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Discover Why Our Clients Trust River Oaks Advanced Bodyworks
Consistently Rated Among Houston’s Best for Therapeutic Massage and Wellness
At River Oaks Advanced Bodyworks, we take pride in delivering transformative results through expert therapeutic massage, customized wellness plans, and exceptional client care. Our clients don’t just feel the difference, they see it, live it, and share it. With countless 5-star reviews and a strong community reputation, we are proud to be one of Houston’s most trusted destinations for pain relief, stress reduction, and holistic healing.
Real Feedback. Real Results.
Our clients come from all walks of life — athletes, executives, parents, and individuals seeking lasting wellness solutions. Their feedback speaks volumes about the level of care, attention, and expertise we bring to every session.

The place is also clean and comfortable -- nothing over the top fancy but I don't need/want that anyway.
Definitely coming back ASAP!
I had a lot of tightness and knots in my back and neck, I’m feeling much better after my session today.
I purchased a Groupon for a Hydra-facial and was looking forward to trying some place new. I previously had membership packages at milk and honey and lifetime for monthly hydra-facials. I live outside of the city so it’s nice to come into town and have a moment for myself.
When I arrived to my first appointment I was told a few minutes after arriving that my service could not be completed that day because the products needed for a hydra-facial were out of stock and had not arrived yet. The aesthetician offered to complete a different facial (of lesser value) if I still wanted to get a facial that day. I shared no, since I was pregnant I preferred a hydra-facial which isn’t invasive and pregnancy save. Also love that the extractions aren’t hurtful. I asked them to give me a call when the products needed are back in stock to rebook my appointment.
5 days passed and I had not heard back from them, so I called the spa. When I called the front desk person double checked the products were in stock and the service could be completed. They were apologetic that no one reached out and said they did not know why I wasn’t notified sooner. I shared my commute into the city is about 40 minutes and I didn’t want to drive back into town just be told to turn right back around.
Well the day came of my appointment and when I entered the room I noticed there was not a hydra-facial machine insight… the aesthetician did not ask me about any of my concerns or skin care goals, she did not share what products or steps she was taking, and she seemed very green… they only thing she warned me about was the treatment pen may drop a little into my eyes or mouth and to let her know if it does and she will grab me a napkin.
Whatever machine they utilize did not have a comparable suction to hydra-facial machines. I have have at least 24 hydra-facials and this was not up to par. Typically after a double cleanse the aesthetician will put up a light to your face and look at some areas to focus on and make sure they extract with the suction pen. They will also share what serum or product they’re choosing to infuse for that service and why and proceed with the treatment. She did none of that… additionally the suction pen was leaky and leaked into my ears and hair, luckily it did not leak into my eyes or mouth as I was warned. The aesthetician also suctioned one spot would take the pen off and then smear the product along the skin and then chose another spot so it wasn’t in strokes like you typically experience and a hydra facial. It was a very odd technique and did not leave my skin or face fully extracted or infused with whatever product they were using. It was more of a topical technique. I would recommend management retrain the aesthetician and provide an actual hydra facial machine.
I will say she was great at facial massaging and put me right to sleep following the “hydra-facial suctioning” but what was odd is she cleansed my face again after the “hydra-facial” which typically you’d leave the serum in and would not follow the hydra-facial with a cleanse. It was odd and really seemed like false advertising.
Pros about the experience is it was a relaxing environment and clean, easy parking. Just very disappointing in the false advertising of the Hydra-facial service and poor customer service when the products needed to complete my service were out of stock.
Edit: River Oaks Management, I asked for more pressure for the relaxation massage because it was literally a feather touch. I asked Angie if she would do more pressure and she agreed with no issues. If she is saying otherwise, she is AGAIN lying. I do not know who in their right mind would willingly pay over 100$s for a feather light touch massage. Also, I confronted Angie about the foot scrub at the end of my massage and she had stated that it was performed at the beginning of the massage. Which was literally her ever so gently tugging at my toes. No foot scrub used whatsoever. Lastly, I only started to feel relaxed enough towards the middle-end of my massage with more pressure added and flipping over from front to back. My husband is currently deployed overseas, I am the mother of two young children under 4 and I am a part time student. I live off 5-6 hrs of sleep regularly and I rarely get time away from my children for self-care. So, it's no surprise that I felt relaxed and caught up on much needed rest. To clarify, I am not confused about the service I received. Your staff even sounded unfamiliar with the scrub and asked if she used a "lotion-scrub" and said you weren't even sure what the product was like because you'd only tried it briefly. Regardless, I replied back "no, she only used oil". It's unprofessional that you and your staff seemed more confused about the package details and have been unwilling to take accountability. Offering me 30% off of another package requires me to spend more money in your establishment when I was clearly not satisfied. Why would I offer you more of my money? I shouldn't have even tipped Angie but did it out of courtesy for the massage even though she is a liar. She clearly didn't know what the package entailed and ran out of time and simply didn't want to offer anymore of her time and then proceeded to lie to cover it up. The massage package, service, and how this issue was handled can be summed up as mediocre.
