By the Sea Inn and Spa

I like this spa for manis/pedis but the facilities are a bit small and I prefer a locker/changing area for massages and facials. I have had a very nice massage there once, but I do have to say that the room wasn't very quiet since I could hear the passing road traffic. But I have always had great manis/pedis and their retail area is fantastic.

By the Sea is a good everyday spa. The service is solid and reliable. I was recently at a large spa party and they did a great job with meeting the needs of all the women.

Nice Spa great Massage and facial services for men and women and they take both spa finder as well as spa wish

Overall I have an average experience each time I go to this spa. The location is extremely convenient to my home and generally I am able to get in on short notice. If I am able to plan in advance I go elsewhere.

I've visited By the Sea three times for facials, and have had a variety of mediocre experiences each time: 1. First aestetician left room twice for a total of 20 minutes during 60-minute treatment, leaving me under blankets on overheated table, and talked about her personal life during the facial. I left treatment with gobs of goo in my hair. 2. Treatment rooms are very dated and not all that clean. 3. No real knowledge about products used and available in the shop. 3. I've received two gift certificates from the spa when I followed up about the service, but the treatments are so medicre that I don't especially want to return, even for free. Overall, they do a fair job and seem to benefit from no real competition on the Shoreline area. The prices seem high for the quality of the facilities, and the staff needs more training, both in skills and customer service. Not really worth the $$$.

The atmosphere is tranquil and transports one to the carefree times of a summer at the beach. The soothing music and aromas of herbal teas evoke peace as you wait in the comfy salon. I have had great massages, an herbal facial, and many mani-pedi's, and am pleased with the staff and the results.

I LOVEEE BY THE SEA IT IS THE ONLY SPA I WILL VISIT IN CONNECTICUT .IT IS THE PERFECT GETAWAY FOR A GIRLS NOT OUT WITH MOM YOUR SISTER IN LAW OR FRIEND . I HAVE TO SAY THAT IF YOU GET A CHANCE TO GO TO BY THE SEA DONT MISS OUT ON A FACIAL EVERY TIME I GO I GET ONE THEY ARE THE BEST HANDS DOWN AND IF YOU HAVE LIKE TO MAKE A DAY OF IT HAVE A RETREAT THEIR THEY HAVE GREAT FOOD FOR SPA RETREAT PACKAGES. I WOULD BET THAT THIS WILL END UP BEING YOUR FAV. SPA

I booked a pedicure with my mom at By the Sea a few weeks ago. Wow, what a great time we had! The staff was incredible, I felt like I was out with the girls. We all gabbed like we've known each other forever. The pedi was very well done and extremely relaxing, the whole experience was fantastic. I would absolutely recommend By the Sea for any excursion with your girlfriends.

My husband and I just spent the most lovely two day getaway at By the Sea! This was not our first visit, and will not be our last! I am a middle school teacher and needed a place to unwind and rejuvinate during my Feb. break. By the Sea treated us royally. We checked into the Queen Anne room which is exquisitely decorated and wonderfully comfortable. The decor is stunning, you just have to relax the minute you step into the room. The bed is huge, colonial four post with gorgeous wood and was so comfortable. We slept like babies. We were delighted to find a jacuzzi tub in the bathroom and shelves filled with every toiletry item you would need. The place was sparkling clean, yet warm and inviting. My husband loved the sunlit porch where we lounged for breakfasts. Don't expect to lose any weight here. A plentiful tray of delectable pastries, bagels and freshly baked breads awaited us each morning. The fridge was well stocked with juices, spreads, cream cheeses and yogurts. A big bowl of fruit was available too. My husband is a coffeeholic and enjoyed the fresh brewed, hot coffee awaiting him, along with the morning paper front and center. This gave us the perfect start to our day as we took the time to visit the Yale University art museum which was just a few minutes drive away. The museum has a good collection and was well worth the trip. Downtown New Haven had lots to offer, several little shops and boutiques, it was a great time. When we returned we had an unbelievable one hour sweedish massage. We hadn't planned to have the massage, but the receptionist was very accomodating as she tried to fit us in and work with our schedule. We changed into the luxuriously thick robes provided us, along with the plush slippers that were available in our room. We found the waiting / reception area to be very quiet and comfortable. The comfy, overstuffed chairs and couches looked inviting, the room was dimly lit and soft music was playing - I almost fell asleep waiting to be called! My massuese was excellent, she tiptoed in and out while I prepared myself. Every move she made was quiet and respectful of my comfort. The massage ran over my time by a few minutes, and I was urged to take my time getting up. I had to force myself not to fall asleep, I was so happy I had the most wonderful room just steps away to slink into and drift into the most relaxing sleep. I would choose By the Sea anytime over any of these, cold, modern cookie-cutter spas out there today. There's some real seasoned expertise at By the Sea, a professional, yet elegant, comfortable, down home feel. We'll be back as soon as we can! Whoever owns this place is a genious! Keep up the good work!

