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Olympic Spa
Rating Details »
- Hours:
Mon-Sun. 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Parking:
- Valet
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
- Accepts Insurance:
- No
- By Appointment Only:
- Yes
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- Neighborhood:
- Downtown
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124 reviews for Olympic Spa
this place rules. it's totally unpretentious and clean. my favorite part is the warm jade floor to nap and lie down.
there are 3 baths: hot tub, cold bath, and herbal tea bath; 2 saunas and 1 steam room that smells wonderful.
not suggested for those that don't like walking around in the full monty ;)
for a reasonable amount, you can get massages, facials, scrubs, etc. they also have complimentary valet parking.
ohhh, there's also a restaurant with yummy soups and noodles. today i had a veggie bowl with rice and a fried egg, and warm seaweed soup.
i only wish it were a bit closer to me!
Every time I need to unwind from a marathon work trip, or just want to feel pampered, this is the place I go to. Check your thoughts of Burke Williamseque Western spas at the door, though, as this one is strictly women's only, and wearing clothing is frowned upon.
For a quick pick-me-up, go for the scrub and simple soak. The akasuri scrub really is what they rave about. I remember the first time I had it done, the woman chided me for not scrubbing regularly. The women who do the scrubbing really act like it's their job -- no pampering, soothing words here. This ritual is considered a normal part of hygenic care to them, like taking your shower. The simple soak gives you access to all their steam and sauna rooms, along with their pools. One of my favorite steam rooms smells like lavender, and I can sit in there, sweltering, for days.
To really unwind, go for a shiatsu massage, or one of their treatments. I love spending a good 3 hours here, just letting go. Top off your experience with some warm barley tea, relaxing and detoxing in the sitting/napping room.
Most of all, I think I really love this place because it reminds me so much of Asia, where bathhouses in Korea and Japan are seen as a normal part of everyday life.
I though this bath house was just O.K. nothing too out or ordinary experience. Actually this is my first time in L.A. but whenever I would visit seoul, Korea I would go to Mok-youk-tang (bathhouse) reguarly there and the service is great.
Here in Olympic Spa, the front desk reception/manager was strongly suggesting that I get a milk scrub for $40 and oil body massage for $40 all together about 1 hour and 20min.
Any two combo service allows you to enter the spa without paying the entrance fee of $15.00
The steam room needs a little care...there were some cracks on the bottom of the wall area but it was not too bad.
My massuse gave me a great scrub while I was laying on the table ...but honestly I was a bit cold laying there naked for over an hour and the oil massage was just ok..it was a bit too harsh on my back sometimes. I should of just gotten foot massage.
"Feel my skin". A little scary, but that's what you'll be saying to boyfriend and coworkers alike after getting the world famous scrub here. Grab a bubble tea in K-town before you head in, and allocate a good 3-4 hours here for utter bliss on a budget.
Just over $100 get you acupressure massage, a facial, scalp massage, and that scrub that's borderline masochist...by a very, very strong lady who will throw you around like the slab o' meat you are.
Or, if you're on ultra-budget, entrance fees are on the cheap. The yummy starchy hot tea there is included, as is entrance to all the pools and rooms. My favorite is the "mugworts" pool aka angelika water-- it's like dunking your body in tea! Splashy buckets for the cold pools not included.
Afterwards, I feel so detoxed and glowy from all the pampering as I lie on those heated green tiles.
This place is sure to take your friendships to a new level if you've never run amuck naked together before. You get used to it quickly, darting between pools with the tiniest of towels. I find it better to go with friends, because despite visiting here many times I still feel a bit the outsider. Not for the faint of heart, but lots of fun.
Naked, Asian and fabulous!
They will scrub you down til your epidermis screams "UNCLE!"
Okay, I wimped out and got the milky scrub...but next time I will get the regular scrub and ask "please go around the nipples."
No clothes allowed. Strictly! But everyone is REALLY cool! My suggestion is to get there an hour before any scheduled appointment because there are 4 different rooms to enjoy: steam room, sauna, oxygen room, and the soupy dark-brown hogwarts hot tub.
This place is very Asian...so as any authentic Asian place is....customer service is not great. Don't get me wrong, they are accommodating, but it's just a cultural thing. They lie you on a plastic table top like a slab of meat and literally hose you down. They rub and scrub like a marathon carwash...it's as untherapeutic as you can get. Every so often my therapist asks "It's ok?" In their opinion, that's good customer service!
For $15 bucks you get access to all the spas. Add on $35 and up and you get services that last up to 2 hours! Talk about a budget spa day. The barley tea is beanie delish and the warm napping floor is soooo great!
My girlfriends and I detoxed for about 2 days afterwards so watch your intake of alcohol, caffeine, sugar, and drink plenty of water.
I highly recommend this place for the experience!
My mind melts into moments of pleasure whenever I visit Olympic.
This place is like a friend you don't see very often but when you do, you always catch up from where you left off.
I like to visit Olympic at least once or twice a month when I can splurge on a $15 Simple Soak.The decor makes me feel like I've stepped into 1982. My favorites are the Mugwort bath, cold pool & steam sauna. The tubs can get extremely hot at times but the last time I went it was comfortable.
I noticed that they updated the sauna area with a big shower head by the cold pool & new cubby holes for robes, towels, etc.
