the marsh

Just stop in. I have been going here since 1996. It is open to the public for the restaurants, shop and spa. There are guest rooms for overnight visitors, and a full health club. Situated overlooking beautiful wetlands, it is a cool place. Gift store has really unique items and clothes.

I have been a member of Marsh over one year. I really like relaxing atmosphere and services this place offers. Restaurant is very good too. I would highly recommend it.

It's a lovely place to do so many things! Beautiful Marsh view, I love their egg salad sandwiches. Practically enough for two!! In dining area, you have a choice to sit in cafeteria area, or white table dining.Shop afterwards at a unique gift shop. Or there are ptions for working out. also a pool.

First, to, I want to be clear that the Marsh is open to the public as well as having memberships. classes and programs that are complimentary to members charge a minimal fee to the public.I have been a Marsh member for quite a few years. I took a several year break during some personal changes in my life. During that time I found great solace in staying in one of their simple but very comfortable, quiet guest rooms when I returned to Minneapolis for a day or two. The staff was enormously kind during that very stressful time in my life and I am enormously grateful.What you find at the Marsh: workout facility, Pilates room, spa, shop ,deli area, and a dining room.There are two pools- one a regular pool for laps, lessons, and water workout classes, the other a warm water pool used for restorative classes such as water yoga, Tai Chi and warm water therapy. (Merz Physical Therapy is also housed in this facility.) The two large exercise rooms on the main floor are constructed to be easy on the joints, are well ventilated, and have doors that can be opened to the outdoors. Upstairs in an oval walking track. There are meeting rooms that can be reserved, a meditation tower, and of course, there is a walking trail through the marshland. The small shop carries a carefully selected mix of clothing, primarily for women (casual and dressier), exercise clothing for men and women, and plenty of books and gift type items. I always check out their sale items! There is also child care available. Oh, and did I mention the book club? And there are many catered receptions held here.This is not just a "gym." It is a highly regarded (nationally) wellness facility. Ruth Strickler has provided a wonderful gathering place, staffed with well trained and caring staff- from the exercise specialists, to the spa massage and esthetics staff to the restaurant servers. This is a place where you can start in at any level of exercise- movement- and the staff will work with you to adapt to your needs. There are plenty of classes from which to choose and there are special fitness programs available. There is a nutritionist on staff who will work one on one, as well as provide programs and classes. I have especially loved the mind-body classes offered here, and have taken several special offering classes- Mindfulness Meditation, Shiazu presentations and yoga come to mind.Please stop in sometime, if nothing else, just to have a look around, you can ask to have a tour to learn more about the facility, the staff, and the offerings, and stay for a cup of coffee or tea. The food here is delicious!! Or come for Happy Hour from 4-6 Monday through Saturday and enjoy a selection of wines and appetizers (you can also order off the regular menu.Most Saturday nights, pianist/arranger Benny Weinbeck is there entertaining from 5-7P.M.There is so much to say about the Marsh that I fear I have forgotten something! Do stop in!

We come almost every week for breakfast -- very nice environment - nice view - clean, and food is good.

They used to have eucalyptus showeres, body wraps, etc. but they have changed their options and personally doesn't suit me as well. Their food/restaurant is excellent and always has great choices. Cell phones are not allowed on period which I can see for the spa but not for the restaurant.

I was here for services at the spa and was very impressed with the attention to detail and level of service. The staff really want you to enjoy your time here.

We've been members for years. The tone is relaxing, the food healthy and delicious, and the setting can't be beat. If you live close by, consider becoming a member. The Marsh restaurant is open to non-members and well worth a visit.

This was my first time at the Spa at the Marsh. I had a facial and eye brow wax. Wow is all I can say. This was the best facial I have ever had. I will be back and have already scheduled my appointment for this month. My esthetician was very professional. i was going to have a microdermabrasion but she said my skin is not good for this. In my prior experience elsewhere they would have willingly done this anyway just to charge more. I was impressed with the knowledge of my girl as she took the time to recommend certain products for my skin type but was not pushy. She gave me samples to try when I left. I really like this place. After my facial, i was able to use the workout facility on site. it was fantastic!

Here's the thing: The Marsh is designed to appeal to women -- actually, a certain kind of woman over the age of 50 -- and conversely, the staff do not treat men as if they belong in the building. They may not do this intentionally but I've been there more than a dozen times and it has a hostile feel to me. I kept coming back because I enrolled in a class and although I found a few (female) friends to talk to, most of the women there kept staring at me as if I had dropped down from Mars. They, of course, were from Venus. The massages given there are OK but not as good as they could/should be. Plus, the spa services are expensive. I would advise men to find a different place to attend classes and receive treatments. Otherwise, you will end up feeling like an intruder. One more thing: the pretentiousness of the place is something I've actually heard women complain about. The staff imagines that they are saving the world "one poor soul at a time," and it shows in the way they answer the phone, deal with customers face to face and then in the expense for the services. If The Marsh went out of business, it would be missed by some who go there to rehab certain injuries in the warm pool, etc. But there are many other places to exercise and revitalize without the pretense. Find them -- especially if you happen to be a man.

Had a fantastic afternoon yesterday with my daughter at The Marsh spa. We had a massage, facial, pedicure, and manicure. The staff was very friendly, helpful, and caring, and I had one of the best massages ever. We did not use the gym or sauna or hot tub because of time constraints on our part, but the offer was made so I'm sure they were available. (I did not see signs of renovation where we were.) While waiting for my daughter to have her facial, I sat in a comfy lounge chair on the deck overlooking nature preserve (marsh) in the back and actually fell asleep. It was a wonderful afternoon! Can't wait to go back! (As mentioned, we saw no signs of renovation, but we were only in the spa area. If you are planning a trip soon, just ask.)

I thought we were going to the best spa in Minnesota, but unknkowingly, they were in a renovation phase. Services that were promised were not available. We did not find it to be a good value for the money. I was taking my daughter for a present, and it turned out to be a very big disappointment. They were renovating, but should have told us that. When we checked in, they told us that hot tub and sauna were available, but that was a lie, as both were not available. Their web site does not identifyt the renovation, and the front desk does not honestly tell incoming guests that the spa is not operational. This is a scam operation in its current capacity.