The best Korean spas to plan a visit to in the US
Though K-beauty first landed stateside back in 2011 — when Dr.Jart+ flooded the shelves of Sephora stores across the country and spawned the BB cream craze — South Korean skincare products have experienced a resurgence in popularity in the past few years.
Thanks to the boom of TikTok reviews and unwavering obsession with K-pop and K-dramas, Americans can’t seem to slather on enough essences, sleeping masks and snail mucin in the name of achieving glass skin.
Related: How to get to South Korea on points and miles
The latest Korean beauty trend to sweep the U.S. isn’t a particular brand or product, though. Rather, it's communal public bathing.
This self-care ritual emerged during Japan’s brutal occupation of Korea to cater to the colonialists. It continued to flourish after the Japanese surrendered and retreated in 1945.
Now, Korean bathhouses are far more than places to get squeaky clean with a Korean body scrub. They’re also places to disconnect from stress, socialize, tuck into Korean cuisine and even squeeze in a restorative nap.
Here in America, people have quickly caught on to the myriad benefits of Korean bathhouses and day spas. Note: Check your modesty at the door, as you (and every other guest) are required to be nude once inside the facilities.
Below are seven of the best Korean spas to check into for a little rest and relaxation — all of which are in or near major cities.
Wi Spa — Los Angeles
Though Los Angeles is jam-packed with Korean day spas, Wi Spa consistently lands at the top of many lists with its comprehensive offerings and wallet-friendly prices.
The four-floor complex sitting on Wilshire Boulevard in Koreatown has everything you’d expect from a traditional bathhouse (saunas, pools, relaxation rooms). It also has a dedicated zone for children, a rooftop deck for sunning, a fitness center and even the option to stay overnight for a modest fee.
The price for a daypass is $30, and Korean body scrubs start at $60.
SoJo Spa Club — Edgewater, New Jersey
If you live in New York City, an easy 45-minute ride on the 158 bus from Port Authority Bus Terminal will drop you off in front of one of the country’s most famous places to get a Korean body scrub — and much more. This impressive wellness haven stretches over a whopping 140,000 square feet and also offers massages incorporating ESPA's luxurious aromatherapy oils.
The price for a daypass starts at $100, and Korean body scrubs start at $75.
King Spa & Sauna — Niles, Illinois
For one of the most affordable self-care sessions in the greater Chicago area, hop in the car and head to Niles, Illinois. The 50-minute drive will lead you to King Spa & Sauna, a massive 34,000-square-foot complex. It boasts nine unique healing rooms, including an amethyst-studded one that reportedly helps calm the mind and nervous system.
Feeling peckish? Swing by the food court for Korean comfort food like dumplings and bibimbap.
The price for a daypass is $50, and Korean body scrubs start from $90.
Parkside Spa & Sauna — Annandale, Virginia
Approximately 18 miles southwest of Washington, D.C., Annandale’s claim to fame is a bevy of Korean restaurants, from old-school bakeries to hip barbecue joints. With the opening of Parkside Spa & Sauna in 2022, it’s become a wellness destination, too.
The facilities aren’t as sprawling as other traditional Korean spas, but they’re spotless and include unique amenities such as a Roman-style sweat room.
The price for a daypass starts at $45, and Korean body scrubs start at $75.
Gangnam Spa — Houston
Merging traditional Korean spa practices with other wellness modalities, including an oxygen lounge and Nano Clay Room, Houston’s Gangnam Spa is an urban oasis that’s open 24 hours a day. It has become so popular with locals that yearly memberships with free admission and discounted services are now available.
The price for a daypass starts at $45, and Korean body scrubs start at $70.
Shangri-La Bath & Sauna — Tampa
This beloved Korean day spa is in Tampa — one of the country’s fastest-growing cities. Here, you can indulge in two popular Korean pastimes: public bathing and karaoke. Just imagine being able to buff away months of dead skin cells in under 45 minutes — and then belting your heart out in a private room. What a combo.
The price for a daypass is $33, and Korean body scrubs start at $118.
Pearl Spa and Sauna — San Francisco
In the heart of Japantown, you’ll find this bright and inviting Korean day spa created expressly for women. Though the treatment menu is abbreviated with just massages, wraps and body scrubs, everything is delivered with expert care.
Afterward, treat yourself to some cheese-smothered kalbijjim (braised short ribs) at nearby hot spot Daeho Kalbijjim & Beef Soup.
Spa access is only available with a booked treatment, and Korean body scrubs start at $90.
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.