King Spa and Sauna
Located in the suburbs, this Korean spa and sauna is probably the most popular place to hang out among the Russian population of the city of Chicago. It reminds one of a Russian “banya;” a place you go to get surrounded by steam, heat and lots of naked comrades. But King Spa has an upscale, marble-enhanced look to it and a bigger variety of things to do (jump in a swimming pool, have a meal, or order a massage or a body scrub). The admission fee is valid for twenty-four hours, so it is easy to spend all day there, lazily moving from one room to another, experiencing different types of heat, and sweating profusely while listening to a melodic mix of Russian-Korean chatter.
King Spa and Sauna, 809 Civic Center Drive, Niles, (847)972-2540, kingspa.com
Best of Chicago 2012