Immersion Spa

I went to this spa with my boyfriend and my mom and it was our first time visiting. The receptionists were terrible and they didn't explain anything about the place, the one that was assisting us had to make adjustments because we thought we had a one hour scrub followed by an hour massage, but that wasn't how it was set up. So she was asking the other receptionist who was sitting next to her who seemed more experienced but was super sassy. Her whole body demeanor made us feel extremely unwelcome and finally after they were able to fix our appointments, they told us to go to the spa area where we didn't receive any tour or escort. Later I saw people that were first timers get an escorted tour of the spa, but not us which I couldn't believe. Me and my boyfriend had the same masseuse and it was one of the worst massages I had ever gotten, it's better to stop at the mall and get a chair massage, it was definitely one of the worst massages ever!! Our therapist's probably didn't even have an actual massage certification because she didn't know what techniques that she was doing. She was just rubbing us all over the place and since there's a language barrier if you don't understand what she says she gets irritated and just pushes your arms around and becomes a lil bit aggressive. I was a little bit uncomfortable and she didn't know any parts of your body or pressure points to give a full body massage. It was inconsistent and uneven from one side to another when she was massaging us. At some point she was tired and I remember she stopped for a good 5 minutes and I was wondering what she was doing, she came back and started massaging me again like she had to take a smoke break. It's funny because me and my boyfriend both had similar experiences and it just so happened to be that we had the same therapist, she must of had a extremely tiring morning for us to get the worst shitty massage, on the other hand my mom had a great experience with the massage, but not the scrub. For the scrub they didn't use an actual sugar scrub they used a very rough scrub and rough scrubber and with none of the products I actually received the lavender scrub and I didn't smell any lavender. Instead I smelled a very musty smell that was coming out from the towel that was placed on my face. Overall it's definitely not a place I will be coming back or recommend, especially after the extreme unwelcoming approach from the receptionists makes me regret my experience and that I spent $700 for this kind of horrible place.

Best Korean scrub and massage after dipping in their jacuzzi and cold plunge. So clean and great service. The masseuse was really able to get all my knots out and made me feel heard. Wonderful experience and I will definitely be a frequent visitor.

You know what’s special about secrets? A well kept secret. A well kept secret that you don’t even know is not a secret until you are standing in a spa, in your boxers, and every single dude is naked. Yeah, and that’s not even the kicker. The kicker would be finding out later that night, when you are home wondering if it was a super cozy crowd of confident dudes strolling through the spa that day or if it was something else. So glad I went nude after noticing the trend because it turns out, this spot gets down like that.
I gotta say, I am all about this place, even if those of us in the nude are in the general minority of folks who should be in the nude. I’m more of a steam room kinda guy than a dry spa kinda guy and I thoroughly enjoyed the steam at Immersion and their very special Eucalyptus infused steam sauna. I was a bit concerned about the nudity so it dawned on me that dropping into meditation would probably do the trick. Sure enough, I was sitting there like a regular Yogi and I suspect the other dudes were all like, dang! Checkout the new guy, crossed legs, hands up and all!!! I even jacked myself up to try the ice bath and felt my inner pro athlete as I walked over and entered the pool. Once inside, I was whispering to myself (it’s not that cold, stay in, sit tight, deep breath, slow it down) and that lasted about 8 seconds. I literally slow walked back to the ladder to get my butt out stat! Freezing!!! Not for me, but thank you so much!!!
The main event, for me at least, was the Men’s Signature Facial, performed by Jenny B. She’s a doll of a gal and I am confident she and I could take your ear off and your ear off oh and you, over there, your ear off too! But, here’s the thing. She allowed me to go to my special calm place and was soft voiced and quiet, until I broke the silence and began to chat. That’s a very clear indication that I was dealing with a true professional because as much as she’s an extrovert, she also knows how to give the client the peace and calm they so desire.
The facial was fantastic!!! 60 minutes went by really fast and that’s probably because I felt so well cared for and more importantly, I asked questions and Jenny answered them with great passion and with excellent examples. Clearly she knows her stuff, loves what she does and it shows.
Now that I am in the know about the Korean spa and the rules, I look forward to my next visit so I can see a new guy in his boxers and keep the secret to myself.

Honest to goodness Korean body scrub. I’ve been here numerous times and feeling 5lbs less every time. They are usually not as busy in the mornings (weekday and weekend) and I’m able to get in with very little if any notice. 1 star off because there really isn’t any place to relax except some benches near the exit of the treatment section and so it’s not the most luxe place but they do their job and they do it well!

