Sydney: Bliss-out at the Ginseng Bathhouse
Fancy a unique experience that will also leave your skin feeling like velvet and your body and mind completely relaxed? Spend a few hours (or the day) in this traditional Korean bathhouse, the only one of its kind in the southern hemisphere.
Many moons ago, I did some marketing for this facility and still go regularly with a gaggle of girlfriends. I should warn you though.... you will have to get nude. Not even swimming costumes are allowed. It is, however, completely segregated, with men one side and women the other. And after a few minutes, you'll probably find it quite liberating!
Spas and saunas and great big baths
Leave your clothes and worries in a locker (wear the key on wrist or ankle), head into the steamy ‘wet' area, take your seat on a tiny plastic stool and have a shower. It's very quiet and the only noise you may hear is the thwack of hand on skin coming from the separate ‘treatment room'. There's a big frothy ginseng spa (for reducing stress and softening skin), hot and cold baths and wet and dry saunas. I hit the ginseng spa for a long soak, then the sauna and when I can't breath any more, leap under the cold bath waterfall for an invigorating body tingle. Then have a splash about in the hot bath and repeat.
Get ‘The Works'
I highly recommend going traditional and picking ‘The Works': skin scrub, Korean massage and facial. A small, muscly Korean masseur will call your locker number and lead you off for an hour of sheer gorgeousness. First, you are scrubbed head to toe, with no orifice left untouched, as sheets of dead black skin rain down. After a shower, your masseur dries you, then gives you a short head massage before honey is poured on your face and covered with grated cucumber, with two slices for the eyes. It's not an attractive look, let me tell you! Then a sturdy body massage with oil and hot towels begins. After a final milk rinse-off, you'll barely be able to stagger out of the room. It's a sensory experience without compare.
And there's more....
Other massages include shiatsu, remedial, lymphatic drainage, deep tissue, pregnancy, hot stone, Swedish and sports. Reflexology, ear candling, reiki and energetic healing are also available. The Bathhouse is suitable for ages from five up. You can stay inside all day if you fancy; pop on a robe and relax in the sleeping room, a quiet, dark area with magazines and recliner lounges, before returning for more spa action. Light snacks and beverages are available. If you book a treatment, turn-up an hour before your booking time so you can soak in the baths and prepare your skin. Complimentary undercover parking available (entrance around the back in Victoria Street; push the intercom button).
Ginseng Bathhouse: Level 1, 111 Darlinghurst Rd, Kings Cross (a few steps from the train station)
Open every day: 09:30 - 21:30 (opens 09:00 on weekends)
Price: Entry to spas only: $28, Entry and skin scrub: $56, Entry and skin scrub, facial and massage: $100,
Swedish massage: $88 (60 mins)
Contact: 9356 6680
