Urban Retreat: the salon experience

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by Marty Beard

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I never thought that the Arts and Entertainment section would cover such a, well, barbarous subject as a hair salon.

But the opportunity was too good to turn down. Urban Retreat, a large, multi-purpose salon located at 2329 San Felipe (between Shepherd Drive and Kirby Drive) has an ambiance that is at once a cross between homey and posh. This is the only such atmosphere, perhaps, that I have ever encountered (not, of course, that I have actually visited many upscale hair salons).

Since Houston has no zoning, Urban Retreat, voted 1991's Salon of the Year by Modern Salon , is housed in -- you guessed it -- a building that was once a home in River Oaks. So I felt just a tad out of place dressed in my Doc Martens, jeans and sweater. But no matter -- I was soon made to feel quite comfortable.

Urban Retreat started out as a day spa in 1989, and really, that's what it still is. When I stepped in, the first things that caught my attention were the four fountains converted from a former indoor swimming pool (my stylist, Laura, even pointed out the shallow and deep ends).

Which brings me to my real errand at Urban Retreat -- getting those pesky, shaggy ends lopped off after going for a while without a haircut. After I'd been marched through the line for an invigorating shampoo, my stylist did a commendable job; my hair turned out looking and feeling perky, soft and shiny. And how many salons offer you a drink while your stylist works his or her magic? I sipped hot tea while I listened to the snip of scissors and chatted lightly.

Besides haircuts ($28 for men, $45 for women) and various hair services, Urban Retreat offers five different types of massage (Swedish, sports, Shiatsu, joint manipulation and deep pressure work), ranging in price from $35 to $80. And it's probably safe to say that the rooms set aside for massages are far more comfortably decorated than any room in any college at Rice. Urban Retreat also has body treatments ($85), facials ($60 and up), manicures ($16 and up), pedicures ($37), makeovers and makeup instruction. They even have a boutique featuring their own line of cosmetics. Urban Retreat also provides aromatherapy, waxing and electrolysis, too. And remember, these services are for boys as well.

When you have the chance, do get a pedicure at Urban Retreat: It would probably feel decadent. Soak your tootsies in a whirlpool at the foot of a throne-like chair and drift away.

While the costs of the many services offered at Urban Retreat are at the high end, especially for a college student such as myself, they're worth it. Urban Retreat is, exactly as its name suggests, an urban retreat. Stressed-out Rice students should consider it and join the ranks of Ivana Trump, Bob Hope and Margaret Thatcher.

This item appeared in the Arts & Entertainment section of the February 9, 1996 issue.

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