A private wellness club: what it is, and what it is not

What is a private wellness club?

It is a members-only place where training, recovery, dining and conversation continue inside a single membership. It does not sell facility time by the hour; people join through referral and review, and share the space within a fixed cap. PLAYA runs this format around sports, wellness and dining. It is not a nightlife venue, and it is not a hotel amenity or a short-term gym pass.

How is it different from a gym or a hotel fitness floor?

Three things.

• A community of vetted leaders. Members join through referral and review, so you are not mixed in with hotel guests.
• Membership is capped at 500 domestic full members, so there is no competition for bookings.
• Training, recovery, dining and conversation continue inside one membership — no separate payment per facility.

What PLAYA is not

Stated plainly, to avoid confusion.

• Not a hotel amenity — members do not share the space with hotel guests.
• No short-term or weekend passes. A single full-membership tier only.
• No bearer memberships. Every membership is registered to a named person.
• No sauna, spa or pool at present. There are private shower rooms finished in hinoki cypress.

Can I train without waiting?

This is why membership is capped at 500 domestic full members. Courts run on a member-only reservation system: tennis guarantees two 20-minute slots per membership, then opens the remaining time in real time, first come first served. The athletic space is open 24 hours a day, year round, so the courts and the fitness floor are available in the early morning and late at night.

Who are the members?

Partners at major law firms and medical professionals, VC and PEF investors, C-level executives and founders from big tech and IT, and leaders from global brands, fashion and the arts. Most are in their thirties and forties. Member names and affiliations are never disclosed.

How do members connect?

There are no forced introductions. Connections form through everyday time in the lounge, the weekly tennis and badminton clubs, and events built around shared interests. Three to four programmes run each month — Insight Nights with notable guests, PLAYA Ladies' Court and an eight-week performance programme with national-team coaches, chef pop-ups, wine tastings and art nights. Many members join on their own without knowing anyone, and the concierge guides them to the right programmes during onboarding. This is not a place where you have to speak first.

How do you join?

Membership normally requires a referral from at least one existing member. If you do not have one, the path is still open — you tour the spaces first, then complete document review and screening. Membership has two parts, a joining fee and an annual fee, and every membership is registered to a named person. Full members are 18 or older, and payment can be split. Corporate membership is available, expanded into individual accounts for the employees who will use it. Spouses and children can be registered on a Family Pass, and each membership receives five Friends Passes a year for guests. Exact figures are shared during the consultation.

Where is it, and when is it open?

PLAYA runs two spaces. The lounge is at 212 Dosan-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul; the athletic space is at PATIO9, 742 Nonhyeon-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul. They are separate buildings, a short walk apart. The lounge opens 10:00–22:00 on weekdays and 10:00–18:00 on Saturdays, and closes on Sundays. The athletic space is open 24 hours a day, year round. PLAYA opened in the summer of 2024.