4/F 736-15 HanNam-Dong, YongSan-Gu, Itaewon (see map), 793-1587, email. See also listing under Spas and Massage for Men. Show room with macho show, bodybuilder show, underwear show and handsome dancers. Fantasy spaces including SM Room and Prison Room. Whirlpool.

Comments from Utopians:

"I enjoy being at Equus to meet and be with some classy, attractive men. Equus itself is a classy, clean place to get away to and have relaxing fun. It is my favorite place to meet men." -- Godfrid, Oct 17, 2009

"Tried out Equus in its new location last week. It's quite a nice spot, with attractive, new facilities and private rooms with actual doors. The break room has a big-screen TV and it was showing white muscle videos. However, the place is primarily set up to encourage semi-public and group encounters, which I'm sure happen when the place is busy. I went at around 7pm on a Thu evening and it was very quiet. It's probably busier and more fun when the nearby gay area is busier, too." -- cyrc_84, Aug 26, 2009

Utopia Map. Not gay, so be discreet.

Comments from Utopians:

"Went to the Hamilton Hotel sauna because I missed my train after being out with friends. Got there about 1:30am. Wound up in the upstairs sleeping room where there were a dozen or so men already sleeping. Was awakened at about 3am by the sound of people moving around. I sat up and saw that several guys were up, wandering around, relocating, looking for action. I lay back down and tried to go back to sleep. A korean guy came over and tried repeatedly (and aggressively) to get my attention. I kept pushing him away until he finally fell asleep. About 4:30am his alarm went off. Once again, he started very aggressively trying to start something with me (including trying to force his hands down my pants repeatedly). Several times I grabbed his hand and threw it off of me as hard as I could, but he didn't seem to get the hint. Finally, I had to grab his wrist and slap his hand as hard as I could (you could hear it all over the room) before he finally got the hint and moved elsewhere. Soooo...lots of action going on -- but be aware some don't know how to take no for an answer." -- justsurfin12, Oct 14, 2009

"I visited the Hamilton Hotel Sauna on Sun from about 7am-1pm. I had not been there in a long time and was surprised at the change. There was no policing of the sleeping area. There was action going almost non-stop. It was not limited to the dark corners, but was being enjoyed in almost every part of the upper sleeping area. There were a couple of young guys that were there the entire time I was. They seemed to be trying to make sure that no willing soul was left unsatisfied. The crowd seemed on the younger side; some very cute and hot Koreans and a few younger foreigners enjoying, too. It was quite lovely to see some very nice love making going on openly, with no covers and with little regard for prying eyes." -- ojo, Sep 21, 2009

"Went to the Hamilton Hotel Sauna twice this weekend and had a very nice time each time. On Sat I had a rendezvous with a young hardbody/shaved Sri Lankan man. On Sun another meeting, this time with a hot muscular Korean - maybe late 20s. Saturday's action was entirely in the upper sleeping area over the locker room in full view of the supposed cameras (I'm more convinced than ever that they're merely for show). Sunday's action began there but wound up in the other sleeping area over the steamroom as the main sleeping area was a bit too crowded for my buddy's taste. A staff person does walk through every so often to try to catch people in the act. However, the trick to avoiding this is to lay in an area where the entrance to the sleeping area is visible. Many hot Korean men show up here. All you have to do is lay next to them and casually allow your hand to brush against them. If they aren't interested, they'll just turn away. It's amazing how much goes on between 2-6am after Fri and Sat nights. Full nudity allowed. Also, great scrub and massage for W$50,000." -- Texas2Step, Feb 21, 2009

See map, Utopia Map. From Hamilton Hotel, cross the street and walk straight down the hill and take the first left turn. Hyundai is half a block down this lane, on the right side. The sign is in Korean only, but you can look for the sauna symbol -- a kind of bowl with three fingers of steam rising from it. Gay sauna in the popular gay nightlife area (not to be confused with the straight sauna of the same name in Chongyangni which was previously called Core). Young and international patrons. Inexpensive, but run down. Don't take any valuables with you.

3/F, 130-34 Itaewon Dong (see map), Utopia Map, 02-798-9340. Easy-to-find jjimjilbang close to the gay bars and clubs. Spacious, clean, cozy.

