Dragon Hill Spa & Resort
Experience a traditional Korean jjimjilbang with multiple saunas, pools, and relaxation zones. A 24-hour oasis in Seoul.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Fewer crowds, more relaxation
Dragon Hill Spa & Resort
Best Time
Fewer crowds, more relaxation
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Experience a traditional Korean jjimjilbang with multiple saunas, pools, and relaxation zones. A 24-hour oasis in Seoul.
"It's a good spot for vacation if you get a good deal but a civilian hotel may be cheaper and fancier."
Shower Before Pools
Always shower thoroughly before entering any pools or baths. It's a key part of Korean spa etiquette! :shower:
Bring Your Own Toiletries
While some are available for purchase, bringing your own shampoo and soap is recommended. :soap:
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
The Jjimjilbang Experience
Various themed rooms
Immerse yourself in traditional Korean sauna culture with heated rooms, relaxation areas, and communal baths.
Rooftop Pool & Jacuzzi
Rooftop
Enjoy a refreshing dip with city views, though some reviews mention maintenance issues.
Themed Relaxation Rooms
Multiple floors
From salt rooms to jade rooms, find unique spaces designed for ultimate relaxation and detox.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Understand the Korean Spa Culture
Navigating Base Access
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Shower Before Pools
Always shower thoroughly before entering any pools or baths. It's a key part of Korean spa etiquette! :shower:
Bring Your Own Toiletries
While some are available for purchase, bringing your own shampoo and soap is recommended. :soap:
Clarify Gate Policies
Guest pass rules can be confusing. Confirm access details with the front desk to avoid issues entering the base. :information_desk:
Expect Dated Facilities
Some areas show their age. Embrace the vintage charm and focus on the spa experience! :sparkles:
Tips
from all over the internet
Shower Before Pools
Always shower thoroughly before entering any pools or baths. It's a key part of Korean spa etiquette! :shower:
Bring Your Own Toiletries
While some are available for purchase, bringing your own shampoo and soap is recommended. :soap:
Clarify Gate Policies
Guest pass rules can be confusing. Confirm access details with the front desk to avoid issues entering the base. :information_desk:
Expect Dated Facilities
Some areas show their age. Embrace the vintage charm and focus on the spa experience! :sparkles:
Food Can Be Pricey
Restaurant and snack bar prices are on the higher side. Consider a budget-friendly meal outside if needed. :moneybag:
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Dragon Hill Spa offers a unique, traditional Korean jjimjilbang experience with extensive facilities and a 24-hour operation. While praised for its helpful staff, comfortable beds, and good location, many reviews highlight that the resort is quite dated, with some amenities showing wear and tear. Food prices are also noted as being on the higher side.
"Negatives- It’s very dated and you can’t see its age. It seems like MWR is not updating it almost like they’ll be closing it. The roof was leaking in the Subway/ Pizza Hut, the elevators make a scary creaky/ grinding sound, the playground area looks 20 years old, the fountains are all drained by the kid area, the pool was okay but the outdoor jacuzzi was broken, the room was fairly clean but dated and they required a family of five get two rooms even though er could easily have fit in one. The mini exchange is way over priced and the restaurants were all way over priced for the quality of food, unfortunately. They charged $7 for a bowl of plain cereal with milk on the children’s menu so that was disappointing. You can’t hook up tablets or your phone to screencast so if Joy have littles who get up early, no movie/ Sesame Street time so you can sleep and only AFN (all off except for Fox thanks to the shutdown) and the KBS Channels.
Positives- Front desk was really helpful. The Discover Seoul folks were wonderful while helping us plan tours to see the area and find things we wanted to see. The service at Green Street Cafe was very good and we enjoyed all our servers and the buffet was okay (and kids under 5 eat free), but it’s not as varied/ fancy as New Sanno in Tokyo and about 10 times the cost to stay here. The location is good for access to the city and attractions and they’ll plan out itineraries or get you on a tour bus to see it all. The City Tour was wonderful and we thought we’d see 4-5 spots and ends up going to 7! The DMZ tour was quick and a little sad, but even with the somber atmosphere it was informative and our guide was great. Our rooms looked out on the Seoul Tower and the working fountain you can’t see from the lobby/ atrium.
Overall, it’s a good spot for vacation if you get a good deal but a civilian hotel may be cheaper and fancier with the won rate."
The Juicebox Adventures The_Juicebox_Adventures
"Spent 2 nights at Dragon Hill.
Room- one of the best beds we have ever slept in period. For reference we've stayed at Marriott's, Hiltons, 4 Seasons and many others. The style as some have mentioned is dated but everything works
Restaurant- we only had breakfast but it was spot on. Service was exceptional.
Gym- excellent facilities
Location- in the heart of Seoul and easy access to through Gate 1. Uber access point."
Allen Hansen
"Lovely hotel. Frustrations with pedestrian gate.
Our stay at the hotel went fine. The hotel itself is lovely. It’s located very close to some excellent museums, malls, and districts. It also has a great help desk, especially when it comes to tourist options.
HOWEVER, we kept having issues with the military members at the front pedestrian gate. There are discrepancies between what the displayed information says about guest passes and what the members are told.
The sign at the pedestrian gate says to turn in your guest passes within 24hr of check-out, but when we did that, we were not allowed back on. My brother (the military member) had to walk back to the hotel and pack all our bags onto the taxi that was coming ON the base. We’ve had experiences with guest passes at other bases, so this was new for us.
