They do heavy-duty massage and some people complain it is painful ( I have heard traditional Turkish massage is pretty rough, this place is run by Asians and offers Swedish and deep tissue massage,I can see that).
The going rate here seems to be about $60 an hour but I would call and find out what all prices are first.
The area around the door doesn't look all that nice but photos from the inside DO.
Graceful Services
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1095 2nd Ave
2nd Fl
New York, NY 10022 b/t 57th St & 58th St in Midtown East
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“I have never fall asleep during deep tissue.”In 15 reviews -
“I've had a lot of massages over the years, and this was one of the...”In 25 reviews -
“but facilities are clean and my masseuse knew her shit.”In 17 reviews
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- Kristin G.
- Manhattan, NY
- 25 friends
- 2 reviews
I have been a regular customer at Graceful Services for over 5 years. In that time, some of my therapists have left, but I always seem to find another one that I am loyal to.
The massages here are definitely restorative for people that have muscular imbalances and pain issues that need to be addressed. If you want to heal your body, no pain, no gain - and this applies to deep tissue massage. You have to endure some discomfort to have no pain later. If you want a lighter massage, I am sure they can do it - I have had to ask to have a bit less pressure from time to time.
I am a current regular for Jimmy, who is the acupuncturist. He is amazing. He does regualr acupuncture, and then, if you are up for it, electric stimulation - which jolts you. It feels a bit strange, but the after effects are unbelievable - it takes pain away. After the acupuncture, he does massage on the points, which releases the muscles more. I usually go for a 60 minute acupuncture (which he does a small bit of massage at the end), a 60 or 90 minute massage, or a combo. I have not done 2 hours yet- but I imagine it is great.
Their rates are unbeatable (and tipping is a good way to show that appreciation and get consistent service). -
- Heather R.
- New York, NY
- 46 friends
- 66 reviews
I've gone here for we'll over a year and have tried many fancy spas...this place is the best for a good massage, plus their facials are amazing!!! -
GREAT DEAL and BEST BANG FOR YOUR BUCK!
$60 for a one hour massage, when the average NYC price is $150 for an hour....you cannot beat it.
I have had about 10 massages here, same with my husband. My husband LOVES the massages here. They really do dig in there and work on the knots. When you're done, you leave there feeling like jelly. Which is great for some people.
I, on the other hand, like a softer massage...and I am rather delicate so all of the intense kneading really makes me sore the following day. I usually have to tell the girls to ease up a few times during each massage...but all in all, it's great.
I can't give five stars, solely because I have to ask so many times for a lighter touch....but EVERYTHING else is 5 stars. They are clean, the staff is pleasant and the price is unbeatable. -
- Erin C.
- New York, NY
- 2 friends
- 14 reviews
Good spa therapies, but over priced. -
- T G.
- Bronx, NY
- 16 friends
- 68 reviews
Great massages. I def need to good back ASAP -
- Olivia C.
- Manhattan, NY
- 26 friends
- 143 reviews
eh, im downgrading this place because it just seems shady.
When you try to pay with a credit card, all of a sudden, the price goes up $5. you should just tell us you have a cash price. same thing when you use a spafinder certificate. the front desk calls it a "tax". i also think its weird that every time i come here, theres always a new receptionist. i actually took a moment to look at all the licenses on the walls, only Grace, the owner is a Licensed Massage Therapist. Everyone else is listed as an "aesthetician", shady!!!!! -
- Gina C.
- Brooklyn, NY
- 261 friends
- 207 reviews
This is my favorite place to get a massage and I've gone everywhere in the city. Hole-in-the-walls, luxury day spas, I've done them all. The massage therapists (I always go to Mimi now) seriously kick your ass, which it turns out is really what I wanted all the years that I had been going to get massages and inevitably decided to try somewhere else.
The pros of this place are that I seriously think it's the best massage I've ever had and I've probably gotten 100 massages in my lifetime. I bruise very easily but somehow, despite the fact that they are definitely rough I have never walked out bruised. Also, the price is phenomenal. It's $50 for 45 minutes, but my first time there the buzzer went off and I actually reached under the table and handed the masseuse my credit card while moaning the words "KEEP GOING." $60 for the hour is an awesome price even for an average massage.
