About Franklyn Palace Massage
Franklyn Palace Massage is a business that offers a variety of massage services, including foot massages and partial body massages. The establishment is known for its skilled and friendly masseuses, with customers particularly praising the work of Sophia, Helen, and Sunny. However, the experience can be dependent on the specific masseuse assigned, as some have been reported to cut sessions short or demand a certain tip amount. The facility features a large, shared room for foot massages, which can be noisy and not as relaxing as a private room. The body massages, on the other hand, are conducted in private rooms, with the sound of the nearby pond and waterfall creating a soothing atmosphere. Customers have found the massages to be above average for the surrounding area, and the facility appears to maintain a high level of cleanliness, with multiple washers and dryers in constant use.
In case you don't know, a foot massage is actually a full body massage with your clothes on. This place gives great foot massages. If a quiet room is necessary for you to enjoy your massage, this might not be the best place for you as the workers usually talk amongst themselves in the big room where everybody gets massaged. Keep in mind they do not get paid any of the house fee of $25 per hour so the only money they make is what you tip them. Massaging somebody for an hour is hard work.
First of all, after reading many of the 1 or 2-star reviews on here, I think a lot of people are NOT reviewing the correct business. Many say they were asked to pay prices that this place does not charge. They have a sign clearly stating their fees. And to give the place a low rating because the masseuses want to be paid for the service they provide you is a horrible thing to do. I feel the owners of this business are not good people because they do not give any of the house fee to the employees. The employees only make what you give them as a tip. So to pay them less than $15 tip (if they did a good job) in my opinion makes you a piece of $h1t excuse for a human. Think about it. Would you give someone a good massage for an hour for less than $20? The only thing bad about this place that I have experienced, besides the workers not getting any of the house fee, is that the workers do not seem to have a concept of being quiet when there are customers. As some reviews have mentioned, they often do talk way too much and sometimes too loud, not taking into account that many customers want to experience a nice relaxing massage, which usually means in a quiet environment. But I am sure if you complain while you are there they will all shut up or go to another area. There used to be a lot of these inexpensive "foot massage" places in the area (San Gabriel/Rosemead), but many have closed, and most remaining or newer ones have upped their prices. This one is the only one I know of that still only charges $20 for an hour-long "foot massage". I have no idea why they call it a "foot massage" because it is actually a whole-body massage, just with your clothes on. They also offer an hour-long full-body massage where you do get undressed (behind a curtained-off area), but why pay an extra $10 (I think it's $30, but it might be $35) when you can get a complete massage for $20. Keep in mind that massaging someone for an hour is hard work. The masseuses there do not get any of the house fees that you pay. They only make what you give them as a tip, so please do right by them if they do a good job for you. I generally pay a total of $40 ($20 to the house, and $20 to the masseuse). I always ask for Cindy, but I've been told many of the other masseuses here are very good as well. I had Lucy once when Cindy was not there, and she was great also. I have no clue why this place only has a two-star rating here on Yelp. I've been going here for years and highly recommend it.
I've been coming to this place on and off for about 10 years. Your experience here is completely dependent on the masseuse you have. Some of them come and go. What I do, is try them for a foot massage first and if I like them, I ask for their name and then ask for them for a body massage the next time. The option for foot massage is in a big room. It is not quiet or relaxing. Sometimes I bring my AirPods and play what I want to listen to. The massages are above average for the surrounding area. I take issue with some of the masseuse that cut my time short or demand a certain amount for a tip when service is lousy. I just don't tip them what they think they deserve. I adore Sophia and helen. Sadly, I have not seen Sophia there in many years. Sometimes I call to see if either are in before I make reservations. Helen is great. I went in a few weeks ago and she is there or back again. I've called in the past and they've told me she's not there. So I'm not sure if there's a language barrier and maybe she was off that day. I liked sunny too but it's been a while since I've seen her or had her for a massage. I like the body massages there as you have your own room. Try to get a room closer to the front. They have a pond and the waterfall sound is quite relaxing and lovely. My skin is sensitive and I have not had any issues here. They have atleast 2 set of washers and dryers. Everytime I've been there, mostly week days after work or on weekends, it's always running. It gives me the impression that they are pretty clean.