Passing through security at Tokyo Haneda airport shortly before midnight I realised that saving a few pounds on the flight was little comfort to the fact it was still a couple of hours until departure with a planned arrival at Incheon Airport just before 5am. It would then be a long wait until I could check in to the hostel in Seoul that afternoon; dirty, exhausted and cursing my past frugal self. Fortunately, however, I had found rumours of a secret treasure hidden in the airport for weary travellers like me, Spa on Air, a place to shower, relax and sleep after arriving or before departure.
Spa on Air is a small airport spa on the basement level of Terminal 1 at Incheon Airport. It has toilet, shower, hot tub, sauna and sleeping facilities for a reasonable price to help recover from a flight or get ready before departing. You can also pay for private sleeping rooms which of course cost more. You can keep your hand luggage with you and make sure you have a change of clothes and toiletries in there. Take your shoes off in reception and go to the relevant locker room where the locker key opens a small cabinet for your shoes.
Both lockers match the number on the key. The hot tubs and showers are run in traditional Korean ways, ie communal and nude. Any self image problems I might have had were removed by nearly 24 hours of being awake and a desire to clean up and sleep.
Although it was quite busy I never had to share as people moved through quite quickly. Then using the access card you can go into the sleeping area. This is mixed gender and consists of a small room with various mats, sleeping couches and cushions to find a spot and get some rest. The only downside was the noise during the early hours, it appears between 5 and 7am are the busy times with people coming in and leaving. Nevertheless I did manage to get a few hours sleep and on waking returned to the shower, got dressed and collected my luggage.
A nice touch is free amenities in the changing room including combs, hair dryers, various beauty products and water. From International Arrivals this is down 1 floor.