The cons of this place don't bother me at all, but hold me back from recommending Graceful Services to most of my friends who are more appreciative of bells and whistles than I am. I find it very easy to block out noise, but I know that's a problem a lot of other people have. There are only curtains on the door so you can hear all the comings and goings outside of your room. Again, I mentioned that they're pretty rough, which I could imagine is not a selling point for all. Other warnings, the masseuse I always go to actually mounts you during the massage in order to evenly rub you down and also there's quite a bit of butt touching, which I could imagine makes other people uncomfortable, though I apparently have an undiscovered fetish.
My experience there is definitely five stars, but I'm only giving Graceful Services four because I think that a sign of a great establishment is versatility, as where I think right now this place was designed with me in mind. -
- Clare K.
- New York, NY
- 0 friends
- 1 review
i had a deep tissue massage with sam there recently and it was fantastic. now, this was not a pleasurable massage. it was certainly not a relaxing massage and it hurt a ton. BUT sam knew what he was doing and, as i have learned from years of rehab for a hip problem, it was the kind of pain that that is necessary in order to recover.
i think that a lot of the negative reviews here are founded on misguided expectations. this is not a spa where the massages are intended to relax and destress you -- this is a more health-focused establishment for athletes, people with injuries, or just people who need relief from significant muscle or joint pain.
i also agree with other posts that this kind of establishment is more often seen in china/HK. that said, they do cater to american clientele by asking if it is too hard or to soft, and trying to make it somewhat relaxing.
graceful services is clean, cheap, and their massages are intense. definitely recommend. -
I went there completely spontaneously since recently I've been working out pretty hard, and not getting enough sleep/rest.
Deep tissue massage is supposed to be the cure, and it did!
Graceful was able to accomdate me within 30 minutes I called on a weekday, and the service was good.
Massage itself costs $60/hr, solid quality.
The place feels clean and simple, not the fancy spa retreat kind, but really solid physical treatment/therapy.
Will come back when I need another.
PS: I was honestly pretty embrassed at the beginning to receive service from a male masseuse... later it became ok.
Ask for a same-gender masseuse if you are the shy type. :) -
- Phannie P.
- South Padre Island, TX
- 168 friends
- 154 reviews
My "phannie" was fondled.
(Yes, you read that correctly.)
I've never had such a deep tissue ass massage in my life!
She was kneading my cheeks like they were dough balls, and it was incredibly...
Uncomfortable. (Y'all thought I was gonna say something different, huh?)
"Why didn't you ask her to stop?", you ask?
Well, because I thought to myself, "Maybe my butt actually is tight, and therefore needs a good massage..."
So I let her enjoy herself , and while she elbowed and forearmed and fingered my butt(cheeks), I was practicing lamaze. I didn't know any other way of getting through that bruising gluteus maximus massage. I tried to breathe slowly so that I wouldn't tense up. But I still did, b/c i can't imagine relaxing while someone is vigorously squeezing and pushing on me like that.
Other than the intense focus below the border, I was pretty happy with the massage. She really focused on the back and shoulder area, but not so much on extremities. Then she ended it with a head scratch (short, quick, and useless) and draped me in warm towels. The towels were my favorite part :)
Overall, not bad. But I guess next time I will speak up, and if she even THINKS about pulling down my panties again and having at me, I will kick her and yell "MOLESTER!"
haha...j/k....umm...actually, not really.
So in conclusion, make sure your ass is clean.
...because, yes, they go down there. -
I like pain. And I like an hour of it for $60.
Or at least I did when I was 28 and could still take it. I guess this is proof that 31 may not be that far from 28, but the difference in tolerance is huge. Whereas I used to demand they use "firm" pressure, as in, "knock me the fuck out", now I quietly say "Um, can you take it easy? Maybe light to medium pressure?" And never underestimate short, teeny women. They can sure pack a punch (ah-thank you).
How do I spell relief? C-R-A-C-K. I mean the 5 or 6 cracking sounds my back made when the massage lady pressed down and then ground her elbows into it. Oh, that was wonderful indeed. I can walk taller now and can actually stand to put my shoulders back instead of hunching. I feel taller, and that, to my 5'1" self, is invaluable. I also loved the massage of my calf muscles. Those get tight beyond belief, and massage lady worked them OUT. And maybe it was intuition, but she knew to rub my knees, as if I had already told her that I have the worst knees ever. Pain-free now! I feel like I'm even walking a little better. They even massage the booty as an extension of the back, which is great, especially when you sit for most of the day.
