Beauty Salons, Hair Removal Services, Spas, Sports & Recreation Instruction, Day Spas
International Orange (IO) stretches the traditional day spa form as discerning clients combine indulgent treatments with various types of yoga practice. Unique Spa packages offer clients the chance to experience IO's total wellness concept. They may opt to soften themselves with a Japanese Bathing Ritual followed by Ashtanga Yoga, and relax afterwards in IO's calming lounge space or outdoor redwood sundeck. It's all in the details at IO: warm head and neck towels are infused with lemon-verbena essence, cool eye pads are soaked in fresh cucumber water, aromatic flowers float below the face cradle of massage tables, and floor-to-ceiling windows run the length of the yoga studio for ample sunlight. International Orange captures the essence of wellness, and elevates it to a level of luxury that satisfies the most discriminating clientele.
I'd saved up for over a year to be able to treat myself to a spa and was completely disappointed with my experience at IO. The staff is disinterested and clearly just going through the motions. One of the treatments I'd ordered was dependent on going into the steamroom after the mixture was applied to my body. They told me AFTER I'd applied the stuff that the steamroom was broken! So I just showered it all off. They were utterly unconcerned and I still had to pay the entire amount. I ended up spending almost $300 there and just went out to my car and cried afterwards. It just shows how a massive PR effort can make people think that a poorly-run business is actually first-class. IO has no warmth, no customer service, and poorly working equipment. It still leaves a bad taste in my mouth four months later...
Cons: , Ambivalent Service, Bad Waiting Area
Posted 09/08/04
This is exactly what I needed. IO is clean and the staff is friendly and attentive. My daughter got me a spa package as a present. I think it was the best thing she ever gave me. I cannot say enough about my experience. My massage was first class and the place is incredible.
Pros: Clean, Friendly Staff, Great Massage
Posted 08/29/04
This is an excellent place to get treatments and feel like you've left the city of SF. The deck is nice for a breathe of fresh air. The staff and therapists are sweet and while they look young, they are really experienced and professional. I give IO an A+.
Pros: tranquil, clean, amazing services, great products
Posted 08/24/04
If you're looking for a fancy, frou frou spa with all the trimmings, like Spa Radiance, then this is NOT your kind of place. HOWEVER, if you want quality treatments in a soothing, serene atmosphere, this is it. Simplistic and hip, the "West Elm" type decor is just right - nothing to distract you from relaxation. Also, a male customer won't feel like he stepped into a victorian boudoir. My husband and I LOVED the facials - so relaxing with excellent results. The massages were good also. Staff is polite and gracious; the specialists were well-educated and really seemed to like their jobs. Treatment and locker rooms/sauna are small and minimalistic, but they fit with the whole feel and vibe of the spa. Also, everything is quite clean. We've tried a number of well-known spas in SF, but would recommend this one first.
Pros: serene setting, pleasant staff, great facials
Cons: , pkg lot 4 blks away, st meters 1 hr limit
Posted 06/16/04
IOs whole experience is top knotch. The massage staff is well trained, the facility is well kept; a place you can really relax.
Posted 04/06/04
any experience at IO is guaranteed to surpass even the highest expecations. the calm atmosphere and diligent staff made my spa experience absolutely relaxing and sumptuous. a unique blend of simplicity and indulgence - just wonderful!
Posted 03/12/04
This place feels like utopia...super savvy, yet comfortable with excellent services! Every time I've ventured in, I leave glowing! I have had a variety of services there and am now following a strict facial regimen in preparation for my wedding- fantastic results from facials and product! Truly a pleasure...
Pros: expert staff, great product, original environment
Posted 03/11/04
I love yoga now and I felt comfortable going to IO as a guy, which really surprised me. I also am a massage lover (who isn't if they've ever tried it) and this place has a young, but very skilled team. I have tried several therapists and liked them all. This place is not huge, but it packs a punch in terms of what they offer. Friendly, clean and modern, but natural. Nice work!
Pros: friendly staff, skilled therapists, very clean environs
Posted 03/04/04
I am a new convert to massage thanks to INTERNATIONAL ORANGE. My girlfriend gave me a gift certificate for Valentine's Day. I was amazed. I was soothed by the simple, clean and natural interiors. The sun broke thru and I went onto the deck to enjoy it. They had pillows, mats and loungers to relax on-thankfully because I was like a noodle after my massage! The steamroom was a plus too.
Pros: Friendly staff, Clean, Calming
Posted 02/23/04
International Orange is the most relaxing spa I have ever visited. The staff is excellent, attentive, and friendly. I have attended yoga classes and I have had multiple massages and body treatments - they were both top-notch and I might never go anywhere else. If you are looking for a casually elegant location and a service standard that is unmatched in San Francisco - you have found your place. The staff is educated and helpful, and they want you to have a great experience - I want to have my next birthday party there...and all of my friends are eager to attend.
Pros: Atmosphere, Staff, Space
Posted 02/21/04
Well, just went there for valentine's day and was not well greeted by staff. There were not plates of flowers, as noted by other reviewers, for your viewing in my massage. And the space was a little too confining. The "lounge" area consisted of some small seats in a 6x6 (?) area. The sun deck is nice, but hard to comfortable with, couldn't find a spot to lie down and sun at all. (They have to get mats out, etc.) There ARE ways to get mod interior design to be comfortable, this place just didn't do it for me. The massage, however, was excellent and all the motions and techniques were juuuuust right. I did think the prices for the services were pretty good. For an even better value, and a great open-feeling, comfy spa, try Azul in N. Berkeley.
