Living Waters Spa is a paradise for those of us who just
want to live out the day au naturel, absorbing the SoCal sun and relaxing with
books, conversation and a cold beverage along the way, in a safe, comfortable,
hassle-free environment. My wife and I are occasional visitors to San Diego's
Blacks Beach and do enjoy a skinny dip in our own backyard pool when
circumstances allow, but we are rookies to the clothing-optional spa
experience, and Living Waters Spa (LWS) has ensured that we will very quickly
become veterans. We're so enamored of the place, in fact, that we booked a
return visit just several weeks hence before we’d even checked out.
What LWS is not: As the owners, through their website,
promotional materials, and responses in this forum, make clear, LWS is NOT a
"hook up" joint. It is not for those looking for a party by the pool.
And it is not a large facility that accommodates enough guests to fill a small
village. LWS will not tolerate sexual activity in its public spaces - though it
certainly does allow, and even blesses, public displays of affection that would
be appropriate in any other public setting, and it certainly has no issue with
its overnight guests getting a groove on in the blinds-closed privacy of their
poolside suites or adjacent condos. LWS expects that noise from guests be
limited to normal conversational tones. LWS does pipe in music through its
poolside sound system, but you'll find only the soft sounds of relaxation
tracks and not the manic beats of a DJ club mix.
What LWS is: LWS is a spa, built for the purpose of rest
& relaxation, sans clothing, in a private, peaceful and intimate setting.
It is a reclaimed mid-century motor hotel formerly known as Kismet Lodge (and
still proudly displays the original neon marquee bearing that name). The main
property is a U-shaped structure with eight guest rooms and a massage studio
surrounding two pools, through which naturally heated mineral water flows
constantly from an underground source. The "small" pool is the warmer
of the two (I'm guessing 100 degrees Fahrenheit) and is protected from the
summer sun by an overhead canopy. The large pool below, which receives its
in-flow of water from the smaller pool courtesy the natural tug of gravity, has
full exposure to the day's sun and (I’d guess) sits at a very comfortable 90
degrees. The public area around the two pools is comfortable but quaint, so
don't come looking for room to run around. Even then, if all of the 20 or so
lounge chairs by the pool and on the sun deck were full of bodies, each guest
would have ample personal space.
My wife and I stayed in Room 8 - a "corner" suite
with full kitchen situated at one end of the "U," not more than
twelve feet from the pool - and absolutely loved it. As with the rest of the property, the room
reflects the spa's mid-century heritage but is very well maintained, very
clean, and very comfortable (especially the custom-designed king bed). With the
full kitchen (most of the units have them), we were able to bring all of our
own food and drink and never leave the spa's protective walls, meaning we could
savor the bliss of non-stop nakedness from arrival to departure. The rooms are
not large, and neither are the bathrooms, but the quarters are certainly
spacious enough for two people with a reasonable sense of proportion, and
especially for those who prefer to spend their time doing what they've paid for
- relaxing in and beside the pools under the sun during the day and the stars
at night. For guests who need more living space, LWS also owns six 2-bedroom
spa condos just across the street (but also outside the protective walls of the
spa proper, meaning you have to don shorts and tee shirt at least twice a day).
We also discovered almost immediately upon arrival that the
signature LWS massage, especially when done in the couples format, is a little
slice of heaven on earth. And lest you
think any "funny business" might take place, know going in that the
LWS massage therapists are (a) fully clothed and (b) consummately professional
in every respect. And they are very good at what they do. Very well worth the
extra splurge, especially when you know your "sweetie" is receiving
the very same treatment just a few feet away (something you should take at
least a little time to observe when the position of your own body on the table
allows).
Other touches include: A personal greeting at the front gate
by Jeff, Judy or one of the staff when you arrive (and be prepared for their
wrap-towels to fall away, and your clothing-optional experience to begin, as
soon as the gate closes behind you); continental-style breakfast from 8:00 to
10:00 each morning (complete with fresh-brewed coffee made from fresh-ground
Starbucks beans); and beverages with light snacks in the warmth of the small
pool at 3:00 each day. Overnight guests who have checked out of their rooms are
welcome to extend their stay on the grounds until 5:00pm, when the spa closes
to day-use customers; while departing guests whose rooms are not otherwise
booked by incoming guests can remain in their rooms all the way up to 5:00.
And, of course, we can’t forget the beautiful, panoramic view of Mt. San
Jacinto, which towers almost 11,000 over the Coachella Valley floor below.
If you're a newcomer who is, as we were, at least a smidge
apprehensive at the thought of making conversation with strangers while nude in
three feet of water, don't worry. We found the apprehension melting away almost
immediately upon our noontime arrival, and it was long gone by the time we
finished our 1:30 massages and made our way to the first 3:00 refreshment break
of our stay.
You can tell by now that my wife and I left LWS with nothing
but excitement for the clothing-optional spa experience and gratitude that we
live close enough to return anytime and every time we wish. Jeff & Judy
(and Lily & Kat), thank you for making our first time - and our wedding
anniversary to boot! - a very special experience.
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In Claire Whitcomb's book "