However, I have been having this weird pain in my lower back. Sort of like this anvil set right on it, and she couldn't get rid of that. Oh well, I'll just have to take more painkillers. Not that this upsets me, but whatever. The weird thing is, I can still feel exactly where on my back massage lady put her hands. I feel kind of like I am developing bruises.
And so, I have to scout out a new place to get my crack addiction taken care of. The price will be hard to beat. Graceful Services is very clean and I feel comfy about getting in my nudities here. They aim to keep things quiet, but it's actually getting a little loud in there lately. And you can hear the person in the next room groaning and whatnot, which is a tad funny, and not ha ha funny. I try so hard not to make the noises I did when I used to get massages at home (Oh, Eric, where art thou???)
This place is/was all over the magazines, like New York and Allure. This just goes to show you can't always take their word for it.
3.5 stars, gracefully rounded up. -
- Shakti H.
- Brooklyn, NY
- 10 friends
- 19 reviews
All I can say is: ASK for CLARENCE!
I'm a former massage therapist so I know what I'm talking about.
I don't go here for: a zen experience, plush robes, organic herbal teas, or the lilting sounds of door chimes. I go for an incredibly therapeutic, makes your voice deep afterwards, massage. And Clarence delivers.
Clarence works with presence & expertise. My body is twisted, turned, stretched, deeply kneaded, rubbed with hot towels and left for deep peace when it's all said & done. After many disappointing massages at places that received great reviews (public ignorance?) I simply don't trust anyone else to know what they're doing.
And, on top of all that, this place is crazy affordable! $60 bucks for an hour, I don't think it gets better in NY. The space itself is clean & efficient. Works for me. -
- Annie K.
- Brooklyn, NY
- 9 friends
- 11 reviews
Never in my life have I had such a painful massage. I was sore for days afterwards and covered in bruises.
I had been to Graceful Services once before and had a fine experience, so when I saw a Groupon recently for a 1-hour massage, I quickly snapped it up. To say that I was disappointed this time around, however, would be an understatement.
The entire massage consisted of the woman digging her elbows into me. I asked her at least twice to lighten up, but didn't notice any difference. (I also audibly said "Ow" about a million times during the massage.)
Several people I know swear by Graceful Services, so maybe I just got a bad therapist, but I don't plan on going back to find out. -
- Emily R.
- ASTORIA, NY
- 15 friends
- 61 reviews
This is my favorite place to get a cheap massage. I'm a no-frills/get 'er done kind of gal when it comes to massages. I like pain, and I like it cheap. I hate those pansy massages from most of the really trendy places in town. The therapists are always trying to talk you to death while you're trying to relax or they are just not strong enough to put in all the pressure that I typically like. The tiny little asian women at Graceful may not speak the best English, which can cause a bit of confusion if you're trying to be really specific about what you want, but that also means they're gonna shut up and just pummel you for an hour.
I have had at least 10 massages here. There have been times when I have left bruised and uncomfortable because I didn't speak up and say that they were too rough, but there were plenty of times when I felt like a puddle of mush because I was so relaxed and pain free afterwards. It all depends on who you get. But I've learned that you need to speak up if you don't like what you're getting at any massage place. If it's too rough, tell them, if you want more pressure, just ask. Nothing sucks worse than paying a lot of money and leaving an hour later unhappy with what you got.
This place is kinda small, most of the "rooms" are separated by curtains hanging from the ceiling. You definitely can hear all the noise around you from other masseurs and their clients, but I'm pretty good at tuning that stuff out and they really do try to be as quiet as possible. The back room, the red one in all the nicer pictures of the place, is the best place to be since there's only two beds there. So chances are you'll get more privacy back there. I had it when I booked a body scrub/massage package. The scrub was great and they have a nice shower for you to clean off with after your scrub. After that and all the oil from my massage, I was soft as a baby's bottom.
This place isn't for those that want a super zen environment to relax and chill out, it's really for people that need the kinks worked out for a cheap price. If you want to be pampered and drink cucumber water in your nice terry robe, go elsewhere. If you want a little woman with strong hands to walk on you and work you out, this is the place for you!
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