Serene Thai Massage
Address: 3959 Wilshire Blvd, Suite B29, Los Angeles, California 90010
It’s near Western Avenue. The cross street is Gramercy Place.
Can you see the sign? Serene Thai Massage is on the second floor next to the Korean bar HEU.
Pro tip: Bring your own shorts, flipflops and cash!
Saturday
I called yesterday afternoon to schedule an appointment for first thing this morning. They were still eating breakfast when I arrived at 9:30, which is when they open. The lady in front confirmed that I wanted an hour-long massage and then apologetically asked for payment in advance. “Pay now. Sorry.” I handed over $40.
She then showed me where I could change out of shoes into their slippers. I took my own flip-flops from my bag and used those.
Then she led me to a dimly lit cubicle. There was a pair of huge shorts on the bed. I tried them on but they fell to my ankles, so I used a pair of athletic shorts I had with me. (On further thought, I’d have gone with looser ones.) I took off my shirt and bra, then slipped into a heavy robe they had on a hanger.
After a few minutes, another lady came in. I took off the robe and lay face down. She asked, “Soft, medium, hard?” I replied, hard. After a few minutes, she asked if “Walking okay?” (Could she walk on my back?) I gave a long answer and she took it to mean No.
Kneaded me over really hard. The music was relaxing, classical Chinese-sounding instrumental. I love grunting and moaning, but each time I did, she’d stop and ask, “Are you okay?” So I decided to suffer in silence.
Forty minutes into it, she left the room for hot towels to wipe the oil off my back and legs. She tapped my shoulder and said “Turn around.” I lay face up and she had the sheet in such a way that her view of my body was covered. I said okay, and she lay the sheet on me.
She popped the knuckles of my feet and hands, and worked on my neck and a little on my face. I had earrings on, but she probably would have worked my earlobes if I hadn’t.
Then she pulled me up (“Sit down”), placed my feet in a cross-legged position, and massaged my arms. By this time, it was hard to modestly keep myself covered with the sheet, so I just let go. She seemed to understand my shyness and was very discreet about where she looked.
Afterwards, she left the room and I changed back into my clothes. Outside, she had a paper cup of cold tea waiting for me. I tipped her $10.
It was a very thorough full-body massage with the traditional hip twists and stretching associated with Thai massage. The place is no frills, not like a spa, which explains why it’s so affordable. I’ll definitely go again as soon as I can spare the cash. They don’t take credit cards.
Easy to find on the second floor of the strip mall at the corner of Gramercy Place and Wilshire Boulevard. Phone Number: (213) 739-9990
Serene Thai Massage
Located in Koreatown LA
3959 Wilshire Blvd, Suite B29, Los Angeles, California 90010
