Palace Spa

I am half Korean and I was born in Songtan (near Osan) S. Korea and I was raised to make Public Bath House part of my once a week ritual; a symbol of cleansing in preparation for a new week. This Sunday Bath House ritual was beat into me starting when I knew how to walk.
I live with my dad in Spanaway so this place is literally as good as it gets as far as closest experience to an authentic Korean Bath Houses like the ones in Seoul. If you want well spent $ 20 you cannot go wrong with this place, trust me I’ve tried the Russian Banya in Everett that place was weird and I’ve also tried Bella Luna in Lynnwood and that place has limited selection as far as Sauna rooms and the Korean restaurant there sucks too.
So far you’ve came to the conclusion that this overweight Korean kid is 5 stars on-​board with Palace Spa, but I will have to warn you in the next paragraph.
People occasionally will give you a glaring look and this happened to customers before other than myself if this does happen please confront and cuss at them; stand up for yourself. If you see anything that shouldn’t be happening please notify one the Korean employees know, they enforce an ultra conservative sauna moral code.
If no body is looking at nor want to talk to you that is normal in a sauna mannerism.

I had my first visit to this particular spa recently. And it’s rather large being that it’s coed. We’re talking 3 stories large. So for that reason, I let the lady at the front desk know that this is my first time and that I’d like a tour. She then began to point behind her and directing me to the women’s dressing room and rambling off what was on each floor. Not exactly the tour I was hoping for but okay. I’m trying to roll with the flow so I take my key and spa attire and head to the dressing room. I have only attended women only Korean spas in the past so this was a somewhat new experience. The spa attire is a pair of shorts and a t shirt. Not the comfy spa gown I’m accustomed to. Okay. I decided to walk around a bit to get an idea of where things were. The entire layout is so very odd. I started my experience on the wet side. First, you don’t have assigned cubbies on the wet side. I assume most people are forced to use their lockers in the dressing room to store their things. Definitely not ideal. Luckily, it was very slow so I had a cubby for my towel, water bottle, body scrubber (purchased at the front desk), and spa attire. The wet side consists of 3 pools (hot, warm, cold) a body scrub area, showers, dry and wet sauna. The hot pool was out of order. This was a huge disappointment. Also, the pools (and even therapy rooms) do not have signs stating temperatures. This is very important information that should be posted! The first thing I noticed upon entering the pool was that there were two children in the cold pool. Maybe 10 years old. The two were yelling, splashing and exhibiting all the enjoyment of being at a water park. The only thing is, we’re at a SPA! Where people go to RELAX! I have children of my own and I would never expect them to be quiet for as long as one would stay here and that’s exactly why I would never bring them. Had I known they allow children, I would not have wasted my time. Also, they do not provide hair bonnets so there were random globs of hair on the perimeter of the pool. On a positive note, I was very pleased at the cleanliness of the tile in the warm pool. After a soak, I moved onto the wet sauna. It wasn’t very sauna-​like. There was a Korean lady throwing cold water onto the temp regulator trying to convince it that it wasn’t doing its job. I sat there 10 minutes barely breaking a sweat. The tiles were cooler than my own body temp. Again, huge disappointment. I moved to the dry sauna which was satisfactory. Onto the dry amenities-​on the main floor is the Himalayan salt room, a meditation room (in the absolute noisiest area of the spa), and a resting area. On the second floor, is the workout area (tiny room with a few workout machines), restaurant (open until 9pm), and a resting area. In the basement, is most of the therapy rooms. The ice room isn’t as «icy» as I had expected. It was basically a room with an Ac unit on high cool. Come on. There are 3 more rooms. Salt, clay and jewel. I really liked these 3 and enjoyed popping into the «ice» room in between even if it was just cool. Again, it would be good to know the temps of each room. Also, the rooms (and the entire spa for that matter) is very well lit. No mood lighting or dark therapy rooms to relax and maybe doze off. This and the windowed doors may be a usual coed thing but it definitely made getting comfortable and staying longer hard. The clock situation. I don’t understand why there are hardly any clocks. Yes, taking the time element out of a spa equation is nice. However, many sign up for different services at different times and well we need to know what time it is. I’d much rather roll over while in the clay room and see oh it’s 7:33, instead of getting up and literally hunting down a clock. Also, I didn’t see any signs denying electronics and phones and it seemed many people bring theirs.
Overall, the experience was very underwhelming and plain odd. There seems to be many Russian families who attend this spa and have no regard for others comfort or space. All crowding into one room and carrying on in Russian. Not hushed voices you’d expect in a spa but almost what I’d consider an «outside voice.» I was even spoken to in Russian by men assuming that because I was a white woman I must be Russian. The whole thing was off putting and odd.
I don’t really see myself returning to this spa. I’d much rather pay a few extra dollars and go to Olympus. It’s a way different vibe there. More comfortable, quiet, respectful, working amenities, stellar customer service and clearly marked signage. Basically, everything the Palace is lacking.
So, I did return a second time. Sundays are my relax day and unfortunately my favorite spa isn’t open. My above review still stands. I was able to observe a few things I did like though. Pros: it’s not crowded (Sundays), I like that the shower areas have a half wall to give you a little privacy. More cons: there was sand in the corners of the spa pools. Yuck. Wet sauna is insufficient.

