Salon & Spa Renova in Coconut Grove

09/04/09

Excellent Services by an Excellent Staff

by cindy0103 at Citysearch

I drive about 45 minutes to have Orlando style my hair & it's well worth it. It is a wonderful experience each & every time! The services are provied by a curteous & professional staff with years of experience. They are not limited to hair styling offering a wide variety of services. Renova has been able to provide me with what I have always wanted: healthy, shiney, beautiful hair!

09/02/09

Spectacular Grove Treasure - lacking all the bs hype/PR

by grovite4ever at Citysearch

I have lived and worked in the Grove for over two decades and have seen people and places come and go. I religiously have a mani/pedi at least twice a month and this place does the most awesome pedicure of all the ones I've tried in the area. I get all the regular stuff of other pedi's (cuticle removal, polish, etc) plus a deep scrub, hot towels, a feet/leg mask, massage -- all while I drink the complimentary cafe latte (or sometimes I drink one of many herbal teas) -- ask for the spa pedi + mani special (both $45). They have 6 spa pedicure stations and the ladies are consistenly great and super clean.

Also, I have been doing hair with the owner since before he opened this place 8-9 years ago (he use to work down the street). I can tell you that he and his staff will go out of their way to insure that the most gentle and safe products are used on your hair. I have seen my friends come here and go to other places who offer quick and perhaps a cheaper route BUT their hair seem to always look fragile and very unhealthy (even break).

For the past 12+ years of coloring with Orlando and/or his staff, my hair feels natural & healty and never has breakage (unlike my other girlfriends which eventually come to him for repair). I can make a long list of who you should avoid here in the Grove but I won't -- usually the ones with the most hype or bogus reviews, are the ones you should avoid. Gals... sit down for a consultation and ask questions before you let someone dump all sorts of chemicals on your hair, OR just go for a blowdry or some other harmless service to feel out the person (& catch their bs)... or go get a mani and check the place out and when you there ask the advice of some of the hair people. This is what I tell my friends (I may just start a blog of all the experiences and nightmares we have gone through). I have also had facials and my friend has had the straightening treatment -- both great.

• Pros: BEST Pedi around, free parking, friendly, knowledgeable
• Cons: free cafe lattes are addictive -- go for the splenda

04/03/09

ben made that salon

by gblucky at Citysearch

i have been going to this salon before i moved to tampa for about 2years. i loved it the minute i step foot in it cause of Ben, he was my hairstylist until i moved to tampa temp. when i came back and called to set up an appopintment with ben they informed me he was gone! the salon is still good but not as fabulous as it was months ago with ben there. so if anyone knows where ben has moved on to please email me @

marlenerigal@bellsouth. net

please ! thanks !

• Pros: good ambiance
• Cons: way to pricey, especially when bens not around.

10/13/08

Great cuts, great people watching

by twinkerbell23 at Citysearch

I go to school nearby, and live a few blocks over. When I come in for a cut, I take the first available. Usually a risky gambit, but its worked out well for me at Renova. I still get my high lights done when I go home. I only do it a few times a year, so its not worth the stress of finding someone here to trust, then moving again in a few years. I'm a people watcher, so personality matters as much as ability for me.

First I had the owner Rolando. He was very, very good - super precise. We spent a long time talking about the cut. He had a strong idea of what would work for my hair texture and face, and in the end I went with what he recommended. It was not what I thought I came in to get, but in the end I really liked it. While we were cutting, he spent the whole time telling me what was wrong with my color, and what he needed to do to fix it. He also recommended a lot of products for me to use at home. That was a buzzkill. I didn't like hearing my stylist back home put down. Still, great cut, I would go to him again.

Ben has cut my hair a few times. So different. We talk about my hair and what I like for about 5 minutes before shampooing. Once he has the idea of what I want, he makes a few recommendations, and we design on a cut we both thought would work. After a great shampoo, he sits down to cut. He talks a lot, and asks a lot of questions. Have a cup of coffee and enjoy the conversation. His cutting style is fun to watch - imagine getting your hair cut by Einstein/Grizzly Adams! He seems very relaxed and comfortable, and that feeling is contagious.

I have had my blowdry with Cristina a couple times - once she did half while Ben did the other half! Never had 2 at once, that was nice. Her blowdry is the best - better than any one else I've had there, including the owner. When she does it, I don't want to wash it, it looks too good. She's also a lot of fun. She's like a party with blonde hair! If you need to look great, call up and ask for her.