Please consider,
Familiarizing staff with massage packages and train them to verbally announce actions taken with customers so it's clear they're getting what they paid for.
Very complete advice. Congratulations !!
Alisa Young
• -1 star for their online experience, because their online booking portal doesn't work half the time and their survey links in their emails after appointments have never worked so I can never give my feedback
• their spa services (microdermabrasion, foot exfoliating) are actually good and worth coming back to, because those were very relaxing and rejuvenating and I want to be fair to them
I had 2 different massages (1 Swedish, 1 deep tissue that was way too much light caressing) with 2 different therapists, and they both were the same as far as giving unsolicited advice, so I think it's cultural to this spa, which is nuts to me. Rima's review from Oct 2023 re: their poor experience on the massage were things I noticed as well
I work a desk job and it's stressful. I know all the tips to help with posture and tension, and I don't get to them as much as I'd like. I'm coming to a spa to turn my brain off, relax, and have someone ease out my tension.
What *doesn't* help is having a massage therapist chatting at random points in the massage with tips on how to improve posture at the desk, or explaining that they're not focusing on the area I asked them to focus on because the body is connected, or me tensing my jaw during their incessant need to lecture (that's how I respond to unsolicited lecturing, maybe it's you?) is why I'm tense everywhere else. Excuse me?
Yeah, maybe having a stranger who's doing a poor job at both helping me relax or easing the actual tension I feel while having to listen to you lecture me is what's making me tense. I had to interrupt the massage therapist in my 2nd experience to ask how much time was left because I had enough, and just asked to end it early. Just came home to write this review and book a massage at my preferred spot to *fix* this poor experience.
Waste of money for a massage, and I did it twice. Would never come back here for a massage.
Add'l info -- these services were at a discount through a promotion. This company came to my apartment complex (close to their business) to offer a $60 promotion to get 5 various sessions at 50% off as well as 4 free add-on services (e.g. microdermabrasion, cupping, foot exfoliation). I typically get massage but never spa services. I was open-minded to try the spa services; if it wasn't for the promotion I wouldn't have tried this spot
So with that in mind, I'll still be fair though and say that I'd recommend them for the other spa services since I did try those out and enjoyed those. But I wouldn't have gotten them without the promotion, and while I would've come back for massages since it's down the street, frankly it just ain't worth it
However, I’m giving two stars due to the front desk staff’s unprofessionalism. When I couldn’t access my Groupon code because of website maintenance, the two male receptionists made me feel lesser, as if I was trying to scam them. One even laughed at the situation, which was both disrespectful and uncalled for.
I was eventually able to call them back and provide the code, at which point their attitude quickly changed. However, it’s unfortunate that such an excellent service was overshadowed by my off-putting experience with the front desk. Management needs to address this lack of professionalism to ensure a better overall experience for customers.
I’ve been coming to ROAB since 2016! The original location is on Audley and this location is newer but no less wonderful. I’ve never been disappointed in all those years! I’m addition to regular massages, I’ve also had chakra balancing and energy work done with Isaac, the owner.
Pros for Gibson street:
-JUDY and ANDREA. My last two massages were with these two. It was just the right mix of relaxation (I fell asleep) and intense, deep breath inducing muscle work. I needed both. You’ll love the combo.
-I like deep tissue with some stretching so I choose the 100 minute Integrated session. There are several types and durations to choose from.
-The booking is relatively easy and seamless; typically they ask for a deposit which goes toward your total.
- The space is smallish but well organized, quiet, and I never feel like I’m bumping into other guests.
-Plenty of free parking.
Cons:
-The overall space is smaller (the layout is a narrow lobby and passageway) than the Audrey location and the rooms are too. Not a problem unless more space helps you feel comfortable.
-I tried the packages when they first launched and it wasn’t a good fit for me.
I will be returning to receive his Chakra treatment and to become a member.
Why Clients Keep Coming Back
- Highly Trained Licensed Therapists
- Custom-Tailored Bodywork Techniques
- Evidence-Based Wellness Strategies
- Calming, Spa-Like Environment
- Client-Centered Philosophy
Our team doesn’t just work on the body — we listen, understand, and design every treatment with your specific needs in mind.
Ready to Experience 5-Star Care?
We invite you to book your first session and see for yourself why River Oaks Advanced Bodyworks is consistently rated as a top-tier wellness provider. Whether you’re looking to relieve pain, manage stress, improve mobility, or simply treat yourself to a restorative experience, you’re in expert hands here.
- Located in the heart of River Oaks, Houston