This would be a five-​star review if not for the fvcking creeps that go here. I don’t understand [some] of you gay folk. How is it any different asking a random male stranger multiple times if they want to come to your place for free massages than a straight dude doing the same to a girl?
I paid to use a spa, not to listen to your propositions and endure your continuous blatant stares that give off a major creep vibe.
Facility itself is great. So many different health rooms and pools. Saunas and steam rooms. I’d have stayed longer but the creep factor was not allowing me to relax. God damn.
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I’m editing my original review and adding a star. I decided to give this place another shot as it was the closest spa in the area. I came here on a weekday this time and had a really relaxing time. No weirdos. It’s a hit or miss I suppose.

Everything you need to relax. Sometimes steam room or tub area out of order but theres plenty areas to enjoy. Clean place would highly recommend.

The place is tucked across the from H Mart which defines the Korean community in Seattle. Nudity is required in the wet area and the sauna were mislabeled in Chinese (They got it reversed). $ 20 before 12AM and $ 25 after with no in and outs. Wet area consist of three tubs, Finnish Sauna, Steam, Rainforest shower, and scrub station. Resting area were very limited. The theme sauna downstairs has Himalayan salt with clay with charcoal as decals, Hwanto (yellow mud). Gym, restaurant, PC Station, and leather couches and TV were offered on the 3^rd floor. You can stay as long as you wish until closing time.

Good place love the jewel room !!! I think it’s one of my favorite rooms next would be the ice room I hadn’t been to a spa before and this place just made me want to come bs k every week great service very welcoming and helpful to new customers
I will admit though the nudity threw me off a lil but otherwise I love this place everyone is very respectful of one another so makes it easier for newbies like me can’t wait to come back

If you’re body hurts this is the place to go. Just left the Palace for the first time and feel a million times better than going in. Felt very welcome and had a very clean relaxing atmosphere. Massage was unlike any other I’ve had before. Deep tissue, expert techniques, and even walking on your back. Had a nice spa and relaxation areas definitely telling everyone about this place and will be revisited very soon!

I really love this spa… i think this is the closest thing in WA that can compare to Korea. REALLY loved it when the USED TO OPEN 24HRS when they first started =(wish that would somehow happen again… the spa is also really clean and pretty spacious … only down Part is the people who are loud and noisy. There are numerous signs posted around to keep the noise down but people are still incoherent to what that means apprently…

Well for my first time I think this was a very cool place to visit. If you need a break from traveling across country or a break from the wife and kids and close to home. I would recommend this place to let all hangout with the men. I felt the security safe place to lock your belongs was great. The different types relaxing rooms was nice. The restaurant was good but pricey.

Helen is the best for a full body scrub! I always feel like a million bucks when I leave the place!

I had the best scrub and moisturizer ever! Kim was great and gives a top notch massage with the moisturizer. When I came in I had the place to myself, which was bliss after a horrible day at work. The reason I gave a 4 rather than 5 was because a loud group came in and took over the dressing room. I wish the establishment would insist on a peaceful atmosphere.
Other than that, it was great, and I feel like a new woman.

The place was pretty cool but they’re very pushy about tipping, and I do mean VERY pushy. Not sure if I’ll be back because of that

This place is nice until the mass of Russians come in and take over the place… literally yelling at eachother across the spa, NOT very relaxing and pretty rude actually.
The massage was Aweful as well… they lady had no idea what she was doing and obviously had zero training. I almost just wanted to stop mid way in and call it a day.
The one star is for the facility being clean and operational.

Stay away from massage from this place. Lady who try me was so bad that she almost hurt my back.
I sincerely think she needs to get some training.
I been getting massage from many other places and this is absolutely one of the worst place I ever been to.
I think lady is liability for spa.

Went for the first time with my sisters & mom for my birthday and LOVED it! It was a Fri. evening and it was not crowded or loud. Very peaceful. The deluxe scrub was THE BEST (better than Olympus). The heated rooms (3 hot 1 cold) are beautiful and the restaurant was yummy. Everyone was nice & professional. We are already planning another trip next month!

It turns out for whatever reason, I could probably consider myself a connoisseur of spas for guys in and around the Seattle area. I’ve been to practically all of them, and I’m happy to report that Palace Spa is a solid choice for anyone looking for an authentic Korean spa experience. As others have mentioned, the place is pretty spotless, nice quality, reasonably priced ($ 25 for all day access) with a variety of rooms and pools to try, and friendly, quiet patrons. The mens side was maybe half-​full on a Sunday, and the co-​ed relaxation rooms each only had a few people. So if you’re interested and in the area, take a leap of faith and head over here. Shed your inhibitions and clothes, and soak the day away guys, it’s not all that intimidating!