• Pros: Nice salon, highly trained, very skilled
• Cons: Cluttered, try to "sell" to you (does a salon really need to sell purses and home fragrances?)

09/30/08

Professional, attentive to detail, & nice folks

by JAOFL at Citysearch

This is a very nice salon where everyone is super friendly, accomodating, and knowledgeable. They are always professional and turn out exceptional work.

My color & hair is pretty straight forward, but I see the attention and level of professsionalism they give to their other color/hair clients and how they thoroughly listen and explain your "issue" and the resolution to it... it makes alot of sense and they REALLY know their stuff.

I have recommended Renova to friends and the results have been positive.

• Pros: Professional, Super Nice Staff - Free parking

09/09/08

Amazing Color

by gg33133 at Citysearch

I've been getting my hair done by Ben for a few years now. I have always left happy. He's teaching color for some company, and I can tell you why - this guy knows his stuff. He's always ready to do something new, but has never gone overboard and given me something that was "too much" - but he isn't afraid to tell me no when I want something that won't work. I think I've asked for bangs three times, and each time he's come up with a diplomatic way to tell me its really a bad idea. He's right, too. They just don't work for me.

Aside from being good, he's fun to talk to. He has an interesting story, every time I leave I feel like I just spent quality time with a good, old friend. One with lots of great stories!

The salon has a pretty nice atmosphere (aside from the music - so bad I bring my own!) Everyone seems to get along for the most part. The girl on one side of him is very fun, but a little crass. Usually in a good way. She is getting busy. The guy on the other side never talks to me, but strikes me as a gentle soul. His clients sure seem to like him. Avoid the owner, he's a real pain in the butt. At least he usually doesn't interfere with his employees much, and lets them take care of their people. Like one other person mentioned, he will find creative ways to improve his bottom line - check your reciept before you pay. They charge enough without padding.

The nail girls are a mixed bag - some are great, some aren't. The turn over for nails is high - I think I've seen 15 girls come and go, so I gave up on that and just come for the hair. None of them speak English, and on a busy day it sounds like Havana on that side of the salon. Viva Miami!!!!

Bottom line, if you need a great color, and patient, real nice guy who understands how to give it to you, call Ben. He's also good with the cuts, and knows how do style my frizzy hair curly or straight. The blowouts last forever. The salon's pretty good - but if he leaves, so do I!

• Pros: Smart, Savvy, Confident, Convenient
• Cons: Pricey, Bad Music

08/15/08

Best massage ever

by AlfredoGonsalez14 at Citysearch

If you want to get a massage to completely relax and have a great day Renova spa has the best massage therapist. His name is Joel Quintana and his hands made in heaven. He is a very professional massage therapist with the best skill. The atmosphere at the salon is awesome its owner Rolando is a great hair staylist as well.

07/07/08

best spa in the grove

by wiotch at Citysearch

To start, the coffee is amazing. I love coming to renova because the service is awesome. I get my hair and nails done with christina and every now and then a facial .She always knows how to make me unwind and relax after a hard day.Ben ,Alex , and Orlando are also great stylists and they all work together as a strong team. Bottom line if your in coconut grove you must make it a point to stop by this fabulous establishment and get your full body makeover. You should also have coffee to go :) better than starbucks.thanks

• Pros: great up to date stylists,coffee,great service,sanitary

05/01/08

Best hair cut and style!

by abbyv at Citysearch

Looking to change your style, get stopped on the street for your cut, look fabulous on your wedding or special event day, or just get a really really good cut that is done expertly on every visit - Alex is the stylist you need to see at Renova. His work is outstanding - for both men and women - the care and concern Alex brings to your lifestyle, your upkeep, and each individual hair is amazing. Not, to mention his "chair-side manner". Alex makes you feel at home, at ease, and that you are in good hands. The salon is welcoming, has a warm feel, and is well run. I love when I go to visit Alex - it is great catching up with him, and looking so good when I leave!

02/13/08

My new home away from home!

by ILU743 at Citysearch

Alex M(the newbie) has been my hairstylist for a long time. I would follow him anywhere! From my wedding day hair and make-up, to color, to highlights, to the latest trendy hairstyle, he is the one I turn to! He can do anything and he does it well; He truly has a passion for what he does. I look forward to sitting in his chair and asking...so what look are we going to try on me today? And now that Alex has found a new home at Renova, I get to ask the question with a cup of their delicious Capuccino!!

• Pros: Convenient location, great customer service, free parking in the rear
• Cons: You can't take the capuccino 'to go' ;-)