Published on: December 23, 2024, 04:50h. 

Last updated on: December 23, 2024, 04:51h.

In Las Vegas during the ’80s, Spring Fever Spa stood out as a daring sex hotel that didn’t shy away from its intentions. The ads for the spa boasted of “romantic private spa suites” with affordable hourly rates, catching the attention of many locals.

“To hormonal suburban teens whose sex education was a tortured fantasia based on ‘Hustler’ magazine stashes in desert lots and furtive, hurried doses of scrambled Playboy Channel, Spring Fever, by contrast, thrummed with unbearable vibrations of immanent erotic reality,” wrote Andrew Kiraly in a humorous 2022 Desert Companion tribute.

With 22 octagonal suites, each equipped with a bed, sauna, shower, and lounge, Spring Fever embraced the California hot tub craze. The spa was established in June 1979 by Michael S. Mack, Charles Mack, and Laurence Friedman, offering a unique experience for its guests.

Despite its infamous reputation, Spring Fever faced legal troubles, ultimately leading to its closure in 1994 due to a fire that was caused by lightning, dispelling the myth of a jealous spouse starting the blaze.

The Rise and Fall of Spring Fever

Spring Fever, also known as the Soak n’ Poke, became a Las Vegas icon with its unique concept and intriguing advertisements. Despite its controversial nature, the spa attracted visitors and locals alike until its unfortunate end in 1994.

The history of Spring Fever is a chapter in Las Vegas’ past that showcases the city’s bold and sometimes scandalous side. The spa’s legacy lives on in the memories of those who experienced its tantalizing offerings.