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Hothouse Spa & Sauna
Rating Details »
Neighborhood: First Hill
1019 E Pike St
Seattle, WA 98122
(206) 568-3240
1019 E Pike St
Seattle, WA 98122
(206) 568-3240
- Hours:
Mon., Wed-Sun. 12:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m.
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Price Range:
-
$
- Parking:
- Street
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
- By Appointment Only:
- No
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36 reviews for Hothouse Spa & Sauna
pss...i found the secret to happiness.
made my body and mind jelly.
they only take CASH AND CHECK.
they give complimentary water and i would recommend to keep drinking it cuz you get dehydrated.
to use the facility once its $12. but you can buy a punch card for 10 uses for $100. it's a dream for girls on a budget who need some relaxation!
Yes, this is a lengthy post, but a girl's gotta vent.
Yesterday I did what all girls should do on a day when you need an escape from the troubles in your life. ...I took a trip to the spa. Calgon's got nothin' on relaxing soak in the tub and a good sweat. Naturally, I went to Hot House.
I covered my bedhead with a hat, covered my puffy eyes with shades and walked through the door wielding four dollar bills, desperate for quarters to fill the meter. Turns out I forgot my debit card on the day from hell. Figures.
I'm greeted, say hello and request quarters for the meter. The reply is "Are you getting a spa today?" Yes, I reply. Next I'm told that the quarters are not for customers, but for the LAUNDRY. Yes. Apparently dirty towels take precedence over paying customers in this joint. I glance down and notice one and half rolls of quarters in her drawer, approximately $15 worth of quarters.
First of all, do you think I really wandered in off the street and down this flight of stairs if wasn't getting a spa that day? And secondly, are you really going to send a paying customer back out on the street to FIND them when they are right there in your hand? What are the chances that that customer is going to come back at all? Then she has the nerve to say "I think the meter outside takes dollar bills." REALLY? Do you think I'm new? If you were new to the city, fine. Maybe you'd buy that line. But since she works at a spa on the hill, I presume that she walks by at least a dozen of these meters each day, even if she's never driven a day in her life.
On any other day I would have not come back. But this was an extraordinary day that demanded that I get my spa. I got the f***cking meter handled, and I returned.
The next installment of my visit went as planned. As I exited the steam room, I notice Miss Hipster checking the chemicals in the hot tub, and all my stress returns as I'm reminded of the incident. I ask myself if I should speak up. I decide it's warranted. No one else is around, so it seems appropriate. I explain that her conduct bothered me, I get the apology with the "I didn't mean to be rude" follow up, but her delivery was anything but genuine.
Regardless, I'm satisfied that I've done the right thing for both of us. I didn't ask to speak to a manager, and I felt better for saying my piece. But it's not over.
I lay down in the changing area, where they have some pads laid out to cool off and chill. This area is separated from the reception area by only a curtain. Throughout the spa, there are several signs posting, "Please whisper". Apparently this rule only applies to the clientele.
Miss Hipster has a very distinctive voice. For the next five minutes I get to endure conversations with her coworker about this boyfriend, and that boyfriend, and how "she drank too much whiskey last night". Nice.
I could go on and on critiquing the level of customer service, and lack of respect and courtesy that I received on this visit, but you get the idea.
Bottom line - I went to the spa to relax. I left more pissed off than when I got there. Awesome.
A side note to Miss Hipster - I can only hope that if I do have the privilege of seeing you again, you'll be chucking Jim Beam all over your trendy new outfit from Urban in front of whatever bar you and your scumbag boyfriends hang out at. Good luck.
I really like this place. The price is right, just $12 in comparison to $35 at other spas. It's got nice atmosphere and great place to sweat. I spent about 4 hours here & think it cured me of the cold that was coming on.
I love saunas, steam rooms, showers, and hot tubs and this place has all of them and you can go back and forth. There is also a room to lay down & rest/nap for a while which was nice to cool off in between the heat.
It was a great place to go, and really easy to get a massage.... But I think I could have gotten a better massage somewhere else with better quality.... Just saying.... I would've liked a harder massage, with a lot of ympf into it...