She scrubbed me so good, I think I have no sin left…
$ 70 Korean scrub + spa, facility is super clean but not that big. Wished they have more towels inside the changing room. Overall I love my experience there.
Just be sure you are okay walking around naked people and being naked yourself :)

Enjoyed it here, the only thing is they don’t provide slippers and towels are limited to what they give you. Felt brand new afterwards.

Woah. Never in my life have I been so exfoliated. Or pampered in general. Time stopped while I was in there, but between the hot tub, dry sauna, ice bath, body scrub, massage, facial, shampooing, and salt room, I think it was close to 3 hours of bliss. During the massage/​body scrub, I felt like she scrubbed off so much skin that I was left not only as soft as a baby, but also as completely prone (in a good, freeing way) and care-​free as a baby as well. Also, their tea is delicious.

This is truly a necessary get-​away for the mind and soul. I received a massage which gives me access to the spa area. As other reviews explained, there’s a separate male and separate female side. The facility is all nude when you pass the locker section. In comparison to my previous experiences at Korean Spas! Bathhouses, Immersion Spa was the newest and cleanest of them all. Showers were very modern with their sophisticated-​and possibly complicated-​shower knob, lol. The massage was great. I was having some back and shoulder problems and without telling Lee, she did me good. I spent an hour for the massage, and two hours in the steam room and jacuzzi. I’m not a fan of the sauna but it’s there next to the steam room. There’s also an ice plunge like at other Korean Spas. This is a great place to go once or every other month to rewind and recuperate. The staff were wonderful and welcoming.

Having just moved up to the area from LA which is the Mecca for Korean spas, I’m going to try and not compare this from the Korean spas down there.
I understand that Everything is more expensive in the Bay Area, but when you pay over premium price you’d expect above and beyond. $ 30 for day pass of soak is a lot! And I get the feeling you are mostly paying for the Aveda products. They only give you one big towel and one small hand towel and a robe. Again, you’re charging us above premium, at least offer unlimited hand towels so you have a dry one by the end of your soaking.
It’s small with just one hot tub and no rest area that I could find. maybe since I came first thing in the morning the hot tub was super chlorine filled that my eyes burned.
On the plus side you do get lovely Aveda products to use and tea. There isn’t a restaurant connected so bring snacks!

I found Immersion Spa on Unilocal.All of their wonderful reviews made me feel comfortable enough to book a couple of services.
I booked a massage for my boyfriend, and a Korean scrub for myself. It was my first time at a Korean Spa, it was also my first Korean Scrub experience. I must say I enjoyed getting a good scrub down. It felt great! Very thankful to my Korean Scrub Specialist.
Things to make a note of:
The towels seemed cheap to me. The Steam Room smelled like VICKS VAPOR RUB, burned/​irritated my eyes! Idk what the heck was up with that, I couldn’t even enjoy the steam room (which is my main attraction at Spas). I did NOT understand what all the PLASTIC was about. Plastic laundry baskets, plastic chairs, plastic holders. Plastic houses GERMS! Not to mention everything that I saw here, can be found in Chinatown, at 99 cent ranch, or the dollar store!
I didn’t understand the stations with plastic child looking seats and shower heads. Besides, the rust that was beneath those stations was all red and disgusting!
I did not like the Jacuzzi either! I stood in the jacuzzi for 10 minutes. It’s rather small and claustrophobic. This place looked like a 5 star spa online and on Unilocal.It’s most def. NOT! This place was a huge letdown! I don’t like that they charge $ 100+ /​service; but then they have large garbage cans to hold the water they bathe you with during your scrub. They also have these little green plastic chairs in the area where you’re being scrubbed (must be for the scrub specialist). I had a chair like that when I was a child.
How professional is this place?
Now onto my boyfriend’s massage. He said that his masseuse was a man, this male masseuse used his foot to massage his STOMACH?!? I know that physicians have advised me to NEVER let anyone touch or massage your tummy. It can cause injury! Who the heck climbs onto a massage table to massage you with their feet!!!
He also mentioned to me, that there were signs all over the men’s section WARNING AGAINST LEWD ACTIVITY. I wonder what kind of people visit this place? He said he saw another customer in the steam room… pleasuring himself! There was no one walking around the men’s area to ensure security, or cleanliness.
There were also many other things wrong with his experience. He asked me where I had brought him LOL. I would say my boyfriend and I are spa addicts. Constantly visiting Burke Williams, Ritz Carlton, Changes Day Spa, and many other places. Never had an experience like the one at Immersion.
TO CONCLUDE: I enjoyed my scrub. It was great! The woman who worked on time did a thorough job. I did NOT appreciate the experiences my boyfriend had. I also didn’t feel like I was at a spa. Felt like a GYM.
NEVER RETURNING.