I haven't visited Burke Williams in a loooooonnnnnng time because of this place. I feel like I get a lot more for less money at Olympic. The most I spent at this place was $80 for a Shiatsu massage & scrub.
Since the building is older, there is a lingering smell of old wet towel by the pools, but I've never had any issues with uncleaniness.
If you're hungry for Korean cuisine, you can order a meal from their kitchen. The food was so-so, but there are plenty of authentic restaurants in the area.
Olympic ranks high on my list of spas to get naked, soak & relax!
I like this place very much. Relaxing. Very reasonable price.
I wasn't crazy about valet parking.
Okay, I had to edit my review because there was a rather unexpected side effect that didn't surface until later.
My entire body has broken out in horrendous awful...somethingorother, I don't know what. it's awful. The dermatologist who saw me today doesn't know what the hell it is and tested me for a bunch of stuff. It's either a horrible awful breakout (which never, ever happens to me) or an allergic reaction to something, we don't know. It's all over my back and arms and I look like I've been attacked by the acne monster, but it's not acne, it's some other sort of raised spot. Yeah, gross. I'm sucking up antibiotics and praying the allergy test comes back negative.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
8/2/2009
I actually really liked this place. The other reviewers are right; this is not the place for you if… Read more »
I love this place! My boss took me there the 1st time for my b-day 5 years ago and since then i've been hooked! I do the simple pleasure
They scrub and massage for an hour :-) absolutely heaven....? every 6 weeks I'm there. go.there.
A caveat - I have nothing against which to base my review as comparison. This is my first Korean Spa experience.
And it was mighty fine. I got scrubbed, and hosed, and I don't know what that lady used to wash my hair, but my hair has NEVER been so silky and shiny and lovely. So that was Awesome. Because my hair looks terrific.
But, see, I didn't go here for my hair. I went here because I have a lot of dry skin and scaly patches from acne treatment. On my face, my chest, and neck. And my feet are super dry. So scrub THOSE areas, lady! I pointed them out as problem areas going into the scrub, but she gave my belly a ton of attention, and very little to my feet, jaw, and cheeks (on my face) where the real issues are.
So that was a bummer.
Also the tea tub was WAY too hot. It was super hot when we arrived, and I wanted to take a second dip into it after the sauna, but I couldn't even get one foot in there. No one was in that tub because of the high temperature. Sort of defies the point, no?
But I like a safe quiet space for women to just get their schvitz on. And for $15 I'd probably return. Maybe if someone had a reccomendation for a truly diligent scrubber I'd be tempted to shell out again for the job.
Ok, so I've done the Simple Soak here a few times and from the moment I walked in, I knew that this was not the typical "spa" I was used to. There are no fancy schmancy decorations nor are there soothing water sounds playing over the speaker system (heck, I don't even think they have a speaker system). However, based on the reviews I read, and my dire need for a detox ritual, I decided to brave it and get naked with the other ladies. My favorites are the mugworts soak, and saunas. The mugworts is really hot, but I feel like that temperature helps with the detox and keeps the germs at bay. Alternating with the mugworts and the cold tub makes you feel amazing! So yeah, for $15 I think it's well worth it.
But the real reason for this review, is I had my first Pure Bliss treatment yesterday. As I mentioned before, this is not your typical spa, so don't expect the royal treatment. You lay down on some table with other naked ladies in the same room, and are basically treated like a piece of meat. However, when you get out, you are the most tenderized, and refreshed piece of meat!! I'm convinced I have to do this at least once a month now...
1. Do NOT go if you are shy about your body! I'm not, and that wasn't my problem with this place, but that's the #1 thing you need to consider before you go. Everyone is completely nude and body treatments are done in the open, right next to your neighbors who are on tables about 2 feet away, and with people continuously walking around since the open treatment area is central and visible to the pools, saunas, etc. Treatments are not done in a quiet, private room like they are in spas you may be used to. (This also means that it is not a quiet, relaxing environment.) Also, the women doing the treatments are NOT shy about where they touch you or (roughly) manipulating your body into very un-modest postions during the treatments. You've been warned.
2. If you enjoy being rubbed raw REPEATEDLY with what feels like a Brillo pad (then scrubbed with exfoliant in case you have any skin cells left) then this is the place for you! Yes, my skin does feel baby-butt soft the day after, but I'm not sure it was worth the extreme discomfort.
3. I got the Milk & Honey smoothie treatment (recommended for sensitive skin - yeah right!), and I did enjoy the post-scrub portion, especially being coated and massaged in honey, the pineapple facial massage, and the minty scalp massage. But my friend who paid for the same exact treatment was only scrubbed and her hair washed, and didn't get any of the good stuff that was described on the website. (She was really bummed when we compared notes later. Plus she was convinced that her facialist was trying to kill her during her collagen facial later.)
4. I made an appt. for a nice relaxing Reflexology foot massage, but somehow they scheduled me for a Shiatsu massage instead. I thought I was getting a pre-foot rub bonus neck massage at first, and only realized that something was seriously awry when the masseuse jumped up on the massage table and started walking on my back! BIG mistake. And I wasn't offered anything but an apology when I complained at the front desk.