I love Hothouse. Ladies lounging around and relaxing, and at an affordable price. I recommend getting the punch-card--10 visits for $100, including the towel. It's a bargain, and they keep the card on file for you. The only downside of Hothouse is that the "cool plunge" is actually a cool shower (there is no cool pool). But it's relaxing, right in the heart of Capitol Hill, and people are great. Try their shower gel--I buy some and "hothouse" myself at home when I'm stressed. Just the light scent brings me back to a moment when I was relaxed and enjoying myself.
I really love this place, especially this time of year. I have received wonderful massages from their massage therapists, and I think their massage prices are very reasonable. Plus I have had good luck getting drop-in appointments! I am looking forward to having a reason to rent the place for a private party, which sounds so fun! Above all, I really appreciate the way Hot House supports local women-centered organizations. All in all, an amazing, local, women-owned business!
I love this place. My gf and I go all the time. It is "nothing fancy" but just what a girl needs to feel good. There is a nice tub area, steam and sauna, lockers, showers, and a nice place to relaz after and put on lotions. It is not too large, so there is a limit on how many people can use the space at once. They are open late though, maybe 11 pm, the spot is kind of hidden... down some stairs (but you will see the sign) find some parking pn the st in Cap Hill can be tricky (so you might have to park a few blocks) which means you WILL want something warm to wear to walk BACK to your car from the sauna. MMM I LOVE this place. My gf and I try to go together whenever I am in town. Clothing optional, women only. We even did a party here before a wedding - it was nice. They also offer massage but I have never done one. Prices are so reasonable and you can even buy a package.
EDIT: Just wanted to mention that I actually lost 4 days of work due to the "massage" I received. Couldn't type. I run a business, it had a real impact.
I'm going to have to say nay. I still managed to have a good time with my friend on my third trip here yesterday, but it wasn't thanks to the people working.
I'll take that back. The girl that was working when we first arrived was reasonably friendly and welcoming. It was the punk chick working at the desk after we'd been there a couple of hours who was aloof and defensive. While I was in my massage, my towels were taken. No big deal, it was my fault for leaving them sitting out in the public area. But when I asked for a new towel, quickly explaining that I would be happy to pay, the girl still got all defensive, saying "I didn't take your towels, blah blah". I don't care if you did or didn't, I just want to purchase another one. Is that okay?
Maybe I was just feeling cranky at this point. I'd just gotten out of my massage. The lady who worked on me, Kelly, told me at some point during the massage that she was working 70 hours a week, and boy did it end up showing on my back. She got into deep tissue work before I was ready, clearly, because today I feel like I threw out my back, despite having taken a bunch of Advil. I had to stop her a couple of times, it was so painful.
It wasn't just me. I splurged on massage for myself AND a friend, and she was in baaad shape when she left. She actually hurt in places where she hadn't felt any pain.
We'd planned on continuing to hang out that night, but it cut the experience short. I can barely type this now, but my need to warn others is outweighing my pain. Careful who you get your massage from.
What an expensive session of pain. I deserve my money back, but that's probably not going to happen.
Not a full-service spa like Olympus, but a great value for the money, very relaxing, and not stuck way out in the 'burbs.
If you like to go with friends, consider getting a group together and renting it out on a Tuesday -- especially if you're like me and loathe dirty looks and getting shushed every time you so much as whisper. Their private party pricing is pretty reasonable if you can get 10-12 gals to chip in together.
What a lovely secret tucked away on Cap Hill!
Quiet, modest tucked away. Ok Ok parking is notr so easy to find, but its Cap Hill. Take a bus or find parking 23 blocks away.
Quick, dedicated, non-chatty staff. A hot tub, sauna and nice showers. Lemon water. Hang out. Relax.