Some of the service members who man the front gate were also inconsistent with scanning the guest passes. After our first guest pass (4-day increments) expired, we kept getting waved through for three days until someone finally stopped us and gave us the guest passes we needed. (Part of this confusion came from limited ability to communicate on both sides.)
So, if you and the people with you have military IDs, and don’t require guest passes for longer stays, I’d recommend this hotel. But, if the people staying with you at the hotel require guest passes, the issues with the gate make it not worth the hassle."
Ailish Wolf
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Dragon Hill Spa is located in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. You can find it by searching 'Dragon Hill Spa' or 'Jjimjilbang' on Google Maps. It's a 7-story building in the central Yongsan-gu district.+1 Public transport like the subway is a convenient option.
Yes, Dragon Hill Spa is conveniently located near Seoul Station, making it an accessible option for travelers.
If coming from another city like Busan, you can take a train to Seoul Station and then use local transport to reach Dragon Hill Spa.
Navigating the pedestrian gate can be tricky. It's best to clarify the exact location and access procedures with the hotel's front desk beforehand, especially if you are a guest without a military ID.
Taxis can get you close to the base, but access to the actual hotel might require navigating the pedestrian gate and its specific policies, especially for guests.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Entry typically costs around 10,000 to 20,000 KRW per adult, which includes access to the spa facilities and a locker key.
The admission fee usually covers access to the various saunas, baths, and common areas. You'll receive a locker key and a uniform to wear.
Generally, you can purchase tickets upon arrival. However, during peak seasons or holidays, it might be advisable to check their policy or arrive early.
Dragon Hill Spa is known for being a 24-hour facility, offering a place to relax and rejuvenate at any time.
While not explicitly stated in all sources, many Korean spas offer different pricing tiers. It's best to inquire at the front desk upon arrival for any applicable discounts.
🎫 🧽 Onsite Experience
Expect communal bathing areas where you shower before entering pools, various themed saunas (jjimjilbang), relaxation lounges, and often food and drink options. Remember to shower before entering pools.
Facilities typically include hot tubs, saunas, relaxation rooms, a gym, and sometimes a swimming pool. Some reviews mention a playground and restaurants.
Yes, Dragon Hill Spa is a 24-hour facility and offers sleeping areas or rooms for overnight stays, making it a popular choice for short trips.
It can be, with areas like a playground and pool. However, be mindful of the communal bathing aspect and the dated facilities in some areas.
Key etiquette includes showering thoroughly before entering any pools or baths, wearing the provided uniform in common areas, and maintaining a respectful atmosphere.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
Dragon Hill Spa typically offers a variety of dining options, including restaurants, cafes, and snack bars. Some reviews mention a Subway and Pizza Hut, as well as a buffet.
Several reviews indicate that the food and drinks at Dragon Hill Spa are on the pricier side, with some items being significantly over-priced for the quality.
Yes, a buffet is available, and children under 5 often eat for free. However, it may not be as varied or fancy as some other international hotel buffets.
Generally, bringing outside food into a spa facility is not permitted. It's best to check their specific policy, but dining options are usually available on-site.
You can expect typical spa snacks like hard-boiled eggs, sweet drinks, and sometimes more substantial options like ramen or pizza, though prices can be high.
📸 📸 Photography
Photography is generally discouraged or prohibited in the bathing and sauna areas for privacy reasons. Common areas might be permissible, but it's best to be discreet and respectful.
While indoor photography is restricted, the exterior views, especially if your room overlooks Seoul Tower, can be picturesque. Some of the themed rooms might offer unique photo opportunities if allowed.
Be mindful of privacy. Avoid taking photos of other guests. Focus on capturing the ambiance of the spa or the views from your room if permitted.
A smartphone with good low-light capabilities would be ideal for any permitted photography. However, the focus should be on experiencing the spa rather than extensive photo documentation.
If your room has a view of the Seoul Tower, this is a great opportunity for photography. Ensure you are not capturing other guests or private areas.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
When planning your visit, consider the food pricing, which can be quite high, especially for children's meals.
✈️ Budget Travelers & Day-Trippers
For day-trippers, its 24-hour operation and proximity to Seoul Station make it an ideal stop. You can easily fit in a rejuvenating session before heading to your next destination or after a long day of sightseeing. Just be mindful of the potential for higher food costs and the need to clarify base access policies if you're not military to ensure a hassle-free visit.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The Jjimjilbang Experience: A Korean Tradition
Before diving into the saunas, the essential first step is to shower thoroughly. This is a non-negotiable part of Korean spa etiquette to maintain hygiene in the communal bathing areas. After cleansing, you'll typically be given a uniform to wear in the common areas and themed rooms. The spa offers a range of temperatures and atmospheres, from intensely hot rooms to cooler relaxation zones, catering to diverse preferences. It's an immersive cultural experience that goes beyond a typical spa visit.
While the jjimjilbang experience is the main draw, Dragon Hill also offers additional amenities. These can include swimming pools, jacuzzis, and even sleeping areas, allowing guests to spend extended periods, even overnight, at the facility.
Navigating Dragon Hill's Location and Access
However, a unique aspect of accessing Dragon Hill is its location on a base, which can lead to complexities for guests without military affiliation. The guest pass system has been a point of frustration for some visitors, with discrepancies between posted rules and actual gate procedures.
Despite potential access challenges, the location is praised for its convenience to city attractions and transportation hubs. The hotel staff, particularly at the front desk, are often noted for being helpful in planning tours and providing information about the surrounding area.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit