Kary and I were excited to check out Jeju Sauna – the Korean health and wellness spa in Gwinnett County, just north of Atlanta.  It wasn’t that long ago that we’d been to South Korea; Jeju Island was our favorite spot so many happy memories flowed to the surface as we planned our day of pampering.

Jeju Island, off the south coast of South Korea, is nicknamed the “Hawaii of Korea.”  It’s a volcanic landscape, with gorgeous beaches on the north coast.  Inland, you’ll find centuries-old lava cave tubes, Hallasan Mountain where you can hike to stunning panoramic views at the summit, and Loveland – a quirky adults-only sculpture park.  Jeju was declared one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature in a 2011 global poll.  Exploring the island was a highlight of our trip.

We couldn’t wait to experience an authentic Korean spa – something we hadn’t had time to experience during our time on Jeju Island.

Jeju Sauna & Spa

Jeju Sauna & Spa is cavernous 35,000 square feet, 2-level building with an abundance of services and amenities – some come free with your entrance pass, some a la carte.

The building was renovated in 2005 and opened in 2006. All workers came from Korea with housing provided during the entire construction process. One of the owners is Korean, specifically from Jeju Island, hence the name Jeju Sauna. According to her, “The sauna was opened to show people what Korean bathhouses are about and to help people live healthier.”

At the entrance, we’re greeted by an authentic harubang, or grandfather stone.  On Jeju Island in South Korea, these large rock statues are scattered around the island and are considered to be gods, providing both protection and fertility.   The stones were traditionally placed just outside of gates to shield against demons traveling between realities [read more]

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Disclosure:  The author and photographer were honored to be the guest of Explore Gwinnett during their visit to Jeju Sauna but as always, the opinions, reviews, and experiences are their own.