Wellness on the Go: A Review of Mobile Massage With Soothe

Have you noticed it too? The ache in your neck or the new way your knees crack at the end of a busy travel day, fatigue striking far earlier than it used to?

I’ve talked about it before, how my current trips move at a slightly slower pace in this decade of my life than the previous one, but still, I feel it even more acutely on back-to-back getaways. In my twenties, I blazed through cities from dawn to well into the following morning, when I’d wake up and do it all over again. Today, chronic pain impacts my travels more than I care to admit, and I’ve come to realize that if I don’t pause to take care of myself, it just might stop me for good.

Note: This post is in partnership with Soothe and contains commissionable links, however, I'll only ever share my honest opinions and a true reflection of my experience.

After pushing myself way too hard on a recent trip to D.C., I carved out ninety minutes during what would have been a lull in our itinerary to do just that and booked a massage through Soothe.

Rather than scrambling to locate and travel to a spa that would take a walk-in client at 10 a.m. on a Sunday, I was so grateful to receive treatment on a schedule that worked for me from this new-to-me mobile wellness service. With a large roster of providers in its network, finding someone with availability was a breeze (and, if I may make a bold comparison, surprisingly not unlike ordering a ride-hailing service or food delivery).

While I hope you never find yourself riddled with muscle pain in the middle of your trip like I was, today I thought I’d share a little about my experience booking an on-demand massage through Soothe (and psst… a discount code for your next massage!).

ABOUT SOOTHE

A screenshot of services available in the Soothe App — Soothe offers a menu of beauty and wellness treatments on-demand

With more than a decade in business, Soothe is a mobile wellness platform that brings spa-quality treatments directly to users’ homes, offices, or hotels on demand. Now in more than 70 cities, the service connects clients with a network of licensed and experienced providers offering a variety of services including massage, nail care, facials, and more (I like to think of them as the “Uber of Wellness”).

This commitment to making wellness accessible to those with busy schedules or limited mobility is an immense relief for those in Soothe’s markets, but the on-demand model works incredibly well for one other type of client: travelers. Rather than trying to locate a spa or salon in an unfamiliar city, the Soothe experience seamlessly integrates into a packed travel itinerary—which I recently had the chance to experience firsthand.

WHAT IT’S LIKE TO BOOK A MOBILE MASSAGE THROUGH SOOTHE

Account preferences for the author's soothe massage — The Soothe App allows you to easily customize and share your preferences

While you can book appointments through the Soothe website, the downloadable app (available on Google Play and the App Store) offers a more streamlined experience and enhanced communication features. I highly recommend using the app to book your appointment.

After signing up and logging in, you’ll be able to set various preferences like your conversation levels, scent options, and more. To book your appointment, enter the address where you’re planning to have your session—whether it’s your home, office, or hotel—and then select from a variety of service options, including massages (Swedish, deep tissue, prenatal, etc.) and beauty treatments (such as lash extensions or a pedicure).

Once you’ve chosen your desired service, a calendar will appear, allowing you to select your preferred date and time. You’ll also have the option to specify a gender preference for your provider if you didn’t set one in your account preferences. Given the setting, I opted for a provider of the same gender.

Finally, simply click “Check Out” to request your appointment, and Soothe will match you with a vetted provider. The entire process is quick, easy, and quite seamless.

MY SOOTHE EXPERIENCE

This was my first mobile massage appointment, and I have to admit, I felt a little jittery and nervous beforehand. I’m no stranger to massages—I’ve had plenty in clinics, spas, and even in providers’ home offices. But this time, I wasn’t the one making the journey. The effort of arriving was in someone else’s hands.

Then ding—my phone alerted me that Barbara, my massage therapist, was on her way, and I finally exhaled the breath I didn’t realize I was holding. Knowing how tricky hotel layouts can be, I suggested meeting her in the lobby. That turned out to be a good decision, given that keycards were required to use the hotel elevator. We quickly had her car parked by the valet, and soon enough, we were heading up to my room.

A notification on the Soothe App — Both the Soothe App and my provider kept me up to date on her arrival time

After a quick scan of the room to find the perfect spot for her mobile massage table, Barbara and I discussed my preferences and any specific concerns. Before I knew it, the table was set up with its heated base and soft linens, inviting me to relax.

She stepped out of the room while I undressed to my comfort level, and once I was settled comfortably on the table, she returned, pressing play on a soothing soundtrack. The session began with a series of gentle compressions, giving Barbara a sense of my body’s alignment and helping my muscles slowly let go.

Holding years of tension in my frame, I tend to request medium-to-firm pressure, but it’s rare that someone truly delivers what my tight, achy muscles need. So it nearly caught me off guard when she began working on my shoulders and mid-back, kneading into all the places where stress buries itself beneath my skin. With each expert stroke, I could feel the tight knots loosening, and relief flooded my body.

