Busan, Jung-dong, Dalmaji (Haeundae) - Vesta Spa & Fitness

Vesta Spa & Fitness is currently under construction. It is scheduled to be completed on June 1, 2010. I believe they are closed for business during this time; I'd recommend calling ahead if you plan on visiting this month.

This large, well-located spa has a long reputation among foreigners and Koreans alike in Busan. Since I've heard so many good things about the place, I had high expectations. Luckily, I had the treat of visiting with someone who had been there many times before, including once long ago. She was able to offer some well-needed insight on my experience.

As soon as I arrived, from the back of the building it turned out, I noticed the unassuming entrance with a boardwalk around to the front. That's where I first saw the incredible view from their excellent location. Inside, it was clear how long they've been at their excellent location. The lockers are worn, and the keys and outfits show it too. Once in the water, you'll notice even the shower water is a bit salty (not sure what that's about, though my friend said it wasn't always like that) and the tubs could be filtered better. I was there on a Thursday afternoon and they were cleaning one of the main baths~ a tad disappointing.

Despite this, the view from the sauna was enough to make me forget the downsides. Just outside on the veranda there's a nice hot tub with some sunshine, surrounding privacy fence, and foliage. It faces seaside, so bring your shades: it gets bright!

In the jjimjilbang you can find most of the traditional rooms like yellow-soil, fire-hot (bulgama), and pretty jewelry room. There's also a small ice room, sports massage, nail art, aroma therapy, and a DVD resting room. Again, the view from here makes up for a lot.

Outside of the jjimjilbang you can find some small co-ed swimming pools (you can rent a suit for 2,000 won!) and the Sky Lounge, perfect for relaxing in the sun or enjoying some sea air with your sweetie. Since I visited during wintertime I didn't get to enjoy it. (Look for updates soon.^^)

I had a nice time here but I'd say it doesn't exactly live up to it's reputation any more. According to my friend, when it was a much nicer newer place it was the best in town. After years of heavy tourist traffic Vesta has started to show it's age, but don't cross it off your list yet - it still offers one of the best views of the seaside in Haeundae and is overall a lovely place to relax.

부산 해운대구 중동 1509-6
Busan, Haeundae-gu, Jung-dong 1509-6
051-743-5705
Open 24 Hours

RATES
Sauna : Adults 5,000   Children 3,000
Sauna & Jjimjilbang : Adults 8,000   Children 5,000

Wikimapia of Vesta Spa & Jjimjilbang

Busan, Haeundae, Jung-dong - Rodeo Jjimjil Town

I'm expanding the overview on Haeundae.  This entry will include a personal review and more details.

Rodeo Jjimjil Town (로데오찜질타운)
You can find this place in the Rodeo Outlet shopping area south of the Jung-dong subway station. Naver users rated this place 10.0 out of 10 (17 ratings)!

Rodeo is a great place to shop, there are a few good places to eat, and also this little gem.  On the top floor of the outlet stores, a large reception desk greets you.  The dressing room is a long hall with lots of little nooks for the lockers.  That keeps the place cozy and quiet.  It is overall a small place, but very nice and super clean.  When I walked into the bath area, I was greeted by an amazing woodsy smell.  Pine maybe?  Or cedar?  I'm not sure, but it was great.  There are 3 tubs, cold, warm, and hot, and a dry sauna room.  Lots of sit-down showers and 6 standing stalls.  The standing showers are those huge, rainfall shower heads - stellar!
So, like I said, the facilities are a bit limited but what's there was really done right.

