3 Asian-style day spas close to Long Island

Lots of people are looking for new ways to recharge without the hassles that come with airports and long road trips. Many Asian-style spas offer daycation options with communal soaking pools, saunas, cultural rituals and unrushed hours for unwinding. Largely inspired by the Korean bathhouse tradition known as jjimjilbang and blended with broader Asian wellness influences, these three destinations are all within a two-hour drive of Long Island.

SPA CASTLE

131-10 11th Ave., College Point, Queens

Spa Castle, one of the largest and most activity-rich Asian-style spas near New York City, blends Korean jjimjilbang tradition with what general manager Tim Heo calls “accessible luxury,” welcoming both solo visitors and families for an all-day escape. The expansive complex consists of 13 hydrotherapy pools, 10 sauna rooms, six resting areas and three restaurants, plus spa services and free wellness classes.

“The best way to encapsulate it is to not treat your visit like a spa booking. It’s an entire experience that should take the full day,” Heo said.

Guests remove shoes upon entry, and the bathhouse that features seven temperature-varied pools requires nudity, mirroring South Korean custom. Swimwear is required in other pool areas, making much of the facility approachable for newcomers.

Hours and pricing: Daily 9 a.m.-9:30 p.m., with some variation; admission is $40-$50 with additional fees for treatments. ny.spacastleusa.com; 718-939-6300

SoJo SPA CLUB

660 River Rd., Edgewater, New Jersey

Set along the Hudson River, with sweeping views of the Manhattan skyline, SoJo Spa Club elevates the jjimjilbang model into a sleek, resort-level wellness hub. “We are not a traditional Korean spa,” said a club manager, Samantha Sierra.

Guests can wander between indoor and outdoor pools, therapeutic baths and sauna rooms, or book additional treatments like volcanic sand baths. The rooftop infinity pool is a major attraction, and the overall vibe feels more polished and upscale than most traditional bathhouses.

The resort features 22 rooms, including four luxury suites, and provides overnight guests with complimentary access to a fitness center, yoga studio and modern coworking space with conference rooms.

Hours and pricing: Open daily from 9 a.m.-9:30 p.m.; day passes run $90-$135 for full access to pools, saunas and baths, with additional costs for treatments and meals. Reservations, especially on weekends, are recommended. sojospaclub.com; 201-313-7200

KING SPA

321 Commercial Ave., Palisades Park, New Jersey

At King Spa, the signature experience centers on its traditional Korean dry saunas. The most intense is the bulhanjeungmak, a dome-shaped kiln heated by burning oak wood, a 500-year-old process designed to encourage deep sweating and relief from aches.

Guests can rotate through themed rooms like the mineral-rich clay room or the Himalayan salt room, and distinctive spaces like the gold pyramid and amethyst rooms. Many alternate the heat with visits to ice rooms.

Between sauna sessions, guests refuel with traditional Korean comfort food such as bibimbap, ramen and handmade dumplings.

Hours and pricing: Open daily from 9 a.m.-2 a.m.; general admission from $50-$80.
Last entry at 11 p.m.
thekingspanj.com; 201-947-9955