Massage preferences are deeply personal. Some people love to chat, while others prefer quiet. Some treat it like naptime, while others stay alert to savor every second. I’m somewhere in between, and Barbara seemed to read that perfectly. We slipped into easy conversation, with comfortable pauses as she worked out the stress in my back and limbs.

Barbara checked in with me several times during the session to ensure the pressure was just right. It wasn’t just a one-time courtesy at the start of the massage, but a thoughtful check-in at several points. As someone who carries most of my pain on one side, I appreciated this extra attention and awareness as she worked her way around my muscle groups.

All too soon, the session was over, but I was grateful for a few extra minutes to emerge from my warm cocoon and redress. As I did, I took a moment to scan how my body felt compared to the worn-out traveler I had been just a couple of hours earlier. I felt lighter, more flexible, and significantly less inflamed. No groaning to get back into my shoes this time.

Barbara quickly and efficiently disassembled the table, leaving the room exactly as it was before she arrived—except for me, who felt profoundly grateful and ready to enjoy the rest of my trip with renewed energy and ease.

OTHER THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE BOOKING AN APPOINTMENT THROUGH SOOTHE

Booking a Soothe Appointment at a Hotel

Before booking a Soothe appointment at a hotel (or perhaps, any property you don’t oversee), it’s probably wise to confirm that there won’t be a conflict. I personally would feel uncomfortable bringing in a third party to a hotel with a dedicated spa, but every hotel is different and yours may not mind either way.

On a related note, Soothe began partnering with hotels a few years back, so you can scope out your hotel’s website to see if they work with Soothe to make the process even easier.

Parking Costs for Soothe Providers

At this time, Soothe reimburses providers for up to $25 in parking fees; if your hotel charges more for parking, as a courtesy, I would recommend covering the difference or helping them locate a place to park for under $25.

A massage table set up in a hotel room — Be sure to clear enough space for your provider’s equipment before your appointment

Prepare Your Space

Take a few minutes to ensure your room is clear of clutter before your appointment—both to place yourself in the right headspace for a treatment, but also to allow the provider ample room to set up and move about during your appointment.

For massage, the typical requirement is 10 ft. x 5 ft. of space per massage table, which may mean a little reconfiguration of your hotel room. Additionally, you’ll also want to make sure there’s a space for the provider to step out while you change, and you may consider popping the Do Not Disturb sign on your door so housekeeping doesn’t barge in. Helpfully, Soothe provides a list of other best practices to take into consideration.

Keep in Touch

A little communication makes all the difference, and I know from personal experience that I’m not comfortable unless someone else is. Connecting in the lobby prior to heading up in the room added a layer of ease and set the tone for relaxation, but whether you want to have the provider check in with the staff at the front desk to receive a key instead is up to you. Just be sure to make the arrangements ahead of time as a courtesy to your provider.

Become a Regular

Frequent flyer? You might consider joining SoothePass to save up to 30% on Soothe treatments.

Tip Your Provider

Hopefully, it goes without saying, but just in case: don’t forget to tip! You can leave a gratuity for your provider in the app or tip in cash at the end of your service.

AN EXCLUSIVE SOOTHE DISCOUNT CODE

I know I’m not the only one who feels a little run ragged toward the end of a trip, so I’m thrilled to share that Wayward readers can save 10% on their first Soothe massage with code WAYWARDWELCOME, now through the end of 2024. You deserve to take care of yourself, and in case no one else has told you today, you’re worth it.

FINAL THOUGHTS ON BOOKING A MOBILE MASSAGE THROUGH SOOTHE

A massage table with a purple cover — Who knew that ninety minutes here would grant me more time to explore my destination?

As I mentioned on Instagram right after my massage, the idea of taking time to care for yourself in the middle of a trip seems obvious, but I had never fully appreciated its value before. I used to think that the best approach was to power through—pushing myself to keep going even when I was tired or in pain, convinced that I had to make the most of every moment at my destination.

Carving out time for that massage was a game-changer. I was astonished by how much better I felt after just a bit of self-care. In the end, I more than made up for the ninety minutes I spent on the massage by being able to move more comfortably and enjoying the rest of my time in D.C. with renewed energy.

While I may not have the time or need for a massage during each and every getaway, it’s reassuring to know that Soothe is an on-demand option for the trips when I need self-care the very most. This was a powerful reminder that sometimes, slowing down is the key to truly making the most of your travels.

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Questions for you

Have you ever stopped in the middle of a trip to take care of yourself?

Have you ever experienced mobile massage before?

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