One of the best body work visits of my life!
Kim got parts of my spine to crack that have been rigid for years.
With a 2 year old boy and a new puppy at home while 12 weeks into an Accelerated MBA program, it felt like the weight of the world rested on my shoulders.
Thank you so much for relieving that Atlas like pressure!
I’ll be back with my wife…

I’ve read complaints about the prices here and it’s true, services do cost a bit more. But what can you expect for Shallow Alto?
For $ 65, I got a scrub + spa access. The communal spa area is smaller than the average Korean spa but it was really clean and pristine. The skylights allow a lot of natural light come into the place, which you may or may not like during the day. You may like because yes, it’s bright. You may not like because your friends will see the details of your nude body.
It’s recommended that you soak for approximately 30 minutes before getting a treatment because they don’t recommend you soak after, and honestly, you won’t really want to. After the scrub, I felt so clean because they also body wash/​shampoo you.
The scrub itself was done near the communal area. An ahjumma (older Korean lady) will call your locker number and you will follow her into a room and lay on this plastic covered bed. I actually didn’t feel like it was that painful, maybe because I have one of the scrub cloths at home. She started on my backside first which felt as good as a massage and I could’ve fallen asleep. The frontside was where it’s both ticklish and painful. She got every inch of my body even under my ears! I don’t even pay attention to the dead skin in that area usually. After the frontside, you lay on each of your sides and she does those parts. Then the best part was the rubbing of the body wash and the shampooing of the hair. Everything smelled so good.
Don’t expect a gentle masseuse type person. It’s as if your Asian mom was cleaning you. It’s straightforward. For example, she needed me to scoot up the bed a little and to do that, she just grabbed all my hair and pulled me up. I can see how some would not like that. A little roughness didn’t hurt anyone… permanently.
I loved all the Aveda products available. Literally Aveda for your hair, Aveda for your face, Aveda for your body. Water and calming tea (super yummy) were available.
In addition to the hot and cold tubs, there was a dry sauna, steam sauna, and salt room. The salt room only had 3 pillow blocks but can fit more than 3 people, maybe 6 at most. I could fall asleep in this room because it didn’t feel as hot as the saunas. My only wish for this place would be for more communal resting areas that don’t make you sweat. The only other area would be by the mirrors where you do your face and hair bizness. I’d still come back.

One of my bridesmaids treated me to a spa day at Immersion a week before my wedding and it was beyond amaze balls.
I was a little apprehensive visiting a Korean spa especially since I was well aware that I would have to walk around naked and I would also be nakey for my treament =O
For those of you who are not familiar usually in Korean spa’s you are to be fully naked; no undies, no bras, NOTHING — just you and your privates out for the world to see, well not world, but the other ladies at the spa.
After the initial embarrassment I relaxed a little and enjoyed their steam room, spa, and Himalayan salt room. I was booked to received a full body scrub and massage. The scrub was freakin awesome! I’ve never received a body treatment so detailed — my therapist did not leave one spot on my body untouched. I was scrubed EVERYWHERE. The treatment left my body feeling so silky smooth. Everyone I encountered after the treatment said I was glowing. The little ladies here scrub down so well that you come out a brand new person. The therapist even gave me a killer scalp massage and shampooed my hair! I would probably skip the massage next time, but that’s because I’m not a massage person. The scrub for me is a MUST though.
The spa itself is pristine, super clean and I love that you can lounge around, sip tea, water. It is extremely relaxing. I cannot wait to go back!