5. There is a certain ick factor. I think they do sanitize things but the place just doesn't give you a particularly clean and comfy feeling. I did enjoy the oxygen stone sauna, but cramming into the pools with 6 other naked women, the stinky jade sauna and my masseuse's stinky breath really yucked me out. My friend peeked out form under the towel on her face during a pause in her body treatment and saw her practitioner cramming a string cheese stick into her mouth - ew! Plus walking through the super fishy smelling "restaurant" on the way to my painful massage was rather disturbing.
I left bruised and in severe pain, and my friend was literally running out of the place. I know this place is really popular and a lot of the women that I talked to there are repeat customers, but it was definitely not my cup of tea, to say the least. I was expecting a relaxing, luxurious, calming spa day and I got QUITE the opposite. Hope this review saves someone else from major disappointment!
Gosh Darn,
You can't beat the price. $100 for scrub, massage and spa usage.
But you get what you pay for.. If you don't mind a bunch of naked ladies walking around like your at some type of nudist resort, then this is the place for you. Jung did my scrub and massage and my skin has never felt so good. The employees are spectacular. I am only giving this place 3 stars because the atmosphere is a turn off.
Im still undecided as to whether I will return or not.
I took my grandma here yesterday to celebrate her upcoming 94th birthday which is on Friday Sept 11. We had the pure bliss package and she loved it. I loved it also. The atmosphere was nice. I don't agree with some previous yelpers about it being run down and dirty. They must have renovated since then. Some guests were talking too loudly but that is not a reflection on the spa. I would suggest if you want peace and quiet to fall asleep on the jade floor then bring earplugs just in case. Definitely allow at least an hour before your appointment so you can take advantage of the steam rooms, and various jacuzzi and jade floor. If you don't mind a communal environment and being nude or covered by a towel or linen robe then visit Olympic Spa. I opted to bring cash as a tip for the hard working women but you can also tip via credit/debit card. Overall I think it's a wonderful bargain.
http://www.olympicspal...
Ok, everyone has already discovered my once secret spa getaway ages ago, but back when I was one of the only non-Asian naked woman wandering around Olympic Spa (alright, I wore the little robe occasionally when necessary) I was super happy getting scrubbed and rubbed until I had absolutely baby soft skin. (hint: DO NOT go to the beach the next day, or even expose yourself to sunlight. DO NOT drink more than 3 glasses of wine at dinner after going to Olympic Spa. You will be sunburned and feel sick. Silly.)
Oh, yeah, it's not for the delicate ones. They will wash you and scrub you like a car. They will make you wonder if you are bleeding or if you even have any skin left. Some are rougher than others, and sometimes you wonder to yourself what kind of masochist are you to take such treatment? Oh, I must be some kind of masochist, because I just love the way they throw me around, scrub me, and yell at me to "get in shower!" while throwing the towel at me (yes, this did happen). I am scampering along the wet tile, off to the shower like a good little girl. Then back to the vinyl table for more scrubbing, slathering, and cucumber and honey heaven.
The hot buckets of water tossed on you while you lay there, naked and most likely very red, feels oh so good. They'll smack your backside or hip and roughly say "turn over!" and "other side!" And you will do it. Gladly.
Ah. It's absolute heaven. Drift off as they massage you (after all the scrubbing) with honey, grate that fresh cold cucumber and put it on your face. Delight as they give you a no frills scrub and rub like never before. I have been doing this for years now, and each time I go to Olympic Spa, I am delighted.
The very hot tub (mugwort tub or angelica tea tub) is the best to soak in before a massage or body scrub.
They have done a few things to improve the spa since I began going there, but all in all it's the way to spend the day. The cafe (kitchen) is good for the seaweed soup (it comes with kimbab "veggie sushi" which I load on the chili/garlic sauce in heaping amounts). They also have a "tea tonic" which I tried awhile back, and I have no idea what's in it. Also, freshly juiced grapefruit/orange juice, and other things exist for your detoxing body.
Upstairs, through the cafe, is the shiatsu treatment area. I have had several really super shiatsu treatments there, way back when the only man there, Peter, who was supposedly blind (oh I didn't care if he was or wasn't), and a gal named Sunny was pretty good too. Grace was um, not my cup of tea, but some other massages were quite excellent.
This is my special place. It's cheap, relaxing, and the health benefits are amazing. If you are shy about being in the nude, then this place is NOT for you. The body scrubs are AWESOME, and so is the shiatsu massage. It's not a booshie place, it's just no nonsense and it IS really clean. GO there, it ROCKS.
When I used to dream about my future, my main goal was to one day be tenderized like a piece of meat by a bossy asian woman. Olympic Spa, you made my dream come true!
I love this place for the fact that it not only offers great services, but it is such an experience. It is kind of like going to the circus, except more expensive! And you're naked! There are many attractions at Olympic Spa. Feel what it must be like to be a sugar cube as you bob and float in their mugwart hot tub!! Marvel at the women that give the massages as they plod around in saggy underwear and bras! Yes, they plod around in saggy jockey underwear and bras. Why, I ask you, WHY? But wait, don't tell me. This is one wonderful riddle I don't want the answer to.
I am a Korean bathhouse freak. I love, love, love them. This is definitely something I love about Los Angeles (along with the fresh sashimi and kick-ass Korean food). While the Korean spas absolutely PALE, PALE, PALE compared to the ones in Korea (you will not want to ever exit these), with the largest Korean population in the States, you are not going to get much better than the larger L.A. area when it comes to Korean mogyuktangs (transliterates to bathtubs).
