Went there on impulse this afternoon.
Was passing by and I thought "What the heck."
I called from the pay phone across the street at the Vendome metro to make sure there was someone available. There was, so across the street I go.
The name on the door says "Spa Elegance" so they may not be called "Clinique Carmen" any more. But don't confuse it with Elegance massage in another part of town. This is the place on deMaissonneuve, basically across the street from the Vendome Metro. But it's the same old phone number as Carmen, so I'm assuming it's the same place.
First I tried the door but it was locked and I didn't see a doorbell inside so back up the stairs to the doorbell outside (clearly labelled so there's no confusion...not that it matters much because they are the only ones in the building at this time).
Then back downstairs to be let in.
The receptionist was an older, short, round woman and I thought, "Oh my god, if she's the masseuse, I won't be taking many options, that's for sure." She reminded me a lot of my mother.
I wanted a soak in the spa but that was "unavailable". I assume that meant that someone beat me to it.
Was shown to a clean room, with a futon matress on the floor and a massage table as well as a chair, a shower and a sink. It was decorated rather spartanly so if you're looking for ambience, this isn't your place. But it's all quite new and clean and white so that's a definate plus.
I was asked (not told) if I wanted to take a shower while she went to get the masseuse ("Phew!"). I wasn't offered any selection, so I'm assuming there was only one girl available.
While I was still towelling off from my shower, in walks a tall thin brunette. Introductions are made and I find out her name is Laura.
She asks me to lie down on the table and my stomache.
She thens proceeds to give me the longest and most boring massage I have ever received (either from a professional or an amateur). It was neither soothing, nor sensual, nor teasing, nor therapeutic. It was just long. She spent way too long on this and by the end I was falling asleep. Not because I was relaxed, but because I was bored.
On the flip, she proceeded to do more of the same and I was thinking to myself "Well at least I won't have to spend any more money than the $55 entrance fee."
My arms (which had gotten no attention in this half-hour non-massage) were getting a bit stiff so I flexed them which, I guess, signalled her that "it was time".
She then asked me if I wanted options.
I asked what the options were.
She asked what I want.
I hate it when that happens, but played nice and asked her, specifically what was available. Pricing was pretty much standard with anywhere else and, in the end, I selected one of the more "robust" options.
She then asked me to get off the table and onto the floor (well, gee, we coulda just started there).
She then goes out to get some required equipment (didn't think to bring one in?) as every option was a "safe" option.
She comes back and (finally!) gets undressed and things progressed from there. Uninspiring but servicable. She'll do what you ask and even asks before doing anything of her own. All very polite but not very spontaneous.
I settled up and showed myself out while she was towelling down the shower (I think she could have focused on me and come back to the shower later). I was on my way to the front door when the receptionist came running up to see how everything was, if I was satisfied, etc.
She then told me about the free reserved parking along the east side of the building. I explained I didn't have a car but she explained that "Yes, but there's a side door you can use if you don't want to be seen using the front door."
Ah. Very handy, that.
On my way out I checked and, sure enough, they have their own private entrance in the parking area.
Overall Opinions...
Laura is fine. Not spectacular, but fine. She definately needs to learn how to give a massage and be a little bit more spontaneous but if you tell her straight off to skip the massage and then are very explicit about what you want, she takes direction well.
The place is clean (new) and much brighter than most of the other places I've been in. The discrete side door is a definate plus.
The receptionist was extremely friendly and tried very hard to be helpful.
I would have no problem repeating there although I'd much rather try one of the great women previously reviewed in this thread (and on other boards).