City Spa

Founded more than 70 years ago, according to the spa, City Spa & Health Center calls itself one of the most iconic spas in Los Angeles. Its inspiration draws on Russian heritage and the long history of banya saunas, and its interior blends old-school and new-school design.

The core of a visit is the heat and cold circuit. A natural rock sauna reaches up to 180 degrees, and a separate rock room runs hotter, between 180 and 220 degrees. Guests can move between a high-heat sauna and ice-cold plunges, with a steam room, showers, a pool and a gym on the second floor also available.

Body treatments include the Platza, an oak-leaf broom session given on the uppermost bench of a steam room, and the Thirty Minute European Body Wash, a soap-and-brush treatment in which the body is massaged and bathed at the same time. A Himalayan salt sauna offers halotherapy, also called salt therapy. One-hour massages are performed by certified specialists and must be booked 24 hours ahead.

Coed sessions run all day on Mondays and Wednesdays, and start at 2pm on Saturdays. Entry is $85 per block. Guests bring their own towels, sandals, bathing suits and toiletries. Complimentary lockers, safe deposit boxes, and shampoo and body wash are provided. Lockers use a two-key system, with one key held by the front desk supervisor. The minimum age is 18. Hours are Monday 2pm to 10pm, Tuesday through Friday 10am to 10pm, Saturday 8am to 10pm, and Sunday 8am to 6pm.

City Spa Cafe serves gourmet lunch and dinner along with drinks and fresh juices, and sells no sweets. A sun deck and private lockers are also available on site.

Built around the banya sauna tradition, moving between high heat and ice-cold plunges.

Old-school and new-school design elements sit side by side inside.