the Best Korean Spas In LA
Korean spas are abundant in Los Angeles, which has more than any city outside Korea. So I did a lot of hard, sweaty research for this guide. I think I’ve tried every one in Los Angeles County and the OC and here are my favorite K-Spas in the city:
MOst Luxurious Korean Spa in LA
Olympic Spa is a women-only spa that combines the best of a day spa with a traditional Korean spa. It is small, intimate, and the atmosphere leans more toward a Western luxury spa, making it an excellent choice for mother-daughter spa days—if you’re comfortable with being nude together, that is.
The main drawback is that there’s no jjimjilbang (traditional Korean communal relaxation area). But, though it offers fewer amenities, the quality of their body scrub treatments ranks among the best I’ve had. And it stays calm and uncrowded because you must either book a treatment or have a membership to visit.
Best Co-Ed Korean Spa in LA
Unlike every other best-of list for Korean spas, my top co-ed Korean Spa in LA is not Wi Spa. At Wi, there are televisions everywhere — I mean everywhere, even in the sauna. Instead of meditating or relaxing, you’re bombarded with political news or Korean soap operas. Though the decor is more modern and it has a nice roof patio, Wi’s vibe is wrecked by the TVs for me. Instead, my pick is Spa Palace.
Like most co-ed K-spas, Spa Palace does have TVs, but the huge TV in its open jjimjilbang room and smaller TV in the wet rooms are gratefully on mute, and most areas are blissfully TV-free.
Its specialty rooms in the jjimjilbang are large and well-designed (I love the salt room in particular). The scrubs are consistently excellent, and the restaurant serves a delicious bibimbap.
Spa Palace is open 24/7, in case you want to sweat off that late night Korean BBQ (no judgement) or have some self-care after a night of dancing (one of my favorite life hacks). However, as we learned one late night, because the spa’s entrance fee is cheaper than a motel, there’s an itinerant vibe past 2am.
Best Korean Spa for Groups
Aroma Spa & Sport is a hybrid of Korean spa and urban resort. The huge co-ed complex features a four-story driving range, indoor swimming pool, full gym, karaoke, and all of the traditional Korean bathhouse elements: various saunas (steam, dry, clay, jade, and Korean medicinal healing stone rooms) and multiple temperature pools. So it is ideal for a group of people with different interests.
However, if you are going solo or just want a scrub and some contrast therapy, Aroma isn’t as conducive to relaxation as some of my other picks. Stylistically, it feels more like a YMCA than a spa. And because it serves larger groups, there tends to be more conversation and noise. But it is is also less crowded than Century Spa, the other local K-spa resort.
I don’t know why so many people choose Century over Aroma; Aroma is better (and bigger) in every sense. The gym in newer and better equipped, the spa is cleaner, and the driving range is far more modern. But then again, most people think Wi spa is the best in the city, proof taste is subjective.
Remember to bring a swimsuit for the pool if you want to swim and your favorite driving iron if you want to go to the driving range.
Best Natural Hot Springs Spa in LA
Beverly Hot Springs holds a unique piece of Los Angeles history. Its therapeutic waters come from the Oxford springs, an artesian well discovered in 1910 near Beverly and Western. The mineral-rich natural spring, which once provided hot water to locals and was bottled as “Wonder Water”, now feeds this Korean Spa’s pools. Every other Korean spa in Los Angeles uses heated tap water for their soaking pools, so that alone makes it worth a visit.
You can get the usual scrubs and treatments here, but the spa itself could use a scrub. It’s a little run down now and doesn’t look clean, even though it probably is, given the staff that are continually cleaning. But Beverly Hot Springs was probably once magical. The design was clearly meant to emulate natural springs: think rock walls, irregularly-shaped pools and low lighting.
This co-ed spa isn’t meant for spending a day or night at like other LA Korean Spas: guests are strictly limited to 2 hours. It also doesn’t have a jjimjilbang nor a restaurant.
Best Women’s-Only Korean Spa in LA
Women have a wide selection of Korean spas to choose from in LA. My favorite is Hugh Spa, a gem tucked upstairs in a mini mall. Hugh has all of the rooms you want (jade steam, salt, oxygen, magnet, and ice rooms) plus the “Charcoal Mud Clay Room,” which has tubs of warm clay balls to sink into (think a spa version of the Ikea ball pit).
While smaller than some competitors, this translates to more personalized service. The staff are excellent, especially at the front desk. I’ve heard them offer clear guidance to spa newcomers, which is surprisingly rare and always appreciated by Westerners about to get nude in public, perhaps for the first time. The signature body scrubs are thorough and the combo scrub-massages are worth every penny.
However, the spa does have its limitations: the hot tub accommodates only three people comfortably and the cafe is only open weekends (Fri—Sun). When I first started going here, it was relatively unknown, but now it can get crowded on weekends and late afternoons. If you want to go on a Saturday midday, I’d recommend skipping Hugh and going to Spa La instead, which is a similar size and also has the clay balls (a personal fave).
Best Korean V-Steam in LA
Spa LA is an intimate women-only Korean spa. Its signature offering is the V-steam. Before you go, know that you will be steaming your V in a communal room, but it doesn’t feel that exposed. You are covered while you sit on a V-steam “throne.”
If you aren’t interested in the V-steam, the facilities also include an Hinoki dry sauna – crafted from Japanese cypress known for its soothing aromatherapy properties said to help with ADHD – and a clay ball room. It also has a Herbal Steam Sauna, Infrared Healing Room, Himalayan Salt Room, and Jade Room.
However, it could use a refresh and the steam room seems to be forever out of service. But it tends to be quieter than many other women-only K-Spas, so it’s a good option if you want to go during peak hours. And, be warned: there is no bibimbop. Luckily, it’s in the heart of K-town so there are excellent restaurants close by.
First Time? Read this guide:
A Guide to Korean Spas For The Uninitiated
Korean Spas are havens of self-care, but they can be intimidating the first time. Here’s what to know to make your first visit bliss.
