King Spa is a jjimjilbang in Chicago's Koreatown with separate gender bathing areas, saunas, and common lounges
King Spa operates as a traditional Korean bathhouse, or jjimjilbang, located in Chicago. The facility has gender-separated bathing areas where you soak, shower, and use different temperature pools. Outside those areas, men and women mix in common spaces: a clay sauna room, a jade sauna room, a sleeping area, a restaurant, and a game room. You pay one entrance fee that covers access to all areas for the duration of your visit.
The bathhouse is open 24 hours, so you can arrive at any time of day or night. Most visitors spend between two and eight hours there. Some come for the bathing ritual itself; others come to use the saunas, eat, sleep, or straightforward spend time in the common lounges. There is no time limit, though staying overnight costs more than a day visit.
King Spa is one of several jjimjilbangs in the Chicago area. It is not a medical facility, a gym, or a spa offering massage or beauty treatments — it is a public bathhouse where the main activity is bathing and heat exposure in different rooms.
Key Takeaways
- King Spa charges one entrance fee that covers all bathing areas, saunas, lounges, and common spaces for the length of your stay.
- The bathing areas are gender-separated, but saunas and lounges are open to all visitors regardless of gender.
- The facility operates 24 hours, and you can stay as long as you want, though overnight rates differ from daytime rates.
- You will need to bring or rent a locker key, towel, and bathing suit depending on which areas you use.
- The restaurant serves Korean food and drinks, and the sleeping area has mats and blankets available for rest.
What You Pay and What That Covers
King Spa charges a single entrance fee that grants you access to the entire facility for your visit. The cost varies depending on whether you are visiting during the day or staying overnight. Day rates are lower than overnight rates. Prices also differ for adults and children, and some visitors pay a reduced rate if they are seniors or military.
The entrance fee includes access to the gender-separated bathing areas with multiple pools at different temperatures, both the clay sauna and jade sauna rooms, the common lounges, the sleeping area, and the restaurant. You do not pay extra to use any of these spaces once you have paid to enter. If you want to rent a locker, towel, or bathing suit, those rentals cost additional money and are paid separately at the front desk.
You can bring your own towel and bathing suit to avoid rental fees. Many regular visitors keep a locker at the facility for a monthly fee, which means they do not have to rent or bring items each visit.
The Bathing Areas and How They Work
King Spa has separate bathing areas for men and women. Each area contains multiple pools and tubs filled with water at different temperatures — some very hot, some warm, and some cold. There are also showers, a sauna, and a scrubbing area where you can wash before entering the pools.
The typical routine is to shower first, then move between pools of different temperatures. Some people spend time in the hottest pool, then jump into a cold pool. Others soak slowly in warm water. There is no required order or time spent in each pool. You can stay in one pool for five minutes or an hour.
The bathing areas are for bathing only — you wear a bathing suit in the pools and showers. The gender separation ends once you leave the bathing area. You then move into the common spaces where men and women are together.
The Saunas, Lounges, and Sleeping Area
After bathing, most visitors move to the sauna rooms. King Spa has a clay sauna and a jade sauna, both of which are open to all visitors regardless of gender. These rooms are hotter and drier than the pools. You sit or lie on the floor, and the heat comes from the walls and floor. Some people nap in the saunas; others sit and talk.
The common lounges have chairs, couches, and tables where you can rest, watch television, or spend time with friends. The sleeping area has mats and blankets laid out on the floor. You can sleep there for free as part of your visit, though overnight visitors typically pay a higher entrance rate than daytime visitors.
The restaurant serves Korean food and drinks. You order and pay for food separately from your entrance fee. Many visitors eat a meal during their stay, and some come primarily to eat and use the lounges rather than spend time in the water.
What to Bring and What to Rent
You must bring a bathing suit to use the pools and showers. You can bring your own towel, or you can rent one at the front desk for a small fee. Lockers are available to store your belongings while you are in the bathing areas and saunas. You can rent a locker key for your visit, or pay a monthly fee to keep a permanent locker.
Most people bring a change of clothes to wear after bathing and before leaving. The facility provides basic toiletries in the bathing areas, but many visitors bring their own shampoo, conditioner, and soap. Flip-flops or shower shoes are useful for walking between wet areas.
If you plan to sleep overnight, bring a pillow or use the facility's blankets and mats. The sleeping area is climate-controlled but can be cool, so a light jacket or sweater is helpful if you are sensitive to temperature.
Hours, Location, and How to Get There
King Spa is located in Chicago's Koreatown neighborhood and is open 24 hours every day. The address and directions are available on the facility's website or through a map process. Public transportation serves the area, and there is parking available near the building.
Because the facility is open around the clock, you can visit at any time that suits your schedule. Some people go late at night or early in the morning to avoid crowds. Weekends and evenings tend to be busier than weekday afternoons.
The facility is accessible by car, bus, and train. If you are driving, arrive early enough to find parking, as the lot can fill during peak hours. If you are using public transit, check the schedule to confirm the last train or bus of the night if you are planning a late visit.
Rules and Etiquette
King Spa has rules to keep the facility clean and safe for all visitors. You must shower before entering the pools. You cannot wear street clothes in the bathing areas or saunas. Bathing suits are required in the pools. Children under a certain age may have restrictions on which areas they can use.
Etiquette matters in a shared space. Keep noise at a reasonable level, especially in the sleeping area. Do not take photographs in the bathing areas or saunas. Respect other people's space and belongings. If you are unsure about a rule, ask a staff member at the front desk.
The facility prohibits outside food and alcohol in most areas, though the restaurant serves both. Smoking is not permitted indoors. If you have questions about what is allowed, the staff can answer them when you arrive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I stay overnight at King Spa?
Yes. King Spa is open 24 hours, and you can stay as long as you want. Overnight rates are higher than daytime rates. The sleeping area has mats and blankets, and you can rest there as part of your stay. Many people come specifically to sleep there after using the saunas and pools.
Do I have to use the bathing areas, or can I just use the saunas and lounges?
You can use any combination of spaces. Some visitors come only for the saunas and restaurant, and never enter the bathing areas. The entrance fee covers all areas, so you choose how to spend your time.
What is the difference between the clay sauna and the jade sauna?
Both are dry heat rooms, but the clay sauna and jade sauna have different materials and may feel slightly different in temperature and humidity. Both are open to all visitors. Most people try both and see which they prefer.
Is there a dress code in the common areas?
Yes. You must wear clothes in the lounges, sleeping area, and restaurant. You can wear the bathing suit you used in the pools, or change into regular clothes. Street clothes are not permitted in the bathing areas or saunas.
Can I bring children?
Yes, but there may be age restrictions for certain areas. Young children may not be permitted in the gender-separated bathing areas, or may have limited access. Ask the staff at the front desk about what areas are open to your child's age group.