New Wave Contrast Therapy in LA
Biiiig year for community sweating out west
Halo from Berlin! I’ve just had a BANANA bath at Fotografiska a lá Toiletpaper
We’ve just wrapped up a 10-day Polish extravaganza (honestly feels like a month at current post wedding state?), so I’m pulling together some highlights of experiences, places, and things for WoW content. In the meantime, I thought now would be a good moment to speak to some of the new spa concepts and contrast therapy studios popping up in Los Angeles. Most of these are very different from a more traditional K spa or banya that you might find in the city. Here are a few that I recommend trying out if you haven’t yet had the chance to visit in the first half of the year.
Likeminded
Cool Rituals, Warm Community: At Likeminded, we offer a fresh way to connect with yourself, your friends, and your wellness journey. Our mission is to create a space where community and self-care go hand in hand, encouraging healthy habits while fostering meaningful connections. It’s a new kind of social experience—one that allows you to prioritize your well-being while spending time with others, all in a vibrant, supportive environment. - from their site
Likeminded is the brainchild of an Australian and American business team duo who built the space in just seven months, and it might be LA’s first mostly outdoor, social sauna and cold plunge experience. The setup includes a 20 person event sauna and five or six cold plunges arranged from warmest to coldest that makes going colder feel accessible.
What I really liked about Likeminded was the communal vibe. We went on a weekend, and it was poppin! The team was kind enough to host not only me but also the small crew of family and friends who decided to join for the experience. By 30 minutes in, tons of people hanging out, drinking coffee, going between plunges, and lounging on the rooftop sun deck. The group seemed half-n-half: half recovering from the night before, half easing into Sunday wellness rituals which made for a funny contrast in the sauna when it came to topics and tones of conversation.
It’s a great place to become acquainted with social sauna and cold plunging at a relatively affordable price point and a space you can go with your friends since it’s built for around 30 at any given time. Plus it was cool to see how dedicated contrast therapians set a good example for the newcomers.
Mohawk Wellness Collective
Welcome to Mohawk Wellness Collective, a communal wellness haven offering guided breathwork, sauna, cold plunge, personal training, individualized breath coaching and a host of events/workshops to promote your social wellness
Around the corner from my house, you’ll find Mohawk Wellness Collective. The space has been transitional over the last few years, shifting from an adaptogenic cocktail bar, and live music venue, to an outdoor gym and recovery space.
Co-founded by one of my neighbors who has been in the health and wellness experience industry since I moved in year ago. Their small four-person barrel sauna gets nice and toasty, while the outdoor deck is super private. At $200/month, it honestly feels like an extension of my own backyard.
I was very tempted to sign up for a membership considering it’s a four minute walk away however I knew I would be traveling, so I’m giving it a pause until the end of the year when I’m back full-time in LA. They’re on classpass (I blew through my last credits here) so if you want to drop in and check it out before committing for a monthly membership, or even add on a breathwork session, you can.
The only downside is ongoing neighborhood construction, which has impacted the area and local businesses for nearly three years now - making it even more important to show them love. Some of my favorites include: Bucatini, Wilder Vintage, Elf restaurant, and of course House of Intuition
Santa Monica Proper Club (with a mini Q&A)
We merge Proper’s signature style with high-performance fitness, restorative wellness, state-of-the-art amenities, exclusive hotel benefits, and a unique community experience.
Then way out west from me in Echo Park, you’ll find the Santa Monica Proper Hotel who have recently added in a membership club option for their new wellness and longevity suite with LA’s first Ammortal chamber which is defined as:
Unlike other products, the Ammortal Chamber quickly calms your nervous system, shifting you out of fight-or-flight mode so your body can fully absorb the various modalities and stimulate recovery. The synergy of these modalities creates an enjoyable, restorative experience that is greater than the sum of its parts. Whether you’re looking to recover from daily stresses or aiming to enhance your long-term wellness, the Ammortal Chamber is the fastest way to reset, recharge, and rejuvenate your body, mind, and spirit—helping you look, feel, and perform better.
Why did Santa Monica Proper feel like now was the right time to launch this club?
At Proper, wellness has always been personal. Co-Founder & President Brian De Lowe and CEO Brad Korzen have long envisioned our hotels as reflections of the way they aspire to live—creative, connected, and grounded in health. As their own routines began to include daily practices like cold plunging, sauna, and mobility work, it became clear there was an opportunity to reimagine what a wellness club could be.
Los Angeles is full of wellness spaces, but Proper Club is the first to truly integrate cutting-edge wellness with a deeply stylish, design-forward environment. We saw an opening to build something more intimate and holistic than a traditional spa or gym—a members-only experience where luxury, longevity, and meaningful community live side by side.
We also listened to our guests. Many of them—especially those staying for weeks or longer—didn’t want to lose access to the rituals they’d adopted while at Proper. And more broadly, we recognized a cultural moment: people want wellness to be not just an escape, but a lifestyle shift. A place where they can recharge, make real connections, and stay inspired. Proper Club offers that. Beyond best-in-class amenities like infrared saunas, cold plunges, and recovery tech, members will also have access to curated programming—member dinners, expert panels, and partnerships with local studios and thought leaders. It’s a full ecosystem, designed for people who want to live better and feel better.
What is the cost of membership?
The initiation fee is $2,500, and annual dues are $5,500. See membership packet here
Do most members live nearby?
Yes. Most of our members live in Santa Monica—many within walking distance—which has made the club feel more like a neighborhood hub than a traditional club. It’s a place where members can drop in before work, after school drop-off, or between meetings.
A number of members were also affected by the Palisades fires. In the aftermath, the club became a space for comfort, connection, and rebuilding. That emotional layer—community as healing—has only deepened our belief in what this space can mean.
Can you describe the demographic of founding members
Our founding members span from their late 20s to their 60s, with a strong concentration of entrepreneurs, creatives, and purpose-driven professionals. Despite the age range, there’s a powerful common thread: curiosity, innovation, and a shared value for thoughtful living.
The membership is currently around 70% women, and about half have joined as couples. We’re capping initial enrollment to keep the experience intimate and personal—something we believe is key to the kind of community we’re building.
Will this concept expand to other locations?
Yes. Santa Monica is the flagship, but Proper Club will soon be available in additional Proper properties. Our goal is to create a series of wellness-forward social spaces that are deeply rooted in each location’s local culture—while always reflecting the Proper aesthetic and ethos.
It was beautiful, but definitely out of my price range :)
Also on my radar… Sauna Social BUS … I'll track them down come September. Looks like they’ve been setting up shop outside of Barry’s Venice
Which of these do you want to check out next?
xo,
coco
Must try Vabali while you’re in Berlin
yes Coco! xx