Time Out for a 'Me' Day at Wi Spa L.A.

I’ve visited many spas in my life—it’s one of my favorite indulgences. (But really, whose isn’t it?) Even as a beauty girl, I had no idea that such a thing as a ‘Korean spa’ existed. I mean, aren’t spas…spas? Now I know different, and they’re something like a phenomenon.

My pal, Romy and I took a trip to Koreatown one day a few weeks ago to experience Wi Spa. Let me tell you, this place is a trip! (In a good way, of course.) The four-story building is located on the corner of Wilshire and Rampart, and it wasn’t what I expected at all. This state-of-the-art facility is home to both gender-separated and co-ed floors that boast several different kinds of saunas, hot baths, cold baths, meditation areas, a restaurant, a gym, and a pretty cool boutique that sells about a zillion Asian beauty products. Be prepared to check your modesty at the door, because unless you’re in the communal areas, you’re going to be in the nude!

Additionally, you’ll be surprised when you see this isn’t a fluffy robe, scented candles, and soft slippers kind of place. When we checked in for our body buff & massage service, we were given a nifty watch to wear that opened our lockers, a pair of shorts, and a Wi Spa t-shirt (which you wear in the communal areas). They’re not the most stylish things in the world—but don’t worry…you won’t be the only one wearing them!

I’m pretty modest, but to be perfectly honest—there was something very liberating about walking around, naked as a jaybird! After showering, we indulged in a super-hot soak in a fantastic whirlpool, only to completely flip a 180 and take the plunge into the ice cold pool. (Okay, so I didn’t plunge. I more like inched my way in and whined the entire way.) And I don’t mean that the pool was just cold, it was ICE COLD. It was super refreshing, and when we got out, I noticed this really heavy, grounded feeling I had never experienced before. My legs felt like they weighed 100 pounds each and the feeling lasted several minutes.

After, we went into the hottest steam sauna I’ve ever seen in my life, and then a dry sauna. Both of those saunas are in the women’s area, so you’re still in the buff. The upstairs communal area is home to an additional five saunas; bulgama, salt, jade, clay, and ice. Each serves a different purpose, but I was surprised most when I learned that the jade sauna is supposed to help lower your cerebral temperature and massage your brain. See what I mean about this place being a trip?

Then came the fun part, the actual service. I was buffed and massaged within an inch of my life for an entire 70 minutes ($70), and it was serious business! When we were finished, both of us couldn’t stop marveling at how baby-like our skin felt. After enjoying lunch in the spa’s restaurant, we checked out—still talking about how soft our skin felt all the way home!

After spending a few hours there, I could see myself getting hooked on Korean spas. The prices for services are very affordable, and Wi Spa was as clean as a whistle. But I think next time, I’ll stick to wearing the shorts and tee in the communal saunas upstairs!