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 Seoulβ¦an interesting cultural episode. 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. I find that interesting since it can vary so much from country to country, even within a region. 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. And the place was packed! I appreciate that South Koreans take their spas very seriously! Matthew is an avid traveler who calls Los Angeles home. Each year he travels more than , miles by air and has visited more than countries. Working both in the aviation industry and as a travel consultant, Matthew has been featured in major media outlets around the world and uses his Live and Let's Fly blog to share the latest news in the airline industry, commentary on frequent flyer programs, and detailed reports of his worldwide travel.
The whole post is just an opportunity for the Matthew-stans to bring their drooling out in public for a moment. Matthew β stupid question. I see a sign in the last photo. Or did you get permission to enter when it was closed? 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. Oh he totally enjoys it. Just a funny story..
