Around the World in a Spa: New Mexico & LA

We’re halfway through our spa journey westward and no, we are not geographically illiterate — we realize LA is on the West Coast — but, ahem, this is an international trip. Today, we bring you to a place in New Mexico that one friend describes as “almost sacred” and then a few spots to try on your next LA trip including one with some very serious Korean masseuses.

First stop, New Mexico. It’s actually one of only a handful of 50 states that I haven’t visited — KatieEbner and I are in a race to see who can visit all 50 first. So, when I go there eventually, El Monte Sagrado in Taos, is where I’ll be laying my head for a few nights. Here’s what our friend had to say about it, “I love it because it’s so unusual and feels almost sacred to me. The rooms are all unique and special and reflect the beautiful New Mexican spirit and style without being cheesy. Amazing massages — but everyone feels that way about their favorite spa, right? But it’s been a while.” The last part of her comment seemed like a buyer beware to me but the website looked beautiful with a complete New Mexicanesque ambiance … except for the room with the Egyptian sarcophagus, I’m still not sure what they were thinking but it amused me.

Next up, LA. According to one in the know friend, people love the Voda Spa. It’s a Russian spa featuring Banyas —  Russian saunas & steam rooms — and the Platza — a rigorous massage performed with Venik: a leafy, fragrant bundle of oak, birch or eucalyptus that are soaked in warm water. But, they have regular services as well. Next time I am in LA, I’m going to them for the Russian Bear massage! “Also a lot of us go to Beverly Hot Springs, but it’s sort of the opposite of a spa. It’s angry Koreans. But it’s great.” Now, having never been to this spa, I cannot attest to whether the masseuses are actually Korean or angry. But having recently joined a Chinese family I don’t want to get into crazy Asian racism. I’ve had enough crazy American racism to last a lifetime! What I can say about a Korean spa I go to in NYC, is that the masseuses have very strong hands and it’s where I go when I have a particularly tense knot that needs to be obliterated. Angry? I don’t know. Maybe these California American Koreans just need to move to New York! But next time I’m “stuck” in L.A. too, then this is likely the place I’ll go when my body is so tight that it needs to be thoroughly, oh and I mean thoroughly, worked over.