Showing posts with label Spa. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Spa. Show all posts

The Nude Olympics

Friday, August 27, 2010

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.

Weekend Retreat

Monday, May 10, 2010

Well, in an ideal world, for my upcoming 6th anniversary Scott and I would make the 40 minute drive down to Rancho Palos Verdes and have a weekend getaway at the Terranea Resort and Spa








Situated on the bluffs overlooking the Pacific, Terranea is a beautiful property. 

















The spa, which I recently got a sneak peek at has some amazing location-based treatments and you can get a day pass that gives you access to the spa lounge, jacuzzi, sauna, pool etc.  Not bad.  Although after doing some math, it still would have been about a grand or so for the entire weekend. 

Instead Scott and I will be hiking to the top of the Eagle Rock, having a bottle of Champagne and going to a local dinner at Cafe Beaujolais.