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LadyKAP
Not at all worth the money spent. They messed up two of my appointments, the layout is awkward, the building old and outdated, and the treatments were "ok". Not at all worth the drive or the money charged. I won't be going back.
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Elenaig
My husband and I are cottagers in Jacksons Point. After taking a few treatments at the Spa we decided to buy a Briars Spa Club membership. First reason, of course, is a location. Secondly, RMTs we have got the service from are very professional (I can refer only to a massage therapy and a holistic treatment). As the members we can use a recreation area with every visit, and prices with our membership are very good, I do not think any other spa can beat it. Also we like an atmosphere in the Spa. We enjoy nice scents around and sitting in the quiet room before and after your treatments. Hot and cold drinks are always available. A Spa manager Dayni and a supervisor Shannon are always there to help. We have never had any problems to book a time we need. Yes, we agree that the place is old and needs some improvement and renovation, but it is not a shower or furniture that makes this place nice and cozy – it is people who do everything to make your stay pleasant and comfortable. Thank youi
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loulou1019
I don't want to be repetitive but I agree with the last 2 reviewers - lunch at the spa should be AT THE SPA, not in the bar with golfers and hotel guests. Not only is it embarrassing, it is noisy and not at all the spa experience I expected. Likewise, the "hydra-therapy area" where hotel guests are encouraged to bring their children who are provided with noodles and other pool toys. Don't get me wrong: Certainly, hotel guests should be allowed to bring their kids to the pool and kids should be allowed to behave like kids at a pool, but this is NOT a "hydra-therapy area" to be included in a spa package. The treatments were good, (I've had better at Ste. Anne's and Millcroft) but this is no place to go for a spa experience. For the same price you can have a complete spa experience elsewhere. Speaking of price, I thought it was a little cheesy when they told me that the "spa lunch" included in my package didn't include beverages - if I wanted a cup of tea, I would have to pay extra. Really? Why not just add a buck or two the package and give us a cup of tea instead of looking so unprofessional?
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Lady_Tripper22
The only reason this spa gets as high a rating of two stars is that the estheticians and masseuse were exceptional. They get a 10/10 rating. They are very professional and skilled at what they do. They are the only reason I would ever consider returning to this spa. It was the best facial and pedicure I have ever received.We had a spa package that included lunch. They have a lounge where you are ushered into where you waited for your treatments. I assumed that this is where we would be having lunch. WRONG! When it came time for lunch, we were asked if we would like to change back into our clothes or remain in our robes. Since we had another treatment after lunch, we chose to remain in our robes thinking that we would be having lunch in the spa lounge (usual place for spas to serve lunch) . We were asked to follow the attendant and found ourselves brought downstairs into the Drinkwaters Lounge. Now this is The Briar's main lounge just off their reception area. It is a public area for anyone on the resort to come to. This is where we were suppose to relax and enjoy our lunches in our robes with nothing on underneath but our birthday suits, with messed hair and no make up on. This would be the equivalent to my husband grabbing me at home from the shower in my robe and taking me down to the local Bull and Finch pub for a "relaxing bite to eat". This would be unthinkable for him and he was appalled that it happened to me.It was very uncomfortable for us, and I can't see it being very pleasant for the lounge patrons either, as they had their lunch or pints wondering what the hel* these women were doing in their bathrobes.This experience was anything but relaxing or enjoyable. It was down right humiliating!!!What was really disappointing, when it was mentioned to the spa and resort managers, it was taken very lightly. They were dismissing and had missed the point entirely. Comments from staff were - "Oh, you are the first to mention this" (found out later this was not the case) " Well, our staff should have let you know where lunch was served so if you wanted to change, you could have."If The Briars is wanting to be known as a "high calibre " resort you need to rethink some of your policies and note suggestions given by other clients on Trip Advisor re: general up keep, food etc. It is difficult to restore a good reputation, once it is lost.
