La Dolce Vita Salon & Day Spa

I read alot of good reviews so I decided to check the place out. It had fair prices and the decor is super cute although there were alot of exposed piping. However, I feel like I could have gone somewhere better. I started off with a massage with Jen. The room was relaxing but you could hear the Boston traffic and sirens outside. Jen's technique was really good, but she spent so much time on arms and legs, that I literally only had 5 minutes done on my back. I thought the back was the main part of the massage? I mentioned that I had wanted my back worked on, and I barely was given any attention to that area. She was friendly and chatting with me, but I really just wanted to relax and sleep. She would talk and would momentarily pause to talk with her hands which was annoying! I'm sure she doesn't do it all the time, but that was just my experience with her. My facial with Deanna wasn't anything to rave about. I had the deep pore cleansing facial and it was my first one ever. If you ever had an extraction done on your face, you know that it can be quite painful. She started the extraction w/o warning knowing that I've never had it done before. Also, when I was getting the mask and the steamer, she would either leave the room or sit down and flip through magazines. I would think that I'd recieve some sort of massage during that time! I also got a french mani/pedi and those came out good. I paid for my services by credit card, and tipped by cash. When I went home, I saw that they had charged a 20% tip on my credit card as well! They said their machine automatically does that and it will take the 20% tip off within 24 hours, but I believe they should have told me about that beforehand. Overall, the place was not worth it and would not go to again!! Pros: decor, friendly staff Cons: quality of service more

Everybody needs to know about their stylist Kathy. I went to her because my other salon was booked and I needed my hair done asap. It turned out to be a blessing because Kathy is the best stylist I have ever encoutered in my life. The cut and color were perfect. I used to go home after getting my hair done and it would be impossible to recreate what the stylist did in the salon but with Kathy's cut my hair always turns out the same way - perfect. She's one talented woman. Thank you Kathy! more

A friend brought me here as a birthday gift. I was getting a spa pedicure and french manicure. The decor was very warming, the spa and salon itself are small. Beware of the room in the back, its very cold and they don't really do much to make it any warmer. Both manicure and pedicure were amazing, but it took almost 3 hours! The woman (I believe her name is Jesenia, spelled with a 'Y') was really sweet which made the 3 hours a little more bearable. It was a good thing my friend and I both had the day off because had I come there for a quick lunch time getaway, I would have missed almost half my work day! Pros: Great Manicure/Pedicure Cons: Slow Service, Small & Croweded more

i went here based on other citysearch reviews for a bikini wax, and i'm glad i did! i have had only horrible painful waxes in the past. and though the procedure will never be painless, this one was comfortable and quick. it was clean and calming and the staff was friendly. also it is one of the cheapest places around. i would definitely go back if i had a higher tolerance for pain! more

I've gotten brazilians before, but this is the only place where it didn't hurt! She also removed all the hair. Often other places don't get everything. The massage was also phenomenal. I usually have mid-back pain from sports and many massage therapists concentrate on the lower back and shoulders. Here the massage therapist felt the tension in that area and was able to release all the tension there. I wouldn't go anywhere else for a wax or massage! Pros: relaxing massage, thorough and painless wax Cons: mani/pedi was good but not worth spa prices more

Came the other day for a massage, facial, manicure pedicure package. Everything was great but the massage part was delectable. i had so many weird aches and pains in my body and the next day i felt a 100% better. Their massage therapist is a true healer. I had to write review because I am a new person after that experience Pros: the best massage! more

I loved this place the minute I walked in. I loved the way they decorated the place and the people were very friendly. I came for a lot of waxing and was quite nervous about it. Bernadette took me in and I felt an instant relief as I met her. She was very courteous and made sure I felt comfortable. She explained everything that was involved and what I needed to do to get started. The waxing part was painful as expected but bearable but it was a lot less than I was expecting it to be. After about 45 minutes to an hour of this I was done, a little sore but happy to know that I got good a service. This place would be perfect if it just werent so difficult to get to. Take the T, I dont suggest driving to this place. more

I met Jennifer last week to get my wrecked hair fixed. She is amazing! Not only did she fix what another salon ruined but what she did to my hair exceeded my expectations of a plain repair job. She completely changed my look and Ive been getting complements from everyone all week. Jennifer is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. Thank you Jen! more

La Dolce Vita is the best place for waxing in Boston. I switched to them from my old place because I switched jobs and this is more convenient to get to now. I cant believe i was paying that much money at my old salon for waxing that i just found out was not good at all. La Dolce Vita is such a big difference from what ive experienced before. The place was very nice looking and clean, the esthetician was excellent (i think her name was Bernadette), and their prices are much lower than the place I used to go to in Newbury. This place is the best discovery Ive made, thank god for citysearch or else i would not have found them Pros: very good waxing - fast painless and cheap. good location Cons: stairs more

I just moved to Boston and was looking for somewhere to get my hair done before school started. I chose La Dolce Vita because they had good reviews and the price was reasonable. I was so pleased with Jennifer's work. I more than got my moneys worth and will be starting school with my fab new cut and color. Thanks Jennifer! I will recommend you to all my friends. Pros: good stylist, good price more

Not worth the money...... the facial was so basic.. not impressed at all. She didn't even listen to what I wanted and my concerns with my skin. I thought that this would be a great place but... NOT Worth it..... Cons: bad facial more

