Rikyu Health & Beauty 4.4 10 reviews

I went to Rikyu for a massage last month. First impressions : the salon is located within the premises of a fitness club 2 minutes walk from Stonebridge Park station, near Wembley. On arrival the receptionist of the fitness club pointed me in the direction of the treatment room, where I was met by the therapist Emi. I was politely asked to wait in the reception area while the room was prepared, which was fine as I was early anyway. After filling out a treatment form I was ushered into the treatment area, which was very nicely arranged and decorated.

Before my massage started I discussed my needs and concerns with Emi, which I feel is an important part of the process that sometimes gets overlooked! The low-light ambience of the room created a pleasant atmosphere, with soft music playing that helped to put me into a relaxed and receptive frame of mind. The massage table was very comfortable, with an adjustable headrest. I have been given massages on rickety tables in the past so a high-quality table was a welcome addition.

Emi gave me a highly professional, relaxing and inventive massage that took 90 minutes but seemed a lot less! I'm a picky customer, but in truth I would say she is one of the best therapists I've ever used. She discovered knotted muscles I didn't even realise were there, and performed the treatment without slacking off for the full hour and a half.

All in all, I was very happy with my experience here!

Lovely little place nestled just off the North Circular Road in NW London. My facial treatment was excellently performed by the therapist, and I left feeling pampered and fresh as a daisy! The free herbal tea was a nicely exotic touch too. Recommended!

Personally I rate at least a third of a beauty treatment on the facilities and ambience and I am afraid that this place lacks either in any quantity.

The name sounds great and the pictures look inviting but my worries started when I entered the run down gym where this Health and Beauty facility was located, dim lighting and un-hoovered carpet does not make for a good first impression. The "reception" was unmanned and was very dingy, the therapist then appeared from her room. She was very welcoming with a big smile but immediately launched straight into asking me which colour nail polish I wanted, I had barely set foot in the room, let me catch my breath first! Water or herbal tea was offered as I was shown to my chair where a rug that seemed stained lay just beneath it.

Instantly I could smell damp that had penetrated the room. I at that point text a friend to ask if I should cut my losses and leave then. But I decided to give her the benefit of the doubt as there were positive reviews on here.

Thankfully I had taken a magazine to read as not a single one was offered, not even one from 2008, the doctors and dentist do better! It was a good job I had taken reading material as it turned out that I was in for the duration. What was supposed to be an hour's treatment turned into and hour and a half. Now having extra time might sound lovely at no extra cost but when you have other places to be and by this time sweating due to the lack of air conditioning or windows then it was half an hour too long.

I was looking forward to the chocolate parafin wax treatment as I had experienced a chocolate pedicure before which was lovely, came with champagne and a small bar of chocolate but these treats were in short supply here. However, when it came to applying the wax on my feet I felt like my feet had been placed in melting hot lava. Now like most women I have fairly teflon hands but the feet can be sensitive and I was beginning to understand how Princess Margaret felt when her feet were burnt in a bath once. She assured me that the chocolate would not burn my feet, oh good I thought, that is comforting! I couldn't however tolerate the heat and so she offered to cool it down for me. Unfortunately the cooled down version was only mildly better, like walking on hot sand but I was running out of time, patience and sweat beads by this time.

I spent the whole time slouched in my chair and rolls of paper towel being used to dry my feet is not my idea of pampering.

I do not want to be all doom and gloom as the therapist was very pleasant and she did a fine job with fine tuning my feet but it was not the relaxtion that I had hoped for and it proved that it sometimes pays to pay a little more to get more engaging surroundings.

One thing to note if you still want to book here, the massage table did not appear to have a hole for your face so you could end up with a crooked neck.

Overall I would not recommend this place and I would not go back, the cd of birds tweeting for 90mins was enough to put anyone off. Take the therapist and put her in a more luxurious beauty spa and you might be onto something.

I went with my daughter to this venue in a gymn in outer London. The surrounding facilities were not great and I had to wait an hour for the sole therapist. She was pleasant, knowledgeable and helpful, providing us with excellent herbal tea while we waited. If your are going with a friend, take a book or some work. My daughter, who has problem skin, said it was the best facial she ever had and my 60 year old skin glowed after the environ vitamin treatment.

This is a talented young woman who gave genuine skin care advice, without pushing expensive products. We bought a few, at reasonable cost. All in all, it was a very happy experience for us.

In case you want to purchase anything when there, remember to take cash or a cheque as she does not take cards.

Was my first time at this salon/spa. I enjoyed my facial, Ami was very through, and informative. Highly recommended.

Emi is a great therapist - made me feel relaxed from my very 1st appointment.
I've had a manicure, pedicure and a WONDERFUL massage (I actually fell asleep!)
I recommend Rikyu Beauty for anyone wanting the very best. Go on, give it a try.

I would recommend Emi to everybody as she is the second best therapist I ever been massaged by. (number one is my wife of course :-)

I visit Emi on regular basis for a massage every two weeks and I am never disappointed as she always tries to fill full my needs and requests. She always surprises me with some new moves or sequence.
She is very professional and cares about her clients. Emi is always very polite and flexible if I need to change or cancel my appointment.
Appointments booked with Emi are always great value for the price you pay.

Ondrej

I would recommend Emi to anybody who is looking for great service and value. She is friendly and very professional. The atmosphere is relaxed and her salon very cosy.
Emi makes you feel comfortable and relaxed with her special touch whatever you are booked for. You always feel as you receive something extra than just a treatment.
Emi goes above and beyond the role of beautician and massage therapist and cares about her clients.

I have been a client of Emi's for few years I would highly recommend her.

Jitka

i HAVE VISITED RIKUY HEALTH AND BEAUTY FOR THREE TIMES ; EACH VISIT HAS BEEN A VERY PLEASURABLE AND REVITALISING EXPERIENCE.
AS A THERAPIST MYSELF, I AM QUITE FUSSY ABOUT TREATMENTS AND DO AND DON'TS.
I WAS ALWAYS MADE FEELING VERY WELCOME AND THE TREATMENTS WERE SIMPLY DIVINE.
HIGHLY RECOMMEND EMI'S CUSTOMISED ANTI AGEING FACIALS AND THERAPEUTIC MASSAGES, NOT FORGETTING HER WONDERFUL REFLEXOLOGY.
A SERENE, TRANQUIL TREATMENT HAVEN AND A THERAPIST THAT TICKS ALL THE RIGHT BOXES.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED AND GREAT VALUE FOR MONEY.

The salon is located in a room within a fitness club - I was worried about background noise intruding onto the treatment, but the room is tucked away in a quiet corner of the gym so it was nice and peaceful. My Japanese therapist Emi was friendly and very professional, and she gave me a lovely stone massage treatment, lasting almost 2 hours including a steam facial. This was one of the best places I've been to in the NW London area, and hopefully I'll be returning soon!