I wish I can do a 2.5, but I’ll be nice and round up to 3. I went there on Valentine’s Day, so I know it was a very busy day… I had an appointment at 9pm for a body scrub and moisturizing.
Arrived around 7:30pm to check out the other amenities. I admit I enjoyed the different rooms such as the clay room. You can relax in these rooms with the opposite sex. They provide clothing for you to wear.
When it was about 8:15pm I went to female only area to soak in the hot tub. The staff told me I needed to soak for at least 30min. I waited until 9, and no one came to get me. 9:15 rolls around and I’m getting extremely hot. I decide to get up and ask about my appointment. There was a lady in the scrubbing area and I told her I was waiting for my appointment for 9pm, and her answer was that she was already off and wasn’t the one scheduled for my body scrub. I then had to ask her if she could check the status of my 9pm appointment…
Back to tub I went to wait some more… I was starting to feel a little dizzy, but you need to make sure your skin is soft for the body scrub. Finally at 9:30pm, a woman scuffles into the scrubbing area telling me no one had told her about the 9pm appointment.
In the end, I really enjoyed my body scrub with Helen. However, being forgotten and waiting in the hot tub for over an hour unfortunately left a bad taste in my mouth.

I love hitting up the jjimjilbang, so I dragged my husband down from Seattle for an early Valentine’s day treat. Everything was clean and functioning; everything hit the mark temperature-​wise, and I especially loved the experience in the clay ball room. I had a 60 minute massage with Lin and she did an awesome job, my back and hips feel great today. Ask for her, you won’t regret it. We went around 11:30 am on a Thursday, so it was not very crowded.
Their website’s down, so here’s some tips based on experience and to rebut some other reviews:
+Entry to use the spa for the day (no leaving and re-​entering) is $ 20 before noon Mon — Fri, $ 25 the rest of the time. Reasonable in my opinion, but some people want the world for a dollar.
+Most packages include spa or spa can be added on for an additional $ 10
+The staff was polite and knowledgeable, happy to explain how everything worked to my newbie honey. There are also signs and instructions everywhere, so if you’re determined not to ask for help you can probably figure it out
+If anyone is being loud or creepy, let someone know. I didn’t have any issues, but they have policies posted for a reason — don’t just fume silently and then complain on Unilocal
+If you have a reservation for a service, arrive early! It’s good manners and if you add the spa or it’s included, you can spend some time in the pools and sauna warming up.
+As others have mentioned, bring a water bottle or buy one from the restaurant. There’s a lot of water dispensers around for refills

Let me begin by saying I was really hesitant to try this place out because of the reviews from a few months ago. But I thought I would give them the benefit of the doubt and was really pleased with my experience.
First of all, I went when they opened for a 9:45 massage with Helen. And that little lady gave me one of the best massages I have had in a long time. The best part about Korean spas, is they do not hold back on the intensively of their deep tissue massages. It does involve some one jumping on your back and digging their heels into your sore/​tight muscles. So it is not for the weak minded or pain wimps.
The spa was very clean and for the first 2 hours, I was the only person using the sauna rooms. So, it was peaceful and very relaxing.
I then moved on to the ladies spa area with the hot, warm and cold tubs which felt great after my massage, spending time in both the wet & dry saunas. Note, this area is completely nude, so be comfortable in your skin because everyone else is. You can opt for the body scrub which is always a treat and you feel silky smooth for days after this treatment.
Lastly, I did dine in the 2^nd floor restaurant. it’s more of a little korean deli with a limited menu. But it was oh so good after all of the relaxing I had done for the 3 ½ hours I was in the spa.
I know some people had some bad experiences. Maybe it was because of the time of day when they visited this place. But I can say, the best time to get a massage is when your masseuse is fresh and energetic … you will never get a good treatment if he or she is tired, hungry and exhausted. What they do is not an easy job and it takes a lot of energy from a person for each treatment.
The next time I visit the Seattle area I will definitely stop by again … in the morning.

Went here last night and immediately was taken back by the rude front desk employee/​owner? Kept saying how busy they are and were running out of locker keys and clothes. She did have enough for the 3 of us and I don’t understand why she needed to make such a big deal. Then she told us that they close at 11:45 and keys needed to be returned by then. Online it says 1am and so does the signs?!?
Tub area is small and not that many people, but because of the size, it was crowded. The scrub area was small and tight too. Most of the faucets were not working. There’s limited shampoo and conditioner so unless you reach over someone, you can’t use. The hot rooms were big but smelled badly especially the salt room. The lounge areas were small and very uncomfortable. There were some men covered in sweat and smelly in all the rooms. It was gross. Spa was not that crowded.
I won’t be back. Not relaxing.