Most of the time, I come to Korean spas and do my own scrubbing. I have my own ritual that, generally, does not include getting a rubdown by the expert hands of the ahjoomah ladies. While I would love to get a body scrub with every visit, I know I can do a pretty good job with my own scrubby towels, especially if my mom is with me to do my back. This all said, Olympic's forte is definitely the paid body scrub. These ladies have amazing technique. They are very skilled and your eyes will reel as you watch the roll of the dead skin flicking off like eraser bits. Your skin will have the blinding shine of a polished table and, to the touch, ooh, you will be as smooth as buttah, guaranteed! It is definitely worth the money.
Along with the stellar rubdowns, Olympic's other strong suit is the medium-temperature oxygen jjim jil bang or sauna room for lack of a good translation (actually a misnomer, too, you are not exposing your skin to free radicals, etc.). Perfect degree of heat--not so hot that you have to keep taking breaks, lest you dehydrate, and warm enough so that you get a nice, streaming perspiration going. The room is on the small size, though, and on busy days, it can get crowded.
Now to the minuses. #1: The water in the hot soak tub is not that clean. This is obviously a cardinal flaw. #2: There are not enough scrubbing stations. Not counting the communal water area, where there is an on/off faucet head, there are only about three viable showerheads. They used to have many, many more, but they demolished them, and in turn, made room for more paid body scrub stations. The reason for this is clearly of the profit-making variety. More paid body scrubs, more money. Most of the patrons are now non-Koreans and they come for the professional scrubs. Smart ladies, patrons and owners alike. But, people like me who enjoy the ritual of bathing are left in the showerhead-less dust.
If I could, I would be here every week. They are finishing the touches as they are remodeling this place. New tile, new showers and just updating the look. So, for those reviews who complained about how dirty it looks, there doing a good job, making it cleaner. Even the bathroom looks great!
I see Suzie for my Shiastsu and Oh for my scrub, no wonder I like them both and request them, I found out there sisters!!!
There the BEST!
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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7/3/2007
Scrub me, Rub me and Relax me! That's how I always feel when I'm done here. I now have my Favorite.… Read more »
Do you like bumping boobies with beautiful naked females of all ages, shapes, colors and sizes? (okay, not exactly bumping, but in VERY close proximity)
Would you enjoy having your skin scrubbed not-quite-bleeding-but-almost raw in the very best way possible by strong and skilled Korean women?
Are you comfortable soaking in small tubs of various temperatures with aforementioned naked nude women whilst only wearing your birthday suit?
Then the Olympic Spa is the place for you!
All-nude, all the time (no bikinis allowed!), I've seen ladies from age 18-80 soaking and scrubbing to their hearts desire here. I've been a frequent visitor of this spa for about 2 years now. Where else can you enjoy usage of all the facilities for as long as you'd like for under twenty bucks?
I'm a big fan of the "Simple Soak" ($15) which includes a locker for your shoes and another for your clothes, towels and a robe, hot barley tea (mmm) and water, clean and powerful showers with shampoo/conditioner/lotion, an all-you-can-use cold soak, warm soak, and scalding-your-skin-off soak which smells like tea, a dry sauna, a wet sauna, an "oxygen stone" sauna, and a "nap/rest" area with a heated floor and mats to lay on.
I've also had a thorough scrub which was too violent and awesome for words. A lady laid me out on what looked like a massage table, hosed me down, scrubbed me down so hard I thought I would die, hosed me off again, kept scrubbing (scrubbing EVERYWHERE! from my head to... EVERYWHERE!), hosed me down again... kept scrubbing, and hosed me down again before rolling me off the table. I felt like I'd been reborn, it was that spectacular of an experience.
Valet parking is free, I always tip a buck or two and it's easy to get in and out. No penises allowed, if anyone knows of a similar place for guys only, do tell so I can send my boy there! Enjoy ladies. :)
Let me start with two very important items, warnings if you will.
1. If you are SHY and not looking to get over it- DO NOT enter. Just don't, you will not enjoy it.
2. You get what you pay for.
Now on to why i looooooove this sacred (at least to me) place-
1. Once again the price is right (for my budget anyway) at $15 you get full use of the facility- soaking tubs, saunas, showers, warmed jade tile floors, hot barley tea, worn-but-comfy couches. They even provide hair dryers and lotion for goodness sake!
Anything beyond that is gonna cost ya though. Massages and scrubs and facials are all extras (check the website for details.). Some do include a soak though. Personally i don't usually go for these extras- not that i don't want to, but my measly budget only allows for these extravagances a few times a year.
2. Everything is provided for you, albiet in a spartan fashion, and all you have to do is haul your tired, stressed, and for me anyway cranky, ass from one relaxing spot to another. Shower, soak, steam, shower, cold pool (not so relaxing but imho a requirement) then into a dry sauna or perhaps back into the mugwort tea bath. Doesn't matter how you do it, just enjoy it.
3. They are currently updating the place. When I first started frequenting this place with a friend over a year ago it was, well um, not what you'd think of as modern. But over time i've noticed some changes. Mainly the carpet in the main room has been replaced by a faux wood floor. The dry sauna (I personally think of it as the "bread box" due to it's odd shape.) has these lighted earthtone glass tiles in the walls. The Jade sauna had the floor replaced with new benches along the walls. And the awful pink tile in the bathing room is being replaced with what looks like large granite tiles. Now if they'd just replace the hideous pink lockers with, oh, i don't know bamboo veneered ones I don't think i'd recognize it.
