Jeju Sanbangsan Tansan Hot Springs Pension

Give it a try, and don't miss the 35k won scrub, which is cash only. Worth every won. It's good value if you can overlook some of the surroundings as a foreigner. The place is foreigner friendly, even though the English is broken. People are friendly regardless.

I was worn out after several days of walking, so I tried the spa. Buying a ticket was simple, and they even had a sign in English. Upstairs in the locker room, though, no one used English, and since it was my first visit, an instruction sheet in English would have helped. I couldn't find my phone to translate. After changing into my bathing suit, I tried to go in, but a staff member stopped me, mimed washing my hands, then pointed at his privates. I was tired and confused, so I left. Afterward, reading other reviews, I realized I was meant to shower first. I'm still getting used to Korean showers, and I had seen slippers on the bathroom floor, which in retrospect was the shower area.

The carbonated hot spring water felt incredibly therapeutic to me. Tiny bubbles cling to your skin like a bubbly layer. It's said to help with inflammation and circulation, including reducing artery clots. The water can look a little muddy, but I thought the effect was amazing. Definitely worth trying. After the bath, the cafeteria is a nice place to unwind, with homemade Korean food prepared for local tastes.

I still remember my visit in May 2023 fondly, so I wanted to leave a review. It was my first authentic Korean spa in Korea, and the staff helped me understand what to do. You'll need a car on Jeju Island, and this is a great stop after driving down to the south side.