2022 is going to stick in my memory as the year I caught COVID and had a rough time of it. The infection itself cleared up quickly, but the fatigue really dragged on. I assumed I would get better if I just rested, but after a few months of that I realised it does not work that way. You have to rest actively for your health to improve. So what I did was go around the saunas in the city.
Gindaco
There is a Starfield at the end of Line 5, in Hanam, and it turns out Gindaco has opened a branch there. I was so pleased to see it that I took a photo.
Roughly this kind of atmosphere..
When I went to Starfield Hanam in the past the route was a bit of a maze, but now that Line 5 runs out there it takes a while, yet it is much easier to reach.
A view like this..
The Aquafield entrance
Most places like this give you a discount if you go in after 3pm. Taking photos inside would be a bit much, so I did not, but the facilities really were excellent. There were loads of couples there on dates as well. On the other hand, maybe because it is family-oriented, the bath temperature was not very high. Water temperature is what matters if you want to work the tiredness out, so that was a bit of a shame.
Prima Spa Cheongdam
This place has been famous around the neighbourhood for ages. I had always thought it was a hotel, but it looks like they have turned the whole thing into a spa.
The menu
There is a menu like this in the lounge area. You can probably get a proper meal here too.
Soft persimmon sujeonggwa
It is not cheap, but it tastes good, and drinking it after sweating buckets in the outdoor sauna, it felt worth the price.
Hotel Prima has good service but the bath is a little small, and the bigger problem is that people with tattoos come in as well. There are all sorts of tattoos, and if it is a fashion tattoo I can shrug it off, but some of the people had tattoos that looked like they came with a story behind them, so I got spooked and I do not think I will be going back.
The sauna at Hotel Riverside
Among the hotel saunas that non-guests can use, this has to be the most famous one. The facilities really are lovely.
Seafood ramyeon
I was hungry so I ordered it, and it was a bit spicy but tasty. If you want a slightly luxurious sauna trip, I reckon this is the best option.
Gold Rose bulhanjeungmak in Seolleung
It turns out Seolleung has a big sauna as well. It is quite a large place.
Sikhye and gimbap
That is the jjimjilbang basics right there. The place is a bit shabby, but the water temperature is good and the jjimjilbang area is roomy and comfortable, so I liked it quite a lot. And of course it is far cheaper than a hotel.
Starfield Samsong
Starfield Samsong looks a bit far away, but we have Tigre Seoul in Yeonsinnae. It is a nice spot to swing by after a Tigre run. You can get there directly by bus, too.
The scenery
This area looks set to develop a lot as well. Apparently the Changneung district, one of the third-wave new towns, is coming here too. Honestly, seeing things like this makes me think you only get property information once you are running a business.
Inside
I took a photo of the interior while nobody was around, and it is spotless. Fundamentally it is not that different from Hanam, but maybe because it is a newer Starfield, it somehow felt tidier.
Dragon Spa in Yongsan
I went here thinking it was open, only to find it shut, so the trip was a bust..
New Geopyeong Jjimjilbang
It is a jjimjilbang in Gangnam, small in scale but with hot water. That said, I got the feeling that a lot of the clientele work in a certain line of business. Night-time is a bit iffy, so going during the day seems the better bet.
World Cup Spa Land
It is a big place. It was fine for a sauna, but the temperature control was hard to pin down, so I am not sure I will go again.
Having done the rounds of saunas like this, I more or less got back to normal condition. Long COVID, is that what they call it? COVID really is nasty. Crises in life come around regularly, so I think I need to be preparing for them a bit further in advance.
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