It's not very expensive.. about 15.00.. MMMMMMM
I heart the hothouse! Yes, it's tiny, but I've never had a problem getting in, or it feeling over crowded. Plus, it's extremely affordable - the Olympus Spa is great - but this gal can't swing $35 every time she wants to get her sweat on, and driving to Lynnwood is always a drag. So in comes Hothouse, my happy Capitol Hill alternative
It's cash only, but I always end up buying the punch card, anyway. 10 visits for $100. You get $2 off per visit, a towel, locker lock, and you don't have to remember to dash to an ATM for cash ( I do always manage to have a few $ in the wallet for tip)
Love, love, love the steam room! It was great before, but they recently remodeled, and now instead of the uncomfy plastic benches they have fully tiled it in - so I can sweat in faux Turkish bliss.
I try to go at least once a week - it's always worth it - and I leave feeling refreshed, shiny, and smelling like lavender and their Nag Champa incense. Plus, everyone needs a little naked time!
This place is sooo cozy, warm and relaxing, that I am considering buying the $100 punch card (10 visits, towel and lock). My finale at the HotHouse was a power nap under a soft warm blanket on the lounge area. I really passed out and felt very refreshed afterward.
I just went for the first time and I had heard about it but didnt have the energy to go to Olympus so I decided to give it a try. It was a Friday night and it was not busy. I felt I had plenty of space. For some decent chunks of times, I was the only one in the tub and the steam room. Since the place is small people dont stay for to long so thats nice too.
The staff were very friendly and I appreciated the whisper only policy. There were a few people that came in groups but Id like if people would come alone so everyone is completely quiet.
I wont bring a towel next time, you can get one for a small fee. That way the trip is more spontaneous.
This spa is so affordable and lovely.I love the steam room scented with lavender and having my girlfriends gathered in the tub for debriefs or life updates. The heated floor in the lie-down area is also a wonderful amenity. For some reason I always find excellent parking across the street by the value village. If only Hot House was open on Tuesdays, but I guess every place must close at least once a week.
I heart hothouse.
The atmosphere is amazing there. Generally I would feel uncomfortable walking around naked in front of strangers, or peeing in bathroom lacking a door, or soaking in a hot tub but at hothouse, somehow it works.
tips for a better time:
*bring cash, it's 12$.
*bring you own, large towel. (they have medium sized ones for a
dollar, and the locker is free).
*don't bring your shrill, chatty friend.
*visit the hot room you like the best first, your stamina goes downhill
quickly.
*be careful of your safety pin after sitting in the sauna for a while.
*weekday afternoons are like a ghost town at hothouse.
*if you last two hours here, you will sleep like a log and have
fabulous skin the next day.
*it's very much not the equivalent of male-only 'spas', you wont get
hit, nor should you sleaze on, the naked ladies.
things i love
*wooden walled sauna
*cold plunge
*the cleanliness
*woman-only atmosphere
*whisper please signs
*lavender steam room
*quiet ionic hairdryer, tampons, and q-tips
*I can walk there
It's february, Hot House is getting me through the winter.
I would recommend either going alone, with a quiet friend, or making SURE you have time for a lengthy conversation before going in. There are signs asking people to keep talking to a whisper, and that didn't work with the couple of friends who I invited and hadn't seen in months.
First impression: The decor is very.....simple. The place I usually go to has art and rugs everywhere, so it was a definite change in scenery.
The sauna... all I can say is I love the sauna smell! Sadly the steam room was being remodeled so we didn't get to check that one out. The hot tub was nice to warm up in but the people that came in while we were there kept turning on the jets, which kept making me feel like my stomach was rumbling.
I like that you can either pay for the single visit (in cash) or you can get a pre-paid punch card for about 10 visits and save money in the long run.
I like it HOT! Then, I like it COLD!
I like it quiet.
I like it friendly.
I don't think it is too much like a basement, it's a comfortable and welcoming atmosphere.
However, the bathroom needs a door. I need a door. You want me to have a door. I definitely want you to have a door.
After a crazy weekend, and in a desperate need for a little detox, gal pal Julea offered up a trip to the Hothouse. She's invited me more than a few times, each time I declined. I gotta admit the naked thing made me a little nervous. Couldn't help it.
