to get ready, lie face down, and she’ be back in a moment.
I got undressed, crawled under the sheets, and waited for her return. She came back in the room, asked if I was comfortable, and started almost immediately. I was a little chilly in the lightly light massage room. However, she put heating pads on me throughout the session. I noticed a feeling of compression before starting the massage. I appreciated that because that told me where she was going work on next. She started with my back and worked her way to my legs. Because I gave permission to work on my glutes, I thought she would work on them. As a runner and a person who is always on my feet, I knew it was needed. But when she worked on my hamstring, she didn’t do the entire muscle; she barely touched the top part of the muscle that connects the hip bone (greater trochanter) and my glutes. And sadly, my glutes did not get any work.
She checked in on the pressure when starting on the 2nd leg. I was wondering when she was going to ask lol. But my body didn’t fight her either. So maybe she was able to tell that the pressure was good so far. Halfway through the session, she lifted the sheets and instructed me to turn over on my back. She continued to do the same thing with the anterior (top) part of my body; compressing a section then massage the section, just like she did when I was lying face down. The session was so relaxing that I caught myself dozing off a couple times. Everything felt great. Before I knew it, she informed me that she was going to start the foot scrub. And as fast as the massage seemed, the foot scrub seemed faster. I’m always on my feet and they always hurt. So, needless- to- say, I cherished the fast foot scrub. She massaged it gently onto the skin then kindly brushed/rubbed off the excess. Then, she had me flip back over onto my stomach to do the back scrub. She proceeded to do the same protocol as the foot scrub; rub her hands in the scrub, then gently spread it all over my back while gently massaging it into my skin. Shortly after, she brushed the excess scrub, placed the linens on my back and concluded the session.
She gave me instructions to take my time getting dressed and to head back up front when ready. Finally feeling relaxed for the first time in over a year, I was not ready to get up. I couldn’t believe how fast my session felt. I got up, got dressed, and walked back to the front desk where there was a cup of water waiting for me on the counter. The front desk person kindly checked me out in the system. With my card already on file from scheduling the session, it was easy to simply put the session and the gratuity on the same card. As she was checking me out in the system, my Massage Therapist walked down the hall and stopped by her massage room door, looked at me, and thanked me. The front desk lady kindly asked when I’d like to reschedule. I’m not sure if she or anyone saw my intake form because it includes my address and that I’m in town for the Ravens game. So I reminded her that as much as I appreciate the offer, I’m not from around here. We said our goodbyes and I went on my way. As I walked out, there was a homeless man yelling at himself to the left of the door. He was extremely belligerent so I couldn’t tell if it was alcohol or drug induced. Luckily my dad was outside waiting on me and could protect me if needed while I dash to the car.
My Take-a-way:
- The website was clean, easy, and simple to navigate. After scheduling the session, it was great to receive the reminders via email and text, including the details such as, the building name, directions to get there from all directions (north, south, etc), the code to get in, etc. I also appreciated that the intake form was also emailed to me. That way, I didn’t have to worry about arriving 15 minutes early to complete it. They have it on file beforehand.
- The ambiance of the place was warm and inviting. Never mind the surroundings of the exterior, from the homeless people, banged up vehicles, ambulance sirens. The building itself is really cool. It’s great to see an old building turn into a place for multiple small businesses. The interior was inviting and the vibe was fresh.
- The small spa was beautiful, quiet, and quant. The staff was friendly and inviting. I could tell by the verbal intake at the beginning of our session that my Massage Therapist was legit. Maryland offers both a certificate and a license. I couldn’t tell which one she was but at least I knew I was going to be in safe and educated hands. Only thing is, I’m not sure if anyone looked at my intake form. Nothing from the form that I completed ahead of time was mentioned. And as I mentioned above, they asked to reschedule for my next session. If they read my intake, they’d know that I was from out of town.
- I think there was some miscommunication with the services I selected. I thought I selected a 90-minute massage in addition to a foot scrub and a back scrub. Instead, I received a 90-minute massage with the foot scrub and back scrub included in the 90-minutes. I thought I was going to get a full 90-minute full body massage then the treatments afterwards. Maybe I misread or misunderstood when scheduling it, idk. But it would’ve been nice to have that clarification before we got started. I also wasn’t sure what kind of scrub was used, including the ingredients. However, it smelled really good!
- The session was very much relaxing. I received exactly what I requested. As previously mentioned, I think I fell asleep a couple times. The pressure was nice; not too much and not too light. The heating pads helped relax my mind and my muscles. My only wish was that I received work on the whole hamstring muscle and glutes.
Overall:
This was overall a great experience. The website and reminders were simple and efficient. The place is cute and quaint, exteriorly, and interiorly. The people I encountered with were polite. Both them and the ambiance felt welcoming. I had a great massage with only a couple minor hiccups: not getting the entire hamstring muscle worked on, and no glute work. I am personally not a fan of starting a massage face down, but that is just me. A lot of Massage Therapists start sessions face down; it is the most common. I would’ve imagined starting this session face up since we were going to add a back scrub at some point. Either way, it was a great session. I also was confused about the session. I thought I was receiving a full 90-minute massage in addition to a foot and back scrub. Instead, I received the foot and back scrub during the 90-minute massage. All in all, this was a great experience. It felt like the fastest 90-minute session I have ever had. If I lived in Baltimore, I would’ve rescheduled.
