While I did not quite encounter a fully authentic Korean spa, I did get a taste of the Jjimjilbang experience while staying at the Grand Hyatt Seoul…an interesting cultural episode.
A Luxury Jjimjilbang Experience At Grand Hyatt Seoul
It had been over a decade since I last spent a night in Seoul and I really wasn’t into any sort of wellness at that time like saunas or steam baths. Now I sit in those after my workouts and it has become an important part of my routine…it’s also a time I use to meditate/pray.
A Jjimjilbang is a traditional Korean bathhouse and a cultural fixture in South Korea. These public bathhouses include gender-segregated Mogyoktang areas with hot and cold tubs, steam rooms, saunas, massage, and body scrubbing areas. They also include common areas with relaxation zones in which you can rest, eat, drink, and in some cases even sleep.
Indeed, my spa at the Grand Hyatt Seoul did not provide the full experience, but the Mogyoktang area was pretty authentic. There were saunas, steam rooms, cold plunge pools, and hot tubs. There was also little communal shower areas where you could dress and scrub your body before jumping in the pool or sauna while sitting on a stool that was only a foot off the ground.
![a shelf with towels on it](https://liveandletsfly.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Grand-Hyatt-Seoul-Review-18.jpeg)
![a room with a round staircase and chairs](https://liveandletsfly.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Grand-Hyatt-Seoul-Review-17.jpeg)
![a bathroom with a stool and mirrors](https://liveandletsfly.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Grand-Hyatt-Seoul-Wellness-1.jpeg)
And full nudity.
I find that interesting since it can vary so much from country to country, even within a region. I’m neither prudish nor unaccustomed to naked people. Spending so much time in Germany, where nudity in public baths is not only required but co-ed, I’ve seen bodies of all shapes and sizes and there’s frankly nothing prurient about it.
In Korea, the spa is truly a place where you let it all hang out. Quite a contrast from LA where people come into the sauna in their workout clothes or at least wrapped from neck to knee in towels. It wasn’t just in the sauna or steam room, though, but also in all the pools and even the lounge. And the place was packed!
Next time I’m in Korea, I’ll visit a “real” Jjimjilbang but at least I got a taste of one at the Grand Hyatt, though I hope to try out a traditional kiln sauna next time, which the hotel did not have. I appreciate that South Koreans take their spas very seriously!
I’m here purely for the comments from the fan club.
The whole post is just an opportunity for the Matthew-stans to bring their drooling out in public for a moment.
As long as that’s all they bring out….
+1. 🙂
@Matthew – stupid question. How were you able to bring your phone/camera into the bathing area? You can’t exactly be discreet when you’re naked. (I see a sign in the last photo.) Or did you get permission to enter when it was closed?
Looks pretty similar to Japanese public baths, except for the nudity in the lounge areas.
It closed at 2pm…gave me a chance to take a few pictures.
what’s your OF, daddy?
I feel there would be a large volume of signups after todays article-This is another Matthew not the author FYI LOL
Looking at the picture,I didn’t know Chris Hemsworth was present at the same time as you.
@Matthew
You can find a “real” jimjilbang in LA.
You really need to start an OF or at least post some more revealing pics, I think you enjoy the adulation from your gay fans.
Just a funny story.. I flew on a award ticket on KE and they have a free shower service with Grand Hyatt Incheon. It was like 6ish am and it was literally my first time in korea so I figured it would be fun to try something new. I went in and its almost the same as above with a few plunge pools and a sauna and to the right was a big frosted door. Of course i did a lil research on the proper manners of jimjibang. men and women are seperated and its usually full nude. no biggy. I decided to enjoy the experience and did the plunge pool and sauna and also the hot spring one. As im sitting in one of the pools, I do where does that door lead to? Im the only one in the pool area, there wasnt anyone to show me me anything. So i got curious. I open the door and it leads to another big pool. I was like cool, im gonna jump in. Just as my whole body is outside the door I realized, theres windows.. Theres a lot of windows.. This isnt just the male section, this is shared pool. I immediately turn around and into the mens side of things. I am so lucky no one was swimming in the morning. I was done with the shower experience after that. Lol adventures!!
Magnify the towel shelf image. Zoom into the knobs on the top. Check the reflection :).
There are several Jimjilbang in Koreatown in LA. On Wilshire, Olympic. Most are nice and relaxing
Oh you’re such a tease.