As another reviewer said- "It's an experience"
Chipped / missing tiles, wet floors, naked ladies of all ages, shapes and sizes. This place screams of authenticity.
Amenities include Steam Room, Dry Sauna, Mugwort Bath, Jet Bath, Cold Bath, Warm Oxygen Stone Room, and a Jade Sleeping Room with heated floor.
I was so looking forward to the mega scrub down so many people have Yelped! about, but as a walk-in, I would have had to wait more than 3 hours. Popular? So instead I headed to the baths to soak my cares away. Hopping from bath to bath, room to room, hot to cold, I emerged 2.5 hours later in a noodle like state. The best $15 I've spent in a long time.
There is definitely bathhouse etiquette that should be followed for everyone's comfort and enjoyment. Here are a few examples:
**Shower between each of the baths and steam room/ sauna. Nobody wants to bathe in your sweaty water.
**Silence is golden. People are here to relax, not hear about your date last night.
**Keep track of your towel. Don't mistakenly pick up mine, wipe your face with it, realize it's not yours and then hang it back up. Yuck!
**Don't sit Indian-style on the floor with all of your business hanging out. Have a little modesty, nobody but your waxer should have to see that much of your va-jay-jay.
Oooooh good god I love this place.
After reading many, many reviews I had to try this place. I've been three times now and I have a couple of beginner tips and things to comment on.
- Block off at least a couple of hours to fully enjoy yourself. 3 is ideal.
- This is not a traditional spa experience. Go with this in mind, be open.
- Don't be afraid of the scrubs, they're great for you and it doesn't hurt THAT bad. I had to buy the scrubber I was so in love with them.
- Understand that in the traditional Korean way, most treatments are done in a swift, quick and sometimes abrasive way. I LOVE THIS.
- Don't be afraid to get nuddy! Everyone is and you'll be looked at with crazy eyes if you leave anything on except your towel. We're all women.
- Get the Pure Bliss package-- a bit of everything and perfect for a complete unwind.
- The shiatsu is the best I have had. She kicked my ASS!
- I have been alone and with friends. Both were great, but please don't talk loudly.
- Free valet in the back!
Have fun... be at peace with yourself, try all of the saunas, steam rooms, baths (cold one too... amazing for your skin!) and areas. I haven't had the food so no comment on that.
This was the only spa I've been to. I didn't know what to expect because my sister told me little of the place.
I get there and I realized everyone is naked. I didn't have a problem with this because I'm just as human as the next female.
There was plenty of room to roam around the place. I got into the hot tea bath which was hot as hell. The entire time I was in there my mind got the better part of me and I was wondering who was in it before me. Then I realized that even if there were germs in the water they wouldn't survive seeing how my ass was becoming medium rare.
While I was in the bath I watched a older woman scrubbing herself. She scrubbed herself for well over 30 minutes. I was amused at her dedication to scraping her skin off. I was expecting there to be blood but I guess she knew what she was doing.
I also got into the ice cold bath which gave my insides frost bites.
I passed up on the opportunity to get into the warm bath because I think germs might be able to survive in warm water.
The steam sauna was so lovely and I had a wonderful conversation with a nice woman. The people that go there are really friendly. I like that.
The dry sauna was the best though I mentally had trouble breathing. I am far too dramatic sometimes.
I also spent some time in the clay (or stone) sauna. I barely noticed that one but I enjoyed it because I got to lay down and meditate.
I also had a massage, full body scrub and I even took a nap. They also have a restaurant but I was not interested in their menu.
My sister told me to use the restroom but i don't really sit on public toilet seats. She said the seats are warmed... I'm was far from being interested in anything of that nature.
Overall I do enjoy that place. Its good for hanging out with your female friends or just going alone to get away. If you go just know you must be comfortable with your body.
First and foremost - this place is not a Western spa, it's a Korean bath house.
If you're looking for champagne, terry robes and Enya - definitely do not go here - LOL.
If you're comfortable with being nude around other women and aren't germ phobic, then I think you'll have a great time.
Here are some of my tips to you if you're considering going.
1. It's only a $15 entrance fee for the "Simple Soak" - which allows you to use all the facilities. Go to the website - a lot of the treatments include the Simple Soak fee, but some don't. I like to arrive almost an hour before my scheduled treatment so that I have time to use the different rooms and tubs. You don't need an appointment just to use the facilities, but I do recommend an appointment for treatments.
2. Take cash for tips. Valet parking is free, just tip the guy. The treatment ladies will give you an envelope for their tips too.
3. Bring your own bottled water if you want, otherwise there is a drinking fountain with cups.
4. The toilets are private and have heated seats and bidets. I know, right?
5. Put your shoes in the small locker. Your clothes and purse go in the big locker, where you'll find a robe and towels.
6. Take a shower first. You can use the standing showers or sit at a traditional Korean shower. This is because they don't want any skin or hair products polluting the tubs. The Korean showers are seated because traditionally, the women would sit and scrub themselves. You'll usually see the older Korean women here.