To get to the jjimjilbang, you walk through a long skyway across to the other building.  There's an outdoor area with foot spas and doctor fish, but it wasn't open when I was there.  (More info on that coming soon.)  The main jjimjilbang area is a long rectangle with the TV positioned at one end.  Although things are packed in pretty tightly, it seemed to stay quiet - maybe the high ceilings help dissipate sounds.  Anyway, here you'll find the typical cafe, restaurant, rooms of varying temperatures, sleeping caves, and gender-segregated sleeping rooms.  There's a second level on each side of the hall; on one side the stairs go up to the sleeping caves.  Being up above keeps them very quiet.  The other side's stairs lead to the skin care & massage, PC room, children's play area, and the singing rooms.  Also, there were a couple rooms at or just above room-temperature.  I hate it when there are only hot or super hot rooms to choose from.  One room in particular was distinctive:  room-temperature, and the walls are lined with trees.  The outside parts of the tree, like a log cabin but with the bark on.  Surprisingly, it wasn't that uncomfortable to lean up against either, and this room smelled like your grandparent's lake cabin in the summer.

Probably the best part is the fact that this jjimjilbang utilizes the fact that it's on the top floor.  Just outside the entrance from the skyway into the jjimjilbang area there is a garden with platforms to relax on in good weather (pictured below).  Also, the smoking area is a lovely patio with picnic tables out on the other corner.  Because it's open-air and large enough, I could enjoy some time out there as well, without getting second-hand smoke.

I had a nice time there, and will definitely be going back.  Remember everyone:  if you take my advice and visit any of these saunas, please come back and comment or rate them for other readers!

부산 해운대구 중동 1775-7 해운대비치아울렛 401호
051-743-7111
Map of Rodeo Jjimjil Town Haeundae

Haeundae Area Jjimjilbang Overview

In this post, I will give you an overview of 6 saunas and jjimjilbang in the Haeundae, Jung-dong, and Jangsan area of Busan.  I'm looking for ratings, and comments about these places as I haven't been able to go to all of them yet.
This map link below will show the whole area with all places tagged.  (The individual map links below will show a zoomed-in view of each building.)

Map of Haeundae area spas

1. Vesta Sauna & Resort (베스타 사우나 & 리조트)

Excellent spa on Dalmaji Hill just north of Haeundae Beach.  A bit off the beaten path, but once you see it you won't regret the walk.
부산 해운대구 중동 1509-6
051-743-5705
Map of Vesta Resort Haeundae

2. Haeundae Oncheon Center (해운대 온천센터)
Well-traveled, nice place to stay near the beach.  No ice room, but otherwise well-equipped.  Super convenient location between beach and Sfunz/Haeundae Station.
부산 해운대구 중동 1378-18
051-740-7000
Map of Haeundae Oncheon Center

3. Rodeo Jjimjil Town (로데오찜질타운)
You can find this place near the Rodeo Outlet shopping area south of the Jung-dong subway station.
부산 해운대구 중동 1775-7 해운대비치아울렛 401호
051-743-7111
Map of Rodeo Jjimjil Town Haeundae

4. Beach Leisure-Tel Jjimjilbang (비치레저텔해수이온찜질방)
This one is quite a ways up the beach, past Paradise Hotel.  If you will be in this area, or if everywhere else is full, it will serve it's purpose though.  It is next to the ferry terminal for harbor tours and overlooks the beach and sea.  I'll have to visit on a nice day and check out the view!
부산 해운대구 중1동 957-2
051-742-3336
Map of Beach Leisure-Tel Jjimjilbang Haeundae

5. Haeundae Leisure (해운대 레저)
This looks to be a really nice place spanning 3 floors (5th -7th) of the Sejong World Plaza.  It's conveniently located just outside the Jangsan subway station, exit 3 or 5.  It is next to Primus Theatre, and across from 2001 Outlet and Cinus Theatre.
부산 해운대구 좌동 1479-3 세종월드프라자 5, 6, 7층
051-701-0391
Map of Haeundae Leisure/ Sejong World Plaza Building

6. Daeha Ga-jok Gungang Land (대하가족건강랜드)
To get to this place, use exit 10 from Jangsan subway station.  Just walk straight a few minutes to the 5-way intersection.  It will be on your right, before you cross the intersection.  Users on Naver give this sauna a high rating and it covers 3 floors in the building.  Seems to me like this may be a good alternative to the busy Haeundae Leisure at Jangsan.
부산 해운대구 좌동 1461-4 대하프라자 9-12층
051-702-0041~2
Map of 대하가족건강랜드

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