JONGNO / NAGWON DONG

Utopia Map. To find it, get off any number of buses or subway line 1 at Jongno 2-Ga, walk to the north side of the street and look for the YMCA. At the east end of the Y by the Y Coffee Shop, walk about 20 feet down the little alley and turn right into the even narrower alley. Walk about 100 feet watching for the barber pole and the wide steps leading up to the building on the left with the sauna. Take the left door, pay just inside the door, and continue on to get your key and leave your shoes. The locker room, barber shop and wet areas are on that floor, but the real fun starts on the next two floors. After your shower and soak, take the very steep (hardly more than a ladder) up to the rest areas. If the first one is too sedate for you, go on up the even steeper steps to the larger, dark and more active rest area with large bunks on both sides. Don't expect too sleep much, day or night, and if there's not much happening when you first go in, just wait a few minutes. Bring your own safety supplies and share them: there are none here and most don't bring or use them. More of a mature Korean-patronized sauna (30s-60s), with foreigners being the exception.

Utopia Map. At the Jongno-3-Ga station (on the #1, #4 or #5 lines) take Exit 1 and walk straight ahead. After a minute or two, start looking for the TNGT building (if you see McDonald's, you've gone too far). At the corner of TNGT, you'll see a small alleyway going to your right. Go down it. After a dozen or so steps you'll come to another alleyway and the alley you were just on jogs slightly to the left here. Continue down the alleyway in the same direction you just came. Near the end of the alleyway you'll see two motels, one on your left and one on your right. Mun Hwa is in the building on your left and the glass door says "sauna" in English. There are three baths: cold, hot and hotter; also a steam room and a dry room. Downstairs and upstairs resting areas. Active, especially on weekends. The guys don't wear towels, but they usually carry one to make a token pretense to modesty. The upstairs rest room is nearly always active. Crowd is mostly 30-60s, many who like older western men. Open 24 hours daily.

Comments from Utopians:

"This place really rocks! It is not so clean and a bit run-down, but the action more than made up for all that. Easy to find. Take subway Line 1, get out of Exit 1, walk a little bit ahead and look for a tailor shop named TGNT on your right (it is before McDonalds), there you see a small lane, walk right in, and at the intersection, walk in again without turning anywhere (very important). Munhwa is at the end of the lane on your left, sign is written in Korean. If you see an umbrella stand, a dark hallway with an old lady sitting in a booth selling entry tickets, that's the place! Day time it's W$4,500, after 6pm it's W$9,000. Get a ticket, remove your shoes and carry them in and put down your ticket on a tray, choose a locker key. Most of the action takes place upstairs in the big communal sleeping room (no partitions or individual rooms, so if you are shy, this place may not be for you). Westerners seem to be particularly popular here, The clientele tend to be 30-60s, mostly Korean. Make sure you bring your own safety supplies, as there are none. Also you must get used to he idea of walking around naked, or with a very small hand towel. Best time to go: weekdays from 12-5pm. A lot of good looking business men want to get off quickly before going back to work. Weeknights are unpredictable, but one can still catch some action from guys who miss the last train home, or who are too drunk to go home. Weekends are jam-packed. Avoid Sun night, it is very dead. This place is good to find friendly middle-aged Korean men. I always have so much fun here, even on a more quiet day." -- HKFatBoy, Sep 22, 2009

"I went there to check it out and left after ten minutes. The place is dirty, smelly and the crowd decadent. If you are desperate and don't care for cleanness, then go ahead." -- naruhodo, Jun 30, 2009

"It is not filthy as commented by others, though place looks dilapidated. The crowd is generally 40-50s -- very local! So if you like ajoshis (uncles), this is the place for you. The cubicles at the 2/F sleeping area were very active, but they don't seem to use condoms here (bring your own safety supplies)!" -- kimchiseoul, Jun 21, 2009

"Just walk straight down the alley as described, turn left for two steps, turn immediately to your right and walk straight. The place was very active but I found it to be very dirty, but you will enjoy the place if you don't mind the run-down facility. You are immediately engaged as you enter the spacious 'sleeping' area. Great place with lots of fun taking place." -- christoffel1, Feb 1, 2009

