Justin & I spent yesterday evening relaxing at a Russian-style bathhouse/spa, Banya 5. I highly recommend it to anyone in the Seattle area. Entry is steep at $30 a pop and it doesn't begin to compare to the numerous onsen I enjoyed in Japan, but it's a lovely diversion. The bathhouse is co-ed most evenings (bathing suits required) and single-gender during the day. For all your dinero, you can enjoy a hot tub, cool saltwater pool, eucalytus steam room, parilka (Russian sauna), cold plunge pool, and several heavenly rain-style showerheads in different temperatures... as well as a tea room, stretching lounge, and nap room.
My favorite thing about Banya 5 is platza, a Russian treatment where bundles of oak branches (with leaves still attached) are soaked in water to release tannins and other healing astringents within, then used in the dry sauna to pummel prone patrons (alliteration, wo!) and circulate the hot air of the parilka so that it permeates you to the core. The swatting is good for the skin and feels like a thumpy massage, and the heat it generates makes jumping into the cold plunge pool much less painful.
Mmm, I feel like a new woman.
Posted on October 05, 2006 @ 11:42 AM | 2 comments
My favorite thing about Banya 5 is platza, a Russian treatment where bundles of oak branches (with leaves still attached) are soaked in water to release tannins and other healing astringents within, then used in the dry sauna to pummel prone patrons (alliteration, wo!) and circulate the hot air of the parilka so that it permeates you to the core. The swatting is good for the skin and feels like a thumpy massage, and the heat it generates makes jumping into the cold plunge pool much less painful.
Mmm, I feel like a new woman.
Posted on October 05, 2006 @ 11:42 AM | 2 comments
Comments:
ooommmm! that sounds just splendid. i could use a good pummeling right about now...
By 
, at
5:16 PM, October 05, 2006
gaaaa you and Rachel with your fancy spa visits!!! *jealous!*
By 
Lazy Lightning, at
7:03 PM, October 05, 2006
