Brrr! It's suddenly chilly in California, and what better way to beat the cold than with a spontaneous trip to a Korean sauna? That's right – we found ourselves at I SPA in Irvine this weekend, ready to thaw out and relax!
As we stepped inside, the warmth of the sauna beckoned, and our frozen fingers eagerly reached for our wallets to pay the entry fee. $35 for adults and $25 for the kiddos – not bad for a six-hour escape into bliss!
But wait, there's more! If you're feeling fancy and craving a traditional scrub, you can reserve your spot when you pay the admission fee, the service is $65 per person for approx 30 minutes. Trust me, it's worth it for the ultimate relaxation experience!
After paying fees, we were handed keys to our lockers.
(Because taking photos in the changing room area is not allowed, just listen to my description! 😂)
The changing and bathing areas are quite clean, and the staff replenish clean towels regularly. The scrubbing and bathing areas are next to each other. There is a small TV displays appointment times and bed numbers for body scrub.
Even if you don't know how to read it, no worries! Just arrive five minutes early. When it's time, someone will come out and call your number (which matches your locker number).
At this point, you must take off everything you were wearing (so shy! 🙈) and follow the person into the scrubbing area. The lady who scrub my body was thorough, spending about 30 minutes scrubbing me multiple times and even washing my hair! 😂
Afterward, you'll receive an envelope – yes, it's for tipping! If you forgot to bring cash, no problem, there's an ATM by the entrance. Just slip the tip inside and hand it over in the scrubbing area!
Post-scrub, it's imperative to don your clothes before venturing into the co-ed sauna area – unless you're up for some unintentional surprises😂
Speaking of the sauna, imagine stepping onto heated floors that hug you like a warm blanket. It's pure bliss and the perfect spot to unwind and let your worries melt away.
As you venture further inside, there's even a children's playroom!
I found this design to be quite thoughtful because, let's face it, kids can't sit still for long. Providing a space for them to play games and chat is pretty neat.
And if you keep going further, you'll find various heated rooms. I must say, the selection is a bit less than what I expected – only about five or six heated rooms. It made me feel a bit disappointed 😂
Feeling hungry? The on-site Korean restaurant serves various selection, from typical Korean meal to refreshing juice.
There are plenty of seats inside – some resemble typical restaurant tables and chairs, while others are these cozy floor seating arrangements. The floors on the raised platforms even radiate warmth, providing a soothing experience😌
🌞 ordered this BBQ beef rib, and while the meat was well-seasoned and flavorful, it was a bit tough to chew due to the excess tendons.
As for my order of pork bone soup, I'm not sure what happened, but they brought out something entirely different! 😂 Unfortunately, it lacked flavor altogether, and even the side dishes were rather lackluster. In the end, I couldn't finish it – quite a rarity for a Korean food enthusiast like myself! 😂
If you're not too hungry when you visit, I'd suggest holding off on dining here. Save your appetite for nearby eateries with tastier options🤭
But overall, the sauna and facilities at this place are pretty good. So, if relaxation is what you're after, I'd say give it a go!!
I SPA
Address: 2332 Barranca Pkwy, Irvine, CA 92606
