Immersion Spa — Attraction in Palo Alto

You can definitely go to Immersion to luxuriate in a clean steam room and hot tub and enjoy a massage-- just don't expect it to be exactly like a "Western-style" spa. ]What you will get: a no-nonsense therapist who will methodically work on your body, possibly removing an entire layer of skin.

You'll arrive at the facility and be taken to your gender's area, removing your shoes and receiving towels and a robe. The women's spa area is no-clothing and has a salt room, steam room, dry sauna, hot tub, and cold plunge. The hot tub and steam room are both really warm, and the salt room is a little more mild. If you opt for a Silky Scrub, it's suggested that you steam or soak for 15 minutes before your treatment so your skin is all primed to be scrubbed. When it's time for your scrub, the therapist -- wearing a black swimsuit -- will come out to the hot tub and call your locker number. You'll follow her back into a stall about the size of 2 large showers with a laminated cushioned table where you will lay down, fully naked. Your therapist will get to work on scrubbing off the dull, dead skin, periodically rinsing you off with warm water. If you got the Silky Scrub Plus, after 30 minutes of scrub, your therapist will direct you out to the showers for a quick rinse before you get your "mini-massage." You'll return to your shower stall and lay down onto your laminated table, again. The mini-massage starts out with a dry massage and then transitions into a super slick massage on your newly buffed skin. Your scrub ends with a luxurious shampoo/scalp massage, and your therapist will put your long hair into a sweet bun with a towel.

If you opt for a standard massage, the therapist will come retrieve you (or you enter yourself? This has been unclear for me) from the locker room area. The standard massages are done in rooms outside of the wet spa area. You have the option of having your back gently walked on -- highly recommend if you can brave it! My therapist adjusted my back in a way that only a chiropractor had been able to before; these ladies know what they are doing.

A few things to note: they ask that you don't use the hot tub or steam after a scrub because you're all lotion-y/oily, tips are cash-only, and phone usage is not allowed in the locker room/spa area. You can call the front desk to request more towels...

Great massage therapists; terrible management/administration.

I am a regular; today however I had 2 issues on the same day with the administrator. Contemplating if I should find another spa after this. It was a terrible experience, very embarrassing.

First, I was trying to book my usual 7pm massage appointment online - this time works best for me. I am always doing it on weekdays - booking massage at 7, coming at 6 to relax in a sauna or a hot tub for an hour, and then have a 55 min massage. They close at 8.

So, today I was trying to book my usual 7pm appointment at their website, and something didn’t work. I called them to ask if the booking went through, and the administrator told me that they don’t have a 7pm appointment, because they close at 7.45. I told her that this doesn’t make sense because I always book the appointment at 7pm. She was still trying to convince me that I was wrong, so I just said I will book online again and said good bye.

I came at 6, spent some time at the hot tub/salt room, then went to massage at 7. In finished at 7.55, as usual. I went to the shower to quickly rinse off the oil after a massage.

The administrator rushed to me, saying loudly that I need to go home, they are closed. I politely answered that it will take 30 seconds, and there is someone else in the shower anyway. She moved like she was going to body block me. I went anyway, I really don’t like to have oil stains on my clothes.

A minute later when I was already dressing she came to the changing room to rush us again (there were 2-3 other ladies there as well). She said she is going to turn the lights off because they are closed.

Never have I ever had such embarrassing experience, even at the grocery store cashiers would always let you finish the shopping after closing the doors. Let alone a spa where you are coming for a relaxing experience. I was never rude, I didn't say anything and was really rushing because I understand that people need to go home after work. But seriously, not allowing me to rinse the oil off after massage? Coming to the dressing room and saying you will turn the lights off?

I wasn’t complaining when their ice pool wasn’t working for 2 months, when their sauna wasn’t working, I just kept coming. But after this unpleasant experience I will think hard before coming...

This wasn’t your typical tranquil, candle-lit spa—but it delivered on what it promised: real, thorough body treatment. If you’re looking for luxury, this might not be your vibe. But if you’re after a no-nonsense, full-body scrub and massage experience, this place delivers.

I booked the 1-hour scrub and massage for $130, and it was honestly impressive how much they packed into that time. But a few things to note: the receptionist did ask if it was my first time, which it was. Still, I noticed other first-timers getting a tour, while I was simply pointed toward the door. Not a big deal, but a little guidance would’ve gone a long way.

You’ll need to shower before using any of the amenities, which include a hot tub, cold plunge, steam room, dry sauna, and Himalayan salt room. It’s a Korean spa, so yes, everyone is nude, and you have to walk around barefoot—something that took me out of my comfort zone. I get that it’s part of the experience, but I couldn’t help feeling a bit grossed out, especially when I noticed some employees wearing shoes. I wasn’t sure if those shoes ever went outside, and that uncertainty lingered in my mind.

When it’s time for your treatment, they find you by calling for your locker number. The scrub area is next to the jacuzzi and separated only by curtains, so it’s not exactly private. Beds are divided by frosted partitions, but you can still see what’s happening around you. The treatment itself is very hands-on. They use hot water from big bins to rinse you down and immediately start scrubbing. It’s pretty abrasive but tolerable—and yes, you will see layers of dead skin coming off. It’s kind of gross, but also kind of satisfying. That’s the appeal.

After the scrub, you rinse off, then come back to the same bed (now with towels) for a solid full-body massage. Despite the limited time, the massage was well executed. What really surprised me was the extra care—they shampooed and conditioned my hair and even gave me a milk rinse at the end. Totally didn’t expect that.

It’s not a serene spa retreat, but it is efficient and effective. I appreciated being able to stay afterward to enjoy the amenities. It’s a place where body work gets done, and they do a good enough job making it feel relaxing without pretending to be...