"I made my 4th trip to Mun Hwa. Like the three times before, I consistently met hot guys of all ages there and had unforgettable experiences. Westerners are rare here, so it is very easy to find a friend. The facility is dirty, but the opportunity to have high-quality fun more than makes up for it. On the weekends at this sauna, you are only limited by your stamina! I go there after dinner and skip the bars and have no problem meeting several guys. The well-lit locker area is great for resting and having conversations which lead to play in the shower or upstairs. Mun Hwa is #1 on my list!" -- ernst, Nov 30, 2008

"Mun Hwa at lunch. What a great time. Busy upstairs. Five of us playing and a few more standing and watching. Mostly Koreans, but I haven't been there yet when any seemed to not like a foreigner. It is becoming a weekly habit for me." -- yemen, Nov 14, 2008

"Went to Mun Hwa last Sat nite around 1:30am...Man, it was full. It's a good place for people who are into older men of 30+...I had a good time. Just lie down and guys will be on you in no time. They don't play safe, so carry lube and condoms...The sauna was filthy and so were the toilets." -- Bottom4u, Nov 9, 2008

SINCHON

See map on their website, 334-8245. Gay jjimjilbang about 300m from Exit 8 of the Shinchon Station (Line 2). Take Exit 8 and walk until you are almost turning left to go to Hongik University. Prince will be on your left with a sign as you start walking uphill. Take the stairs up to 3/F. Young crowd in their 20s and 30s. Foreigners welcome.

Comments from Utopians:

"Clean and very tidy. Prince' clientele are very young. Difficult for real good private fun. No private rooms, so people come constantly checking with mobile phone lights and watching you if there is really some action." -- asialover31, Jul 12, 2009

"Went to Prince on a Sat at about midnight. Lots of guys, most in their 20-40. Mostly Korean, but there were actually a few foreigners. With so many guys, you're likely to have some fun at some point. But, I hadn't been there in over a year and a half, and things have changed. No more doors on the private rooms -- just a hanging curtain. You're likely to get a cellphone light shone on you at least every minute or so, as guys are checking if the room's free or if there's anyone they like. Last time I was there, it seemed like people were cruising in the hallway. Not as much this time. The place is quite clean, though as the night wears on, it accumulates detritus. No facilities other than showers and a small break/smoking room with a TV and Net station. So, not much else to do (and it's hard to sleep in the group rooms). Definitely a place worth checking out -- especially at the price (W$10,000 at night)." -- cyrc_84, Jul 6, 2009

"Went to Prince sauna last night. Was pretty good, lots of people. Some staying there overnight, although how they get a wink of sleep, i don't know. They seem to have this thing of going around all the cubicles and shining in light with mobile phone to see if there's anything they like. Both me (caucasian) and partner (Asian) got some fun. Condoms and lube available at front desk, but you need to ask." -- dny1234, Jun 9, 2009

"The price is W$5,000 before 6pm. The crowd was very young Korean students. They are really gay. The staff are fantastic. Facility was very clean. Rooms are with single beds in a room, floor beds for two in a room and up to eight in one bigger room. If you are Asian, into younger Korean gays, this is the place for you. As a caucasian and older man I couldn't find any fun." -- christoffel1, Feb 1, 2009

"Went to Princetel in Sinchon on Sat night. First off, you have to be REALLY careful when you ask a taxi driver to take you to Sinchon. Apparently there's a Sincheon on the south side of Seoul. The pronunciations are VIRTUALLY indistinguishable to English-speakers so you may want to simply say Hongdae instead and then walk or take a bus on to Sinchon. Prince wasn't easy to find. Their sign is small and recessed so I walked past it four times before I saw it. The place isn't big. The main floor has the lockers, a shower and a TV/Smoking room. The upper floor has a bunch of semi-private rooms. It wasn't obvious to me whether you have to reserve and pay for a private room or not. Anyway, the crowed seemed very young, very snobby (clique-ish) and very Korean-only. I was bored to tears within 20 minutes so I grabbed a cab and went to the MunHwa instead and had a FABULOUS time." -- Texas2Step, Nov 19, 2008

OTHER AREAS

Sinseoldong Subway Station (Lines 1 & 2) in between Exit 2 and 3. You can find the entrance in the building with a neon hot spring sign. Ticket booth is on 3/F. Steam is also on 3/F and rooms on 4/F. The upper floor of the sleeping area has a smoking/drinking counter and a PC station. There's a TV room with big couches. There are at least 6 rooms, some partitioned into separate cubicles. Open 24 hours, but busiest in the early afternoon or after midnight and on weekends. Mixed ages. Foreigners welcome, but crowd is basically Koreans for Korteans.

