The Retreat Beauty Rooms & Nail Bar at Jarrolds (1196 reviews)

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I book facials the same reason why I book a massage - to relax. I know you have to observe Health and Safety, but I find it quite annoying to have to fill out a form on the ipad and to be warned about side effects and aske what I am hoping to gain from it are not an enjoyable part of the experience. Is it even necessary? Will the service I receive be any different based on the answer I give? I was feeling quite stressed out and tired so didn't really want to search for my glasses in my handbag to fill out your form.

Comment

I have been visiting The Retreat Salon several times for a pamper manicure, as I really appreciate that they use high-quality OPI products. I have always been very happy with the results when Becca did my manicure, and I would highly recommend her. However, last Friday, my manicure was done by a different person, who I believe was young and relatively inexperienced. Although I usually refrain from leaving negative reviews, I feel compelled to share my experience this time. The nail polish began peeling off the very next day, which is far below the standard I would expect from a professional service. Additionally, I was disappointed immediately after the manicure was finished, as the results looked no better than what I could have achieved myself at home. For a £35 service, I expected a much higher level of quality and attention to detail.

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This was the first time I had visited the Retreat. I arrived on time but it was not clear where I would register/check in. Not seeing what I found out later was the desk I did see a door above which was signage referring to the Retreat. I went through the door and down the staircase. After sitting on one of the two chairs for a few minutes a client and therapist came down the stairs. After the therapist understood why I was sitting there she went back upstairs to notify her colleague that I had arrived. On her return she apologised and said my therapist was now aware that I had arrived but would be down directly. At ten minutes after my appointment time my therapist appeared and I had my treatment. It was explained to me that there had been a desk in front of the entrance to the Retreat but that day it had been relocated. I later found out it is now opposite the entrance door to the Retreat. As you can imaging I found this initial experience of visiting the Retreat impacted on the my visit. I am not sure I would return.

Comment

Such a shame and waste of money. My "Escape" relaxation package at the Jarrolds Retreat was so disappointing due to the location of the treatment rooms above the street where a busker was trumpet playing (badly!). Despite the calming mood music in the room, it wasn't enough to drown out the jarring sounds from the street below. The treatment itself was very good, although I did miss being offered a glass of water afterwards. Despite Jarrolds considerable investment in the refurbishment of the whole treatment rooms, I would not want to return due to the outside noise.

Comment

I have done this service previously and I have found it very professional, this last occasion I am afraid I can’t say the same. The service and result was not as expected or previously received. The person who normally does my nails was unavailable so I had someone else instead, this had made the difference.

Comment

Unfortunately I had another disappointment about the way nails are done in the UK. I booked at Jarrolds because I wanted a professional gel manicure, but the product used (OPI) doesn’t feel like gel at all. My nails feel soft and not protected. Moreover, I am used from abroad to have nail repaired in case one is broken or shorter than the others, but this service is not provided at Jarrolds. As per picture, my index finger looks funny now because no reparations whatsoever has been done. I had to shorten all the other nails to match this one in order to look tidy (the nail technician didn’t suggest this at first place, I had to ask to cut the other nails because in my opinion it wouldn’t have looked nice to have one finger short and all the others long). I love long nails and I normally wear them long. I felt very disappointed as I was expecting to get the broken nail repaired. Also, the surface of the nail gel looks bumpy in the backlight, and not smooth in the surface. The nail technician was meticulous, yet the cuticles hasn’t been treated properly and the final result is not up to my standards. Also, the fact that I had to have the old gel removed elsewhere because at Jarrolds they don’t treat other gel than the one they apply brought me several troubles. In conclusion, I found this service demanding towards the customer and not qualitatively high enough.