Sparex — Local services in Seoul

Sparex offers a pleasant and restful experience, perfect for a relaxing break before your flight. Despite its somewhat dated facilities, the interior design is charming, featuring traditional Korean architecture that adds a unique cultural touch to your visit.

*Ambiance and Amenities

The ambiance of Sparex is calm and welcoming. The traditional Korean architecture gives the space a distinct and comforting feel. While the facilities are older, they are well-maintained and clean, providing a decent environment for relaxation.

*Practical Details

To dry your hair, you’ll need coins for the hair dryers, which can be exchanged at the reception. It's like a little time-traveling adventure back to when everything needed a coin. The bathing area provides soap, but if you want shampoo and conditioner, you'll need to purchase those. They must have assumed everyone’s hair is naturally fabulous.

*Jjimjilbang Experience

The entrance fee is 12,000 won, which includes towels and uniforms for the jjimjilbang. The uniforms are comfortable and give you that chic spa-goer look. Plus, they’re perfect for Instagram selfies if you're into that sort of thing. The jjimjilbang is a great way to unwind, with different rooms offering varying temperatures and experiences to suit your preference. It’s like a spa version of Goldilocks—you’re sure to find the one that’s just right.

*Full Body Scrub

One of the highlights of visiting Sparex is the full body scrub. Highly recommended, this treatment will leave you feeling like a freshly polished pebble on the beach. The experience is invigorating and provides a thorough exfoliation, ensuring your skin feels smooth and revitalized. You’ll walk out feeling like you’ve shed an entire layer—goodbye, dead skin; hello, newly formed body!

*Final Thoughts

Overall, Sparex is a good choice for a short, restful stop before a flight. Its traditional design and practical amenities ensure a relaxing experience, despite the dated facilities. For those looking to immerse themselves in a bit of Korean culture while resting up, Sparex is a worthwhile visit. Don’t miss out on the full body scrub for an even more refreshing experience—it’s the closest thing to becoming a butterfly...

Jjimjilbang - Korean Bathhouse

For those of you who want to give it a go, hope this gives you enough information for your best experience.

Unfortunately, many jjimjilbangs had closed down since Covid. I was looking forward to but had trouble finding a decent one.

The one that I'm currently was recommended by my 2 Korean friends, it's neither the best nor the worst, it's ok if you can't find a decent one and you are desperate. It's Sparex just outside of Dongdaemun station.

Entry fee is won12,000 during the day or 15,000 overnight. Some people just leave the luggages here to just sleep overnight. You will be given 2 towels, a set of clothes and a wristband.

Put your shoes and your belongings at the shoe locker and normal locker, using the wristband;

Take off all your clothes and go to the spa/ sauna area. You will be naked in this area, no phone and clothes are allowed here. You can bring some shampoo, bodywash, toothpaste and brush and a towel in. I saw Koreans bring a bag or bucket to carry those things in. If you want to do the scrub, it's 30,000 won. A new pair of scrub mittens are available to purchase at 4,000 won. Or if you don't want to pay, they have communal ones too.

Then you go to the jjimjilbang area where you can rest, nap, eat and relax. There is also a fitness centre on B3.

massage - we tried 2 different people. Not amazing.

body scrub - it's weird but also interesting, I never felt so clean before, the skin feels very soft and nice. So totally give it a go.

Sparex has 1 hot and 1 cold pools for children, 1 cold and 3 spas for for thr ladies, 1 cool room and 1 sauna. Many shower spots, 4 spots for scrubs. There is a personal care station with skin care and shair dryer and a shop for drink and products.

The Jjimjilbang has 1 restaurant, many sleeping places, massage chairs and a massage shop. A few TVs.

Pay attention to their cleaning time when you visit。, it's noisy and staff are rough, it's not pleasant to be at the resting areas when they do. Going to the spa again might be...

It was not so easy to research and choose which Jimjilbang to visit and stay overnight. After circling around Naver & Google, few blogs and tourist websites I found Sparex, looked at other options and then found Sparex again. We went there to stay for the night and here is everything you need to know:

Can I stay overnight? - Yes, we arrived at 23:30 and left at around 10:00. No questions asked. Can I leave my luggage? - Yes, there is an open storage area, so any big backpacks or suitcases can be left. How big are the lockers inside? - Inside, you will find the usual gym lockers. So if you want to stow away a laptop, a smaller backpack with valuables, it is not a problem. Is it clean? - The place does not give you the luxury feel, but it is well maintained, clean common areas and in general a good feel. Some bathrooms are not so well-maintained. What is the procedure? - Pay, leave luggage, store shoes, go to the male/female changing room, use lockers and undress, visit the hot tubs and sauna, dry with a towel (provided), change into pajamas (provided), go to the common area for saunas (yes, sweating in pajamas is weird), canteen (drinks, food, can be paid by card.), chill areas (little houses to sleep in). How is it to spend the night? - floor is warm in some places, in some places not as much. So make sure to find a good spot, grab the foam block to use as a pillow, cover your eyes and enjoy the new sleeping experience. Yes, everyone walks barefoot. Yes, you might end up near some snorers or on a cold floor, so moving to find a better place might be needed. Yes, you can go back to the hot tubs in the morning to rejuvenate. :) YES, it is a strange night, but very much worth it. Yes, you pay around 15...