I just came back from a massage with Scott and I wish I went on these sites to read about him first as what I experienced was repeated by other reviewers - word for word! It turns out that Scott is not only the therapist but also the owner and in my experience a crook. After my 1 hour massage turned into a 30 min massage because of his lateness in getting me, stopping before the 1 hour PLUS leaving the DURING the massage for 10 mins ---- WHERE DID HE GO for 10 min? I am afraid to ask! Please stay away from this place as he is the owner it will never change! PS It was the worst massage ever - he sucks and as NO clue how to give a massage.

Full disclosure: I've been a member at SOMA's gym for two years.

The first thing you notice when you walk into SOMA is that everyone behind the desk is smiling – and not those fake smiles at the mall, but genuine, honest to goodness, “I love my job” smiles. The happiest guy in the building with the biggest smile turns out to be Scott – not Scoot – the entrepreneur with the vision for SOMA Spa and Fitness – the jewel of Ottawa’s otherwise bleak gym scene.

I booked my first one-hour massage with Scott – not Scoot – last week and after half an hour he stopped and said “Sean, for your first massage half an hour is enough. I want you to put heat on that and come back and see me on Monday.” When I got dressed and walked “all the way to the front reception” (5 metres – I had to send for an oxygen tank by the time I got to the water fountain) he refused to take payment for the half hour massage.

Today marked my second massage with Scott – not Scoot – and besides being absolutely charming and forthcoming about massage services, Scott – not Scoot – took the time to answer all my questions but not before he inquired as to how I reacted to the massage on Friday. Scott – not Scoot – is a consummate professional and goes the extra mile to ensure your comfort and safety.

The ambience of the entire place is relaxing and enjoyable – right down to the “martini lounge” music which I can only call relaxing and enjoyable. This music might make you want to saddle up to a bar and bop your head but even if it did make you want to dance, how could this possibly be a bad thing? Who hurt you OTTCLIENT?

If you’re looking for medical confidentiality, you should speak with a medical professional, not engage a non-medical professional in a conversation about your personal situation out in public. Don’t come on here and blame someone for your poor judgment. And, in Scott’s – not Scoot’s – defence, I’m not sure he’s capable of raising his voice.

If you want an absolutely fantastic massage by one of Ottawa’s foremost registered massage therapists, I would WHOLEHEARTEDLY recommend the services and RMTs of SOMA Spa and Fitness.

For the record, I take exception to haters – I don’t understand why people are so vitriolic behind the anonymity of the internet – put your photo up and use your real name if you feel so strongly about your experience. And what’s with empty threats such as “Scott, you could have called us and handled this appropriately and we would have been satisfied. Now you have given us no choice.” What does that mean? Should Scott – not Scoot – be checking over his shoulder? Personally, I don’t know what their situation is but judging from their comment I doubt anything would make NANDC happy.

Finally, to all haters: improve your grammar and use a spell-checker. You both sound like people we all know in our lives who blame others for their shortcomings.

Hmmmm … perhaps hiding behind an alias isn’t so bad. Alas I'm a lot of things, but not a hypocrite.

Cheers,

Sean McCann

I booked a 1 hour massge with Soma on Sussex Street in Ottawa.
Although the facilities are beautiful and the over the phone receptionist was great, this experience left me very dissapointed.

I was massaged by Scott. He stoped the massage 30 minutes in - without a word and left the room. Feeling that this 1 hour massage felt short - I double checked the clock and relaized that it was indeed only 30 mins in.

Now instead of feeling relaxed, I felt annoyed, had to get dressed walk out of the room and go ALL THE WAY TO THE FRONT RECEPTION to indicated that there was clearly a misunderstanding as I had booked an hour massage that was stoped without explination 30 mins in.

Scoot finaly indicated that he made a "professional" decision to stop, because I could not "handle the pressure" (even though a professional massage therapist would ease up on the pressure and apply a softer and gentler touch.)

The music played is more sutted for a martini lounge and not a spa. It leaves you wanting to dance, not relax.

Scott also applied a hot pad without discussing it with me first and then LEFT THE ROOM for several minutes.

When confronting him about my various concerns, he started speaking about my medical condition very loudly at the reception (WHAT HAPPENED TO MEDICAL CONFIDENTIALITY???)

Buyers beware, don't waist your time or money at Soma.

all of the massage therapists are actually amazing...don't waste your money anywhere else!

This is an exceptional health club. It has great atmosphere and a very friendly group of staff. Whether you want to do a workout on great quality equipment, take a challenging and motivating fitness or yoga class, or get a massage from one of the extremely qualified massage therapists you will find it at SOMA.

A class environment and wonderful atmosphere. Great service and excellent management. I've been a member for 2 years and it is the best club in Ottawa.

It's beautiful, has kinesis machines and other great toys, the people who run it are welcoming and the fitness instructors are inspired and great, I love it, morning yoga is quiet, lovely, and I keep meeting lovely people there. This Gym makes Ottawa a better place to live.

Soma is a great club! As a member for over a year now, I have only amazing things to say of my experience there. The atmosphere, the staff, the equipment, all wonderful!!!

Scott Duvall, owner and massage therapist hasn't the first clue how to run a business. After receiving an "1 hour massage" that lasted only 35 mins and novice at best FROM SCOTT HIMSELF (which we had no idea of until days later) our complaints were ignored - 5 phone messages over 2 weeks to be exact. I guess Scott figured we would just "go away". Not only have we not "gone away" Scott, we have called the Fairmont who recommended your spa (and I might add, management has been in constant contact with us over the last few weeks in our attempts to get you to respond - even took them 2 weeks to get you on the phone), and our travel agency and our credit card company. Scott, you could have called us and handled this appropriately and we would have been satisfied. Now you have given us no choice.

Absolutely beautifully designed gym. Large open concept, lovely woodwork, design furnishings and big windows to look outside and watch the downtown Byward Market.
There are a few draw-backs: 1.) it is very HOT in the gym in the summer time as there aren't any shade-type blinds to draw to protect sensitive eyes from the glare of the sun and although there is air conditioning, it is VERY feeble during the warmer months. There are two dinky fans by the treadmills, but not enough for everyone to enjoy. The built-in fans on the machines are next to useless if you are there to run or stair-climb/elliptical for an extended time. 2.) In the one year since it's opening, the change room doors still have not been labelled as to male/female. Also, when the door to the ladies changeroom opens, anyone can see you stripped down inside. 3.) Front desk staff is rather snobby and mostly you are ignored. 4.) if you need to put your memebership on hold due to travel commitments, you may be given a hard time. I was told "if you made the commitment to join, then you should be here working out"...and that was after I paid for a whole year straight-up in cash! 5.) The gym doesn't really have a sound system. There is a little portable stereo set up on the floor near the treadmills with an ipod attached to it and small speakers. It is rather disappointing that speakers haven't been installed from the ceiling so that everyone can enjoy.
The gym is nice, but for the hefty membership fees, you would expect the physical standards to be a bit higher, not just the esthetics.