A reliable source told me that they're cracking down on sexual activity at Century Spa. Apparently things were getting WAY out of hand there (and, based on my observations, they definitely were) and the owner decided that he'd had enough.
So a few things I observed when I was there a few days ago:
- Staff are making rounds much more frequently, checking places like the patio, the clay room, the upstairs sleeping room, and even entering the steam room.
- When you check in, they require a driver's license. There is no longer an option of leaving your keys; you must provide ID. Presumably, this is so that if you're kicked out, they know who you are and can ban you.
I can't say that I didn't see this coming. It seemed like every time I was there (up until my last visit) there were a lot of guys that just didn't understand the meaning of "discretion", there were a lot of complaints from spa patrons, and this is the result.
That said, when I was there a few days ago, it was one of the more relaxing times I've had at Century. I felt like the cruising vibe had definitely been lessened, but without it actually being eliminated entirely. There was still some play going on, but it was far more discreet than what I'd observed a month ago.
I was there last week. They took my ID, which I thought was interesting.
ReplyDeleteHowever the activity I witnessed seemed more rampant than usual. After undressing and showering, I went straight to the dry clay sauna. There were about 8 guys involved in various states of play ... only stopping briefly as I entered. as soon as I sat down, they resumed. now, I guess it's safe to assume that every non-Asian at Century is gay-friendly, but I was definitely surprised at the open display of sex.
I could have been anyone walking through that door. An undercover, an employee, anybody. people definitely need to get it together.
Did they just sense that you're ok with whatever they are doing that is why they continued?
DeleteThey were so open about what was going on, I'm sure anyone who wasn't okay with it would have stopped at the door...because they weren't hiding anything. I just wanted to sit in that particular sauna & I wasn't going to be put out or turned away bc a few guys want to get their rocks off -- plus, it was interesting to watch lol
DeleteThis is why some people might be offended and might complain.
DeleteA lot of customers are not discreet and might assume everyone is ok with it.
I agree with the guy posting above. I am not going to avoid a certain sauna/steam room/hot tub because you are misbehaving in a public area that I paid admission to use.
DeleteIf you are going to act like you are at a bath house then you should expect an audience or even others attempting to join in like at a bath house!
Plus I like to watch, too.
Odd that they are collecting ID as they originally did since the woman at the front counter once gave mine back at check-in saying that "We take car keys now. Nobody leaves car keys behind" while pointing at a basket of left behind driver's licenses. Maybe they need to get those locking trays they use at the FLEX and other bath houses to secure your photo ID and they can unlock it and give you the tray when you return your key?
ReplyDeleteThere was a time that I saw them got mixed up with all the keys and gave the wrong key to the wrong person (dangerous).
ReplyDeleteI wonder how other customer feel about their "leave your ID policy" (how about the safety of someones identity since ID show a lot of personal and confidential information).
ReplyDeleteThat is why some places use the individual lockboxes mentioned above.
DeleteI stopped going to Century because things were just way, WAY too out of hand.
ReplyDeleteIt makes me want to start going to Century!
DeleteOne thing you could do if you don't feel comfortable handing over your DL is use an old/expired DL, if you happen to have one lying around. Of course it still has personal info on it, but if if it were to get lost/misplaced at least you wouldn't be out your current DL. I'm gonna keep my old one in my truck just for this purpose.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea. There seem to be plenty of expired IDs roaming around. I work for a public agency that requires government issued photo ID for check-in and I am always amazed at how many people hand me an expired license to check-in for interviews. When I explain that it is expired and ask for "a current, valid photo ID" they pull another ID out of their purse or wallet. I then suggest that they keep the expired ID at home to use temporarily if they lose their wallet or get robbed. It won't do you much good if you are pulled over by the police since CA has no "24 hour grace period" to produce a valid driver's license but it will work in many situations like checking in at a K Spa or a bath house.