7. There is a steam room, dry sauna, warm mineral pool, hot Mugwort pool, cold water pool, heated oxygen stone room, and resting lounge. All these amenities have signs in both Korean and English that explain what they are for and what they are supposed to do for you. My friends and I highly recommend going into the cold pool before the Mugwort bath. It's so damned hot, it's almost impossible to go straight into. Don't know why, but the cold pool helped a great deal.
8. The women here are REAL. You'll see all body types and ethnicities.
9. If you are getting a treatment, they will call your key number and you'll need to show it to your attendant.
10. The treatment tables are all in public view. That being said, since everyone is minding their own business and going about their own needs, you don't feel as exposed as you'd think.
11. I LOVE LOVE LOVE the Pure Bliss treatment. It's 1.5 hours of pure heaven. It's $120 (including tip) that's well worth the money.
12. They use Fresh body products, Bumble & Bumble hair products and Darphin skincare in their treatments.
13. You can use the lounge area to take a nap or have a Korean meal.
13. They can get closer to your lady bits than you'd think comfortable, but they aren't affected by it and I don't really think about it. It's how they were trained and are very dispassionate about it.
I think that's about it :)
It is a very rare moment that you will ever find this Pisces far from water, and due that characteristic, I kinda wish I was Korean. Ever since my first introduction to the Korean Day Spa experience (which happened to be only 2 years ago) I am completely and utterly hooked... line, sinker, reel, and rod!
First off, I think the experience is a terrific reality check for every woman in LA who's trying to fit the bill. Pah-leese... when you get down to it, naked is naked. Some of my girlfriends are deathly afraid of going to the spa with me because you've got to walk about butt naked. But once you do it, you realize it's not all that bad and quite liberating. Seriously! So to all you newbies out there, just give it a shot!
My usual MO is to book an appointment the day before... the Pure Bliss package. I'd like to try other packages, but the Milk & Honey one didn't agree with my skin and it seems you get the best bang for your buck with the Pure Bliss... 1.5 hours of pampering (even though it always seems to be closer to 2 hours.) The package purchase, which also includes entrance to the spa, costs $100. Ridiculous, I know.
When you check in, you are given a wrist band with a key to your locker. Toss all your earthly possessions into the locker and head to the pools. You are probably still wearing your robe and have your towel hanging over your arm at this point, but once you pass through the glass door, it's time to stash those articles away in the cubbies to your right... you won't be needing them anymore. First things first, head to the back left and shower yourself off (good etiquette for Korean spa-ing.) Explore the place but listen for your number (which is on your wristband/key) to be yelled by one of the Korean ladies in black bras and granny panties pulled up to their bellybuttons. She'll lead you into a side area where you might be surrounded by other naked women laying on plastic-covered tables, but just go with it, and plop yourself down too. First she'll start off with the scrub... it might hurt, especially if she goes for your nipples (which has happened occasionally to me, but hey, no pain no gain.) You might look up from the scrubbing and notice bits of gray stuff surrounding you that reminds you of wet newspaper, but have no fear, that's the fruit of the labor of your black panty mamacita sloughing off all those dead skin cells! After the scrub, she'll soap you down, sit you up, and squirt some face cleanser into the palm of your hand and send you back to the showers. Once there, make sure you rinse off good! She'll check your arm pits and boobies to make sure they squeak to confirm that your rinsing is up to par! If it's unsatisfactory, mama san will send you back for another rinse. Once you hop back on the table, it's smooth sailing as you get a scalp massage, your hair washed, and a face mask.
If you have the time to do it, you really should come an hour or two before your appointment to enjoy the amenities since the ladies will make sure you don't go anywhere near a pool after your treatment. Some of my favorite parts are the Mugwort hot tub, the Oxygen Stone room, and the Jade Steam Sauna. One time I came early enough to try a soup from their cafe, and I must say, it was quite tasty!
This place is dirty........the tubs are grimmmy and I had a scrape on my arm the lady scrubbed so hard that it got infected. I did love my massage and it was a great introduction to the beauty of Korean Spa in LA. But there are way better places......Aroma,Grand Spa,Natura,Wilshire.
I went in for a shiatsu massage and came out a convert.
My masseuse had the force of a two-ton truck in her hands and did the best job ever of loosening up my shoulders and neck, the two areas where I hold my stress. She rubbed, stepped all over me and found the knots in all my muscles and worked the hell of them.
The woman couldn't have been more than 5 feet tall. I was amazed that for the exertion she put forth to work my tense muscles, she never panted or lost her breath.
Strong hands, effective technique and extreme efficiency is what I got.
If you can't handle a deep-tissue massage or being stepped on, look elsewhere.
And the heated toilet seats were divine on a cold, drizzly day.
I've been hearing about this place for years from people in different areas of my life and I finally tried it today. I have to admit, the thought of being in the buff around other people I didn't know kinda kept me from going. But as soon as I got there, I quickly got over it and spent the best $15 of my life. They have a couple different soaks - one called Mugwort's, which is basically soaking in tea at 104 degree water. It's supposed to draw out toxins, increase circulation, etc. After sitting in this one for a bit and then going into the Cold Pool, it is so unbelievable refreshing I did it a few times. Their saunas are great too. They have this one made out of Jade and Oxygenstone and I loved the smell in there. I really felt like it was cleansing my lungs and my skin. I also enjoyed the Himalayan Clay Sauna and I think the other one was an Oxygenstone one too. So relaxing.
