Korean spas (or jjimjilbang) are mega spas. They offer massages, facials, and the other spa services you’d expect at western spas, but they also have saunas, multiple soaking and plunging pools, salt rooms, cold rooms, and full restaurants. Some even have driving ranges, gyms, sleeping rooms, and stay open for 24 hours a day. Which is perfect for a city that doesn’t sleep.
Best Korean Spa for a Date Night
Aura Wellness Spa is a 3-level modern spa in Koreatown. It is clean, beautiful and co-ed. Its couple’s massages are excellent and the treatment rooms are closer to a western spa in terms of comfort. It stays open until 2am, so you can go after a romantic dinner or Broadway show.
Best Korean Spa for Families
The original Spa Castle is a theme park of a spa. A slightly dated theme park (think Jurassic World at Universal Studios: still fun, but screaming 1990s). It’s got 4 pools, 8 saunas, a sleeping room, sun deck, and all of the healing rooms you’d want. It is family-friendly, a positive for families, but a major drawback for singles hoping for quiet.
Best Korean Scrub
Though its amenities are minimal compared to other K-spas, the Tribeca Spa of Tranquility focuses on its services. Its massages and scrubs are excellent and, because this isn’t the all-day destination like other Korean Spas in NYC, it maintains a peaceful atmosphere. It feels like a well-kept secret.
Best 24-hour Korean Spa
King Spa is a New Jersey K-spa which offers free shuttle service from Koreatown in Manhattan. I love the crystals throughout the healing rooms, their huge menu (both in food and services offered), and excellent scrubs.
And while many 24-hour spas attract people looking for a cheaper hotel option at night, this spa manages to avoid feeling like a shelter in the middle of the night. It’s also great if you want a scrub after a night out.
Best Korean Spa in New Jersey
Sojo Spa Club is a massive 8-level spa with a roof deck pool, modern facilities, and beautiful healing rooms. It is remarkably clean and the food is delicious. Go for a WFS (work from the spa) day and use their fast wifi and working area.
