Yesterday's Massage Journey
I had been needing a good massage recently, so I decided to pay West Town a visit. For quite some time, they've been one of the more consistent spots for a quality massage, some fun teasing, and an L1 service experience. I had heard that Cici was no longer there, but I've had positive experiences with several therapists over the years.
On this visit, I noticed three staff members I didn't recognize and ended up with Ana, a short blonde-haired Asian therapist. The first thing that caught my attention while getting settled in the room was a new sign that read:
"Please be respectful to our employees and therapists. No rude or suggestive comments or jokes. No unwanted touching or hugging. No suggestive or lewd behavior."
That immediately made me wonder if things had changed since my last visit.
Ana came in, and we exchanged some small talk. She mentioned business had been slow lately. Overall, she provided a solid massage with some light teasing, but everything remained professional, draping was strict, and within clear boundaries. When it came time to see where things might go, nothing was offered, suggested, or hinted at. After the hour was up, I left feeling a bit disappointed.
I'm not sure if that's simply Ana's style or if it's the new normal at West Town. At $100/ hour plus tip, with no extras, I'd personally rather spend $80/ hour at Moon in Farragut or the new Lumiere in Maryville.
Since I left unsatisfied, I decided to check out Lumiere in Maryville a few hours later after seeing several positive recommendations. First impressions were excellent—the place was clean, well-kept, and smelled great. I ended up with who I believe is the owner and booked a one-hour session.
One thing I appreciated immediately was that each room has a door, which I always prefer. To echo what others have recently posted, the massage itself was outstanding—easily one of the best I've had. About 30 minutes in, the draping became a bit less strict and some teasing began. I was offered an upgrade to 90 minutes, and given how good the massage was, I gladly accepted.
After the flip, she incorporated a head and face massage before spending a considerable amount of time working on my legs. While there was definitely some teasing and my enjoyment was obvious to all, nothing beyond that was offered, suggested, or hinted at, not even self service.
That said, the quality of the massage alone made the experience worthwhile. At $80/ hour or $110/90 minutes, I felt it was money well spent. I'll definitely be returning to see if things change. Even if things stay the same, Lumiere has earned a spot as my go-to location when I'm looking for a truly top-tier massage.
Based on my recent experiences, it seems Rose may be the only therapist in the area still offering certain levels of service, unless I'm overlooking another spot. As always, YMMV.
Stay safe,
ML.