Spa Review: We Tried the Mid Squeeze Massage at Squeeze in Studio City
The entrance to Squeeze in Studio City, California.
When I learned that the founders of Drybar opened Squeeze in Studio City this past March, I knew that I had to check it out. The super cute establishment, which is located on Ventura Boulevard, features fun and cheerful decor inspired by its mascot, Pat—a soft and squishy squeeze ball.
With a focus on convenience and accessibility, Squeeze makes the entire process of getting a massage easy, from booking the appointment and choosing a massage therapist to checking out and tipping—all of the above can be done online or via the Squeeze app.
In addition to browsing masseuse bios and choosing a therapist, the app also allows users to select the length of the massage (20, 50 or 80 min), level of firmness they want (from light to deep tissue), and which areas of the body they would like focused on. Doing all of this beforehand is a major timesaver, so the minute you enter the treatment room your, therapist can get down to business and start that massage pronto!
The check-in desk.
Here’s what you’ll love about Squeeze:
It features super cute decor and a stylish interior, making it the ultimate Instagram haven.
The bathroom is stocked with Drybar products for quick touch-ups.
There are 12 comfortably appointed treatment rooms, where guests can set the room temperature, music, and lighting with integrated in-room touch screens.
20-minute chair massages are also available for those with limited time.
Guests can book, pay, and tip—all via the website or app.
When booking an appointment, guests can also choose their massage therapist, length of treatment, amount of pressure desired, areas they’d like focused on, and whether they want oil or lotion used during the treatment.
Deep tissue, heat therapy, and aromatherapy are offered at no additional charge.
Squeeze offers a monthly membership, which includes discounts, monthly credits that roll over and never expire, and the ability to gift unused credits to friends.
For every membership sold, Squeeze helps provide a day of canine support to a person with a disability through Canine Companions for Independence.
Gift cards are available for purchase—the perfect gift!
When I arrived at Squeeze, it took less than a minute to check in for my appointment. I was immediately greeted at the reception desk by a friendly staff member, who directed me to the wall iPad. After signing a digital waiver and release form, I was promptly escorted to the relaxation lounge. No line, no wait—I already liked this place!
A wall iPad makes for an easy and convenient check-in experience.
Cute decor enhances the pleasant atmosphere at Squeeze.
I sipped on infused water and snacked on a handful of almonds as my pre-massage snack. An assortment of hot teas were also available, but these weren’t your standard tea bags. They were dissolvable tea cubes, which similar to sugar cubes, you just drop into a cup of hot water and, voila—tea time!
The snack station includes tea, infused water and almonds.
There is also an aromatherapy sampling bar, where you can check out the four different scents available to enhance your treatment at no additional cost. The choices included:
Do Good (grapefruit)
Live Good (bergamot)
Heal Good (rosemary)
Sleep Good (lavender)
All guests have their choice of four aromatherapy options at no extra cost.
After sampling and selecting my aromatherapy option (I went with grapefruit), I sat down in one of the soft armchairs in the relaxation lounge, which features a simple yet relaxing ambiance for unwinding prior to one’s treatment. Staring at the rows of silver balls on one of the walls proved to be a meditative experience for me, but I didn’t have to wait long—after about a minute, my massage therapist came to take me to the treatment room.
The relaxation lounge.
Bonus: The restroom carries some of Drybar’s most popular products, such as Triple Sec Finishing Spray and Drybar Detox Dry Shampoo, which are perfect for when you need a quick touch-up. There is also a mouthwash dispenser for a last-minute refresh.
The bathroom has Drybar products for quick hair touch-ups.
Mouthwash is another amenity offered in the restroom.
In addition to the private treatment rooms, Squeeze has a separate room where guests can indulge in a Mini Squeeze (20-minute chair massage) for $39. It’s perfect for those with limited time (a quick lunch break escape from the office) or for friends/couples that want to relax together!
Squeeze also offers chair massages for those who have less time.
Next, my therapist led me to the treatment room, which was located behind this cute blue door.
Squeeze has 12 comfortable treatment rooms.
I loved the simple yet stylish interior of the room, which included a heated massage bed and sitting area for storing my belongings. Squeeze is all about the details, and in addition to hair ties and mints, there was also a phone charging dock—what a lifesaver!
The treatment rooms include heated beds and cozy plush blankets.
Each room has a sitting area and storage space for one’s belongings.
They are also outfitted with a phone charger, hair ties and mints.
The other major plus that set this experience apart from others is that Squeeze gives guests the opportunity to choose their own music, as well as adjust the temperature and lighting of the room via integrated touch screens. After browsing the music selection, which ranges from indie tunes to ocean waves, I chose reggae.
After undressing and slipping under the covers, I reached under the table to press the ‘ready’ button, which alerted my therapist that she could re-enter the room. This is definitely a feature that more spas could use because it alleviates the stress of getting dressed in a hurry in fear that your massage therapist will walk in on you!
In addition to choosing music, guests can also adjust the room’s temperature and lighting.
Today I was receiving the Mid Squeeze (50-minute table massage) which costs $109. Those wanting a longer massage can opt for the Main Squeeze (80-minutes at $129). My massage therapist did a wonderful job, applying just the right amount of pressure when needed. She spent more time on the areas of my body (legs, feet and arms) that I had requested on the app, and she also pointed out some areas of tension on my right side, which she explained were caused by sleeping on my right side most of the time.
After kneading out the knots, she show me several easy stretches that I can do at home in order to prevent my muscles from being so tight—I always appreciate a therapist that goes the extra mile! And listening to reggae the entire time made me feel like I was getting a massage by the beach in Hawaii—I already know what music selection I’m choosing next time I return to Squeeze!
After my treatment had concluded, my therapist left the room so that I could get dressed, and was waiting outside for me with a cup of water and chilled grapes in hand. It was a refreshing treat and the perfect end to a great massage!
After my massage, my therapist brought me a cup of refreshing chilled grapes and water.
I then received a text message on my phone, informing me that it was time to check out. At the convenient touch of a button, I could pay and tip my massage therapist, as well as rate and review her. And to think that I didn’t even have to reach for my wallet or go through my purse!
There is a parking lot in the back of Squeeze for added convenience.
As an added bonus, there is parking lot behind Squeeze that guests can use, and there’s a back entrance to the place as well. Fortunately there was plenty of metered parking on Ventura Boulevard today, but this is great to know—especially in a place like Los Angeles where parking can often be an issue!
The back entrance to Squeeze.
Squeeze has plenty of cute corners and nooks.
Next to the front door, Squeeze has a tall glass container filled with blue squeeze balls that guests are welcome to take home. I grabbed one on my way out and am happy to say that it has found a new home on my desk—and I find myself using it at various times throughout the day when my right hand gets tense from all the typing I do on a regular basis. Also, whenever I have the ball in my hand, it reminds me that I need to book my next appointment at Squeeze—which will be very soon!
On your way out, don’t forget to take home a complimentary stress relief ball!
Insider Tip: There is metered parking in front and a free parking lot in the back.
Hours: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. (Mon-Sun)
Phone: 1-855-858-6263
Address: 12338 Ventura Blvd, Studio City, CA 91604
For more information and to book your next spa visit, head to Squeeze’s website and follow them on Instagram: @squeeze
[Images by Kamala Kirk]
Kamala Kirk is a University of Southern California graduate and has been an editor/writer for more than a decade. She has written for E! Online, Total Beauty, TravelAge West, Malibu Times Magazine, and many more. She resides in Los Angeles and is a proud pug mom. Follow her on Instagram: @kamalakirk