I feel compelled to share this deeply concerning experience with my Cleveland community. Last week, I visited Sacred Hour Spa for a massage, hoping for a relaxing start to my holiday break with a long-time friend. Instead, I left shaken and deeply disappointed.
During my massage,...
Read MoreI feel compelled to share this deeply concerning experience with my Cleveland community. Last week, I visited Sacred Hour Spa for a massage, hoping for a relaxing start to my holiday break with a long-time friend. Instead, I left shaken and deeply disappointed.
During my massage, the masseuse’s behavior alarmed me. While face down, I noticed one of his hands on my body (I was face down on the bed with his hands on my glute) while the other appeared to retrieve his phone. I heard the phone click on, and I froze. I started counting the seconds to 30 before I heard the Lock Screen click off and him put the phone back in his pocket. All the while his hand never left my glute while the other was on his phone, leaving me frozen in fear and unable to process what was happening. I then heard notifications from his phone go off the the remainder of my massage.
After the massage, I immediately reported the incident to the owner, Tabitha, with my friend as a witness. Her response was shockingly dismissive. Rather than expressing concern or empathy, she defended the masseuse, stating no one had ever complained before and even questioned, “What exactly are you accusing him of?” Despite my concerns about potential photos or videos, Tabitha offered no meaningful action, brushing it off with, “I’m sorry that happened to you.”
Even more upsetting, Tabitha turned to my friend, who was scheduled for a massage with the same masseuse, and encouraged her to proceed, calling him “fantastic.” My friend declined, horrified by the lack of sensitivity.
Though I received a refund and an email claiming there were no photos, this assurance came with no evidence. The masseuse admitted to Tabitha that he had been on his phone to silence it during my massage, that does not add up with my experience as I had only heard notifications from his phone after he put it back in his pocket. Furthermore, why did his hands remain on my glute while his phone was out. When I pressed for a thorough investigation, Tabitha blocked me on social media instead of addressing my concerns.
I share this not out of malice but out of deep concern for others. I’ve supported Sacred Hour Spa for years as a loyal client and advocate of women-owned businesses, but this experience left me feeling silenced, disrespected, and fearful for others who may find themselves in the same vulnerable position.
No one should leave a massage feeling violated or compromised. I am deeply disappointed will never return.
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