Comments from Utopians:

"Checked out Adam last Sat night at about 10pm. The sign's in Korean, so if you can't read Korean, then just follow the directions and confirm at the desk (it'll be obvious you're there, since the desk is hidden by a giant sheet of one-way glass). The steambath/sauna facilities are not as clean as you'd usually find in a Korean sauna/jjimjilbang, but not overly filthy. It wasn't that busy, but there were a few guys hanging around. I was the only non-Korean, and all of the guys were 30-50. They were very sweet, and tried to make me feel welcome. But, the subway was closing and it wasn't a place I wanted to stay overnight (the group sleeping area isn't that comfortable -- even for fun), so I left early. Definitely worth checking out if you're into older Korean men. W$10,000 at night." -- cyrc_84, Jul 6, 2009

Located near the Broadway Theater, Utopia Map. Take the subway to Shinsa Station Exit 1. When you reach the sidewalk, stop and turn 90 degrees to the right and you'll be staring right at the sauna. It mixed, but mostly guys looking for other men. Not many foreigners, so you can be in the spotlight here.

Comments from Utopians:

"I went today (Sun) and it didn't take long at all. I just lay down and things started happening with a couple of other guys within a few minutes. Because it was crowded with lots of straight Koreans, we couldn't go too far there, so I made a date for later with another hot guy." -- Texas2Step, Jun 28, 2009

"If you enter Bosuk, you will feel like you are in a regular straight sauna, and it probably is...until you go to the sleeping area. You will get to see some action, although quite discreet. Normally at the 1/F sleeping area or in the hidden corner on 2/F. Just lay down and pretty soon someone will lay next to you, although I don't see how things can go far here as there are many straight people sleeping as well! BTW, no foreigners here, so you can get very spotlighted." -- kimchiseoul, May 23, 2009

Dongdaegu. Walk straight out of Exit 5 of the east gate of Dongdaemoon Stadium Station, subway lines 2,4,5, and down the street. There will be a large office/bank building on your right and a large multi lane street on your left. Walk past the bank and immediatly look to the right and up. You will see a yellow sign with the letters GM in black. Walk to the little side street and you will see a Russian restaurant on 1/F. Next to the restaurant is what looks like a garage. At the back of the little garage are some steps going into the building. Go up the steps till you come to a glass door with the letters GM on it. When you go in, put your shoes in a locker on your left, then proceed up the stairs to the check-in window. Give them your shoe locker key, pay your fee, and you'll be given a locker key and robe. GM has four floors: 3/F has lockers and shower; 2/F has a maze, TV/video lounge and private rooms; 4/F and 5/F have bunks and cabins. Popular with bears and cubs. Open 24 hours, but busiest after midnight and on weekends.

Comments from Utopians:

"Just got back from GM jjimjilbang. WOW! Even though it was mid-afternoon there were a lot of bears and cubs there. I was worried about the robe (I'm a 3XL) but it was big enough to fit me. The entry floor has the lockers and showers. Go down a floor to the nirror maze and TV/smoking room , private rooms and another set of showers. Go up from the locker area to two floors of sleeping rooms. This is where the open beds are and where you will find a lot of action. I lay down and within a few minutes there was a nice young man laying next to me and then the fun really began. Just lay down somewhere and somone will come up to you and start playing. Or if you see someone you like, just lay down next to him. If he is not interested he will turn away. In this area people will watch you and even try to join in. If you don't want that just push them away or say 'no' gently or move. I highly recommend this spot as it was clean and the people were friendly. Some of the staff speak English, so you can help if you need it. Many of the patrons also speak English, especially the young guys." -- bigdaddy, Aug 15, 2009

"Went to GM sauna--'the place where bears play,' as its tagline says! And indeed, it is. Going into the dark rooms felt like going into a forest with many big bears sleeping and loud snoring. There were also cubs (young bears) playing around." -- kimchiseoul, May 29, 2009

