Recently, I signed up for a new Platinum American Express card and had to spend the threshold dollar amount to earn the 100k American Express Membership Reward bonus points. I decided to purchase a Spafinder gift card on my Platinum American Express because I knew that I would be heading to the spa anyway. In this post, I’ll share a review of my time at the W Hotel Downtown Atlanta Bliss Spa.

Purchasing Spafinder gift cards

I purchased SpaFinder gift certificates online and looked for promotion codes as I usually do. Typically, a 10-20% off promotion code is available for SpaFinder. I like a cash discount better then getting airline miles because the dollar savings outweighs what you get in points. Unfortunately, on Spafinder.com you can only use one promo code so, you cannot get points and a percentage off. This time, I saved 10%, so I bought $300 in gift certificate for only $270.

Booking spa appointment at Bliss

I chose to book my appointment online on the Bliss website. It is very easy once you have an account. You can choose your location, services, date, time and even your therapist. You just need a credit card to secure the reservation. I receive the Bliss emails and they had just sent me a promo code for $25 off of any service over $100, 25FORYOU will get you $25 off through November 1, 2012.

Review of Bliss Spa

Upon arriving, I valeted my car and was promptly told that the spa would validate my parking. The spa is on the 16th floor and when I arrived, I was greeted by the spa director, who checked me in. I gave him my Spafinder gift card (which it says on the gift card that you need to do before your services.) He kindly offered me a complementary glass if champagne and showed me the amenities. To which I replied, “Now your talkin’!”

The women’s locker room and relaxation room are both quite small but, well done. There were plenty of complementary Bliss products to use in the locker room, a steam-shower and he informed me that I could have full use of the pool and gym for the day, if I so desired. The relaxation room had tea, cucumber water, and brownie bites. I enjoyed my champagne and waited for my therapist.

The services

I had booked a fabulous facial and after “accessing my skin,” the therapist recommended I get an oxygen facial with collagen and warm wax mask instead. Here is the kicker, if you are price conscious be aware that the Bliss spas tend to try to sell a lot of add-on services. To be fair, the therapist did ask me if I needed to see the prices of the add ons and I said no, that it was fine. In the end, the service was great and I was very happy with the results. At check out, I expected the bill to be higher than the $100 that I had planned to spend. But, I was a little surprised to hear that it was $240, before gratuity! The oxygen facial was $165 minus the $25 Bliss promo and the add-ons were really pricy at $60 for the collagen and $40 for the warm wax. After gratuity, I ended up using the whole $300 gift card!

Earn Additional SPG Points With W Hotel Purchase

If you use your American Express Starwood Preferred Guest card and use your Starwood number (both the personal and business card are offering a sign up bonus) you may earn additional Starpoints per dollar spent from American Express.

Bottom Line

If you are price conconsciencious and go to W Bliss Spa, watch out for add on sevices. In my situation, I could have stuck to the original plan and recieved what I am sure would have been a great facial for only $100.

If you plan on going to Bliss Spa, make sure to search for promo codes and buy Spafinder gift cards before booking or you can put it on your SPG card and get the points! Plan to spend some time there and maximize on the wonderful amenities! I would have loved to use the pool and the gym if I wasn’t time constrained with Baby Weeklyflyer.

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This content is not provided or commissioned by American Express. Opinions expressed here are author’s alone, not those of American Express, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by American Express. This site may be compensated through American Express Affiliate Program.