Nails look great, but salon was dirty and tools are not sterilized. No hand massage or lotion included with manicure. Also, they charge a fee for using a card-not a big deal, but I'd at least like to be informed before the card is charged. Pro- I walked in and got a "no chip manicure" and was out in 40 min.I won't be returning due to the cleanliness (lack of) of the salon. Read Less

This is my favorite place to get my nails done in town because I enjoy supporting local family businesses. They take walk ins or you can call ahead. I got a no chip mani (gel nail polish) for $25 and they do brow waxing as well. If you are picky about your brows it might be worth going to a waxing salon instead. They work really quickly so this is perfect if you want to get in and out. They don't do any hand massages and the ambiance isn't made for a luxury spa experience. They also have a $20 credit card minimum and they have discontinued fake nails. Pro tip: if you park at the parking ramp across the street, the first hour is free! Read Less

I love this place! I asked for a special design on my nails, and they did it EXACTLY like the photo i showed! Very detail oriented and careful to make sure the client is happy. And they are all so sweet! Read Less

While moving into Iowa City I absolutely trashed my hands and feet. They were atrocious and embarrassing so I went to Elite hoping their high reviews would hold up and help me, and they did just that! I'm a pretty mellow cat, not easily bothered and pretty patient, but this business surpasses all expectations! The whole team is wonderful but the main owner lady is so personable and sweet! She cares SO much about you truly being happy with what you are paying for (and absolutely amazing prices compared to places I've been in Cedar Rapids... I would never expect Iowa City to be cheaper.) I'm so happy with my experience. Great color choices, great service, great prices, they have my loyalty for sure. Read Less

I've only had my nails done a few times, and this was the first time in Iowa City. Having said that, I was not overly impressed with this salon and the service offered. The shop is small and everything is really crammed together. There was also a strong chemical smell in the salon, which was a challenge with my asthma. Manicures I've had in the past have included some kind of massage, and this place just went straight for the nails and that was it. I also had several different people working on my nails which I've never experienced before. When one left they didn't say anything and the next would just jump in. That seemed strange to me. My nails themselves turned out nicely, but the experience was not as nice as I've had other places. Read Less

2nd wonderful experience here! I came in with only an hour and horrid toes/nails! I only had an hour to get them done so I wasn't expecting much, just to get my nails to look better than they did. My nails look wonderful even when they were on a time frame! I left feeling wonderful! Thank you Elite Nails! Read Less

Elite Nails was so great about accommodating our large group. We had a reservation but I think they would have had no problem getting us all in and out in a timely manner even if we didn't have a reservation! All of their employees were on top of it, and wasted no time getting customers taken care of! Read Less

Came in here for the first time and was surprised by the low prices. Holly gave an amazing pedicure and really took her time. Great price for the quality of service you receive. Will definitely be back! Read Less

I love Elite Nails. This has been my only nail salon in the nine years I've lived in Iowa City. It's a family run business where they want to get to know you and will remember your name, even if you haven't been to see them in a year. They also do a great job and have a huge selection of gel/shellac manicure colors to choose from. The only downfall of Elite is that sometimes there is a significant wait. It comes with the territory, being a walk-in nail salon in a college town. Either come at a slower time, or prepare to enjoy a magazine for awhile while you wait. Read Less

Small and not very clean. I've gone there once or twice. 3 different people did my nails and I still had to wait for a long time. They don't do long nails, pointy nails or gel color change, while all other places in Iowa City do. They just want you pay and do some easy work. While the lady was filing my nails, my fingers bleed, and she said it was because my nails are thin, but it is not the reason when I talk to other nail tech. It is just because she was very careless. Won't recommend to anyone if that's their attitude. The other 2 in downtown are way better. Read Less

