[WEEKEND GETAWAY] Lean back and relax at a private bathhouse

K-campus

Published: 18 Nov. 2022, 10:41 Updated: 03 Mar. 2023, 18:07

[WEEKEND GETAWAY] Lean back and relax at a private bathhouse

The interior of a single-person bath salon in Gyeol's Ilsan branch [GYEOL]

Due to the rise of the pandemic, several public bathhouses and the more elaborate jjimjilbang that have saunas and resting areas were forced to close. In order to keep the industry alive, new bathhouses have begun to emerge in the form of single-person bathing salons where private facilities are set up for use by just one customer.

These bathing salons are equipped with basic bathing amenities, a changing room, a bathtub and a shower booth, and also a private massage bed where visitors can receive a full body-scrub by a professional sesinsa (sauna attendant).

These single-person saunas, while pricier than the traditional public bathhouses and jjimjilbang, allow visitors to enjoy the same experience but with more privacy. Here are four private bath salons that allow you to try the Korean bathing experience without having to visit a public bathhouse.

While you won’t need to use much Korean when using such facilities, keep in mind that some may not be especially English-friendly.

Spa Heum's single-person bathing salon [CHOI SEO-IN]

Spa Heum

One of the Spa Heum’s unique features is that it has separate doors for the visitors and the sesinsa, allowing for even more privacy.

After you dip yourself in the bathtub filled with bath oil from JUST, a herbal body care cosmetics brand, and jojoba oil for ten minutes, lie down in a comfortable position on the massage bed and call for a sesinsa. A professional sesinsa with more than 20 years of experience will give you a full-body scrub to exfoliate your skin.

There are several spa courses available according to your needs, such as the “Cocktail Course” for those who have sensitive skin and the “Ultimate Moisturizing Course” for those with dry skin. There is also an option where you can receive a massage afterwards using milk or aroma oil. The duration of each course is different, as it ranges from 1 hour and 25 minutes to 1 hour and 50 minutes.

Spa Heum's bath amenities [SPA HEUM]

It is almost a tradition for Koreans to have a sip of Yakult after spending some time at a public bathhouse. Spa Heum takes things a bit classier, instead offering a cup of warm tea to help relax your body even more.

This spa only accepts female visitors. You must call to make a reservation.

@heum_spa
311 Eonju-ro, Gangnam District
Business hours: 8 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Price: 99,000 won to 198,000 won
Phone number: 02) 568-8090

The bathtub at Gyeol's single-person bathing salon [GYEOL]

Gyeol

If Spa Heum’s services were appealing but its prices weren’t, Gyeol offers private body scrubs but at a far cheaper price. Gyeol offers two packages — the Basic package that lasts for 50 minutes and the Steam, Oil and Body Scrub package that lasts for 1 hour and 50 minutes.

The Basic package includes a body scrub, facial wash, shampoo and treatment, while the Steam, Oil and Body Scrub package includes everything that the Basic package includes, along with body steaming and an oil massage.

Gyeol has several branches across Korea — in Bucheon, Ilsan and Suwon in Gyeonggi and Hwagok-dong in Gangseo District, western Seoul. In December, Gyeol also plans to open a branch in Cheonan, South Chungcheong. Visitors can book a session on Naver after choosing a spa package of their choice.

Like Spa Heum, Gyeol also only accepts female visitors.

Gyeol (Bucheon, main branch)

@koreabath
52 Bugwang-ro 8 beon-gil, Bucheon
Business hours: 7 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Price:
Basic package: 48,000 won
Steam, Oil and Body Scrub package: 98,000 won
Phone number: 1566-2560
Reservation link: http://bitly.ws/wHvs

The exterior of Huam Byeolchae Inus [HUAM BYEOLCHAE INUS]

Huam Byeolchae Inus

At Huam Byeolchae Inus, visitors can truly relax and enjoy a perfect bath all by themselves. Located in Huam-dong, central Seoul, Huam Byeolchae Inus was launched by The Inus, a bathroom furnishing company. The feature that differentiates Huam Byeolchae Inus from the other private bath salons is that it is actually a small house — allowing its visitors to not just enjoy a bath but also prepare a light meal or take a short nap.

Huam Byeolchae Inus’ bathroom is special as it has a hinoki bathtub furnished with cypress wood, which lets out a woody aroma while one takes a bath. Using bath bombs or oils are not recommended to help one truly enjoy the bathtub’s unique scent. The house also provides Bluetooth speakers for those who wish to listen to music during their bath. The kitchen includes basic cutlery and plates, and provides tea from “Maison de Silk” for its visitors to enjoy.

Huam Byeolchae Inus' hinoki bathtub, furnished with cypress wood [HUAM BYEOLCHAE INUS]

Another special feature in Huam Byeolchae Inus is that no one else will be in the house with you – not even an employee. You are also prohibited from bringing someone else with you in the house, which will be checked through a security camera installed at the entrance.

Those who wish to visit may book a six-hour stay through Naver. If you want to stay longer than six hours, you can pay more at the location according to the number of added hours. New reservation slots open at the end of every month at 1 p.m., but one must note that it is very competitive to book a session.

Huam Byeolchae Inus will close for the month of January to improve its facilities but will reopen from February.

89 Duteopbawi-ro, Yongsan District
Business hours: 1 p.m. – 12 a.m.
Price: 53,000 won (for six hours, from Monday to Thursday) / 60,000 won (for six hours, from Friday to Sunday)
Reservation link: http://bitly.ws/wHvi

Myun Yeok Gong Bang Black's red room, or a private jjimjilbang big enough to fit one person. Out of the other Myun Yeok Gong Bang branches, this single-person room is only available at Myun Yeok Gong Bang Black. [MYUN YEOK GONG BANG BLACK]

Myun Yeok Gong Bang Black

Myun Yeok Gong Bang Black is a jjimjilbang that has become widely popular since the Covid-19 pandemic began due to its private room offers. Its private room, or the “Red Room,” is the perfect size for one person, so you can enjoy a dry sauna without others around you. If you wish to bring a small number of guests along, there are also two other rooms available, the “Purple Room” and the “Black Room,” which fit up to two people and four people respectively.

Myun Yeok Gong Bang Black's cafeteria. They sell drinks and healthy detox foods for its visitors to enjoy. [MYUN YEOK GONG BANG BLACK]

Myun Yeok Gong Bang has several branches across Korea, but Myun Yeok Gong Bang Black is the only branch that offers a private room for one person. Besides its jjimjilbang facilities, Myun Yeok Gong Bang also has a public resting area with fitness equipment and a cafeteria which serves various drinks and detox foods.

If you use the branch’s private rooms, you can directly call the cafeteria in order to have your food delivered. The jjimjilbang also offers a body massage through their “M Spa Program” — at an additional fee.

For those who wish to visit, you must call to make a reservation.

@mygb_black
15 Eonju-ro 135-gil, Gangnam District
Business hours: 9 a.m. – 10:30 p.m.
Price (All room prices are made excluding the entrance fee):
Entrance fee: 33,000 per person (for three hours)
Red Room: 6,000 won
Purple Room: 50,000 won
Black Room: 120,000 won
Phone number: 02) 3444-9608

BY LEE JUNG-JOO [lee.jungjoo@joongang.co.kr]