We gave Russian & Turkish Baths a solid four stars, and that rating came after a lot of back and…read moreforth because this place is honestly confusing in the best and worst ways. On one hand, for a $65 spa entrance, there are things that absolutely should not be broken, missing, or questionable. On the other hand, this place has some of the most intense and impressive amenities I have ever experienced in my life, and I say that as someone who is from LA and considers themselves a full blown Korean spa veteran. Like, I do not say that lightly. The offerings here are next level.
First, the value conversation. Sixty five dollars is steep, and with that price tag you expect things to feel polished and borderline luxurious. This is not that. The space does not feel luxurious. It feels dark in places, a little maze like, and sometimes you are walking through rooms to get to other rooms wondering if you accidentally entered a staff area. Some things were not working, some things felt under explained, and the towels were honestly not great. They felt thin, almost secondhand, and the color was not even cute. Bring your own towel if you can. I also brought my own sandals and shorts and was way more comfortable that way.
Now here is where the four stars come in. The amenities. My god. Touch every door. Carefully. I cannot stress that enough. Some of these rooms are so hot that people were audibly yelping, like loud oh shit reactions echoing through the space. They seriously need more visible and louder safety warnings because third degree burns do not sound like a fun souvenir. That said, the extremes are kind of the whole point. The cold plunge was the coldest thing I have ever experienced in my life. I cannot last long in any of these rooms because they are truly extreme, but that is what you are paying for. If you do not do this kind of thing regularly, it is absolutely worth trying at least once.
One of the most underrated features is this insanely powerful water hose situation that is basically like putting out a house fire. I am not exaggerating. You can stand against the wall and let it blast your back, or have someone spray you. Yes, even a stranger. It is incredible and wildly underused. Right next to it is a rain style water feature that you should absolutely use without guilt. A lot of water gets used here, and honestly it makes sense why the price is high because the water usage alone must be insane.
We specifically came during the men only hours on Thursday from 8 to 12, and that made a huge difference in comfort. I was way more relaxed knowing it was single sex, and once noon hit and it became coed, that comfort level definitely shifted. There is no big statement behind that, it is just personal preference. One thing that did bother me is that people are allowed to have their phones. I can easily see how when it gets busy, this turns into people taking pictures left and right, which is annoying when you are there to actually relax and not be in someone's background content.
The staff deserves real praise. They were incredibly friendly and welcoming and honestly made the experience better. Even while you are in the baths, they are checking in, asking if everything is okay, and making sure people are safe. That kind of attentiveness matters and it did not go unnoticed.
A few more honest notes. There is a smell. It is not overpowering, but it is there, and it feels chronic. That needs to be addressed. The jacuzzi could also be hotter. I kept wishing it was just a bit more intense, especially after coming out of the hotter rooms. Also, there were not enough soap stations. Soap was available in the main entrance restrooms, but not everywhere else where you really want it.
Parking is another thing to plan for. Google Maps will take you to an entrance where valet parking is basically the only obvious option and it is $40. If you do not want to pay that, park near the fire station about five minutes away. It is around five dollars for four hours, which is reasonable, but you will need to walk. Once you arrive, you go into the building, turn right sharply, head down the stairs, and look for the Turkish bathhouse signage. It is not hard once you know, but I really wish I had known ahead of time.
One very cool perk that I wish was advertised more clearly is that your admission is essentially good for the whole day. Most people stay three to four hours, but you can come in and out, which actually makes the price feel more reasonable if you turn it into a full relaxation day.
Would I come back tomorrow? No. Would I come back next month? Probably not. Would I consider it once a year? Yes. Absolutely. When I left, I genuinely felt like a different person. My body felt reset, worked, and relaxed in a way that regular spas do not achieve. It is not perfect, it needs work, and it is overpriced for the lack of polish, but the experience itself is unforgettable. Four stars, with notes.
