battle of the texas jjimjilbang: spa world houston and spa castle dallas

one of my favorite places is a good korean spa, or jjimjilbang. these 24/7 indoor meccas to heat and wellness began in korea in the 1990s. they typically contain gender segregated hot pools where you are not allowed to wear any clothes. this is followed by putting on a facility-provided sweat suit and entering a large co-ed area in which there are a multitude of saunas of varying heat, humidity, essences and themes, an ice-cold room, and places to relax and sleep. and food in the in-spa restaurant, because you are going to spend the entire day there. the best jjimjilbang in the united states are in southern california and in texas. i was able to visit the brand-new spa world in houston and spa castle in dallas in short succession, and they are both amazing! both were completely empty as it was the height of the covid pandemic, which allowed me to take these photos. paradise on earth!