I first visited a Korean Spa about 5 years ago. I was thrilled when one opened closer to my house in Edison, New Jersey. A quick 30 minute drive brought me to Island Spa & Sauna. Upon entering, you pay admission, schedule any spa appointments, and are given a barcode bracelet with a number, and a key. You’re also given a spa uniform, red for women, and gold for men, consisting of a comfortable t-shirt, and shorts. The number on your bracelet corresponds with your locker in the lobby, where you remove your shoes, and put them away. Korean spas are barefoot environments.
After removing your shoes, you go to the locker room. My traditional routine is to soak in the jet spas first, since you have to soak for 30 minutes before the scrub. Everyone must shower before soaking, and the soaking spas are nude, which is why they are not co-ed. There is a hot herbal bath, a hot bath, a warm bath, and a cool bath. Two nude steam rooms are available as well.
The first time I received a body scrub, I was shocked at how much dead skin came off! A woman wearing a black bra and panties uses two scrubbing cloths, and a scrub to exfoliate your entire body. When I say entire body, I mean ENTIRE body. You lay on a massage bed, and off comes the skin The entire process takes 30 minutes, and is concluded with being splashed with a bucket of warm water, and oil. Then, you shower again. There is an option for a massage with the scrub, but I usually skip the massage. I’ve never been a massage person, which sounds strange, because most people love massages, but I don’t.
Post-scrub, I change into my uniform, (no bra) and begin my next tradition. I lay in one of the comfy reclining chairs, and look at my phone for about another 30 minutes. Yeah, I know it’s a place to relax, but it’s pretty common for people to bring laptops, and do work at the spa, and since I work from home, I can work in a variety of places. There are a variety of chairs, couches, and beanbags to relax on. Most people read, meditate, work, and of course, do nothing. There is a smoothie bar with light snacks, and of course, a food court, but we’ll get to that later.
There are multiple dry saunas that range in high temperatures. You can sit, or lay down on the floor, and allow the toxins to be released. I usually start with the lowest temperature, and work my way up. They are stacked with charcoal, clay, salt, or healing gemstone crystals, and each room has a specific purpose. In between rooms, be sure to drink some water, (They provide complementary cucumber lemon water) or go into the ice room. The one room I rarely go into is the Rain Forest room, because it’s humid, and that’s not so great for my hair. I must say that having natural hair has made the spa experience much more convenient, because I have to do less to my hair post-sauna, because it’s curly. There are complimentary yoga classes on weekdays, and a dark room for sleeping. Besides the body scrub, you can book appointments for facials, skincare treatments, and massages for additional fees.
The food court, or should I say dining area has a great menu full of Asian cuisine, and a sushi bar. My go-to meals are the chicken teriyaki, salmon roll with avocado and cucumber, or ramen. By ramen, I mean REAL ramen, not instant ramen. It’s real ramen with broth, vegetables, and a ramen egg. They scan your bracelet, and the charge is added to your account. After lunch, I retreat back to one of the reclining chairs to take a break. It’s not good to go back to the hot saunas after eating.
The final stop before heading back to the locker room is the ice room. The purpose of the ice room is to regulate your body temperature after being in the hot saunas. I love getting a good sweat, and knowing my body is being cleansed of toxins. I shower, do a Korean sheet mask, and get dressed. When checking out, all the services you booked, and food or beverage purchases are billed, and you pay. The spa is open 24 hours on the weekend, and you can stay the night, and get billed for another day of admission at the 24th hour of your stay.
It’s one of my favorite experiences, and I will continue to go every month.
Packing list:
Change of clothes, including fresh underwear
Deodorant
Razor (I use Venus Spa Breeze, because they have shave gel in the cartridge, and that it eliminates the need to buy or pack shave gel)
Skincare products; face wash, eye cream, moisturizer, masks (masks are also available to purchase at the spa)
Phone charger
Hair products
Toothpaste, toothbrushes, body wash, lotion, cotton swabs, and towels are provided.