ReplyDeleteHere is an interesting/disgusting review of Century on Yelp by an unsuspecting straight guy. I thought I shaved because I don't like hairy guys and to make my dick look bigger but instead it is to maintain cleanliness! Here is Mike P's take on Century:
ReplyDeleteWent on Tuesday 12:00pm to 2:00 pm.
Didn't know that this place was a gay hookup place. Only when I came back home, and did a quick internet search did I know that it was. When I was at the place I definitely felt a bit uncomfortable because you can sense that the men were looking at you. I even had one guy constantly follow me around.
- The jjimjilbang area was DESERTED.
- The restaurant was closed down. They only sell energy bars and Welches gummy snacks at the counter.
- Noticed a lot of physically fit white guys. A bit unusual for a Korean spa.
Also that a lot of them shaved all the hair on their private parts. Found it a bit unusual, but looking back, it's because when they have anal sex they don't want fecal matter to cling on to their pubic hair. GROSS. Thankfully didn't witness any gay sexual activity, but I heard it's a circle jerkfest if you go late at night.
- One thing that was 'crude' was the sign that is next to a bell that is connected to the door to the outside patio area. I kid you not it read, 'If you touch the bell you will be banned for life in this spa. DON'T FUCKING TOUCH THE BELL' Word. For. Word. I was like wow these guys are bell nazis. I think it's because guys rig the bell in order for it to not ring when they are in the middle of having sex or whatever. (I read in other reviews that they have sex there)
- Compared to one other place I went to, the water was pretty hot. Better yet, the cold water tub was SUPER COLD. I mean like ice, bone chilling cold. Which is a good thing.
- Also, the sauna areas were really good. Only the dry sauna felt a bit 'weak'.
- The ladies that were working at the front desk were super nice. I guess they have to be in order for the place to be labeled further in a negative light. It's already bad as it is.
Mind you I'm NOT homophobic. Not really that supportive either. Neutral I would say.
But I came back home and took a shower. If you think about it, if you have anal sex, then you tend to leak a little because the anal muscles get weaker. (heard it from a gay friend) And to think that the leakage would get in the water made me shudder. Of course, I'm pretty sure if they tested the water clarity in other spas, they would also contain fecal matter (I'm sure there are always the assholes that don't clean their assholes before entering the water) but I'm also pretty sure that the water level will be dirtier due to the gay men using the spa.
I'm writing this to let ppl fully know what they're getting into and not go through the same mistake that I did.
A Few Things I learned from Mike P on Yelp:
ReplyDeleteThe ladies at the front counter were nice? That is rare. Guy at front is usually friendly. Ladies seem bothered that I want to give them money or a Groupon.
I will eat before I go since the restaurant is closed and a deserted jimjilbang sounds peaceful compared to the one at Wi Spa that seems busy 24/7.
I won't touch the bell! I won't rig the bell!
Mike P has never showered at a gym in LA if he is surprised by shaved private parts.
I promise to clean my asshole before entering the tubs (and I hope the rest of you will, too). I am always amazed at the lazy guys who arrive at K Spas, strip and head to the tubs without showering. Soap and water are included with admission!
Please redirect Mike P to Wi Spa or Spa Palace
In terms of the crackdown I could care less
ReplyDeleteI went for the first time last night and I for one will never go back. It was a very unfriendly environment with very hostile energy coming from the other guys as well as front receptionist.
I'm very much used to the Korean Spa thing and I get a LOT of action when I go But the guys here had some sort of beef with me that made no sense
To sum it all up
1. Front desk receptionist guy was really rude and nasty, snatching my ID and credit card and Groupon out of my hand. I couldn't believe it.
2. The minute I walked in I noticed guys were turning their noses up at me
3. I noticed this hot black/mixed guy, (who was cruising by the way) every single time I went into a room that he HAPPENED to be in, he would roll his eyes at me and leave the room in a HUFF. Which was crazy to me because I didn't/don't know this guy and I've never met him in my life I couldn't believe the amount of hostility he harbored towards me.
