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Vacation Relaxation: Best Spas In Los Angeles

Tikkun Holistic Spa header 610x250
(credit: Tikkun Holistic Spa)

If you want to relax for a bit while on vacation in Los Angeles, visiting a local hotel spa may seem like the obvious choice for getting pampered from head to toe. After all, hotels make it their job to ensure you have everything you need to feel as relaxed as possible. But if you really want to pamper yourself, do as the locals would do. Here are the best spas in Los Angeles you won't find in a hotel.

Tikkun Spa
(credit: Tikkun Spa)

Tikkun Holistic Spa
1460 4th St.
Santa Monica, CA 90401
(310) 319-1111
www.tikkunspa.com

This hidden gem is a healing sanctuary with a mission to heal the world. The name Tikkun is inspired by an ancient word that means to repair, restore or renew. Tikkun has at least eight different treatment rooms including a clay room, a jade room, a salt room and an ice room. It also has a traditional sauna, a private suite for couples and four separate spa journey rooms for more comprehensive treatments. The spa is beautifully designed with the artful combination of medicine and a Korean heritage. Tikkun's specialty "V Steam" treatment has become the recent talk of the town.

massage
(credit: Lido/Shutterstock)

Willow Spa
3127 Santa Monica Blvd.
Santa Monica, CA 90404
(310) 453-9004
www.willowspa.com

The Willow Spa is a rare Los Angeles find that's also known as the Willow Enzyme Bath. It's the only spa in LA that utilizes dry baths with no water. The treatment rooms here were originally designed for Japanese Olympic athletes to maximize circulatory boost and detoxification. The service here is said to be top-notch and the massages are said to be phenomenal.

massage thai
(credit: Shutterstock)

Nitespa
12024 Venice Blvd. Suite D
Los Angeles, CA 90066
(310) 390-5122
www.nitespa.com

Located in Mar Vista, Nitespa makes the list of best spas in Los Angeles because it's open later than most other spas to accommodate spa goers who can't make it in during typical business hours. Spa services include massages, facials, mani/pedicures and waxing. This boutique spa even has services geared exclusively to men with its "Knightspa" treatment options. Nitespa even has some killer "Hangover Cures" to help you detox and look better than you feel.

Related: Best Spa Day Packages In Los Angeles

spa massage
(credit: Valua Vitaly/shutterstock)

Shape House
434 N. Larchmont Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90004
(323) 467-3000
www.shapehousela.com

Shape House is another unique spa in LA that describes itself as an Urban Sweat Lodge (TM). Upon arrival, guests are given alkaline water and even clothes to sweat in during which time you can burn as much as 1,600 calories while enjoying a number of entertainment options or simply meditating. Sweating is surprisingly a really great way to relax, de-stress, detox, improve sleep, clear the pores of your skin and lose weight all at the same time. It's all made possible thanks to infrared light technology that mimics the same heat you feel from the sun minus the damage UV lights can sometimes cause to the skin.

Couples Massage
(credit: Thinkstock.com)

Century Day & Night Spa
4120 W. Olympic Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90019
(323) 954-1020
www.centurydayandnightspa.com

While Nitespa is open late for working professionals, Century Sports Club and Day Spa is open 24 hours a day. It's a co-ed Korean spa offering a unisex communal spa section where families, friends, couples or small groups can gather together after enjoying the men's or women's spa. This unique bath house was originally created mostly for Korean clientele, but through word of mouth has become one of the best spas in Los Angeles for relaxation.

Related: Best Day Spas In Los Angeles

Niki Payne is a freelance writer covering all things Entertainment in Los Angeles. Her work can be found on Examiner.com.

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