"I frequent GM sauna on a regular basis. If you look up the main road once you leave the station, the bank will be on your right. When at the corner of the bank, just look to the top of the second building from the main street, you will see a small GM sign at 2 o'clock if the street is taken as 12 o'clock. Don't confuse with MG and other motels in the vicinity. The crowd is almost all 30s and upwards. It is very clean unless it gets very busy. The crowd is very active and you will not sleep. You will have great fun. It is really the best place in Seoul. I am just concerned that it might become so popular that it will be difficult to maintain the high standards. When crowded it can be difficult to get a spot to do your thing. Condoms, lube, coffee, friendly staff and lots of fun." -- christoffel1, Feb 1, 2009

"Went to GM near Dongdaemun Stadium last Sat night. The facilities have undergone some impressive upgrades. They have added another floor below the main level which includes a shower and resting area, a play area/maze as well as a very nice TV room with a large screen plasma and HD satellite (I do SOOO wish that Koreans would smoke OUTSIDE). Met a really cute Korean guy from Incheon and we adjourned to one of the semi-private cubbies on the upper floor. We had a really nice time. My complaint (other than the smoking that's confined to the TV room) is that everyone walks around in robes. I would really prefer a nude experience, but, c'est la vie! It's definitely worth the money - but go on a Fri or Sat night. It's deadsville the rest of the time. Easy to find. The directions above are spot-on." -- Texas2Step, Jan 13, 2009

Gang-nam. Nonhyeon Subway Station Exit 4. Go forward 20m and you will see Paris bagette bakery. Go to 3/F in the next building and you will see a black sign for Watermill. There is a map in Korean on their website. A well-decorated gay cruise sauna. Good music. Young guy and muscle-fit crowd. Wed is Speedo Day, Thu is Gym Day (if you are gym member you get a 50% discount).

Comments from Utopians:

"Went to Watermill and Prince and found that many of the Koreans are not very curious for foreigners. All sauna places have no private rooms so people come constantly checking with mobile phone lights and watching you if there is really some action. Good for group activities but not for long, private sessions. Clean and very tidy. Watermill has the better crowd. However, the guys are choosy or sticky (my feeling). Difficult for real good private fun. Find out yourself, it's always good to watch." -- asialover31, Jul 12, 2009

"Can't believe Korea has so many great, straight-looking, fit gay muscle men and very hung! But you may not have lots of fun here if you don't fit the same profile. Very competitive! I don't advise this place for over 40s and bears (you may go home very lonely)." -- kimchiseoul, May 23, 2009

"Watermill is the best I have seen in the country. It is quite modern. The only drawback is its size. It is only one level and probably only 2000 sq ft. It is mostly hot, fit Asians or muscle guys. Not a lot of caucasians. I don't know what the experience would be for a bear/cub or unfit person, but I was busy all night. In fact, I had to decline many offers. Fri and Sat are very busy." -- billii, Apr 12, 2009

"Sat night seems to be very busy at the Watermill. There were lots of young, nice looking guys. Be careful of your valuables and don't loose your locker key. My friend lost his key, and by the time he realized it and told the attendant, his wallet had been stolen." -- ojo, Mar 28, 2009

"Nonhyeon is the 2nd station away from the Express Bus Terminal rowards Konkuk University. The facility is very clean. You have rooms that are partitioned, some with three or four floor beds, some with two and one for eight. One room has a soft bed for five couples to play on, plus video. It seems to be the area where a lot of fun is taking place. The crowd is very Korean, and I saw a few very well built guys. Age ranges from 19 to guys in their 30s. The Koreans were only interested in fellow Koreans or maybe other Asians. Clean, with lube, condoms, coffee and a vending maschine for cold drinks." -- christoffel1, Feb 1, 2009

Comments from Utopians:

"I went to Kangnam Express Bus Terminal (Ko Sok Terminal) on a Fri evening and stayed over night until almost the afternoon. No action going on as far as I could see. Most people were sleeping, while others attempted to sleep in the midst of snoring and drunk, grunting men. A worker checked the sleeping rooms regularly. Left disappointed and very tired from the lack of sleep." -- hellopa, Jul 10, 2009