When you’re traveling, it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of sightseeing, exploring local attractions, or dining out at the latest trendy restaurant. But every traveler knows that there are moments when you need to take a break and recharge. One of the best ways to do this is by visiting a Korean spa, or jjimjilbang, which offers a unique and rejuvenating experience for both the body and mind.
Having visited two Korean spas—Jeju Sauna in Atlanta, GA, and Island Spa & Sauna in Avalon, NJ—I can confidently say that these spas offer much more than just relaxation. They provide an immersion into Korean culture, health practices, and a delightful escape from the hustle and bustle of travel. While each spa is different, they share a common thread of promoting wellness through saunas, hot pools, body scrubs, and even traditional Korean food. Whether you’re in a big city or a coastal town, if you’re lucky enough to find a Korean spa nearby, it’s worth considering as a way to enrich your travel experience.
The Korean Spa Experience: What to Expect
The Korean spa experience is truly unique, and while it might initially seem foreign or unusual, it’s quickly clear why it has become a popular form of relaxation for people of all ages. Whether you’re in a large urban center or a quieter, coastal town, you’ll likely encounter similar features at most jjimjilbangs. The atmosphere is relaxing, with a focus on cleanliness, wellness, and peace.
Upon arrival at a Korean spa, the first thing you’ll do is check in at the front desk. You’ll pay a flat fee for access to the spa, which often includes a 24-hour pass. This means you can come and go as you please, making the spa a great option to return to throughout the day or even after a day of sightseeing. Many spas also offer extended hours of operation, ensuring that no matter what time of day you feel like unwinding, you’ll have a chance to do so.
After checking in, you’ll receive a comfortable uniform—typically cotton shorts and a tunic-like top. The uniform is part of the spa’s culture, designed to keep things comfortable and simple. You’ll then head to the locker rooms, where men and women are separated for privacy. Here, you’ll store your belongings, change into your uniform, and then you’re ready to explore the spa’s offerings. Once you’ve changed into your uniform, you’ll wear it throughout the spa, including in the co-ed common areas. This is a key part of the experience and is meant to maintain comfort, cleanliness, and ease while allowing you to relax fully.
Gender-Segregated Spa Areas: Pools and Saunas
The most unique part of Korean spas is the gender-segregated spa areas. While it might feel odd at first, it’s a practice rooted in the culture of the spa, ensuring both hygiene and comfort for all guests. In the spa’s pools, which are a major feature, guests are completely nude. This might sound uncomfortable if you’re unfamiliar with the practice, but it’s important to note that it’s a cultural norm and part of the spa’s commitment to cleanliness.
The nude practice in these areas ensures that there are no barriers—such as swimsuits—that can trap dirt or bacteria in the water. It’s a hygienic approach that helps to maintain the pristine condition of the pools, which are regularly cleaned and sanitized. Plus, the focus on being nude creates an environment of freedom and relaxation, allowing your body to fully immerse itself in the experience.
The pools themselves come in varying temperatures, with hot pools, cold plunge pools, and everything in between. Many spas also feature saunas and steam rooms, providing the perfect complement to the warm and cool pools. The hot pools are ideal for relaxing tired muscles, while the cold plunge pools give your body a refreshing shock that invigorates circulation and boosts energy.
Treatments and Scrubs: A Key Part of the Experience
One of the highlights of a Korean spa visit is the body scrub, a treatment that might sound unusual at first but is an essential part of the spa culture. After soaking for about 45 minutes, your skin softens, making it the perfect time for the exfoliating scrub. Skilled ajummas (grandmothers) use a coarse exfoliating mitt to scrub away dead skin cells, leaving your skin smooth, fresh, and revitalized.
The scrub might feel intense, but it’s deeply therapeutic, helping to improve circulation and leaving you with soft, glowing skin. Many guests leave the spa feeling as though they’ve shed not just dead skin, but stress, fatigue, and tension from their travels. It’s an experience that’s hard to replicate anywhere else, and I highly recommend trying it if you’re visiting a Korean spa for the first time.
Aside from the body scrub, many spas offer a variety of other treatments, including massages, facials, and foot scrubs. These services are often available for an additional fee and can further enhance your experience. Whether you opt for a calming massage or a refreshing facial, the treatments are designed to promote relaxation and wellness, perfect for any traveler in need of a little rejuvenation.
Co-Ed Common Areas: Wellness Through Temperature and Minerals
Another unique feature of Korean spas is the co-ed common area. After enjoying the gender-segregated pools and saunas, you can visit a shared space that includes a variety of saunas, cold rooms, and mineral baths. This area is designed to support health through temperature therapy and mineral-rich environments, offering visitors the chance to experiment with different rooms that vary in heat, humidity, and minerals.
Each sauna or room serves a specific purpose. For example, some saunas may use salt or jade minerals, which are believed to have detoxifying properties. Others may have varying temperature settings, designed to challenge your body’s circulation and boost energy. After experiencing the hot and cold pools, it’s refreshing to spend some time in one of these unique rooms, allowing your body to adjust to different temperatures and reap the benefits.
It’s a perfect space for unwinding after a body scrub or sauna session, and it’s also a place where you can relax in peace and even engage in light conversation with fellow spa-goers. The atmosphere is calm, and many spas have lounges or quiet areas where you can take a moment to enjoy the serene environment. As you are in a co-ed space, it’s a time when you will continue to wear your uniform, keeping the experience casual and comfortable while still offering a sense of community.
Dining: Nourishing Traditional Korean Food
Many Korean spas also feature on-site restaurants, where you can enjoy traditional Korean dishes. The food offerings typically emphasize health and balance, with a focus on fermented foods, vegetables, and hearty stews. Whether you’re in the mood for a bowl of bibimbap, a plate of bulgogi, or something lighter like kimchi pancakes, the food options provide a delicious and authentic experience.
Eating at the spa is not just about refueling after a day of relaxation; it’s also a part of the overall wellness experience. Korean cuisine is known for its health benefits, from boosting digestion to improving skin health. After a few hours of pampering yourself in the spa, a nourishing meal is the perfect way to complete the experience and leave feeling even more rejuvenated.
Korean Spas Around the U.S.: Two Notable Locations
As I mentioned, I’ve had the opportunity to visit two Korean spas during my travels—the Jeju Sauna in Atlanta, GA, and Island Spa & Sauna in Avalon, NJ. Both of these spas offer a wonderful introduction to the jjimjilbang experience and are well worth visiting if you find yourself in the area.
Jeju Sauna in Atlanta is open 24 hours a day and offers an extensive array of services, including various saunas, hot and cold pools, and luxurious treatments. The spa is known for its clean, calming atmosphere and traditional Korean amenities. Island Spa & Sauna in Avalon, NJ, is another excellent option, featuring multiple themed saunas, mineral baths, and a Himalayan salt room. It’s open every day from 9 AM to 11 PM, and its variety of treatments and serene atmosphere make it a great place to relax after a day of exploring the New Jersey shore.
Conclusion: Seeking Korean Spas While Traveling
Korean spas offer a refreshing way to unwind while traveling, and if you’re lucky enough to have one in the area, it’s worth taking a break from your usual routine to experience it. The combination of saunas, body scrubs, therapeutic pools, and health-focused food creates an environment designed to restore both body and mind. Whether you’re visiting Jeju Sauna in Atlanta, Island Spa & Sauna in Avalon, or another jjimjilbang across the U.S., the experience is a fantastic way to immerse yourself in Korean culture while enjoying some much-needed relaxation on your travels.
Next time you’re exploring a new city or town, keep an eye out for a nearby Korean spa—it might just be the perfect way to recharge and enhance your trip.
