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Relax Massage at 557B Geelong Road, Brooklyn is a local shop reached from a service road off busy Geelong Road, and it keeps things simple. You ring the bell, wait on the reception sofas and get straight to the point, because this is a service-first shop where the massage is a short warm-up.
Communication and customer interaction
- Ring the electronic bell and wait on the sofas. A therapist comes out, asks if you want a massage and takes you through.
- Extras come up as soon as you're in the room, and she'll quote a price if you ask, so settle it before you hand over cash.
- English is basic but fine for sorting out what's on offer.
- If another punter arrives mid-session, the therapist steps out and asks him to come back later, so expect the odd interruption.
Location, access, atmosphere and cleanliness
- The service road off Geelong Road makes for an easy, low-profile arrival.
- Reception is a sofa-and-cushions waiting area, with plain treatment rooms behind it.
- The set-up is functional and tidy enough for a local shop, not fancy.
Facilities and amenities
- Rooms have a ceiling fan and a cheap standing fan. Switch the standing fan on before you start, because the rooms warm up.
- Wet wipes, tissues and towels are provided for clean-up.
- The table can have a pillow on it, so you may end up resting your chin on it.
Therapists
- Asian therapists, mostly in their 30s and 40s, with more than one working across the week.
- Looks and build vary, and so does enthusiasm, which ranges from businesslike to surprisingly engaging.
Service and massage quality
- The massage is brief and basic, more of an oiled rub than a therapeutic session, so book this shop for relief and not for a deep tissue treatment.
- Extras follow quickly. Full service is available, with protection offered, and sessions work through a couple of positions.
- Hands-on boundaries are set by the therapist, for example on what's allowed while she's busy with you, so go with her lead.
Pricing and extras
- The base massage is 30 minutes for $50.
- A 30 minute session with full service is $100 and have run up to $150.
- Payment is taken upfront in cash, before you undress.
Session flow and timing
- You pay, undress and get a short massage, then the flip, extras and clean-up.
- A 30 minute booking keeps things moving, and it suits a quick turnover.
Overall customer experience
- Best for punters who want a direct, no-frills session close to home, with the venue giving little away from the street.
- Who you get decides how the visit goes, so a little patience when the doorbell rings is part of the deal.
Quotes
- "She takes a bunch of wet wipes and hands them to me asking me to wipe both my hands."
- "Some punter rocked up started knocking and ringing the bell every minute."
- "I certainly am not paying for a massage."
- "I was not sold and really bemused but things started working."
- "I'm not sure how I feel about the experience."
Know before you go — the latest on which therapists are worth a visit, plus scam warnings, are on the forum. Check the Brooklyn updates on The Naked Truth