This was by far the most disappointing spa experience that I have ever had! The women who work there are unfriendly and unhelpful. The room where I had my massage and facial were so cold I almost wanted to walk out and leave! I mentioned how cold it was and all I recieved was another thin sheet layed accross me. My manicurist was so slow and seemed so inexperienced that I was beside myself. I whole-heartedly want to tell other women that you will walk out of here feeling ripped-off and frustrated. Cons: The entire establishment. more

Their massage therapist Jennifer gave me the best massage ever. Everything was perfect, the pressure, the technique, the ambience. I had to book another massage with her. I cant wait! Pros: Two thumbs up for massage more

I walk by La Dolce Vita everyday from the T to my work. I would sometimes look up at their window with curiosity because from the street level all you can see are the pretty chandeliers by their window and I always wondered what it would look like in there and if they were any good. When my old salon on Clarendon closed down I had no where to go so I decided to give them a try. I was very surprised when I went in to see how nice it looked but they could not accomodate me that day so I booked and appointment for the next day. When I came back, I was greeted nicely and waited a little bit for the aethetician to come. She took me to another floor and again I was pleasantly surprised on how nice it looked. So I got my waxing done by her and I was very happy. She was very friendly, and she did an excellent job but most importantly, she was quick. I went back downstairs and asked if I could also get a hair cut since I was already there. Luckily, the hair dresser Jen had no clients so she took me in. She did a pretty good job as well but all I got was a trim so its hard to judge her skills based on that. I will most definitely come back and this will probably be my new salon. I have yet to try their spa services one of there days but I am looking forward to it. Thanks guys at La Dolce Vita! Pros: Location, People, Looks very nice Cons: Have to buzz in more

I was extremely disappointed with my spa experience. I had read the reviews here at CitySearch and decided to ignore the few that were negative (service takes way too long, unfriendly staff, expensive for what you get, etc.) I thought going on a Friday afternoon would increase my chances for a favorable experience. To my horror, the negative reviews were right on. This is not a spa, it is a hair salon. There is a big difference. Nothing was relaxing, the space is way too crammed together, the staff is not friendly or inviting and the services are way overpriced. I was one of two people in the spa. I was having a mani, pedi, brow wax and a haircut (the executive package) and I was there for 4+ hours!!! The place was empty. My brow wax was incomplete. The waxer did the under line but no tweezing on the upper-part of the brow. While the hairstylist was cutting my hair she informed me that a blowdry is not included with the package. Why is a haircut included and not a blowdry? That is $30 extra dollars!! What are you going to do, walk out looking like a wet dog? I decided to add the blowdry. The package is a scam. The manicurist sat me in the pedi chair for 20 minutes before getting to me. She didn't speak to me the entire time. I was there for such a long time I had to run out to feed the meter 3 times. No one offered me a glass of water or a cup of tea at any point. Since the place was empty the salon workers were sitting around laughing it up, eating and searching the internet - real busy! This was far from the spa experience I had looked forward to all week! I left feeling very cheated. I will happily go back to Newbury Street and pay for the little extras that I have come to now appreciate. I moved to the city from MetroWest where I used to go to Jesamodo Salon/Spa. That place was fabulous and I wish I would have made the drive out to Natick rather than waste my time and money at La Dolce Vita. Experience at your own risk. Pros: Attractive Building, Great Decorating Cons: Bad Customer Service, Parking, Services more

I spent about four hours at the spa getting my nails done, a massage and a facial. The people were very nice and very friendly. They made me feel very comfortable, relaxed and pampered. The services were just as good, especially the massage part of my visit. I left a very happy customer. I highly recommend them more

I went here based on the favorable reviews I read on City Search. I'm always hesitant when I try a new salon for highlights, but given what I read I figured I'd try it. Cathy took very good care of me and did an awesome job on my highlights and was very friendly and conversational. Prices were affordable. I will definitely go back for future hair maintenance. more

I went into La Dolce Vita for my first ever brazilian wax. I was so nervous! After meeting the waxer ( Elana ) i was brought to a room and asked to change. Elana put me at ease by joking with me and informing me of everything that would take place. After we got to talking I felt much more comfortable, like i was with an old friend! The procedure itself was quick, not entirely painless, but not nearly as bad as I had expected. They even gave me a gift bag. I will definatly be back in 6 weeks for my next wax! I would recomend this salon and waxer to all of my friends Pros: staff, atmosphere and pricing Cons: parking =( more

So I moved to Boston and boy was it hard looking for people to accomidate my lifestyle. First and for most finding a stylist. Salons are all around here, so after doing some research I found this Spa/Salon. I was kind of nervous I wont lie, only because it was not Newbury St. I am so glad I went in I met this Stylist she is absolutely amazing, Cathy has got to be the most talented individual I have yet to meet. She just made me feel so confident on what she was doing that I found myself not even questioning her, May I add thats not like me. Anyways I just wanted eveyone who is searching for a Stylist to go and check her out she is again the best I have had. Thank You so much La Dolce Vita."Most of all Thanks Cathy" See you in a month Pros: Personable, Reasonable, Dependable more

Hairstylist Kathy, did an excellent job! Color and cut was perfect, exactly what I wanted. I would recommend Kathy to anyone who wants a stylist who can imagine exactly what you want and produce the look easily. Pros: friendly staff, beautiful salon, not crowded more