Hi my name is Chelsea and I’m addicted to massages.
I haven’t always been like this, but everything changed after a stint in southeast Asia where daily spa trips are the norm. I’ve reigned it in since returning home, but I still always try to book a massage after a long flight.
I don’t care if you sleep soundly in a lie flat for your trans-Atlantic flight or you’re hanging with me in economy, the altitude compresses everyone equally. Not to mention you’re dragging around over-packed luggage, hoisting it here and there. And the stress! Running to make a connection can’t be good for our mental well-being.
So I made a resolve to always treat myself to a massage wherever I land. Which was easier said than done before I discovered my soulmate, Soothe. <3
Before Soothe, I would spend precious time researching spas, checking prices, calling for availability, figuring out transportation, and worrying about quality. Then some more time internally arguing with myself on whether or not I could justify the $300 ‘experience’ at the hotel Spa. Only to have them squeeze me into a timeslot that was inconveniently right in the middle of prime city exploration time.
So you can imagine my excitement when I learned about Soothe on my recent trip to the Hamptons. An on demand massage service? With appointments until midnight 365 days a year? Obviously, I immediately downloaded the app… but I didn’t open it up again until I had landed at LAX and was waiting at the luggage carousel. With a few swipes I scheduled my first service for 2 hours later at my house for the completely reasonable price of $80 (I had received $20 off from using a promo code! Use mine and we both get $20 off: RLWIB).
Let me just back up and walk you through how simple this process really is.
- Download App
- Select Type of Massage: Deep Tissue, Swedish, Sports, Pre-Natal, or Couple Massage
- Select Therapist Gender
- Select Massage Length: 60 min, 90 min, 120 min
- Select Date & Time: You can book same day or up to 2 months in advance anytime from 8 AM to 11:45 PM
- Put in your CC information and Promo Code
- Press ‘Book’
- Experience Bliss
I had selected a female therapist since my dogs have sexist tendencies and rushed home to ‘spruce up’ my house. I do have to confess, I couldn’t help but feel like there was no shot in hell I’d be able to relax in my chaotic house and really enjoy the experience. And then I started thinking about the masseuse, is she vetted? Who is this stranger I just gave my home address to?!
Dianna showed up 10 minutes prior to my scheduled time of 10pm and texted me to let me know she had arrived. I ushered her in and she seamlessly set up her massage table and fitted it with sheets and a blanket. I was originally planning on utilizing the living room since the lights can dim, but my husband was still watching tv, so I opted for the small home office. When I re-entered the office, I was pleasantly surprised by how she’d transformed the space into zen. There was light music playing and the overhead hospital-bright light had been turned off, using the glow from the bathroom light to softly illuminate the room. Dianna sweetly asked me if the lighting and music were okay and then went into the bathroom while I undressed.
The second my face snuggled into the table hole covered in fresh linen scented sheets, I instantly forgot where I was. The stress over my less than clean house dissipated and I couldn’t even tell you if the dogs were trying to get into the room with us or not. When prompted, I asked Dianna for an extra firm deep tissue massage and then I just simply enjoyed every single moment of the next 60 minutes.
The massage was by far one of the best I’ve ever had. As a yoga instructor, I’ve become incredibly in tune with my body… and oh my word did this angel work out every kink so expertly. I was still on a high when the massage ended. I tipped her $25 in cash and floated to my bedroom where I experienced the most euphoric deep sleep ever.
I woke the next morning refreshed and with a new resolution: book Soothe to my home, hotel or airbnb every single time I land in one of the 50+ major cities in the US, Australia & Canada that they service. Oh and by the way, yes, the therapists are vetted with an in person interview before Soothe hires them on board.
I don’t need to sell you on the benefits of a massage, but seeing as you’ve landed on my Travel & Health blog, I do feel obligated to leave you with this really important piece of advice: treat yo’ self, you deserve it.
P.S. Don’t forget to use the promo code RLWUB and we both get $20 off! win/win 🙂
P.P.S. Just trying to manifest something so go with me: What if Soothe offered a private yoga class option? Obviously with me as the face of the launch. Imagine scheduling an AM in-hotel yoga stretch and strengthen to start your day and then a PM massage to end it? Now we’re talking! “Chelsea, the face of Soothe Yoga”