The topper at the end was the heated jade-tiled floor where women just laid there and napped. It kinda reminded me of beached seals - I'm not saying that the women looked that way or anything, but the way we were all just lounging with not a care in the world was so natural, primal in a nice way. It was so blissful to sleep there after a couple of hours of soaking and being in the sauna.
I didn't get to try the scrubs there, but one of the other patrons told me how wonderful they were and that is next on my list when I go back.... tomorrow. Okay, maybe not tomorrow, but very, very soon.
LOVED this place, went on a Sunday and agree with someone below about the too much talking thing! please keep quiet ladies!!
i enjoyed the pure bliss treatment and found it well worth the $100 to be scrubbed, massaged and creamed all over for one and a half hours.
Definitely will return, very relaxing and love to walk around naked..
After hearing about this place from various girlfriends, I had to give the spartan Korean spa experience a try.
Full nude?! Yes! All women?! Yes! Even the workers are only in bikinis! Yes! I knew this place would not resemble Burke Williams' attempts at spa decor, but this place looked like my high school gym! I quickly forgave that fact when I began survaying the multitude of soaking pools and steam/sauna rooms! WOW! I've been to all sorts of spas around the world but THIS was impressive.
The Jade Oxygen Room! The Mungbean Tea soaking pool! These were options I haven't seen at my usual haunts. It was a delightful change for sure. And a straight-up Cold Pool?! At first I was leery, but after an hour of boiling my t*ts off, I climbed in and it was heavenly. (Apparently, the cold pool is one of the most important parts of detoxing, shocking the body into releasing toxins. Yeah!)
I got the Milk & Honey Body Smoothie and I was delighted the whole way through. The scrubbing, which I was slightly afraid of, was fantastic! The korean lady was EXTREMELY thorough but with a gentle touch. Next, came a crazy sequence of warm water dousing my body over and over, then came the smoothie and after that I barely remember much as I went into deep bliss. The whole treatment was 1 1/2 hours! You cannot get a treatment that doesn't cost you $200 elsewhere and I paid $100. What's more is I got a mini facial, deep tissue massage (which is like a massage on warp speed). After that I dipped in and out of the pools over and over again until I was so relaxed I could barely re-robe and leave. It was GREAT!
I stumbled out to the parking lot and retrieved my valeted car and truly couldn't wait to bring friends with me next time.
If you aren't prissy or afraid to be in the buff with other natural women in the buff, you may want to try this place. The value and the way I felt afterwards outweighed any cucumber water or green apples BW may supply.
I love this spa, and I love the prices. My favorite treatment is called Pure Bliss. $100 for 90 minute treatment, in the spa world that is a bargain. You get thoroughly scrubbed til your skin is pink and fresh. The you get scrubbed some more with a lovely rose scented scrub. After a shower, your masseuse puts some wonderful oils in your hair and wraps it in a warm towel, then massages you with lovely moisturizing gels and lotions until you are limp as a noodle. At the very end she shampoos and conditions your hair.
Other things I love: the Mugwort pool, a hot pool filled with all kinds of crazy detoxing herbs. The dry sauna, the wet sauna. The heated resting floor with all the cozy quilts and pillows.
And, naturally, all the nudity. No bikinis allowed ladies. Grin and BARE it!!!! Beautiful womens bodies come in all shapes, sizes and colors and it feels glorious to be around that amazing nudity and flesh in a way that feels pampering and luxurious.
I'm popping my review virginity with Olympic Spa! What an amazing place!! I actually found it by looking at reviews on this site.. and you guys were right on once again :o)
For $50 I was able to use all the facilities which included the hot mud tub, the warm jacuzzi, cold pool, hot clay room, jade steam room, heated jaded floors for naps, oxygen detox room, shower (all for $15) and then the SCRUB (for $30) plus tip for the free valet and the scrub lady ($5)
It took a few minutes to get used to being naked and seeing everyone else in the buff but it became second nature and soon i didn't give it a second thought. For first timers like I was, I definitely recommend making an appointment for the Scrub. My skin hasn't felt this smooth in...well ever! They lay you on a table and a woman scrubs your ENTIRE body down with such vigor and strength that its almost painful but at the same time absolute BLISSS!!
I took my time, enjoyed all the facilities and even got hit on while I was about to take a nap on the heated jade floors lol anyways i left feeling totally renewed and relaxed.
Is definitely now going to be my monthly treat to myself! Can't wait to go again and who knows maybe that heated jade floor girl will be there too :o)
This place has been around for more than a few years and I just paid my first visit yesterday. My madre wanted to go so off we went.
They charge $15 for a one day pass to enjoy their facilities. You can pay for some expert scrubbing by petite ajummas or you can just pay the day's fee and enjoy the soaks, the various steam rooms and the wonderfully warm nap/relax room.
At first, I was a little hesitant about the whole walking around in the buff part, but once you realize it's just how it is there, it's quite liberating.
The facilities aren't Burke Williams, but hey, for $15 and steam rooms and hot soaks that are good for you, this girl isn't complaining. It's more than worth it for what you're shelling out and economical enough to go quite frequently.
On a side note, I felt like it was an ad for Dove's beautiful at any size campaign. There were women of all shapes, sizes and color, and it was quite a comforting site.
