Branford River Resort and Spa - Branford, Connecticut

Nancy Reyes

Muy acogedor el negocio

Trish Luce

Cannot say enough good things about the couples massage we had. So clean. Such an intimate and beautiful experience. I have never felt so pampered. Highly recommend! Get the roses and strawberries! It was an amazing experience that I now NEED again in my life. Don’t walk…run there. You wont be disappointed

Diane Joseffy

I have been coming here for a few years now and every time I come it is always a top notch experience. My mom and I come and see Doreen for our brows and we look forward to coming and relaxing at the spa. My brows come out amazing and the price is SO MUCH better than anywhere else. I would love to come more often, but we live about an hour away. It IS worth the trip though! I would 1,000% recommend Branford River Spa to anyone, the experience is both relaxing and professional. Thank you!

Amy Marie

I had an extremely disappointing experience at this spa. My daughter and I came to redeem a gift card purchased by my husband for a mother-daughter spa day. Both gift certificates clearly stated in all capital letters (presumably written by the staff member who sold them to him), 'A DAY OF RETREAT, TAXES & TIP INCLUDED.' This package includes a massage, facial, manicure, and pedicure.

My daughter's massage and facial were satisfactory, but my massage was extremely light and felt more like being pet. There was no open communication; no one asked about any problem areas or issues, which I have experienced at other spas in the past. Additionally, the carpet in the massage room was dirty, which was off-putting as I stared through the face hole during the massage.

Regarding the nail services, both the manicure and pedicure were messy, with polish all over the cuticles. I ended up having to get my nails and toes repolished at another salon later that same day.

At checkout, despite presenting two gift certificates and stating 'we should be all set,' my daughter was unexpectedly told there was a balance of $8 & that any gratuity would also not be included. Upon farther questioning she was told that the gift card must’ve been old & that the prices had gone up since purchase. Confused, she paid the remaining amount and tipped everyone before informing me as we were walking to the car. I immediately returned to clarify that these gift certificates were for specific services, not a dollar amount, and should have covered everything as stated. My husband is a generous tipper, and I estimate these gift cards totaled over $600+ in services, although there was no dollar amount specified on them.

I am extremely disgusted knowing that we were made to pay more on something that was a gift. I was told by the man at the front desk the gift card must be old and that the prices had gone up and there wasn’t anything they could do. The gift card was given for Christmas, it was not that old and that should’ve been clearly communicated on the phone when the appointments were made
because I had explicitly stated I had a gift card I wanted to use for day of retreat. He LOOKED UP the gift card and confirmed what services they were for and booked my appt. That would’ve been the appropriate time to say that the prices had been raised and that there would be balance, not after all services were completed.

Overall, I was deeply disappointed by the lack of clarity, professionalism, and cleanliness at this spa. After reading reviews I see this is a common theme at this establishment. I expected a relaxing experience based on the gift certificates' promises, but unfortunately, this was not the case. I would not recommend this spa to anyone seeking a pleasant and organized spa day.

Rebecca Ciarcia-Haase

I have been coming to this spa since I was 13 years old (20+ years) and had severe acne. The spa has always been on the vanguard of new treatments, i.e. microderm abrasion years before anyone else. The staff are the only ones around with the skills and expertise to perform pedicure services on elderly clientele like my 90 year old grandmother. Staff and owner are extremely knowledgeable, friendly and offer excellent services and fun little touches like a glass of tea or sweet treat. I no longer live in CT but when I come home to see family, I always make sure to stop in for a much needed anti-aging facial or relaxing pedicure.

Kayy C

Instead of looking at this spa as voted best of New Haven, and reading the sites reviews, I should’ve just came to google… So I spent close to $300 for a couples massage, prenatal for me and included back mud wrap as a surprise for my man……… Mediocre. BOTH. My man told me that he barely felt like he was even touched and same for me. I asked the lady to apply a little more pressure and she told me “ Not too much” !!! Like what?! I’m pregnant and I have aches in my back and side that really needed to be rubbed out.. I worked all week on top of having children already so I was really looking forward to this but it was definitely a disappointment.. and this was also a gift for my man which was disappointing because he didn’t enjoy it. We both agreed that we were better off just going to an Asian owned spa because at least they applied pressure..Literally like these other reviews stated- We felt as if we were getting petted on.. This was literally a waste of my money and I definitely wouldn’t recommend to anyone that actually wants to be relaxed and not feel as if they’re paying for a person to just touch them

lisa jacobs

HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE!! Cheerfully giving a 5 stars rating! After numerous visits here now, I can positively and confidently say the services here are not only superior and wide in scope, but even more so in today's world, reasonably priced! GEM on the Branford River for sure!! Upon every visit I had been greeted by all Staff, not only by name, but as if I walked into a home away from home. Where I love to go to regroup and recenter. I have never had to request any individual technician if I was uncertain who would fit me best for any specific services, as the spa is managed so well. They are genuinely devoted to likings and preferences without having to ask, which always makes for a simple arrangement of appointments. Another amazing feature is the location and parking ease. My favorite weekly visit is the WELLNESS POD packages. Last minute, I can call and ask if there is an opening, and I am quickly in a blissful heaven. It is overall about a 45-minute process and really has a way of relaxing you to the max in that short time. Wonderful hot clean shower with all my needs readily accessible to help myself to with ease. BONUS!!! …. The weight management benefits have absolutely been amazing if you create a regimen for yourself. Once a month I love to add in the ionic foot detox and spa pedicure along with the WELLNESS POD. It is great little mini staycation for a busy mom, and I sure do appreciate the benefits this facility adds to my overall wellness. The facials and massages are absolutely impressive every time. The lead technician has such a vast knowledge of the Esthetics industry and overall wellness and balance for the mind, body, and soul. I must say it is remarkable! Another slice of heaven…. there is a SAUNA that you can either book an appointment to use for extended time, or, for only a few dollars I can add the use of it to any service I am already having. Great and inexpensive treat I love to use to fill any appt gaps or just a quick recenter all by itself. For my fellow outdoors lovers, it is a joy to hike the close by supply pond or town center, then sneak away to Branford River Resort and Spa to relax my muscles and shower off any stress in paradise.

Nicole Parks

I had on some false nails, and they were not equipped to take them off. Being that one of the nails was broken and all of the nails were in need of a fill (badly!) she decided to cut/file the rest of my nails down to match the broken one, then for a fill, she decided to do the outdated way of doing extensions. She put this glue on them, and then added what I believe was acrylic powder onto them. Even with 3 coats, it was not a proper fill to match the already existing nails. Then the shellac was placed over them, but it flooded the nail too much so when it bonded, it was not a smooth finish. I could have ignored all of it, but the fact that she charged me $25 on top of the $360 European package I pre-paid for, and tax, AND a 10% covid fee...i just looked down at my nails like...yeah no not ok. I ended up walking out the door paying an extra $90.

I ordered the European package for my birthday, and had my mom tag along. It was wonderful! The massage was great, so relaxing I had trouble getting up. The hydrotherapy bath was my favorite!! The bubbles the relaxation, and the mud wrap before it...I'm buying me a weighted blanket because if it. And the facial!! I really REALLY enjoyed myself! I truly wish I had taken off my tips prior to the appointment. ?