Great Escape: King Spa & Sauna

If you're looking to lose yourself, and a few toxins, head to this week's Great Escape: Korean mega spa King Spa & Sauna in Niles, which promises sanctuary and a unique experience.  It's ideal - for couples or a girls' night out - if you have a few hours (or more) to spend getting soaked, scrubbed and steamed.

A gender-separated wet spa boasts a steam room, hot whirlpools and a cold dip (nudity is required, but don't sweat it!) .  Here, you can also book a brisk full body scrub, a body or foot massage. These services - which cost extra beyond the $25 admission fee - are charged to a sensor on a spa-issued wristband.

Don a King Spa top/shorts uniform (pink for women, blue for men) to explore the rest of the co-ed 34,000-square-foot facility. The main room (with Willie Wonka-esque decor) is highlighted by nine individual dry sauna rooms, which you sit in - sans cell phone - for as long as you can stand.  Toxins don't stand a chance as each sauna is comprised of different minerals - salt, gold, mud, amethyst, etc. - that are claimed to have specific healing properties. Hardy souls must try the fire sudatorium, which at 165-170 degrees, is billed as the world's largest heated sauna; it is definitely the hottest spot in the spa.

Other amenities include a Korean food court, a small movie theater with comfy leather recliners, a meditation room and heated floors. If you're relaxed enough to fall asleep, you can make it a sleepover: King Spa is open 24 hours, 7 days a week.

King Spa Sauna, 809 Civic Center Dr., Niles

(847) 972-2540; www.KingSpa.com

Admission fee$25, which entitles you to the entire facility; massages and scrubs cost extra.  Membership packages are available.