Oh, I shouldn't fail to mention that there is complimentary valet parking by a really nice dude. But my mom and I still tipped him 'cause that's the nice thing to do.
Opening caveat: Most of my female friends LOVE this place. That said, it's not for me. When I think "spa," I think lavender aromatherapy, cucumber water, and whisper voices (aka Burke Williams). Olympic Spa isn't any of those things.
It is oddly dark, smells of sweat and soap, is undecorated (to say the least), and overall, has a Communist Bloc feel about it. There's also a trough in the middle of the place where nude women use little buckets and sponges to (um, how can I put this delicately?) cleanse their cookies. Yup.
I've been twice, with close friends, but just didn't dig it. Sorry, girls! I got scrubbed the first time and massaged the second time. Both experiences felt like the kind of bath time punishment you'd get at age five for playing in the mud.
I'd gladly save up for the snooty indulgence of a four-star hotel spa rather than slum it for a cheap but borderline-violating rub down.
My lady friends still trek to Olympic once a month or so; however, now I politely decline their invitations to their versions of "spa nights." Instead, while they're being rubbed raw, I treat myself to a drugstore purifying clay mask while I soak in my own hot tub, sipping a glass of chardonnay.
I loooove Olympic Spa! For $15 bucks (and free valet) you get use of three saunas, a hot tub, a hot mugwort tub, a cold pool, and a relaxation room! Definitely a steal, and I always come out happy and relaxed. As for the nudity issues, for me I forgot all about that after my first few minutes, as it is true, seeing women of all shapes/sizes/colors/ages will make you less self-conscious.
I also like that they provide a blow dryer, q-tips, and a comb (even though I find it's best to bring your own) for when you're drying off. Also, the bathroom has slippers you can wear while in it and heated toilet seats with bidets (which I did not take advantage of, because I was worried about water shooting... there.)
I was taken to this place as a birthday gift from a dear girlfriend, because we had be speculating about it for months. I've been to the Burke Williams and I've been to traditional Japanese onsen (spas) in Japan. But I have to admit, that this place took the cake in terms of body attention.
There is a real sense of letting go, as people are obviously not too modest bearing their boobies and washing just about everything in front of you. It's a mix of both old Korean ladies and Americans, all coming for the same thing - washing away your sins.
I had the Pure Bliss treatment, which I agree was a huge bargain. I think I literally turned into mush for 90 minutes as this lady went everywhere , scrubbing, massaging, washing and doing accupressure.
I only give it 4 stars just because I think the place could use a little facelift. I mean, I didn't feel like things were dirty, but I feel like they could do something about the ancient leather couch from the garage they use in the waiting area, and perhaps modernize their vanity area a bit. Overall though, very worth a trip. You'll want to make sure you have nothing scheduled later though. You won't want to do anything but sleep and be mellow.
Great place to spend several hours with sisters or girlfriends. Those Romans had it right, and so do the Koreans in this sphere.
The thing with their wonderful body scrubs is even if you scrub and loofah at home, you will be shocked how much dead skin you are hauling when they get hold of you, and how clean and velvety you feel for weeks after. Then you realize you want to do it regulary (every month or so) and you're hooked. I always feel so renewed and refreshed after, especially after doing the hot cold dip rotation too.
I also think or hope these intense scrubs may help get rid of early skin cancers, as a fair skinned person that's a draw for me.
I like the little restaurant with authentic Korean fare, and the relaxation rooms based on elements (salt, jewels, etc).
The scrubs are really vigorous, the scrubber ladies can seem a bit rushed and brusque at times (though my friend had a marvelous one, maybe luck of the draw).
Yes you will be nude. I think its humbling and leveling to be in your raw state with other women. It's kind of reassuring too how alike we all look and how rare the really perfect bodies are...(I know it's sour grapes, but sorry - I do find that reassuring! ) and news flash: unless we're in a burka our body shapes are pretty apparent to one and all anyway!
This is one of my favoriite places on earth.
When I lived in LA I would try to make it to Olympic Spa at least once a week, sometimes with a friend or two. When fellow Angelenos are sitting in traffic or a bar, this would be my "happy hour." When I visit LA I always try to work in some spa time. When I move back to LA, this will be one of the reasons why.
There's just no substitute for the Aksuri scrub. Heavenly! Go, make an appointment but allow plenty of time before and after to use the saunas, steam rooms, oxygen room, hot and cold pools. Bring a book and lounge around on the cozy jade floor "naptime" area before you leave.
Tip: If you pay a certain $ amount worth of services,(like $60 or $75) your $15 spa fee is taken care of. So try to plan ahead. The reflexology is divine!
Another tip: I dont know if they're still using the Fresh Soy Shampoo with the scrub pckage when they wash your hair, but I always keep a bottle of it in my shower to "take me back." yum!
They accept credit cards, but bring some cash for services and valet tips.
I recommend Olympic to all my clients and friends. It is asian style-naked and no apologies! All shapes, sizes, colors and ages. So get over yourself (see? you are pretty normal looking after all!) and get in there to wring every ounce of stress out of your body! If you alternate between the hot and cold (totally submerge yourself in the cold tub for at least 30 seconds) it acts as a natural pump for your lymphatic system. In between, grab some tea, have a seat, and close your eyes: instant bliss.
In the last few months they have been slowly remodeling the interior and it is looking very pretty. A total bargain at $15.
