Select Feature: Inside The Spa Club New York

Had a little day at the spa!

There’s something about a spa day that feels like a total reset! The Spa Club is exactly what I needed, but nothing that I expected.

The Spa Club is a sleek Korean spa in the heart of Koreatown, NYC. It doesn’t have that hushed, dimly lit vibe that many spas have (see my post on design & atmosphere for more insight into why this is common), but rather a clean, modern, “corporate slickness” feel. This is fairly common in urban Korean spas, due to their extended hours (they’re open until 12am) and focus on health and hygiene. A sleek, modern aesthetic reinforces the idea of cleanliness and efficiency, which is essential in higher-traffic spa environments in the middle of a bustling city.

When you check in, they give you a Korean face mask and a uniform to wear (white for men, pink for women).

The layout is straightforward; men and women have different entrances for locker rooms, with gender-separated steam rooms and hot tubs. From the locker rooms, you go down the stairs to the coed area where there is a cafeteria, three dry saunas, and a sleeping room (imagine taking a lunch break here!).

There are other areas that provide specialty treatments, like a body massage room, targeted therapy room, and couples exclusive room, but we did not book any treatments outside of our general admission entry.

I was here with my boyfriend as my plus one, so after changing, putting away my things, and spending some time in the steam room and hot tub, I made my way downstairs to meet up with him for some much-needed sauna time.

The Saunas: A Three Room Tour

Each sauna has it’s own vibe and proposed benefits:

Jimjilbang

This room is made from environmentally friendly materials such as Korean red clay, clay blocks, sage bushes, and straw. It claims to improve blood circulation, increase metabolism, and relax muscles and joints.

Red Clay Room

This room is made out of traditional Korean red clay and claims to purify the body by opening up the pores and removing harmful toxins from the body. This one felt the hottest and was probably my favorite!

Salt Room

This room is made from salt rocks from the Himalayas and claims to boost bone strength and reduce osteoporosis. I thought this one was the most unique with the salt brick-lined walls.

There’s also a red clay rest area to take a peaceful nap or just relax, but we skipped that one.

The Cafeteria: Surprisingly Good!

The Spa Club delivers on the Korean food and drinks. The menu is full of classic Korean staples like bulgogi, ramyeon, and yuzu tea. I got donkatsu with a honey yuzu iced tea and my boyfriend got the bulgogi with a grapefruit lemonade. It all was delicious, and the portion sizes were large enough for an evening meal. My donkatsu was well-seasoned, comforting, and exactly what I needed after sweating out half of my body weight.

The Gender-Separated Section: Steam, Soak, Repeat

After eating, we split up to spend more time in the steam room and hot tub in our respective locker rooms. The steam room was intense in the best way; hot, humid, and herbal. I showered after the steam room and then took a dip in their large and bubbly hot tub, which was the perfect temperature. I was the only one in the women’s bathhouse, so I got to experience these amenities in solitude. I would recommend going around 7pm or 8pm on a weekday, as the spa was pretty quiet at this time and we were alone in most of the saunas, as well.

Final Thoughts: Worth It?

The Spa Club is a solid option if you’re looking for a sleek, no-fuss Korean spa experience that delivers where it counts; clean environment, good saunas, solid food, and an easy-going atmosphere.

I would definitely go back, especially if I was in the mood for a casual, low-effort spa day. Overall I had a great experience, and left feeling peaceful and ready for a relaxing evening at home!