Wi Spa Los Angeles - First Time at Korean Spa in Koreatown LA
I’ve always wanted to go to a korean spa, as I’ve heard about a few of them in Orange County. Aside from the relaxing environment with the different types of hot & cold saunas and delicious Korean food - you can also receive a variety of treatments, with the most well-known being a satisfying body scrub because you should be leaving with your skin feeling renewed and incredibly soft. But if you have heard of a kspa and these treatments, the answer is yes you in fact need to experience the spa areas and treatment in the nude (separated gender areas). I had the opportunity to experience Wi Spa in Koreatown, Los Angeles for a friend’s bachelorette party, but as I am a bit too shy to be in the nude in front of others, I opted to do a non-full nudity massage treatment.
The admission fee is $30 to experience their $18 million jimjilbang (this is the co-ed area where the hot/cold saunas are located) and other facility amenities such as their restaurant, rooftop terrace and gym. The fee is waived if you book a treatment service that is $160 or more. Because I booked a 55 min swedish massage for $145, I still needed to pay the $30 fee. Therefore in total, paid $175 for admission and service (and I tipped the masseuse separately with cash). Checking out Wi Spa for the first time, here’s some know before you go tips:
RESERVATIONS
The spa is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and is family-friendly. You don’t need a reservation for the $30 admission, reservations are recommended for any treatments - more info and requesting a service can be found on this page. Parking is valet only, $4 Cash upfront when you enter the lot. You can also try your luck at surrounding street parking which may or may not be metered. I recommend bringing enough cash to cover the valet, corresponding tip when you leave, and tips for any services.
What to Expect Upon Arrival
At the front, check-in desk, pay for your admission and or treatment service. You’re given a key wristband to unlock your locker, and it will be scanned for any other purchases you make such as food and shop items during your visit (you will settle this tab when you check out). You’ll also be given a towel, t-shirt and slippers then directed to where you need to go for your gender specific locker room and spa area.
LOCKER ROOM AND SPA
Make your way to the locker room, and before entering, take off your shoes. Then grab a pair of shorts from the storage cubbies - there are also robes and blankets you can grab from this area for use in the jimjilbang or rooftop terrace. Find the corresponding locker number to the number listed on your key wristband - use it by tapping up against the indicated area on the locker to unlock it. Store all of your items in the locker, and change into the t-shirt and shorts. Note this is a locker room area with access to the sauna which has the warm/hot tubs, cold plunge and wet/dry saunas which are to be experienced in the nude only, bathing suits are not allowed. So you will see guests in the nude walking around the locker room to and in the sauna area. There are some smaller towels that are provided if you want to cover up a bit or use it to sit on, but for the most part you’d be in the nude. The locker room has standing and sitting showers as well as vanity sections with a select few toiletries available.
PRE-BUFF/SCRUB Prep & Treatment
If you have a buff treatment, you will need to do a few things to prepare for your treatment (which is why the spa asks for you to arrive 30 minutes before your treatment time), so that your skin is in optimal shape and clean for buffing or just to use the spa amenities in general. You’ll want to shower so that your skin doesn’t have any oils/residue before entering the dry/steam sauna or going into the tubs. When it’s your time for your buff or other body treatment that is listed as rendered in the nude here, your wristband number will be called. I personally did not have any of the nude services done, but for the popular Buff (Body Scrub), you lay down on a table in an area that has partitions up, so you’re not in your own private room. Your person administering the treatment will use exfoliating mitts to basically scrub your skin raw, you will feel like you shed many layers of skin. It’s not a relaxing treatment like a therapeutic massage, but I think you’ll definitely feel satisfied after with how smooth and renewed your skin feels.
ENJOY THE JIMJILBANG AND OTHER SPACES
Before or after your treatment if you have one, you can enjoy the hot and cold dry saunas in the jimjilbang, which is the co-ed space. In this area you will need to wear your t-shirt and shorts, and you can wear your slippers as well. The area outside the saunas is a big floor space and there are mats you can grab to lay down and take a nap, have a rest or chill with a book. On this floor there’s also a kid’s zone, computer area, book area and the full-service restaurant. There’s also free wi-fi available if you want to connect. Experience five different saunas: the bulgama (this one is extra hot), salt, clay, jade and ice. It’s recommended to do the other warm/hot saunas first and end with the ice sauna. There’s also a rooftop terrace, gym, and resting spaces in the mens and womens locker rooms where you can lay down.
OTHER TREATMENTS THAT DO NOT REQUIRE FULL NUDITY
Not so sure about the full body body scrub treatment in the nude? You could also try acupressure, swedish & foot massages, a nail service or a facial. From reviews I’m looked up, the spa is not known for the nail and facial services, so I’d recommend the swedish massage if you want to try something a bit more familiar (if you’re used to going to a spa for massages). For my swedish massage, I checked in with a person at the front of the massage area, and then was taken to a private section (it’s not a private room), but it’s a sectioned off area with swinging doors. It’s dimly lit and I was asked to strip down - I kept underwear on and then went under a sheet. At one point, I was asked to sit up and I’m basically exposed at the top but it’s just me and the masseuse. I enjoyed the massage, it was partly relaxing but I’m fairly tight so I knew she’d be working me - at one point there were some very firm slaps on my back - this was a good precursor before enjoying the jimjilbang saunas and eating at the restaurant with the rest of the group.
WRAPPING UP YOUR VISIT & CHECK OUT
Ready to wrap up your visit, you can use the shower facilities and vanity to freshen up. Drop all of your used towels and “uniform” into the designated bins. Make sure your locker is empty and you’ve grabbed all of your things. Then head back to the front desk, and settle any charges you may have made during your stay!
Overall, I really enjoyed my experience and visit to Wi Spa. I had some trepidations with the nude aspect since I had never been before, and this caused a bit of anxiety as I wanted to show up for my friend since the bridal/bachelorette gathering she was having was being hosted here. It’s nice that if you’re not comfortable being the nude (which no one cares - this is bath house culture), and you just can’t get over that hurdle, there’s still so much you can experience here! It’s the perfect place to visit alone, with family or friends and for a short visit, for 24 hours or stay overnight (overnight fees apply and there are some maintenance periods).