Well that lasted all of about 2 minutes, enough for me to get my clothes off, hit the shower and then to the hot tub. Between wondering from steam room to cold shower to tub, you have no time to worry about your naked butt. You just don't care, and you know what, neither does anyone else.
Good things to know...
Towels are a bit small, bring your own
Wear some comfy clothes
Plan nothing after, you will be mush
I love this place, and will be heading back often. Ladies check it out.
So, I've never been to a spa other than the Hot House, so it's likely I'm biased, having no context. However, that having been said, I loooooove the Hot House.
Love it!
I seriously think every woman should visit at least once -- including (or perhaps, especially) women who otherwise have a poor opinion about their bodies. Because there's a good chance that in about half an hour you'll not only stop feeling negative about your body, you'll actually start to feel pretty kickass about your body. I'm not gonna get too serious or preachy here, but in a society where we spend all our time looking at skinny girls in magazines (yes, still), here is a place where we see what real women look like. And goddamn it, we all have weird bodies. Yours is weird, mine is weird. Nobody cares. We're all awesome.
Helloooo fluffy review!
The important stuff:
1. $12, an extra dollar for padlock rental which you get back when you return it, and another extra dollar for a towel if you rent it, but you can bring your own.
2. In addition to steam room/sauna/hot tub/cold plunge, they also have massages for extra (cheapest is $25 for 15 minutes) and you have to schedule them in advance.
3. They don't take cards, but they take checks and cash.
4. The whole place smells AWESOME because they have this fantastic lavendar soap. Lilac? I get my L-flowers confused, but that's not the point. The point is you can buy a bottle for like $5 and it's totally worth it.
5. ALSO you can buy a punch card, ten visits for a hundred bucks. So you save twenty bucks. I've been meaning to ask if you could share it - i.e. you come with a friend and you both punch the same card - but I haven't yet.
Okay, that is enough out of me!
While the location, price, and convenience of Hot House make it a total god-send (or should I say goddess-send?), the ambiance is a little lacking for me -- yes, it's a basement and it feels like it.
Also difficult is the "whispering rule." I realize that for some the spa is a thoughtful, quiet place, but when I go to sit in a hot tub with my girls, I'd like to be able to talk without being constantly paranoid that someone's going to come shush me. For me, the drive either north or south to one of Olympus Spas is well-worth it.
This is a special little place that has given me much joy. It's a precious little woman's spa on Capitol Hill, just the perfect several-hour getaway without getting out of the city.
It's tiny. One hot tub that holds perhaps 6 or 7. One small dry sauna. One small steam bath. One cold-plunge shower. One restroom. One little resting/reading/napping room for two. Two hot showers. That's it.
The ambiance is restful and tasteful. I like the subtile lighting, color schemes, and overall aesthetic. It feels meditative.
And for the perfect treat, nothing beats a good long soak and sauna right before a good long massage...aaahhhh...
I'd recommend visiting the Hot House alone when you want to relax, rather than with a group of friends. Signs everywhere caution you to "Whisper, Please", and on those occasions when I've gone with friends, the staff has often had to come remind us to do so. It's not easy to enjoy your conversation with a friend when you're constantly worried that someone is going to come tell you to shut up. For a quiet, meditative spa experience, though, it's a delight.
On a busy winter afternoon it can be a bit crowded, although I've never found it impossibly crowded.
This little gem is one of my special joys of living on Capitol Hill.
I recently had a massage at houthouse with Louise. She is amazing! She worked out all the tension that had been building up for months, and threw in hot stones as well, which at any other place I would have been charged extra for. Everyone here is always incredibly nice, I never feel uncomfortable, and will definitely be back for more!
Some things to know:
They don't require appts. for massage, but usually book quickly, so it is better to plan ahead with an appt.
Bring cash
Bring your own towels, (if you are going for the spa, not the massage)
Be careful on the steep, steep stairs leading down to the place. Steep!
My bathtub is too short. I'm a women of a certain size so sitting in the tub means that the water never completely covers me quite as high as I'd like. At the hothouse I have the ability to immerse myself completely in the healing waters of warmth.
