Float Lab - Venice — Attraction in Los Angeles

This review is simply about my experience. Some people may LOVE this float experience, but I did not. I only spent about 1 minute in the tub total before I left. Facility is clean, but EXTREMELY hot. I prefer a float experience that feels more like you're walking into a spa and this was humid and uncomfortable. I was also informed there are no options for music or ambient light in the tank (I know this seems obvious to some people, but all of the other tanks I have used have had at least an option for these amenities which then fade out after time to help you relax). I am a bit claustrophobic so the small amount of light and relaxing music help me ease into the float experience. I would not have booked an appointment at Float Lab if I had known these options weren't available. The attendant said I could keep the door to the tank cracked and put my phone music on if I wanted as long as it doesn't bother the other person floating (the walls between tanks do not go all the way up to the ceiling), the other person floating at my appointment time was my bf so that was not a problem. Unfortunately, there was no cell reception or wifi available so I couldn't use my music either. In comparison to other tanks I also found this tank very small. I am a pretty small person (5'5) and one of the best aspects of floats for me is not anything besides the water. This was almost impossible in this tank. My preferred float position is with my arms outstretched to the side (starfish position) and this is not possible in this this tank because it is rectangular and very narrow. In addition, the tank water did feel too cool (this may be due to the fact that the air was so hot and humid), but I enjoy in other tanks when the tank water is the same as your body temp (my bf said this was also an annoyance for him after he did the full float time). I was in the tank for about a minute and it just felt unpleasant and not what I expect from a float experience so instead of laying there being uncomfortable and annoyed, I got up and left to enjoy walking around Venice Beach while I waited for my boyfriend's float to be done. This might be someone's idea of an awesome float experience who is purely looking for sensory deprivation (although there were definitely outside noises that could be heard in the tank once the door is closed so not even that seems to be accomplished), but it is not mine. I would not go back because there are other float tanks that meet my needs. I was also a little disappointed that neither of the attendants seemed interested in the fact that I did not do the float nor did they ask me for feedback or attempt to make it right with me at all. I understand I signed something indicating that I am required to pay for the experience regardless of how much of it I completed, but it was disappointing for no one to even care how my float went, why I was unhappy with it, or offer to do something to make me not feel like I just wasted $40 and 2+ hours of my time. If this if your first time floating, I would recommend going somewhere that is a little more accommodating and welcoming. I'm glad this was not my first float experience or I definitely would have never tried it again. Side note: Good luck finding parking at...

I'm an avid floater, have been floating for years at different places- NY, SF, WA, etc. I've floated multiple times at Float Lab, both at their Venice location and new Westwood location. The new place is beautiful. Crash really did a nice job. The place is sleek, and aesthetically pleasing. Here's Float Labs major problem: Air circulation. This is the only place where after around 45 min I have to open the tank door because the air becomes uncomfortably hot and humid, and you begin to feel like you can't breathe. I've talked to other local avid floaters: without even mentioning this to them, they'll complain of EXACTLY THE SAME PROBLEM when they describe going to Float Lab. This happened to me every time I went to the Venice location and now at their Westwood location. I mentioned this to Crash a few years ago- unfortunately he dismissed my feedback out of hand. He's very proud of the tanks he's worked hard to design, and I think these are his "babies." No one likes someone being critical of their baby. I have not encountered this problem at other float locations, including the one in Torrance. Until he fixes this problem, I and my group of friends will have to reluctantly avoid Float Lab, until Crash comes to terms with this real problem. I wish him a lot of success, but this experience can scare off newcomers, who become scared of floating when they 'can't breathe,' and don't realize it's an anomaly produced by how Crash's circulation system is currently set up. I will HAPPILY return to Float Lab when Crash addresses this real issue. On a minor note: water is warmer than usual. I can usually float for hours, but because of the higher temp, become aware of heat after around 1hr:15 min (it's supposed to be sensory deprivation, not heightened). In all previous tanks I've been in, when you enter, the water should feel gently cool, allowing your body to radiate heat away, creating a bubble of warmth created by your own body (like a wet suit). Crash has set the temp so that it feels like a gently warm pool- a 'no, no' for a session longer...

This was my first float experience, and I was super excited and nervous to try it out. I'm pretty claustrophobic, so the thought of closing myself into a chamber that I can't hear out of or see really make me anxious about the whole experience. It was a little difficult to find parking for the location - it would have been nice if they had included where you could park nearby on their website because it's pretty much just public parking lots that you have to find. I drove out quite far to this location; took me over two and a half hours to finally reach my destination. When I called the location, the person I spoke to over the phone was pretty rude when I let her know that the traffic to the location was pretty overwhelming and that I would be late to my appointment.

It seems the rooms at the Westwood location are actually separated, because at the Venice location the rooms are just partitioned by a wall. During my experience, I could actually hear a chopper driving away even though I had earplugs on during my experience. I definitely want to redo my experience, but I think I'm gonna try it out at the Westwood location. I'm hoping because it's above street level and they have legitimate walls rather than a partition, it'll help eliminate some of the noise on the street and from other rooms.

The reason why I wanted to try floating is because I have a million things running through my head a lot of the time and I really wanted to try emptying out my mind. It definitely helped, but I think because of how I am it just took a while for me to relax and let go. It's definitely something if you're just a bit curious about, you should just dive it...