All of us spa very differently.  Yes, to spa is now a verb.  Some like the light, sweeping touches of a gentle masseuse who transfers energy from one chakra to another.  There are others who prefer walk out of a massage feeling beaten, bruised, and whipped into a relaxing submission.  If you are of the latter school of thought, you’ve probably already fallen in love with the Hollywood hole-in-the-wall Sunset Foot Spa.

It is the one place in Los Angeles that doesn’t offer a Nirvana Experience ironically or as an overestimation. The most affordable method of acquiring a coma-like, dizzying version of nirvana, Sunset Foot Spa’s menu tops out at $65 for a 40-minute foot massage and a 60-minute body massage.

Let’s be frank.  I have personally experienced this whole nirvana thing and the foot massage gives absolutely no hint as to what you’ll get in the body massage.  Your feet are handled with care and compassion; they’re dipped into warm water and coddled through a reflexology-based rub.  The body massage is not so gentle.  Its almost as if they seem to believe that by inflicting worse pain on your back, any of your previous pains will pale in comparison.  When you do walk out (limping would only be slightly dramatic), you slowly realize that what you do indeed feel is… Nirvana.

If ambiance is of great importance to you, you’ll be thrilled that Sunset Foot Spa has now paired up with Agua Spa at the Mondrian Hotel on Sunset Blvd.  As of March 15, through June 30, 2010, this pop-up concept spa combines Sunset Foot Spa’s traditional Chinese reflexology techniques with aromatherapy oils for an experience they’re calling unWINDup.  Choose between calming French lavender or lemongrass and green tea and spend either 30-minutes or an hour in a state of bliss with a foot massage and custom soak.  We have a feeling they’ve quelled the urge to beat clients into their relaxed state during their stint at the Mondrian.  But for those of us who still prefer their tough-love style, their original Sunset location is always there.

Agua Spa at the Mondrian Hotel is located at 8440 Sunset Blvd. in West Hollywood (323) 848-6070