First-timer’s Guide to JeJu Spa

What to Expect at one of Atlanta’s Most Popular Korean Spas

For years, I’ve been intrigued by JeJu Spa in Duluth. I've seen articles, social media posts, and online reviews raving about this authentic Korean spa and wellness experience just outside Atlanta. But, like many people I’ve spoken to, one detail made me hesitant to try it—the “no clothes allowed” bathing area. No matter how much research I did, I couldn’t quite picture how it all worked, and that uncertainty kept me from trying something I desperately wanted to experience.

Enter 2025, my year of saying “yes” to the things that have eluded me until now — due to fear or missed opportunities. It was time to say yes to this experience - clothes or no clothes. I convinced my husband to join me — a decision that coincidentally aligned perfectly with our 20th wedding anniversary. What better way to celebrate two decades of marriage than by stepping out of our comfort zones together?

Planning Your Visit

We were lucky that our anniversary fell on a Wednesday, allowing us to avoid the Friday night and weekend crowds. For obvious reasons, cameras aren't allowed in the locker rooms or wet areas, so I’ve drawn a map to help you visualize the layout. As you can see from the drawing, the "no clothes allowed" area is separate, so if you're nervous, you can work up to it or simply avoid it altogether.

Here’s what happened from the moment we walked in:

Check-In Process: Easier Than Expected

We entered the lobby, a plain room with a front desk and stacks of orange spa outfits on shelves. At the front desk, you’ll:

• Hand over your ID (they hold it until you leave)

• Pay the entrance fee -- $40* per person for up to 24 hours

• Receive an orange lounge outfit: a soft pair of elastic shorts and a T-shirt (I got a medium)

• Get a numbered wristband with a key (this number corresponds to your locker)

💡*Entrance includes access to all the spa facilities, including locker room, saunas, steam room, swimming pool, hot tubs, and fitness center. Food, beverages, massages, and treatments are additional and can be purchased using your electronic wristband.

This is where my mind started racing. What now? What do I do? What happens when I open the door? Sensing my apprehension, the woman at the front desk told me that a staff member would be on the other side of the door to show me the layout and answer any questions. (My husband later told me the men’s area did not offer the same welcome— which is a shame because the tour helped ease my nerves).

JeJu from the outside, wristband with key, signs leading to separate locker rooms.

Navigating the Women’s Area

Step 1: The Shoe System

Immediately upon entering the women's area, you step into a narrow hallway lined with small cubbies. First lesson: these are for shoes only! Match your wristband number to your cubby, slip your shoes inside, and proceed to the main locker room. These cubbies don't lock, so maybe leave the Louboutins at home. (Note: this is a no-shoe establishment, including flip-flops, though I did see some people wearing socks in the sauna area.)

Step 2: Locker Room Orientation

A staff member led me to my locker (matching the number on my wristband) and instructed me to change into my orange spa outfit, which is worn in all communal areas. This was a relief -- I had imagined immediately stripping down, but that’s not the case. Once changed, she pointed out the essentials: the hot tub/no-clothes room, a stack of towels for my use, and a water station with paper cups.

Step 3: The “No Clothes Allowed” Wet Room

Still wearing my orange suit, I followed her into the wet room, separated from the locker area by a set of glass doors. She explained that a shower was required before entering hot tubs and after using facilities like the steam room. She pointed out the three hot tubs, each set to a different temperature -- cold, medium, and hot -- along with a dry sauna, a steam room, and a red light therapy platform. Then, she directed my attention to a side room dedicated to the Body Shampoo treatment.

Optional Services

Body Shampoo ($60)

Almost everyone I spoke with recommended the body shampoo — a full-body exfoliation treatment. They promised it would make my skin “feel like a dolphin.” I had imagined a private treatment room, but instead, it was an open area filled with women and little left to the imagination. I made a mental note to work up for next time.

Hip Bath ($40)

Off the locker room, there's a small room about the size of a walk-in closet. In it, women sit draped in pink sheets over steam baths infused with medicinal herbs. This hip bath is said to help with postpartum recovery, menstrual issues, constipation, yeast infections, pelvic floor health, hemorrhoids, and more. While intriguing, I decided to save this add-on service for another time. Baby steps!

The main co-ed sauna room, an inside view from a sauna, and the gold sauna.

The Communal Sauna Experience

With the locker room and wet area tour complete, my guide led me to the main spa area: the co-ed sauna room. I spotted my husband and told her we would be fine to navigate this part together.

In this room, are multiple themed saunas, each offering different benefits. We started in the salt sauna — in my opinion, the hottest one and quickly developed a rhythm: 20 minutes of heat, a quick cool down in the cold sauna, and then on to the next. The jewel sauna was my favorite, offering my ideal temperature and a beautiful mosaic interior.

The sauna area includes:

• Multiple themed saunas (salt, charcoal, clay, gold, jewel, etc.)

• A dining area/food court (meals, smoothies, coffee)

• A swimming pool (pro tip: bring a swimsuit!)

The pool, sauna room, and food court.

Taking the Plunge: The Bathing Area

After several hours of sauna-hopping, I was ready to try the traditional bathing area. I said goodbye to my husband, and we agreed to meet in the car when we were done.

Back in the women’s locker room and feeling relaxed, I stripped out of my orange uniform, grabbed two small hand-sized towels, and stepped into the wet room. 

Surprisingly, what I’d been nervous about for a decade felt completely natural.  

I showered and made my way to the hot tubs and steam room. The steam room turned out to be a highlight — it felt like a full-body massage, and the effects lasted for hours. I wanted to try the infrared platform next, but it was a bit too crowded, so I opted for the cold plunge instead.  After a day of warm saunas, it was very cold! I finished with a final shower before changing and reuniting with my husband.

Practical Tips

What to Bring: 

• Swimsuit (if you want to use the pool)

• Water bottle

• A change of underwear (you get sweaty!)

• Towel if you want something bigger (I opted to use the towels provided)

Tips for First-Timers: 

• Go on a weekday to avoid crowds

• Plan to spend at least 3-4 hours (your entrance fee includes up to 24 hours)

• Stay hydrated and take breaks between saunas

• Don’t feel pressured to try everything on your first visit

The jewel sauna, salt sauna, and charcoal sauna.

The Verdict

After a decade of hesitation, my only regret is not trying this sooner. What seemed intimidating at first felt completely natural once I was there. The atmosphere is one of tradition, acceptance, and relaxation -- a reminder that sometimes the things we fear most turn out to be the best experiences.

While my lengthy explanation might not have erased all of your fears (just as reading other reviews didn’t eliminate mine), I hope it helps ease your uncertainty. JeJu Spa is such a unique experience worth stepping out of your comfort zone for.  

I’m already planning my next visit — dolphin skin, here I come!

[Disclosure: This article reflects my independent experience at JeJu, which I visited and paid for myself.]

xoKerry