This quaint bed and breakfast is walking distance to the charming town of Branford and a short distance from the shore. The masseuse that each me and my accompanied guest had were professional and very capable. However, the Inn fell short of expectations regarding some key points. At the foremost was the fact that the mattress we slept on was quite old, uneven and poorly supported by a broken bed. Neither one of us had a restful sleep. In addition, our "breakfast" consisted of a "box of joe" from a coffee franchise and muffins from the same franchise. The bagels were baked locally, but there was no knife to spread the cream cheese. In addition, the plate that we used from the night before (as we had no alternative but to neatly leave it in the dining area) was still on the table where we and possibly other guests were meant to eat breakfast. The spa portion of the Inn was satisfactory, but to call yourself a bed and breakfast and not exceed at either the bed or the breakfast aspects of that title is a disappointment. As for the Spa, the condition of the house is to be expected from a home of that vintage, but the service can compensate for the poor condition by being overly caring. Although courteous and helpful, we had been scheduled to check in at 3, but didn't arrive until 5 in anticipation of a 5:45 massage appointment. Being that we were checking in a full two hours after the predetermined time, we did not expect to have to wait nearly 30 minutes to check in while our room was being cleaned. What would have happened if we had gotten there on time? Everybody on staff tried to be very helpful, but did not seem to be strict about appointments or timing. I guess that's what working at a Spa does to you?

I was very priviledged to recently visit By the Sea and have the most fantastic facial ever. I finally decided on having the Organic Facial. not only did it smell great by it also felt amazing. My face felt clean and i felt as though i was glowing when i left. To top off this wonderful experience, i couldnt be any happier with my estician, Mandy. She was very sweet, and informative. She gave me great tips about my skin care and what products i should be using. There was no pressure from her at all to purchase a product, I ended up purchasing the Black Thorn moisturizer and mask that she reccomended and iam feeling more and more comfortable in my own skin. Big thanks to Mandy! I would recommend this spa and treatment to all my girlfriends and i would also recommend my estician Mandy.

From start to finish, my experience was amazing. I truly felt pampered after Sara gave me the most incredible facial I've ever had. After a day of beauty, I felt like a bowl of mush!!!

I love going to By The Sea(and I go pretty often). The moment I walk in the ladies at the front desk greet me with smile. My massage therapist or Esthetician always make me feel like I'm queen for the time I'm there...Great Job!

had a massage there which was ineffective and in a room from which I could hear the constant drone of cars passing by. (it is on a main road and quite loud). Paid 80$ for a one hour swedish massage which did not relieve my muscle tension. Went down the road for a mani-pedi for $33 and had a great experience - their automatic massage chair did a better job than the masseuse at the spa! can only speak for the massage at the spa though as have not had their other services.

I have received many services at By The Sea and all have been beyond words. The latest facial I had introduced me to the Anti-Aging products by Dermologica and my skin has never looked better. I just turned 60 years old and using these products I never have to put any other foundation on my face. The women who have treated me have been exceptional. I highly recommend this spa; I wish I lived closer to it but whenever we visit our daughter in CT, By The Sea is a must!

Recently I visited By the Sea Inn & Spa. I arrived a few minutes early to get relaxed for my day at the spa. Upon arrival I sensed a negative tone; the receptionist was cold and unhelpful. This was my first visit to the spa so I was unsure of the spa's process. She told me to have a seat and my therapist would be with me in a moment. The waiting area was in another room and the only way I discovered this area was from scoping out the gift shop (the receptionist did not direct me to this area). I did not have to fill out any paperwork concering medical conditions, this concerned me. The spa is located in an older Victorian house. Cute, but not kept well; the decorations were chintzy and dusty. After waiting more than TWENTY minutes a massage therapist brought me to the treatment room, instructed me to undress (I guess there is not a locker room - strange). After getting comfortable under the covers the therapist came back into the room and apologized, she accidently brought back the wrong client (her client had the same first name as me). Rather than offering me a robe to change into I had to get dressed again to be brought back to the dingy waiting area. Another ten minutes must of passed before a frantic aesthetician instructed me to follow her. When I booked the appointment I requested to have the massage prior to the facial so this was unnerving to know I would have my facial first and have the skin care product rubbed off during the massage. At this point I had waited so long I just wanted the treatment to start. The aesthetician spoke about her personal life throughout the entire treatment, even after I expressed I was at the spa for some R&R. She told me she was going to leave the room while my mask set because she was running late and she had to see if her next client had arrived... why did she tell me this, why couldn't she just step out quietly? She RAN back into the room after 3-4 minutes to take my mask off. I ask her if the mask was on long enough; she replied, "Were running behind and I have to get you to the massage therapist." She gave me a robe to change into and I had to carry my own clothes to the same waiting area... again! The massge therapist was very pleasant, although I scheduled a 60 minute massage and received a 50 minute. I guess she could see how frustrated I was, she apologized for the unorganized day. When I checked out, I expressed my concerns and the same rude receptionist gave me an attitude as if she did not have the slightest care if I enjoyed my day or not. Overall I have to say I paid for a day that made me upset. I would have been more relaxed if I went on a NYC subway! This spa needs to get it's act together.

A charming spa in an old historic renovated house/inn. Absolutely lovely, peaceful, charming, calming atmospher. I visit regularly and enjoy my visit every time.