The entry fee is $13 for all you can soak. Bring a towel or two, bring a bottle for water, and bring a book. Soak and relax in the tub. Dry off in the dry sauna, enjoy a soothing lavendar scented steam room, then cool off with the cold shower and do it all again. Drink your water to stay hydrated and when you need a break there is a little resting area with pillows. Take your time to meditate on the meaning of life before you return to the real world.
Not enough relaxation for you? The have massage therapists Louise Amandes is my favorite and works on Friday nights. A massage with hot rocks cure all that ail me.
Yes it's in a basement, but that means its dark and quiet all the time.
The noise rule , well its been ages since anyone has hushed me , but in this envrionment I'm not looking to get rowdy either. Just a little gossip with the girls.
For me, this is NOT the spa of my dreams though I know others that love it.
My little wimpy body can only take a bit of heat and they only have one water pool and it is too hot for me. And of course the steam and sauna are too hot too! Duh. They are supposed to be, of course.
This place just doesn't offer me options that work for me.
The ambiance is ok. Though one friend said, "It is kind of basementy." Which is true.
Service has always been fine.
I really dislike though that the toilet has a shower curtain as a door (which leads to the shower.) Bleh! I want my privacy when I pee!
I'll only come here as a gift to my gf. I would MUCH rather trek up to Olympus in Lynnwood.
I regret that it took me so long to visit Hothouse. I visited on a typical Seattle day - gray, raining, cold, and to me relatively miserable. After a few hours of baking in a warm, dry sauna with a book and a copy of the Stranger, I felt like a new woman.
It's not the most luxurious spa/sauna in existence, but it is extremely affordable and convenient. People of average income deserve to be able to soak in a hot tub and lounge in the sauna too. It's also awesome that it's open until midnight. I can go home, eat dinner, get my reading material together, head out and relax for a few hours and slide into bed calm and refreshed.
On the evening of my first visit, I showed up around 10pm. There were only a few women there so I had the sauna to myself. I'm not shy about nudity. However, if you are, showing up later at night might be a good way to get accustomed to it since I imagine that they're much busier earlier in the day. If you don't live in the neighborhood and are driving, that's probably also one of the easier times to find parking.
$12. (another $1 for padlock rental if you want a locker, or you can bring your own lock.) Bring a towel. Water with lemons is provided. Most people enjoy showering afterward, so you might want to bring your soap/shampoo/etc. too.
This spa is right near my aunt house and its is a great way to shut off your day. It is small but its worth it. I always come here with a couple of my close family and friends. Its really cheap too! My aunt is a frequent customer here!
So if you even in the area and need a place to unwind without a wait....go to the Hothouse!
Love this place! It's small, yes, but it's well-maintained, inexpensive, and the women running it are friendly and caring. It's located in a convenient place in Capitol Hill, and is easy to get to via car or public transportation.
Winters in Seattle are pretty brutal, with the bone-chilling damp and long spells of darkness. Sometimes you just need a little warmth--the kind that a room heated to 185 degrees can provide. Luckily, the Hothouse Spa and Sauna has just what the doctor ordered when it's day 28 of rain and drizzle.
Yes, Hothouse is small, and yes, it is in a basement. However, I think the staff has done an excellent job of making it a safe, welcoming environment to relax and recharge in. Hothouse is clean, quiet, and very inexpensive (spend as much time as you want for under $15, including a lock deposit). I would like a door on the bathroom, because as cool as I am with being nekked with other women, I still prefer to do my business without fear of being walked in on.
I have only been during the off hours, which seems like the way to go. I could imagine it gets pretty crowded in the evenings, so try to schedule your visit for a time when Hothouse isn't too busy. Drink a lot of water--you'll lose a lot of fluids there! And bring warm clothes to bundle up in before heading back into the dampcold grey Seattle weather when you leave.
loved it. spa whore that i am.
super clean, very efficient use of the space.
too bad they dont have 2 massage rooms!
