The Nude Olympics

No, I'm not talking about that long gone first snowfall Princetonian tradition.  I'm talking about Olympic Spa here in Koreatown LA.  Not for the modest or faint of heart, Olympic Spa is a traditional Korean bathing outpost requiring full nudity.

I took my 4th adventure there on Friday.  The spa features 2 jaccuzzis one of which is a very hot soaking tub of mugworts herbal tea (said to have healing qualities, and perhaps something out of Harry Potter as well), a cold plunge, a jade steam room, clay sauna and oxygen charcoal room. There is also a warmed stone platform or kang that you can take a nap on.  You can purchase a Simple Soak day pass for $15 and bathe to your hearts delight, and you can even eat in their cafe.  Or you can purchase a special treatment which includes the simple soak.  I highly recommend the Akasuri Scrub and mini massage.  For $70 you get an hour of undivided attention by a Korean masseuse clad in black bra and undies.  Included are a full body slough down, massage, mini facial, and hair wash.  There is no way not to come out of that glowing from head to toe.

Connie Harikul of LA.com wisely says: But don't be fooled by the word "spa," 'cause if you're envisioning candlelit rooms with big, fluffy robes and piped-in new age music, you will be sorely disappointed. If, however, you are interested in visiting a tidy, no-nonsense, Korean bathhouse where a mere $15 grants you unlimited access to a variety of therapeutic saunas and baths, then you are in luck for Olympic Spa offers exactly that.