The staff at Pearl Spa were friendly and the skin they achieved from their scrub was baby soft. This is the holy grail of Korean spa treatments, and has been practiced for over a thousand years.
I found Pearl Spa to be a new experience and an interesting foray into Asian beauty routines. By now, many of us are familiar with the extensive rituals Korean women embark on daily to look their best; it’s something akin to an Olympic track event as a morning sprint. Reports of a 10-step beauty regime have popped up on the internet and in beauty magazines alike. Korea is also the country that gave us BB cream and exfoliating powder. Most of us here in the Bay Area struggle to wash our faces on a consistent basis. We’re a hoodie-happy city where athleisure almost passes for office attire. We’re the kings and queens of keeping it cas.
If you’re looking for a relaxing experience, you’ll be disappointed at a K-spa. You’re mostly expected to be completely naked, and if you try to sneak in a swimsuit, you’ll stand out more. My advice is to remember that nobody is really looking - they’re either experienced spa-goers who’ve seen more naked women than the bartenders at the Gold Club, or they’re new to it and too busy worrying about their own nudity to give your body a second glance. ..
Some people found this spa enlightening because it showed how nonchalant some visitors were about stripping down with their coworkers after work. Ladies come here for bridal showers and birthday outings. It’s not hurt that this is a women’s-only spa. Some K-spas have co-ed areas, but naturally clothing is required in those.
This spa is definitely worth a visit if you’re looking for something different from the norm. It takes you out of your comfort zone and exposes you to a different cultural approach to the spa experience. In a city that prides itself on its cultural diversity and unique experiences, isn’t it worth giving something like this a shot? I think so.
The spa has a variety of treatments and amenities to choose from, including a day pass for $35 that grants full access to the hot tub, cold plunge pool, sauna, steam room, clay room and salt room with locker for your belongings. You can also indulge in a seaweed wrap, massage, or scrub (and be brave enough) and have the spa amenities included. ..
The masseuses and scrubs are not for the faint of heart. The spa attendants use harder pressure than many people are used to on the massages. In a nutshell, they’re kind, but fiercer than Beyonce at Coachella. Those who’ve had an authentic Thai massage may be able to relate to the feeling of being cracked and possibly bruised slightly by a massage therapist in Chiang Mai. For the scrubs, you’ll be exfoliated in parts of your body you haven’t thought about in awhile. Check your humility at the door and think of the end result, because there are no candles or Enya tunes present in the treatment rooms here.
I arrived at the spa about 45 minutes early, so I could soak up the hot tub and steam room. Parking was easy across the street at Japantown Plaza. I was checked in and given a locker number, which temporarily became my name when it came time for my spa attendant to fetch me for my massage. The spa provides slippers and a robe. Your locker key is worn around your wrist for easy toting and access. There’s a common area by the locker room where you can primp and blow dry your hair in preparation for your return to the outside world (it’ll feel a little bit like getting kicked out of Disneyland at midnight). The best part about this area? Snacks. Tea, cookies, and fruit are all available during your stay. ..
After your treatment, head upstairs to the salt and clay saunas. The pink himalayan sea salt helps flush toxins and clears sinus congestion. The red clay room relaxes muscles and joints, relieves rheumatism, and increases blood flow. You’ll also be given a parting gift of a Korean sheet mask so you can continue the fun at home on a Friday night with Netflix. ..
If you’re looking for a new spa experience, try Pearl Spa next time you’re in the area. You’ll either enjoy adding a new beauty routine to your repertoire, or you’ll be able to laugh knowing that Conan O’Brien has gone through the same thing. Just kidding - he definitely had it worse. ..
The Pearl Spa offers treatments ranging from $60 to $150. The spa is located at 1654 Post Street in Japantown, San Francisco. Photography courtesy of Pearl’s Spa.
