Ten years of thoughts....
I used to peruse this board years ago but recently haven't. (Honestly, I forgot about it. But I did still manage to scrounge up my name and password.) This may be a long and boring post. But I'm going to try to cram into it ten years of questions, experiences, frustrations, and thoughts. Sorry in advance.
First, some random thoughts:
As others have said, I work too hard for my money to spend bucks on an unsatisfactory experience. Yet, from what I've read here, most MP experiences are not all that fulfilling.
I like a good - make that great - massage. I also enjoy, on occasion, a HE. But I consider the two mutually exclusive. Both from my experiences and from what I've read here getting either/both is very hit and miss.
Is it my imagination or are there a LOT more massage parlors now than there were five or ten years ago? These places, seemingly on every corner in town, can't all be relying on tourist business to survive. How do so many, given that they don't provide excellent service, stay in business? There certainly seems to be no great reviews on any of these numerous joints on this board.
My reviews:
During my first twenty years in Vegas I never gave massage parlors a passing thought. That changed when, ten years ago, I changed jobs.
My first MP/HE experiences were simply great. I can't remember the name of the place but I'm sure some of you will know it. NE corner of Flamingo/Jones. It was closed down/went out of business but has since re-opened under a different name.
My first, second, and third time there was with "June". (Anyone ever meet an Asian truly named June? ) "June" gave the best massages I've ever had. And her massage skills made it nearly impossible to resist a most happy HE.
But, on my third visit I simply was not "up" for a HE. She was horribly offended and, even though I offered her a $20 tip for the massage, she was mad! I never went back.
Since then, I've searched for my "June" at a number of places. But I've never come close to finding either a great massage or a very enjoyable HE anywhere.
I've found, for utter relaxation, places which advertise themselves as providing "foot massages" are the best. Two I've been to (but only once) which I found worthy of recommendation are "Michelle" at "Thousand Feet Reflexology" at 3466 S. Decatur and #8 Herbal Foot Massage at 1643 W. Warm Springs. I cannot remember the name at #8 but she represented herself as an owner, was well-dressed, and gave a good massage. Only downside was her voice. She talked non-stop in a squeaky, hard to understand or listen to, voice.
Side note: why are virtually all MP's Asian? While I don't have anything, specifically, against Asians I don't like the fact that they either don't speak English or "play" that they don't. I want to be able to communicate with my massage "therapist"!
Since moving from the Strip area to the Green Valley area two years ago I've tried or attempted to try several places on E. Sunset. None were good experiences and none are worthy of further mention.
Summary:
I note the posts here are about the same as they were years ago. Helpful, perhaps, in knowing what places to avoid, but no suggestions on a GREAT place. Are there none?
On rare occasion I read a post from someone who seems to have found one of the GREAT places which I seek. But the poster always includes something like "senior members PM me for details". So I guess, on rare occasion they are to be found.
I don't visit MPs as often anymore. I really hate spending good money, getting a bad massage, and not smiling at the end. And the drive home afterward isn't pleasant either.