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Seven Sensational Spas in Seattle and on the Eastside

Soothe the senses with luxe treatments from seven of our favorite pampering spots

By Shuchi Mehta September 18, 2014

skoah-facial

Sensory overload from the work week already? We’ve been there. Seattle has a host of lush locales to sweep you off of your tired, working feet. We’ve made your search trés facile by rounding up seven swanky spas located here and on the Eastside. We also chalked up some notes from our visits to help you make educated choices from each spa menu. Use that smart phone or tablet to read up on which spa is best for you and then turn all gadgets off as you embark on your Seattle spa-cation this weekend.

Elaia Spa at Olive 8
1635 8th Ave.; 206.676.4500; Olive8.hyatt.com
This spa inside the Hyatt at Olive 8 boasts refreshing and extremely luxiourious décor with a large relaxation lounge that easily accomodates small groups. An indoor saline lap pool (blondes note: chlorine-free equals no green hair) is available for all spa-goers. Elaia’s locker rooms are stocked with quintessential, post-spa basics for you to prepare for the rest of your day, should you stop in for a long lunch break.
What to Book: The Market Fresh Pedi, which uses divine-smelling seasonal and local ingredients in the foot scrubs and lotions.

Non-chlorinated lap pool at the Elaia 8 Spa
PHOTO COURTESY OF ELAIA 8 SPA
Spa Nordstrom Downtown
500 Pine St.; (206) 628-1670; Spa Nordstrom
Two words: zero-gravity chairs. After a brief footwash as you relax with a warm neck pillow, you will be whisked away to a private room where your quiet time begins. As your tootsies get pampered, the chairs allow you to recline all the way back almost as if you’re lying flat.
What to Book: Spa pedicure

Skoah
415 Pike St.; .206.623.5541; skoah.com
We can’t get enough of this Vancouver-based spa’s delicious smelling, plant-based products, which you can purchase easily on the fly without booking a service. More time to spare? We love the Fascialiscious facial, a deep-cleansing, detoxifying facial with soothing massage included. Bonus: You’ll find a minty lip balm resting on your pillow prior to the treatment. Skoah also has locations in Bellevue and Capitol Hill.
What to Book: Fascialiscious facial


Smells divine
PHOTO COURTESY OF SKOAH SPA
Spa at Pro Sports Club
4455 148th Ave. NE; 425.885.5566; proclub.com/spa

Tucked away in Microsoft land, this oasis of relaxation and wellness shares a building with the Pro Sports fitness and tennis club. But don’t let that deter you. When you visit this spa, leave ample time after your service to take full advantage (read: free) of the club’s men’s and women’s facilities, including hot tubs, a steam room and sauna and a very ritzy ladies’ lounge where you can order lunch and bubbly. Before your treatment, cozy up in the spa’s low-lit relaxation room, which offers light snacks, water and tea. If we played favorites, this one would be in our top three. P.S.: ProClub members get a discount on spa services.
What to Book: Deep tissue massage (ask for Derek) or a seasonal couples’ massage–check the site for availability–which includes champagne and strawberries (BYOB: bring your own beau).

SkinSpirit Clinic & Spa
2022 Bellevue Way SE; 425.688.7800; skinspirit.com
Formerly Calidora Spa, SkinSpirit is a medi-spa that offers traditional relaxation treatments, cosmetic procedures and injectables such as Botox, Juvederm, and SkinMedica skincare products.
What to Book: Start with a facial (ask for the gorgeous and talented Elisa), then tack on a quick chemical peel at the end. Some of us in this office have had…well…multiple. And they freshen like a charm. SkinSpirit also has locations in University Village and Redmond.


Turning back time with Ultherapy at SkinSpirit
PHOTO COURTESY OF SKINSPIRIT CLINIC & SPA
Penelope and the Beauty Bar at Fairmont Olympic Hotel
411 University St.; 206.438.1750; penelopeandthebeautybar.com
Here you’ll find another great relaxation room where you can sip tea while you wait to be pampered. Treatments include facials, state-of-the-art non-surgical antiaging procedures, a variety of luxe body wraps depending on customer need, nail services, makeup application, a large selection of massages, waxing, haircare, and specialty services, including a collagen bed (to stimulate the production of collagen) and detox infrared sessions. A one-stop spa services spot, indeed. 
What to Book: A hot-stone massage, or consider one of the Biologique Recherche Facials, which use the Parisian Biologique product line and can be customized to your skincare needs. (Example: An editor asked for no redness-causing extractions.)

Recoop Spa
925 Bellevue Way NE; 425.429.3323; recoopspa.com
A relatively new spa located in Bellevue, this respite features rustic-chic and modern elements in its charming decor. Trendy barn doors in treatment rooms paired with sophisticated pedicure chairs along with other beautifully detailed hints of rustic appeal make the spa visit a rather uniquely enjoyable experience.
What to Book: We highly recommend the hour-long deep tissue massage with Marius and the luscious milk and almond pedicure with the super bubbly and talented Taylor. 


Rustic, modern decor at Recoop Spa in Bellevue
PHOTO CREDIT: JOSH GARRETSON
Still Spa at the Woodmark Hotel
1200 Carillon Point, Kirkland; 425.803.9000; woodmarkstillspa.com
The newly renovated and gorgeous Still Spa is located in the glamourous waterfront Woodmark Hotel in Kirkland. Our experience there was heavenly with friendly staff and beautiful, natural lighting upon entry. Still Spa has recently been remodeled with new carpeting, soothing blue hues, ambient lighting, a private mani/pedi corner and a fully stocked locker room including a dry sauna. The spa menu is highly customizable for your needs.
What to Book: We experienced the signature massage, which was so incredibly relaxing that it put us into somewhat of a trance. Follow it up with a customizable facial addressing all types of skin.


Luxiourious and more private pedi bar at the Still Spa at the Woodmark Hotel
PHOTO COURTESY OF STILL SPA

 

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