Salt Cave Santa Barbara

Seth Altman

Experience not as expected. Salt cave is worth $5, not $25. Just simply not worth it. Staff was nice though. Would like a refund

Lexi Juhasz

Let me start by saying that this experience occurred 3 months ago on June 24, 2022 and now 3 months later I am finally able to put it into words. I have lived in Santa Barbara for most of my life and I am now living in Europe. For my very last day in Santa Barbara, I decided to spend it at the Salt Caves with my best friend. I booked a couples massage for us and a facial for myself. At the exact moment that I walked into the spa, I received several distressing text messages indicating that my 12 year old daughter was possibly in danger. Initially I called my husband to see if he could handle it and he said that he would. However, I was unable to relax as the treatment began and felt that I needed to check my phone to make sure that everything was resolved. I told the masseuse to stop for a moment while I checked my phone and to my horror, things had escalated and were much worse. I NEEDED TO LEAVE IMMEDIATELY. I apologized to the masseuse and told her that I would be back to pay and my friend would stay to continue her treatment. (They also had my credit card on file) My friend enjoyed her massage and waited for me to come back and pick her up. In that time, the facialist indicated to her that she could take my facial. The manager however stepped in and said that that would not be acceptable and that since I had been the one to book it, only I could have the facial. She then proceeded to trash talk me to my BEST FRIEND, that if I knew that there was going to be an emergency that I shouldn’t have booked a treatment. Dear reader, ask yourself when you have had the foresight to plan your EMERGENCIES one month in advance… I do not believe anyone plans for their house to burn down or to have a heart attack one month in advance and books a facial for that exact same moment. But maybe I am living in a different reality than this woman. When I arrived back at the Salt Caves, I went straight to the desk and asked to pay and they said it had been taken care of. I was very confused and said that no, I left without paying and need to pay now. She told me that the manager had already processed my card on file. The manager then, upon overhearing our conversation, came over and scolded me for the situation. Number one, A MOTHER WILL ALWAYS TAKE CARE OF HER CHILDREN BEFORE CONSIDERING OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES Number two, my card was on file Number three, my friend was still there receiving treatments. Imagine the exact same scenario in a restaurant setting. As long as one person is still at the table to pay the bill, the server does not care who ordered what or who ate what as long as there is still someone from the party to pay the tab. But beyond the lack of common sense applied here, it is the lack of compassion that has struck me so deeply and compelled me to leave this review. In the year 2022, that someone can be so cold and cruel towards a woman who on her last day in her hometown, who had every intention of making it a good day, had the terrible misfortune to suffer an emergency deserves to be treated so poorly and trash talked to her own friend is beyond me. No empathy. No compassion. And at the end of the day who suffered here? The business was paid. I made sure to tip the masseuse and let her know that it was not her fault. Why did the manager feel the need to kick me while I was down?

Joe Zapata

What an amazing experience. Went here for a couples massage. Walked out feeling rejuvenated and relaxed. The place has an amazing atmosphere and ambiance to it. The staff is wonderful, welcoming and friendly. The salt cave massage room is comfortable with low lighting and music. My masseuse was wonderful. He made sure to ask all the right questions about past and present conditions as well as areas I would like to focus on. We were never rushed to leave and were able to recover in a semi private waiting room with water and tea. The store was also full of wonderful items that were priced very reasonably. Overall it was an amazing experience that I will definitely do again.

Anna Anna

Its so true after covid happen services everywhere seemed to be horrible. After reading the reviews here I guess I'm going to go somewhere else. I was about to booked an appointment for my daughter and I.This is sad I really like the salt cave but its the only salt cave I've ever been too. I cant really compare? can someone recommend a good place? I would love a great spa day !