I have lived in Iowa City for several years and this has become the only place I will go to get my nails done. I have been coming here for at least a year now. The family running this business are genuine, so friendly, and skilled. They provide consistent service and are so welcoming. They work fast without making you feel rushed, but if you're in a hurry they are totally on top of it! The atmosphere isn't glamorous by any means, and it is quick to put together that it is a FAMILY running the place. As in, it has sort of that funny hectic household vibe to it sometimes. Probably part of what lends to its charm and keeps me coming back. I go in every 3-4 weeks for a no chip French manicure. It is done exactly how I like and if it's ever a little off, they're fixed up no problem. I've never been made to feel burdensome or obnoxious for being as particular as I am, and they look perfect and last for WEEKS every time. This really is the only place I recommend with confidence to others. Read Less

I love this place. The staff is so friendly and work extremely hard.  They do their best not to turn anyone away but it gets crowded in the evenings so I recommend going at off hours. Even no chip plush didn't seem to stay on my finger nails but they do a great job and my no chip gel has last up to two weeks LONGER than it has at any other salon I've been to.  Your money goes to a great family! Read Less

I had a wonderful experience today at Elite Nail Salon!  It was my first time going here at I was not disappointed.  They were extremely busy, but very attentive from the moment I walked in the door.  I received a fabulous pedicure as well as a manicure that was undeniably one of the best I've ever had!  I will definitely return! Read Less

This is a great place for the how awesome the price is. 20 dollar pedicure?! I mean it wasn't like super fancy or anything, not like something you would get at an upper scale full service salon like twin image,and it was only about a half hour long, but for the price you really can't beat that. It's a small,  kind of old school nail shop, but they have opi nail polish and a massaging chair. Im good with all that. I will for sure be back when I need a spur of the moment pedi fix. Read Less

I've gotten several pedicures here.  Why do I think the next time I go back it will be any better?  There seem to be three regular nail techs.  If you can get the main guy who seems to be in charge, you'll probably have a good experience.  There's a younger woman who is extremely rough and an older woman who hardly does the job.  One time I asked the younger woman not to cut my cuticles and she gave me a look of disdain, so I never asked again.  Tonight when my sister and I were talking about where to get our pedis done tomorrow, we talked about this place.  She reminded me that the last time I said "ouch" twice and her tech was too rough.  We're going to try someplace else.  I miss Chicago where there was a nail place on every block. Read Less

I am SO CONFUSED as to why this place has a sign that says Voted #1 Nail Salon in Iowa in their window... WHAT?!I came in here on a Thursday around 2 PM. They were quite busy but took me right away, which was nice. That was the only nice thing.The selection of colors was average with absolutely no organization whatsoever. It was an ugly thing to look at and I reluctantly chose a baby blue Essie polish (that was about 10% full). My manicure took literally about ten minutes. She used clippers for one of my hands but not the other... so my two thumbs were uneven in length and had completely different shapes. I had to point this out for her to fix it. I actually had to leave the salon before she polished my nails to go to the ATM. APPARENTLY Elite Nails doesn't take credit cards for under $20... ironically this was not apparent at all there was no sign anywhere that said this. I should have taken the $2 bank ATM charge out of my bill and walked out.After she was finished she didn't even grab my Starbucks to bring over to the drying station (I didn't have a purse with me). This has never happened before!!! And nobody told me how to use the dryer, so I sat there stupidly for about a minute.Honestly, worst experience ever. My nails started chipping almost immediately. I'm actually embarrassed for the salon. Read Less

I have gone here twice and will likely never return.  The first time I went was around new years eve.  The nail staff was friendly but obviously under staffed.  A mani-pedi combo took about 1 hour to complete.  I thought that was OK as I walked in right after a large group.  The second time I went was a similar situation but in no way was the salon as busy.  It is very disorganized and the quality of the manicure and pedicure was good but not nothing to write home about. Read Less

The day I got a manicure here, it would have gotten four stars. The job was a little rushed, but quite competently done. Cuticles were pushed back, nails cut and polished, hands moisturized, and all for $12. (Of note: they have almost exclusively dark and bright colors, hardly any blushes or pale pinks.) But the very next day, the polish started chipping! Granted, this wasn't the new gel manicure, just regular polish, but I still expect it to last, oh, four days, before showing such wear and tear. I will not be going back here. A waste of $12. Read Less