Pros: , excellent massage
Cons: , uncomfortable setting
Posted 02/15/04
I really didn't want to believe all the hype surrounding International Orange. I read all the CitySearch reviews and just plain figured people were exaggerating. Well, they're not!
From the very beginning, the staff at IO made me feel very comfortable and by the end of my visit, the last thing I wanted to do was go home and see my husband. This place is just too good to be true. Before I left, I immediately made future appointments for spa treatments, because I know once the word is out, this place will be booked weeks in advance. Enjoy it while you can before it gets discovered!
Pros: Breathtaking, Comfortable, Clean
Posted 02/12/04
"It can't get better than this!" I was shocked at my first visit to International Orange. Nothing could have prepared me for such an incredible experience. Not only was my massage mind-blowing, but the space alone took my breathe away.
I cannot say enough about this place. It made my stressful, hectic day melt away and left me wanting more. I definately appreciatre clean, and this place was spotless.
Great job International Orange!
Pros: Professional, Helpful staff, Very clean
Cons: No Diner's Club cc
Posted 01/17/04
I had a massage with Carolyn on January 11, 2004, and it was wonderful. She was a great listener, applied the perfect amount of pressure, and left me feeling like jelly all over. The only complaint I have is that the spa is overly techno-modern, with all the usual problems of a techno-modern space -the locker rooms and the lounge area were too small and too stiff to feel relaxed in. I would definitely go back though, because the skill and professionalism of the employees far exceeded my expectations.
Pros: Luxurious, Skilled, Discount packages
Cons: Parking is difficult, Cramped space
Posted 01/12/04
From the second I entered the spa I immediately knew I had come to the right place. This spa's attentioin to detail is unmatched. The interior design is enough to begin the relaxing process immediately. The staff was very friendly and knowledgeable and made my visit amazing. If you can handle it, I would recommend the four-handed massage - it is definately mind blowing.
IO - TOP SHELF BABY!
Pros: Great Services, Amazing Staff
Posted 11/22/03
I'm a 6'4 240lb piece of straight man...spas are NOT my typical stomping ground.
My wife insisted that I spend a day "pampering" myself with her at International Orange, and the only reason I agreed to go was to see where she spends so much of my money.
I was PLEASANTLY surprised how gentle this place was...on my ego, my pocketbook, and on my shoulders. I have NEVER had a professional massage, and my experience last week led me to book a message once a week for the next month.
This place rocks, and I highly recommend it to first-time-pamperers!!
Pros: Nice people, professional, chill
Posted 11/07/03
I walked in and knew it was over - the place is off the hook! The massage could have totally SUCKED and i would have still come back based solely on the atmosphere alone...lucky for me, the massage was even more impressive than the enviornment. I am not really a "massage" kind of guy - a bit intimidated you could say - but my woes were quickly squashed by the staff, who made me totally forget that there was a whole world revolving around outside...and i won't even TALK about the robes...had i not been so frickin' relaxed after my deep tissue workover i would have tried to bribe one outta there!
This place is absolutely one of a kind and i am anxious to go back to work tomorrow to start buildin' up the stress again so i can get back to I.O. ASAP!
Pros: Atmosphere, Level of Service, Back deck
Cons: I can't go everyday
Posted 03/13/03
There are so many spas in the city-- it is hard to choose one-- and this one deserves all of your attention. this is by far the best i've been to in the whole bay area. the ambiance is amazing, the service is superb, and the staff are wonderful and accomodating. this was the perfect spa experience. additionally, it is easy to get to via public transportation, and is an excellent area if you care to enjoy the rest of the day walking around.
Posted 02/04/03
International Orange is an oasis of tranquility in one of the most hectic areas of the city. One of the highlights was the luxurious products in the locker room. I also loved the private redwood patio.
Pros: Great Staff
Cons: Impossible Parking
Posted 10/23/02
Over the Labor Day weekend, I had a facial and massage at International Orange and it was absolutely amazing. From the first second I walked in the door I was treated like a million dollar client. The decor is amazing and the products they used were top notch. I have been to many spa's in LA, NYC, and Napa/Sonoma, International Orange definetly ranks as one of the best and most relaxing. I would recommend this spa to anyone!!!
Pros: environment, customer service, prices
Posted 09/04/02
talk about your oasis of pampering delite!! everythign was all about chic comfort. the robes are huge and awesome. the treats were sumptuous, the IO massage was incredible and the aesthetic was amazing. go treat yourself!!
Posted 08/21/02
I had a massage here and have never had such a great experience at a spa! The massage was just right, with yummy-smelling aromatherapy oil that I got to choose. They even put a bowl of water with flowers floating in it underneath the massage table for you to look at, instead of just bare floor. The lockeroom was small but had the best fuzzy robes and great scented shower gel and lotions. Truly a class act! Don't miss the delicious fruits and cheese in the lounge area.
Posted 08/14/02
Exactly what Fillmore needed. Beautiful space, wonderful owners. Yoga room is full of windows. You can lounge out on the deck before your spa treatment. The facial was amazing.
Posted 07/10/02
beautiful place to feel good! walk upstairs (above smith and hawken on fillmore st) and be surprised. do a yoga class, have a massage, hang out in a steam room, lay out on the deck. i had the best massage of my life. very nice people, with lots of attention to detail. open pretty late, convenient for those of us who work -- also would be a great place to bring a date. very cool, not your typical spa.
Posted 06/25/02
"Going here is the best way to pamper yourself in San Francisco. ..."
