Juvenex Spa - 25 W. 32nd St. Manhattan

My friends and I have been going to these types of spas for several years now…Granted it’s not a spa experience like you would have at the Mandarin Oriental or Burke Williams with fluffy robes and cucumber infused water - but nonetheless worth the experience, event if you were to only try it once. Back to the original question: NY (Juvenex Spa) vs. LA (Olympic Spa)??

Keep in mind that these are women-only spas and if you’re shy or self-conscious about walking around naked, you may want to reconsider going. Your “bizness” is definitely out there! The Korean spa is a traditional/ritualistic type of scrub…they basically “scrub” you raw and finish with some type of oil rub down and massage. Packages offer different variations which may or may not include a hair shampoo and/or mini facial of sorts. I’m also aware that none of my Korean friends will touch these spots with a ten foot pole since they had to endure these scrubs as children on a regular basis!

Ambience: NY
Juvenex by far wins for ambience…the photos above are a testament. The facilities are spotless and if you make an appointment during the week, you’ll be able to enjoy the saunas and steam-rooms with practically no one else around.
Service: TIE
Both are comparable in this category. The employees are cordial but not overly accommodating.
Treatment: LA
Olympic Spa wins based on the simple fact that when I leave Juvenex I usually feel as if I was scrubbed so hard that i’m bleeding…while at Olympic, I only felt that three layers of skin was exfoliated versus five!
Value: LA
Again Olympic Spa wins in this category. Juvenex prices run about $160 for a scrub/massage, while Olympic has the same package for $100.

WINNER: Olympic Spa LA
Sidenote - if you’re ever in Las Vegas check out Imperial Spa…the facilities are huge and they offer the same treatment for only $90!

Olympic Spa - 3915 W. Olympic Blvd. Los Angeles