These days, we order everything from groceries to a car service via an app. So why not a masseuse? That’s the concept behind Soothe (soothe.com), a same-day, on-demand massage service that just launched in the Twin Cities—just in time to soothe post-holiday stress. With as little as a 60-minute notice, the app sends a licensed, certified massage therapist to your home, office, or hotel room with the tap of a button.
Massage-on-demand apps follow in the footsteps of on-demand beauty apps, such as the Glam App, which launched in the Twin Cities in November. Founded by tech entrepreneur and CEO Merlin Kauffman, Soothe first launched in 2013 out of L.A. as a way to simplify and streamline the traditional spa treatment appointment system, while allowing clients to receive spa treatments in the comfort of their own homes. Services include Swedish, deep tissue, sports, pre-natal, and couple massage, and range from 60 minutes for $99 to 120 minutes for $169. (The cost includes gratuity and tax.) All Soothe therapists are licensed, background-checked, and vetted.
I decided to give the app a go, opting for the Swedish, 90-minute massage, which is said to be beneficial for increasing oxygen in the blood, decreasing muscle toxins, improving circulation and flexibility, and easing tension. The app features an easy-to-use interface that allows you to book within a 60-minute notice in less than 30 seconds. Here’s what it looks like:
Laragh showed up right on time with a massage table, clean sheets, and a portable music player in hand. After setting up, she stepped into the bathroom to wash her hands and let me get ready. Despite the initial weirdness of having someone set up shop in my living room, it was no different than any other massage. Laragh was clearly skilled and very professional—and she even received her training at Aveda Institute right here in Minneapolis.
At $139 for 90 minutes of bliss, it felt like a high-end spa experience at a comparable price—and best of all, you don’t have to bundle up afterward and head out into the cold.
Minnesota Monthly readers can receive $30 off a first-time massage with Soothe with the code “MNMO30.” Book an appointment when you download the Soothe app in the app store on your phone, or online at www.soothe.com.