I did not realize this was a Korean bathhouse-​type spa when I booked an appointment for my husband and I to have a couples massage. I have driven past it a few times and wondered about it, but decided to take Unilocal’s suggestion when I popped up under a «massage» search. It had 4 ½ stars so why not. I did not read the reviews.
I wish I had because when they told me that they only had a male therapist for me (female for my husband), I figured it was no big deal. I have probably had over a hundred massages in my life. It is professional and not sexual at all.
Well, I take that back… one time, in Vegas, I took my friends to a Korean Bathhouse for a bachelorette party. Holy moly, I have never been scrubbed or touched in such intimate places by a stranger and I am no prude. It was a female that time and it felt so much more like a procedure than anything else.
I realized my mistake when I came into Immersion Spa. I thought, oh no. This may be uncomfortable… and it was!
The spa is very clean, but I really do not like that you can’t wear slippers or any kind of footwear. It feels weird to walk into a bathroom and not have shoes on. Secondly, I thought I would be meeting my hubby in a common room to relax before the treatment. Nope. No common room but that is ok, now knowing that this is a Korean bathhouse spa.
The massage. Omg I was so uncomfortable. I wanted to tell this guy to stop touching my bikini line, butt, and boobs, but did not want to upset my husband who was laying right next to me. Thankfully I had panties on… it would have been over the top exposure otherwise. I do not think this guy was being inappropriate but I can say that they really need to warn people when they book an appointment about how invasive the massage is. ESPECIALLY if it is a male therapist for a female client.
Needless to say, I am really on the fence about going back. I honestly felt pretty violated. My hubby didn’t like it either, even though he said he was at least protected by a sheet when his therapist was getting up into sensitive areas, but it was ultimately too rough of a massage for him. Maybe I’d go back for a scrub with one of the female therapists bc those do typically rock, but I am little scared! We shall see.

This is a Korean spa, so you have to be ok with people around you being naked and seeing you naked.
Most of the amenities are communal by gender. You can get a day pass for $ 25.00 to enjoy their basic amenities — tea, shower, «hot & wet» spas, salt room & jacuzzi. The spa is small but it has everything you need to relax.
If you want to be pamper yourself try their massages, it’s amazing! If you want a body scrub treatment: be prepare to have every inch of your body exfoliated. Your scrubber will wear a mitt and vigorously scrub down your entire body while you stand there naked.
All in all the experience was a great. Took off one star for the size of the spa — most korean spa are much bigger with more amenities (restaurant, more sitting area for relaxation, sleep area, outdoor patio, etc), but I would go here again if I was in the neighborhood.

Naked. Are you okay with that? As long as you are okay with being fully exposed to other women in the buff, lady parts and all, then you are going to enjoy this place.
While I had only heard about Korean spas in the past, this was my first time to experience this kind of scrub down. And when I say scrub down, these petite little Korean women mean business. Here are the highlights:
*I’m a clean freak and this place is pristine. I had no issues with walking around barefoot in the shower/​jacuzzi area worrying about germs. The facilities are spotless especially for being wet all the time.
*The Himalayan Salt room is magical. We walked in, laid down on the floor and within two minutes, my gf was snoring. Shortly after, I dozed off as well. There was something about that heated room that just made your body relax to the point where you wake up and say «Did I just fall asleep?!» Magic.
*Aveda products galore. Everything smells like eucalyptus and peppermint– exactly how a spa should smell. Because this place is an Aveda concept spa, they’ve got everything from Aveda shampoo, conditioner, face cream, body wash, lotion, but *not* sunblock. Attention Aveda folks– sunblock is an essential product to have in your arsenal.
*When you are called in to your private space for your personal scrub, prepare to have every inch of your body exfoliated. Your scrubber will wear a mitt and vigorously scrub down your entire body. Arms. Buttocks. Inner thighs. Arm pits. Balls of your feet. Ankles. Cracks. Yup, you get the point. You will be shocked at the amount of dead skin comes off. And then you will graciously thank her for how smooth and squeaky clean your skin feels.
*Hot tea in the women’s locker room for you to drink. Fresh filtered water (for all you water snobs like me) as well.
*Locker rooms are equipped with everything you need to get ready– blow dryers, ample mirrors, combs and brushes with their own sanitizing oven, and all the Aveda products to apply.
Men, don’t think I ignored you. There is also an identical men’s spa here too– just on the other side with male scrubbing/​massage attendants. They keep us separate here because co-​ed nakedness might not work?!

this place just isn’t my cup of tea, but I am sure it will appeal to others. first, know that it’s all nude (at least on the men’s side) and scheduling a massage gives you access to the entire spa area. the lockers and shower areas are really nice. it’s really relaxing to sit in the hot tub (there’s also a cold plunge pool) or steam room before the appointment. the massage is actually a hard scrub that will test your pain threshold. you need to be comfortable being completely nude on your back while the guy scrubs you down. while scrubbing he’ll throw buckets of nice warm water all over you to rinse. I love a hard tissue massage, I regularly do acupuncture and cupping, but this was too much for me. but for sure, my skin felt great a few hours later. there’s a nice hot room where you can lie on the stone floor. it’s so relaxing I fell asleep.
it was a bit more social than I would have liked. I’m there to relax and unwind, not to be chatted up by naked men standing in front of me while I’m sitting in the tub, but no one was aggressive.

