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Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Koreatown spa updates

- I went to Century Spa last Friday only to find out it's closed. Since then I've seen a few comments on here about "plumbing problems"... anyone have the skinny? I heard in the comments that it might open this Friday... anyone know for sure?

- So instead, I ended up at Natura Spa. I was very happy to see a huge sign at the entrance to the shower area:

NO LOUD TALKING
NO SHORTS
NO CELL PHONES
YOU MUST SHOWER BEFORE ENTERING TUBS

That sign is very welcome, as Natura had been getting popular with certain groups that are too chicken to get naked in front of others, I guess... has anyone noticed any violators since the sign went up?

60 comments:

  1. I went yesterday...found out. Called them today...said Monday. Went to Wilshire on Monday...With on Tuesday..hit the guide for some other tips, love the blog

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  2. I've never tried Natura because of the reports of Ruskis etc and their behavior. Guess I'll give it a try now.

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    1. natura is full of loud mouthed obnoxious russians. stay away

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  3. I went to Natura last night, a few things struck me as odd.

    1. That sign you mentioned (very welcome, but definitely new)
    2. The sign on the sleeping lounge that says it now closes at 9:00pm (the spa closes at 11)
    3. The workers seem to constantly buzz around. You can tell they don't have anything to do...they literally walk in circles.

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    1. The sign doesn't work. They need to print it in Russian as well. I was at Natura last week and the Russian Armenians were yelling to each other in the steam room. I got such a headache I had to leave. It's the usual crowd; there's the one guy who is covered from head to toe in thick black hair.

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  4. I will have to give Natura another try. I hope the sign is in more languages than English. My Super Bowl Sunday was ruined as you can read in a earlier post on this blog by the noisy pantyboys from some land of loud talking and no showering

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  5. Any updates on Century?

    Never been to Wi. How is it on a Thursday around 5:30?

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  6. Went to Wilshire on Wednesday night around midnight. 2 guys walking around with full erections, practically fucking on the shallow rock pool. NOT COOL!!!

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    1. At least were they hot?

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    2. Show them the toenail clipper chained to a tray of clipped toenails across from the water cooler at Wilshire and they might lose their erections (and maybe their lunch)

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    3. Are you the same person that mentions that clipper every time someone mentions Wilshire? Dude. Let it go.

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    4. WIlshire is fun he's mad because he probably gets no action there.

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    5. I don't get the Wilshire hate either.

      Sure, their shampoo and bathroom products are of unacceptable quality but all of the times I've been there the staff are diligently scrubbing the floor, wet sauna, and shower stalls. I've yet to encounter the nail clipping tray overflowing with toenails. Slip prevention mats have recently been placed in the wet area.

      I'd have to say the filthiest k-spa in the area has to be Lions. Never witnessed any cleaning there and the front desk is a smidgeon more curt than Wilshire's.

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    6. i agree with the two comments above. it's not as filthy as others on this blog make it out to be. in fact, it's rather annoying how incessantly they clean the area whenever i go to the spa. they're either vacuuming, scrubbing the floor, or cleaning the bathroom. it sometimes disrupts the relaxing experience.

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  7. Nope not the same guy but if more than one person has seen it then it was just not my imagination that something so gross was actually there. I just don't get why people return to Wilshire. Once was enough for me.

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  8. Any news on Century? Sounds like their bath house activity has relocated to Lions while Century is closed for "plumbing issues" and/or "Legionnaire's Disease"
    Is Century open yet?

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  9. Saw a lady post at yelp that it is still CLOSED and she was pissed off because they could have mentioned it at their website or record a message if in case someone called.
    When I was there last month, the smaller jacuzzi have problems and they posted a note on the door about it. Then their steam sauna also had problem.
    It's about time they have to work on some issues.

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  10. It is kinda ridiculous that there is NO mention of Century being closed on their Facebook page. In fact, they keep posting updates urging people to visit. Shady.

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  11. still closed ... do not go and waste your time.

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  12. With all the other K Spas does it really matter that Century is closed?
    Explore a new place, get out of your routine, see the world

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  13. So here's the scoop on Century, basically shut down by the health department. They were getting A LOT of complains (surprise surprise). They got the book thrown at them and were ordered to make a bunch of repairs/upgrades to the place.

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    1. What kind of complaints? Sexual behavior of the clientele? Or unsanitary conditions, etc?

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    2. Repairs and upgrades are always good. Last time I was at Century the shower handles were a bit loose or hard to control and not water savers.
      Door to patio had a rusted out handle.
      The hot tea soak just had regular chlorinated hot water, etc...
      Everything else seemed to be clean and working.
      The Health Department should check out Wilshire Spa

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    3. Does anyone find it a little too coincidental that Century and Flex were both shut down by health dept. within the same month? I know they are technically very different businesses but it just seems fishy to me.

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  14. No. I think one closure (Century) is by the Health Dept (Was anyone else alerted to possible Legionnaires Disease by the front counter around June 6?) and one closure is LA City Zoning Permit related (FLEX).

