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Anyone can spend a day at the spa, soaking in the hot tub and getting rubbed with eucalyptus oil. But where's the cultural experience in that? Fortunately three San Francisco spas are allowing us a peek into other bathing traditions while still letting us get buffed and pampered. Take a trip around the world at these Bay Area retreats.
Archimedes Banya: You can tell from the name that this spa has some Russian background. In fact, it also has elements of Finnish and Turkish traditions too. The Banya is the communal bathing portion, complete with hot tubs, cold plunges, Turkish steam rooms and the Finnish sauna.
While there, get a Platza—it's a Russian steam therapy massage that uses a fragrant, leafy bundle called a venik. The venik is pressed on your body while it releases essential oils and improves your blood circulation. You might have seen this happening during the Sochi Winter Olympics coverage.
Alternatively, you can opt for a Turkish Hammam olive soap body wash and exfoliation. In other cultures, bathing is a communal and social experience—something Archimedes Banya strives to emulate.
Imperial Day Spa: This Korean style facility may not have the square footage and number of clay saunas you'll find in larger Korean spas, but it's still an authentic experience. You might start on the dry side in the jade fomentation room or red clay sauna, both imbued with their own healing powers.
Imperial Day Spa (Yelp)
As for the wet side, you'll find small hot tubs which are good to soak in before getting a body scrub. In American spas, body scrubs are done in a private room. Not so at Korean spas. Here you're naked on the table getting exfoliated, with your nooks and crannies in full view of anyone in the (single sex) area. It's an awesome experience as long as you're prepared.
Kabuki Springs & Spa: This relaxing Japantown spot is very popular—if you arrive without a reservation, you may not get in. If you book ahead and score entry through the doors, you can start your visit by soaking in several hot tubs or plunging into the cold pool in the communal bathing area. Traditional showers as well as bathing stools with hand-held washers are also in the room, with small bowls of salt scrub for your washing routine. With soothing music playing and healthful treats laid out, you can then sit back on the recliners or head into the dry sauna or steam room for some heat.
The Communal Bath at Kabuki (Facebook)
Those wanting spa treatments can opt for a regular rubbing or body wrap, or one of their "worldly treatments" like an Ayurvedic style massage or herbal warm oil scalp treatment. It may not be Japanese, but it's still a different culture!
Deborah Abrams Kaplan writes adventure and family travel for the New York Daily News, Los Angeles Times, Miami Herald, Shape, Family Fun, Continental and Bankrate.com. You can find her at Twitter @JerseyKids or Facebook
