The "Hottest" Place to Get Naked in Atlanta: JeJu Sauna and Spa

If you've never visited a traditional Korean bathhouse (also referred to as Jjimjilbangs), you're definitely missing out on quite a colorful experience. After hearing about JeJu for quite some time, I finally decided to take the plunge and give the sauna/spa facility my undivided attention.

Upon paying the $25 admission fee, I was handed a pair of salmon-pink shorts and T-shirt, a key with a number (to which additional spa treatments are charged), and a little toothbrush. My license was held at the front desk until I'd paid for any additional services and checked out the facility.

The Traditional Bathhouse Atmosphere...

There's a lot to see, and a lot going on at JeJu Sauna and Spa. But don't be overwhelmed. First-time visitors are treated to a full tour of the premises and given instructions on how things work.

I proceeded to my assigned locker to change into my garments for the tour. My friendly guide showed me around the locker room, which is outfitted with hair dryers and various toiletries for guests. I was quite amused to find that flanking one wall was a huge glass cabinet housing some of those cosmetic supplies typically found in the back section of Cosmopolitan magazine. "Booty pads", bra inserts, and other enhancements were displayed for sale. The locker room itself was bright, clean, and buzzing with little Korean ladies (traditionally called acumas) all waiting to attend to your needs.

She then showed me the other areas of the bathhouse, which included several various igloo-shaped saunas in the main lobby, heated marble floors and a swimming pool. Each sauna room has varying health properties. A sauna outfitted with rock salt walls is said to improve the cardiovascular system. Another room with charcoal walls is said to release toxins. The jade room relieves arthritis pain and improves circulation. To the right is a Korean restaurant and lounge where one can grab a bite or sit quietly and soak up the free Wi-Fi. And since JeJu is open 24 hours, the facility is equipped with sleeping rooms, complete with thin mats and cushy pillows that look like wooden blocks.

After the brief tour, it was time to get on with the 'get on'...

Enter if You Dare...

First and foremost, it should be noted that if you have any qualms about "public" nudity, you will need to get over them quickly-or skip JeJu Sauna altogether. You will be surrounded by nudity, nonetheless. My tour guide then ushered me into the wet area where the showers and whirlpools were housed.

This area is nude only, and also houses both a dry and wet sauna, along with the body scrub and massage stations. For your relaxing pleasure, there are three whirlpools: hot, warm, and cold-each labeled as such, with colored underwater lights to distinguish the difference.

The steam sauna was instantly oppressive; huge billows of steam scented with fresh lavender haunted the little room. Though I could identify the health benefits of the experience, I could stand this room no longer than a minute (if that.) Next, was the dry sauna, which I found more palatable. Still piping hot, the dry heat in the little wood-flanked enclosure was incredibly soothing. After hanging out a few minutes while the heat tickled my nerves, I was advised that it was time for my body scrub/massage session. Visitors are required to shower immediately before their sessions. I did so, and entered the magical little body scrub room.

Now here's where things get interesting...

I was led to a white vinyl covered table and lay face down. Oddly enough, the attendants themselves wear no "uniforms"-but rather, lace bras and panties. Not exactly what I would have expected-but it made me no never mind. My cute little middle-aged attendant doused me a few times with a shallow bucket of warm water, dipped her exfoliating mitts into the lavender herbs and soap and went to work. And when I say "work"-I mean, work. Those (like me) who have never experienced this kind of body scrub may find the process a little intrusive at first. Indeed, those mitts found their way into nooks and crannies that I'm used to navigating in the privacy of my own bathtub. Even so, the session kind of made me feel like I was 3 years old, being scrubbed clean before having my bedtime snack. It was then that I realized this kind of intimate treatment is very much a part of the traditional culture. There are spiritual connotations involved in the incredibly meticulous nature of the scrubbing session. Quite literally, it seemed to last forever, with the lady (acumas, they're called in traditional bathhouses) reworking some of the same areas over and over again.

But this was only the beginning. After I showered to remove the slough of dead skin and leftover residue, I hopped back onto the table for the massage portion of my treatment. The massage actually consisted lots of vigorous kneading around my shoulder blades (I tend to hold tension there) followed by loud but painless slaps and thumps on my various muscle groups. She used a few scented oils that felt as divine as they smelled. As I lay on the table like a glazed turkey, the acuma placed a mask of raw thinly sliced cucumber all over my entire face-- an icy cold, yet refreshing little surprise (I suddenly craved salad.) My massage was concluded with a dousing of milk. I was then sent to shower once again. By the end of my session, my skin felt soft enough to slide right off my bones. Amazing.

Cleansing, Inside and Out...

To really soak up the culture (bad pun intended), allow yourself a few hours. Better yet, stay for the entire day or spend the night. Yes, JeJu like most Korean bathhouses have sleeping rooms outfitted with mats and little block-shaped pillows. Wake up feeling refreshed, and then do the whole thing all over again. These facilities are not like "spas" in the pretentious cosmetic sense. Rather, they are more like spiritual health houses, in the sense that physical cleansing (inside and out) and mental reflection work in tandem. Bathhouses were initially designed to encourage communal camaraderie; and as such, that vibe is quite evident in the personal atmosphere of JeJu Sauna.

SOURCES:

www.jejusauna.net
www.eastcoastblogspot
www.gonomad.com
www.about.com