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    1. My friend went around June 6th and called me afterwards to tell me about the Legionnaires Disease warning.

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    2. FLEX has had issues with the neighborhood in the past and the city changed the parking on the side street (Kenmore) on the East side of Flex to appease them.
      If they let a license or permit expire then they often have to go through a review to get it renewed or reinstated. It can also be denied until changes are made (more parking, security fence, ADA compliance, etc...) Another possibility is that all the remodeling was done without permits and is not up to code for a public business. Please stand by

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  15. Has anybody tried the body scrub/acupressure combo at Natura? I saw the body scrub guy climb onto the table in what looks to be a massage of some kind. I wonder if that's the service.

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    Replies
    1. just to let you know yelp has a coupon.

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  16. called century spa and was told to call back on july 7th. they were not sure of the exact reopen date.

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  17. The lady who pick up the phone today said to give them another week.

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  18. Called yesterday. They said to check in next Monday as they hope to be open then.

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  19. Hey fellas, I have a straight friend who wants to go to the k spa. Which one should I take him to? I've only been to century and like the space and amount of amenities. But I'll be honest I'd also like to see him pretty naked too. ;) I hear wilshires good for that

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    1. It has to be Wi Spa (family oriented) or Natura Spa.
      When are you guys going?

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    2. Depends on how "straight" he really is... but honestly, if he's straight and would be uncomfortable with gay guys cruising, I'd say Wi. Or maybe Natura.

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    3. Wi Spa is good for a first timer if he is comfortable with nudity since they have the tiny towels that ALL the K Spas need to switch to, Plus it gives you the show you seem to want. Natura is smaller and kid free so that is good for first timers, too. Both are clean and nice and only $15 and Wi Spa has a great jimjilbang upstairs for an extra $15 or FREE on Tuesdays.
      Wilshire is a run down dump and would turn off anyone from ever going to a K Spa again.

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    4. As Century was still closed, I went to Wilshire Spa for the first time and had a VERY enjoyable time there :-) They need to replace some of their mats in the "sleeping" room. The only weird thing that happened was this thuggish-looking black dude who came into the steam room FULLY DRESSED in sweats and a hoodie hiding his face--the room cleared out after he sat down.

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    5. Not surprising a racist post on this gay forum. You gay men are trash.

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    6. I would be creeped out by any FULLY DRESSED guy in sweats and a hoodie hiding his face lurking anywhere at a K SPA

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    7. Omg I saw that same dude dressed head to toe in sweats and a hoodie too. By far the most bizarre thing I've seen there. I told the attendant and then he was gone. Total weirdo. I must say the weirdest crowd goes to Wilshire late at night.

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    8. And he just sat in the spa area fully clothed leering at people. Total creeper.

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  20. century back in operation? thinking to go to century today but not sure if they are open..... anyone?

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  21. Thursday 07/10-Just called Century and was told they expect to be open on Monday the 14th.

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  22. Thanks. Wi Spa looks great. Are those rooms in men's/women's or jimjilbang? He's also pretty straight, but likes to be checked out I think.

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    Replies
    1. The Men's Spa area has two hot pools, a cold pool, dry sauna and steam room. All the other saunas are in the coed area.

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    2. Friday is "Family Day" so kids get in cheap. You may want to take him some other time. Tuesday is the best deal at Wi Spa because for the $15 men's spa fee you get the jimjilbang upstairs for FREE instead of paying an extra $15

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  23. Heading to LA this weekend. With Century out of commission, which spa has the best body scrub (and eye candy?)

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  24. Hi Mr Vegas, if in case you will be in Natura try to say hello to an Asian guy carrying a little water cup. Planning to be there around 10:30 am. Then we can also discuss your Kspa in LV.

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    1. Sorry I didn't make it today. Family obligations got in the way.

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    2. No problem. Some other time/opportunities.

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  25. Hello, I am thinking about going to Wi Spa one of these days and it would be my first time to a kspa. I was wondering if I need to bring anything like soaps and shampoos, loofah mits anything like those

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  26. Does anyone know if century is open? Was thinking of going today 8/8 around 7:30? Anyone wanna meet up? 26 5'9 135 mixed white/asian

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    1. I was actually thinking of going on Sunday night. Wanna meet up then?

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  27. Century reopened on Friday, July 18
    Details of remodeling in the other threads on this blog

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  28. How are Sat evenings at Century vs Wilshire?

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  29. I haven't been to Century in awhile so I can't speak to that, but I did drop by Wilshire one Friday evening after a three month hiatus.

    The spa still had a cruisy vibe, but there were far less people than I remembered. It seems they've indeed cracked down on the cruising, as others have noted. There was one new attendant, whom I'd never seen prior to this visit, who seemed especially vigilant.

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    1. Should the Health Department also inspect Wilshire Spa just like what happened to Century?

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