The best luxury spas at affordable prices in Seoul

Sulwhasoo is recognised as the very first cosmetics brand to use herbal medicine, so it’s no surprise that they use it at their spa as well. As soon as you walk in, your nose is hit with the scent of medicinal herbs. They have a variety of programs with names like Baek-ja, Sul-wha-yu and Ja-eum-dan. Interestingly, they have more spa centres in Hong Kong than they do in Seoul.

Program: White Porcelain Treatment

Duration: 60 minutes

Who: People who want an elegant touch to their treatment.

Treatment: They use their own special Sulwhasoo treatment for each program. Before you get to the end of the treatment, they have a session for increasing the level of elasticity in your skin by using a cool White Porcelain Treatment. Even though they use herbal medicine, most customers are in their mid-20s to 30s.

Spamacy is a good place to have your first spa experience if you’ve never been to one. This American aesthetic brand approaches spas with a scientific method by analysing your skin type and mixing cosmetic products according to your skin needs.

Program Cure Healing Back Therapy

Duration: 1 hour

Who: First-timers, people who normally would never go to spas.

Treatment: Each program can be customised. The Cure Healing Back Therapy is the most popular out of all the basic programs. Just by having your back worked on, the stress and pain in your shoulders will be alleviated and help improve your circulation. There are ten different centres in Seoul, so it is worth checking out if one is in your neighbourhood.  

This well-known organic British brand Lush uses ingredients made from fruits, vegetables, plants and flowers. Most of their products only last for a short time because there are a lot of fresh, raw ingredients involved, but regardless, it’s popular among young adults thanks to their edgy designs and brand concept. You also get a taste of that uniqueness in their spa treatments.

Program: The Good Hour

Duration: 1 hour 10 minutes

Who: People who want spa treatments on their skin, eyes and ears.

Treatment: Using the concept of a pirate ship out at sea, The Good Hour is a program where they fill a room with mist that has been infused with their bath products of sea salt and seaweed. The program also uses blue lighting for eye therapy. They use deep tissue massage methods to get all the knots out of your muscles and help relieve all tension in your muscles by applying various types of pressure. The British sailor songs that are played in the background were produced by musical director Simon Emerson, adding some fun to your treatment. However, it might be a bit difficult to try and nap with all the upbeat music playing.