Vegas Retreat: Spring-time Sanctuary (Nicknamed Soak 'n' Sustain)
In the vibrant city of Las Vegas, the Spring Fever Spa once stood as a symbol of the city's adult entertainment scene. The spa, known also as the Soak n' Poke, opened its doors in June 1979, the brainchild of Michael S. Mack, Charles Mack, and Laurence Friedman.
The Spring Fever Spa was renowned for its 22 octagonal suites, each equipped with beds, saunas, showers, lounges, and Jacuzzis. The spa operated 24/7, offering "romantic private spa suites" and "affordable hourly rates."
In 1991, the spa was purchased by Michael O. Washington, who had previously made headlines in 1984 for receiving a transplanted heart from actor Jon-Erik Hexum. Before his foray into the adult entertainment industry, Washington worked in a different field, but specific details about his prior occupation remain elusive.
Washington's ownership of the Spring Fever Spa was not without controversy. Reports suggest that he had his escorts take their clients back to the spa, which was illegal in Clark County. This led to an investigation by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, with potential connections to an outcall company, Swinging Suzy's Dancers and Entertainers, also owned by Washington, being scrutinised.
One urban myth surrounding the Spring Fever Spa involves a customer discovering himself and his mistress starring in a porn tape, due to the spa's floor-to-ceiling mirrors on the tile walls that reflected whatever show each couple felt like putting on. This tale, however, was debunked, as the fire that eventually engulfed the spa was started by lightning, not a jealous spouse as popularly believed.
The Spring Fever Spa met its unfortunate end on July 20, 1994, at 9:30 p.m. The fire, though tragic, did not deter the spa's memory from lingering. In 2014, the Las Vegas Advisor revisited the myths and memories of the Spring Fever Spa, and in 2022, Andrew Kiraly penned a humorous tribute about the establishment in the Desert Companion.
It is important to note that in Las Vegas, it is legal for an escort to accept money to come to a stranger's hotel room for an unspecified reason. However, whatever a paid escort chooses to do once they get to a client's room may be legal or illegal, but the police cannot intervene unless someone calls them.
The Spring Fever Spa, with its colourful history and urban myths, serves as a testament to the city's unique past. Its legacy continues to be a topic of conversation and fascination among Las Vegas enthusiasts.
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