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rickyB502
Our nursing group were recently at the The Briars for our 40th nursing reunion and it was wonderful. The cottages were clean and well appointed although they are old. The dining experience was delicious and we had our dinners in a room all to ourselves so we were not disturbed and we did not disturb other guests. The menu was varied and chosen ahead of time by the group organizing the event with the event organizer at the Briars. The event organizer Kae bent over backwards the whole time we were planning the event to accomodate many requests and late registrations and multiple requirements. I do not know of any other resort in Ontario that would have done all the things that we asked for. The meals were delicious and served well.We as a group had people who arrived late for both dinners and that did hold things up and the resort did not complain to any of the reunion organizers about this. Breakfast and lunch were buffet style both meals and I arrived at 8AM for every breakfast and can assure anyone that there was a varied choice every morning including fresh eggs scramled and in omelete form, pancakes cereal hot and cold along wilth meat for those who like meat at breakfast . Lunch choices were as varied and as delicious. The resort provided a shuttle service to and from our accomodations and our social room at any time to the main building. This resort is my choice for this type of event as it is a much more personal touch than a hotel or conference centre and I have attended events at both. The resort has ramps in many places to accomodate those who are physically challenged. Many thumbs up to the Briars!!
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hogan3490
Friend and I booked a spa day. We usually go to Elmwood but wanted a city escape and thought of the briars. The treatments were wonderful. Massage, facial, manicure. Overall it wasn't much of a spa day. In between you wait in a waiting room. Photos online show the Briars on the water so I thought it would have great views. No, the spa waiting room was inside with a small window. No view at all. You had to pay extra if you wanted to walk the grounds or go to the waterfront. Our lunch experience was interesting. The Briars has a pub restaurant. Terrible service, we listened to the wait staff sucking their teeth and clearing their throat as we ate. At the spa they said lunch in our robes was fine. I felt a bit uncomfortable and out of place. We were the only ones in robes. The seating area is right by the reception where people walk through. Everyone glanced in as they walked by. Going in for a spa service and then leaving is what I would recommend. I won't be returning.
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lefty770
First and last time there. Maintence very poor, doors would shut, peeling paint in the pool, mould at the bootom of showers, want to leave early, oh no, you lose your $200 deposit, only place in the world that does that, probably because too many people want to leave early. A serious upgrade needed to warrant the price they charge
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NancyJanePorter
I love the scents as you enter the spa. It's lovely to sit in the quiet room before and after your treatment and just clear your mind. I've had several of the treatments and they were all great.
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LLippa
The Briars used to be one of the best places to visit. They have a golf course on the property, small chalets beautiful grounds. The place is so run down that the buttons on the elevators are loose and they appear that they are going to fall off. Old Old Old. Everything needs to be changed and up graded. The owners are not spending any money to keep the beauty of this place. What is wrong with these people!!!!! The spa services are terrible. The manager acts likes she doesn't care, and is there just to receive her pay check. They kep me waiting 25 mins, because the RMT forgot her schedule, so they say!
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EnragedCoconut1
I was a regular customer at the Briars Spa but my most recent visit indicate that things have declined significantly. I will no longer return to this spa until they return to the service level that is more in line with their price point:Rude customer service staffComplete lack of interest in my experience or enjoyment at the spaRidiculous policiesI found expired product for sale on their shelves, and when I notified the spa manager (Dayni), she looked surprised and then put it back on the shelf.Paintings and spa signs sitting crooked on the walls of the spa (a sign that general maintenance and cleanliness is starting to suffer - unacceptable when they charge premium rates)From what I can see, there has been huge front office staff turnover at the spa. I'm not sure if it is their new policies that caused the turnover or if the turnover caused the decline in service. Either way, the spa experience lacks completely now and they haven't adjusted their price points to reflect the lesser service. Strongly recommend that you spend your money elsewhere until they sort this out.I need to stress that the issue is with the spa's front office staff, not the spa technicians. Tragic since the service providers themselves are great. They too notice the decline and seem to be suffering from it.The resort itself is screaming for new carpet, new furniture and a coat of paint. They haven't changed anything over in years.