4. Two more hot guys came in muscular and white (and were cruising) and they pretty much did the same thing whenever I went into a room they'd leave or cover up like they didn't want me to see them naked or check them out, they didn't seem to have a problem with any other patrons and even seemed to conveniently take a liking to a guy that I was vibing/messing with. (A lot of the guys there did actually conveniently enough considering they hated me lol)
5. I ultimately decided to leave because I couldn't deal with the catty vibes and the negative energy. I'm still completely thrown off at the amount of negativity and hate that I felt in that atmosphere. It just wasn't normal
I attribute it to the fact that maybe the guys are Weho types, very attractive, yet very insecure catty and jealous and they try to ostracize others who threaten them.
Beautiful facility, but its sad when horrible individuals with horrible vibes and spirits ruin the experience for other people who are simply trying to relax and have fun.
Just out of curiosity, do you think it has something to do with your body type, age, or race???
DeleteNovember 17, 2015 CraigsList post:
ReplyDeleteCENTURY SPA
age: 26
I was recently banned from century spa for sucking a dude off.
Whoops.
Anyone know of a similar place in LA that's busy, with attractive men, to cruise, JO, and play?
(Not bath houses)
Another CL post:
ReplyDeleteTo all the Korean Spa Sluts - m4m (all over)
© craigslist - Map data © OpenStreetMap
(google map)
Like many of you, I like to read the Missed Connections as a form of entertainment, as well as a bit of curiosity about a (small chance) "missed connection".
The posts from and to those at the Korean Spas, mostly Century Spa, are utterly disgusting. You guys have taken an otherwise terrific place to unwind, catch a steam, sweat a little - in the nude without ladies around - and turned them into a frikkin' sex club. You are perpetuating and validating the stereotype of horny gay men screwing anything anywhere at any time.
If you truly want to get your rocks off why not simply go to an actual sex club or gay bathhouse? Oh, I know, that would actually LOOK BAD.
I've been to Century Spa a few times to enjoy the amenities, and yes, I've noticed the wonderful eye candy and peek-a-boo innuendo and flirtation that is probably inevitable. I've always gone home with my boner in check and my load still inside by own ball sac. Because of the lewd behavior, it's been a long time since I've gone, simply because you guys are disgusting in your overt gestures and turning the place into a petri dish of male excrement. Have some class and do the nasty where it is actually expected, welcome and encouraged.
Another CL Post:
ReplyDeleteWhat the heck with the creepy, rude, nasty guys at Century? (Olympic/Crenshaw)
body : athletic height : 6'1" (185cm) ethnicity : White
age: 29
Seriously. WTF? I went yesterday afternoon for a relaxing steam and massage. It's out of control with old, fat, aggressive, creepy, nasty guys, cruising around, staring and fluffing themselves. Get a clue, guys. Nobody is interested in you sitting there with your fat, flabby body pulling your small pud in the steam room. No, by looking and acting pathetic, you're not going to get any action with the cute, young guys. Some people actually go to this LEGIT spa to relax and unwind and you're ruining it. Just because I'm young, very handsome and in great shape doesn't mean I'm there to hook up. Since when is it ok to creep on people who are clearly not interested in you. Seriously, yesterday was scary and disgusting, black thug, ugly, fat Asian and geezer day. Keep your creepy, gross sex at home....or go to an actual sex club, so that regular gays can just relax and enjoy without being exposed to your bad, disgusting behaviors.
There was this one guy, maybe 50's, either Latino mixed or Asian mixed, we was just relentless and pathetic, trying to get in the middle of anyone and everyone.
Guys - get a clue...if someone is not interested, leave them alone and go play somewhere else. As for me, the next time someone engages in this type of behavior in front of me, I'll have them ejected and/or arrested.
Hummmm... considering how much cruising was going on here I had always assumed the owner knew he was a defacto gay bath house.
ReplyDelete