Hands down one of my favorite Korean spas in the bay.
Granted it’s nowhere near as large nor does it have the same standard amenities you would see at a jjimjilbang (large common area for lounging and napping, on-​site Korean restaurant, prison-​garb looking garments, etc). That being said, a more accurate description of this place would probably be an Aveda concept spa that happens to have Korean spa treatments.
Upon entering the changing area, you can select a robe in your appropriate size. There are two saunas (wet and dry) as well as a salt room. The beautiful locker room is adjacent to a mirrored area for getting ready, which includes two blow dryers (clearly they don’t pack them in here like cattle like some other places) and a counter with various Aveda hair products and facial skincare items. They also serve the Comforting Tea (peppermint & licorice). The showers have Aveda shampoos, conditioners and body washes in them as well.
Based on this alone, I am a HUGE fan.
I paid $ 60 for a half-​hour body scrub, which takes place in a common room divided up by frosted glass panels (less tacky than it sounds) so you don’t see who’s next to you, although in some cases you can hear other people. They helpfully sell the same soap and towels used in your treatment in the reception area after your treatment is over.
I plan to make this a monthly thing. While my regular Bay Area standby (
) is a shorter drive and costs the same, I would certainly come back to Immersion Spa with my mom or a girlfriend — it’s worth going a little out of my way for a slice of heaven.

After the nice video from the Conan Show featuring a traditional Korean Spa, it’s probably a little too daunting for anyone muster up the courage enter into one. If you had to start somewhere, this is definitely the right spot. The facility is clean. Upon entrance, we were greeted by a young lady that explained the services. We booked a traditional scrub and massage 60-​minute treatment.
We started off enjoying the facility with steam room, sauna, whirlpool, and salt room. This is slightly different than a traditional bath house where there is usually multiple hot saunas with different temperatures as well as an herbal room. This facility was fairly basic. The difference is that rather than the scrubbing tables in a communal room, each scrub area was separated by glass. The technician was experienced. She asked couple minutes into the scrub if I wanted a more intense strength. Being a veteran of Korean spas, I asked for more intensity. After 30 minutes of getting rid of all my dead skin (you’ll feel it flying), she started on the massage. To finish off the treatment, she washed my hair and sprayed my with warm milk. Ahhhhh… smooth at last.
Here is what’s missing: a hot stone napping room, temperature hot tubs, a traditional Korean Restaurant.
With that said, highly recommended. Beautiful facility. Good service. And English speaking technician a plus.
Until next time, ciao…

my.goodness.
This experience was crazy! I’ve been wanting to try one of these spas for a while. Since Immersion is close to me, I made a next day appointment for the Pure Bliss (1 hour 30 minutes)
*FOR WOMEN ONLY* Korean Scrub + Shampoo + Scalp Massage + Aveda Aroma Oil Massage + Cucumber Face Mask + Foot Scrub + Warm milk rinse. *Please arrive at least 30 minutes prior to treatment.* *This treatment is only performed by female therapists.*
After checking in at the front desk, you’ll make your way to the locker room. Note that no shoes are allowed inside including flippies. Inside, there is a dry/​wet sauna and a salt room (amazing). You are given 30 mins to try the rooms or do the Jacuzzi or cold plunge. Your therapist will call your number and the magic will begin. The scrub is awesome. Sheets of black putty fall right off and if you open your eyes, you will be amazed at how much dead skin you will have shaven off. The warm milk rinse and the oil massage are my favorites. Also note, you will be naked the entire time so this is not for the shy.
5% off if you schedule your next appointment after your treatment. Remember to tip nicely because your therapist is working hard to get your skin looking and feeling fresh and new.

An amazing spa experience worth it’s price. My friend wanted to do a girls spa day for her birthday so the three of us came to get the 90 minute spa session here.
They asked you to come 30 minutes early so you can soak in the jet spa for 15 minutes beforehand. The facilities are nice and clean and the service is superb.
My therapist scrub me from head to toe and I was so squeaky clean! They followed the scrub with massage first by stepping on your back (gotta get to that deep tissue!) than soothing oil massage front to back. Next was a vitamin C facial and wall of the mask is on you she continues to massage you followed by a milk rinse. This was a 1.5 hour pure relaxation indeed!