Exactly what goes on in Korean spas? They are not your typical spas where you relax in a waiting room before your treatment while wearing a comfy white robe all while sipping on unlimited cucumber water. Korean spas are a unique, cultural, all-inclusive experience and one that a real spa aficionado would appreciate. Not only do they provide excellent treatment in clean facilities, they expect you to stay and relax for however long you want. The bigger spas are even 24 hours, and your admission includes a free place to sleep. You might think this is odd, but this is part of the culture and is represented as a second home.
What is unique about Korean spas versus American spas like Burke Williams or Glen Ivy's is that you have to be naked. Of course the spa is gender segregated for the facility pools and the bathhouses. There is also a co-ed area in which you would wear their provided uniform which includes a t-shirt and a pair of shorts. The co-ed area boasts their traditional, specialty rooms like the Red Clay room or the Ice Room, the common area where people can watch television or use the provided computers to surf the internet, the restaurant where you can order authentic Korean food, and finally some have a sleeping area if they are open 24 hours. The Korean spa experience is calming and one can use as much time to get to that state of pure, stress-free, relaxed state of mind.
Korean bathhouses have been part of Korea's culture for centuries. Initially these bathhouses were for the privileged to take part in bathing in special aromatic scents and to scrub their bodies to become whiter. Now they are around for people to relax and unwind but also a place to socialize with friends and family. Parents bring their children and scrub each other's backs, and this is their bonding time. Friends go together and vent about their days while sitting in the Jacuzzi. People even make friends at the spa because they see the same faces monthly or even weekly.
Korean spas are known for their popular treatment which is their body scrub or commonly referred to as the akasuri scrub. The masseuses will thoroughly scrub you in every place imaginable, so this is not for the shy or faint at heart. They use special scrubbing gloves that will make your skin feeling silky smooth and you'll walk out of there feeling like you're a couple shades lighter. The whole concept of the scrub is to make you feel just that - cleaner and whiter. The newer facilities will allow your scrub to be in a private room with just your masseuse, but many spas still have a scrubbing area that will accommodate three or four tables. Again, this is not for people who are uncomfortable in their own skin. The masseuses mean business, and they will maneuver your body to clean certain areas and you might have to do this next to some stranger who's also in a compromising position. Their technique might be strange, but it guarantees results. Your skin will feel just as smooth as a baby, and you'll also feel relaxed because a scrub also comes with a scalp massage.
What is even great about Korean spas is how affordable the services are. A scrub at a new facility will range from $30-$45, and it will include free usage to the showers and pools and the specialty rooms. If you just want to pay admission to use the main facility and not get any treatment done, it will probably only cost you $15-$20. Many of the spas in major cities have already connected with deal sites like Groupon or Living Social. The trend and popularity of these spas have really grown the past few years, and even celebrities enjoy spending time at Korean spas. Emmanuelle Chriqui from Entourage was quoted in Women's Health Magazine that she likes to visit a Korean day spa. Although the majority of spa goers are middle aged Korean women, many of the younger generation are trying it out and finding that they like the experience. If you're curious about Korean spas, just try it one day. Go with a friend (but note, you'll have to see your friend naked), and make it fun spa event. I have to warn you though; it's quite addicting!
What is unique about Korean spas versus American spas like Burke Williams or Glen Ivy's is that you have to be naked. Of course the spa is gender segregated for the facility pools and the bathhouses. There is also a co-ed area in which you would wear their provided uniform which includes a t-shirt and a pair of shorts. The co-ed area boasts their traditional, specialty rooms like the Red Clay room or the Ice Room, the common area where people can watch television or use the provided computers to surf the internet, the restaurant where you can order authentic Korean food, and finally some have a sleeping area if they are open 24 hours. The Korean spa experience is calming and one can use as much time to get to that state of pure, stress-free, relaxed state of mind.
Korean bathhouses have been part of Korea's culture for centuries. Initially these bathhouses were for the privileged to take part in bathing in special aromatic scents and to scrub their bodies to become whiter. Now they are around for people to relax and unwind but also a place to socialize with friends and family. Parents bring their children and scrub each other's backs, and this is their bonding time. Friends go together and vent about their days while sitting in the Jacuzzi. People even make friends at the spa because they see the same faces monthly or even weekly.
Korean spas are known for their popular treatment which is their body scrub or commonly referred to as the akasuri scrub. The masseuses will thoroughly scrub you in every place imaginable, so this is not for the shy or faint at heart. They use special scrubbing gloves that will make your skin feeling silky smooth and you'll walk out of there feeling like you're a couple shades lighter. The whole concept of the scrub is to make you feel just that - cleaner and whiter. The newer facilities will allow your scrub to be in a private room with just your masseuse, but many spas still have a scrubbing area that will accommodate three or four tables. Again, this is not for people who are uncomfortable in their own skin. The masseuses mean business, and they will maneuver your body to clean certain areas and you might have to do this next to some stranger who's also in a compromising position. Their technique might be strange, but it guarantees results. Your skin will feel just as smooth as a baby, and you'll also feel relaxed because a scrub also comes with a scalp massage.
What is even great about Korean spas is how affordable the services are. A scrub at a new facility will range from $30-$45, and it will include free usage to the showers and pools and the specialty rooms. If you just want to pay admission to use the main facility and not get any treatment done, it will probably only cost you $15-$20. Many of the spas in major cities have already connected with deal sites like Groupon or Living Social. The trend and popularity of these spas have really grown the past few years, and even celebrities enjoy spending time at Korean spas. Emmanuelle Chriqui from Entourage was quoted in Women's Health Magazine that she likes to visit a Korean day spa. Although the majority of spa goers are middle aged Korean women, many of the younger generation are trying it out and finding that they like the experience. If you're curious about Korean spas, just try it one day. Go with a friend (but note, you'll have to see your friend naked), and make it fun spa event. I have to warn you though; it's quite addicting!
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