i went in for a massage and my actual service was good, the fact that you get a complimentary light meal was nice but everything else was horrible!!! from the snooty service at the front desk, to the fact there were flights of stairs to get anywhere in the spa (if i wanted a workout i would have gone to the gym instead!), to the unrelaxing atmosphere in the waiting lounge and in the room i got my service in (it was cold and bright!), to having horrible washrooms, an extremly small steam room and the service wasn't as great as i expected. i had booked an appointment to have my makeup retouched after my service and the technician was constantly reminding me that we HAD to be ready for our appointment right at 7pm!!! i thought being in a spa was all about relaxation and having no schedule! this lady reminded me when i sat down in the lounge to wait for my service AND as i was eating my salad!!! talk about feeling rushed!!! it was HORRIBLE!!! i usually go to spa-utopia and i guess i was spoiled rotten there with great service and a great ambience!

I only went to this place as my friend was going and she wanted me to come with her. I'm from the UK so was not aware of any previous reviews, magazine exposure, etc. I baulked a little at the price (I had the organic crystal microdermabrasion which was $190 excl tax) but when I actually had the treatment, not only did I get a free (albeit on the small side!) chicken salad after it, but when I had the collagen mask (included in price) applied on my face after the microdermabrasion treatment, the lady did not just exit the room and leave me lying there as they do in most spas (which is the point at which I get bored), but instead gave me a hand, arm and shoulder massage while we waited for the mask time to be up. That - and the fact that I spent as long as I wanted in the relaxation room, reading magazines and drinking the unlimited complimentary water, coffee, and cranberry juice - was what justified the price for me. I was also told that I could use the swimming pool and could have free makeup applied to my face before leaving the spa. The main reason that I did not give a 5* is that the pool area is in need of a facelift, and I would not have used it even if I did have the time to spare. That was the only letdown really. The female changing rooms were clean and looked good, it was just the immediate poolside area that looked a little shabby.

I liked the atmosphere ... very relaxing. The post treatment chicken salad and, for my birthday, the champagne with strawberry was great. However, I had chosen the "bronzing" treatment as I was going to Mexico in a few days and I have very fair skin. WHAT A HORRIBLE MESS they made of me!!! Brown streaks (and I mean DARK brown streaks) all over my body. There's no way I could have gone out in public looking like that. As a result, I had to go home and totally scrub it off. I feel it was an absolute waste of my gift certificate. After trying another local spa I would not go back.

I have been going to the Absolute Spa at the Century on a regular basis over the last few years. I have also visited several other Vancouver Spa's and none can compare with the quality of service & friendliness of staff. Loved the Aromatherapy Associates products that they used during my facial. Their new Spa Cafe and re-decorated lounge was the icing on the cake after a fabulous day of services. I didn't want to leave. I definitely recommend them and it was well worth it.

I had high hopes for the spa at the century given that it has received so much press in the last few years. However, when I compare it to the many experiences I have had at other spas (in Hawaii, the Caribbean, Whistler etc), it pales in comparison. The facility is in obvious need of a facelift - there are tears in the sofas, nicks in the walls and general signs of disrepair are everywhere. The treatment rooms lack air conditioning and on a sunny day, the rooms can become stiffling contributing to my inability to relax while I was there. The staff is noisy and the walls are thin so that you can hear many of the sounds of the hotel. I had a facial, manicure and pedicure and while I would say that the facial was okay, my nail polish bubbled on my nails. While the estetician fixed my hands, they bubbled slightly again and so I left with a sub-par end result. Overall, I would say that the people at this facility have not learned the fine art (and it is an art) of truly pampering their guests.

It was my first spa experience so I did have my expectations up. For the price that was paid for my service (chocolate bar wrap) it seemed short and it really wasn't what it seemed to be promoted as. I had read in a spa magazine that it was voted the number one treatment to recieve. I would not recommend going to this spa, only because my experience was not a good one. I've talked to others about their experiences and they all seemed similiar to mine. Do try it if you want but I would look into a smaller, more devoted spa.

I have visited numerous spa's across Canada & now I see why the Absolute Spa at the Century is No. 1. The personalised service I received from start to finish was outstanding. My massage therapist was the best I've ever had. She worked on muscles that I never thought I had. Talk about meeting celebrities, as I was checking out, Eric McCormack from Wil & Grace was checking in for services. I truly reccommend going.

This place is a joke. It is NOT the best spa in Vancouver at all. There are good massage therapists there but that is about all...I also heard that the staff are treated very poorly and paid very low. I say go to VIDA or MIRAJ if you want a good and amazing experience.Also, the celebrities DON'T go there..