I had not relaxed or taken time to myself for a few months, and my roommate introduced me to this amazingly well kept secret tucked into Capitol Hill. It was awkward being in the nude with other people at first, but the staff is so friendly, and the clientele is so chill, that I quickly adapted. The first impression was that I loved it when at the front door, you have to be let in, and whispering is mandatory. It is a great place to relax and de-stress without being judged, bothered by a cell phone or pushy salesperson. I can't wait to go back!
At 5'9" with long legs, I don't fit in bathtubs. Either my legs fit, which means my entire upper body is out of the water, or I can scrunch down with my knees bent and most of my legs out of the water.
But now that I've started working out again, I've really wanted to soak in hot water. The Hothouse is perfect for that.
Yes, it's in a basement. Yes, the ambience is definitely industrial and urban. Yes, it's quiet and there are "whisper, please" signs everywhere you look.
If you're looking for fancy, glitzy or a party atmosphere, you won't like it. If you hate being naked (although, personally, I don't care if other women look at my naked body), you won't like it. If you're looking for peace and quiet, stretching out in hot water with sauna and steam, there's a good chance you will like it.
The next time I go back I'll be buying a $100 punch card for 10 good long soaks, saving myself $20-30. My own grouse is that they don't take plastic, which cost them a star.
I feel like I'm wrapped in a cocoon of relaxation within the earth at this place. Yes, it is a little space tucked into a basement with a Bar?!!! upstairs, but you wouldn't know it. I enjoy the ability to meditate on the heated floor, or in the dry Sauna. The steam room also has a lovely scent, and the fact that I can stay as long as I want is a glorious thing. This is something just for me. I get away, hide from the world, and enjoy all things water and warm.
The massage experience I've had here has also been well worth it. The options/choices of therapies offered makes it quite a deal! Where else can you get a Hot Rock or a Sound Therapy massage for the same price as any other massage? The Saturday night girl is also what I envision a massage therapist to be, she's at least 6' tall, and strong enough to rub all of the aches out of my muscles.
Thank you HotHouse for providing moments of peace.
I go to the Hothouse for a calming, no-fuss no-frills hot soak and sauna. Sometimes that's all I want, and the price is right for that. I've been mostly with friends and really enjoy the atmosphere. I haven't yet tried the massage therapists, though I plan to.
If you want someplace where you can go and talk as loudly as you like, go to the Olympus Spa (also a great place, but pricier). The ambience isn't the same there; it's less a relaxing soak and more a chatting place with more variety of temperatures, which is perfect when you're looking for a getaway with the girls, but for a calming soak with little to distract me, I'll go to the Hothouse.
EDIT: I had a truly lovely massage tonight from Jen. My first massage here, and it felt so good that I booked another for next week with the same therapist. Hothouse, I love you even more now that I'm living within walking distance!
I absolutely love the Hothouse - especially there massages. I have been so many times to many different therapists (Kelly, Joya, Louise) and it seems that each massage is better than the next. They all have very different styles, but you can tell the masseurs exactly what part of your body is hurting, or just let them do whatever. Its magical and I guarantee you will leave you walking out with a gorgeous sigh of relief "Ahh..."
I recommend this place to any woman who wants a comfortable and safe place to relax and feel at peace.
Only drawback: some therapists only work one day a week so its hard to snag your favorite, and due to them being directly below the ever intense Wild Rose, you can hear a lot of footsteps and banging around sometimes.
When I'm in the mood to schvitz.... I think Hothouse Spa & Sauna.
Conveniently located, open several hours a day, several days a week and chock full of sweaty!
If you want schvitzin'... think Hothouse Spa & Sauna.
Se habla moist!
WOMEN ONLY!
Hothouse is great.
It is affordable, accessible and the ambiance is wonderful.
The idea is to have a space where women can be naked and do not have to feel any shame about our bodies. Yes, the bathroom does not have a lot of privacy but Hothouse is not about privacy; it is about community. It is about how there is a community of women regardless of whether we have met before or it seems we have anything in common on the surface.
Hothouse is a refuge for women in the city of Seattle and I highly reccommend everyone try it at least once (unless you are seriously afraid of being seen naked, in which case, you had better not.).
Hothouse is my favorite! They have the BEST massage therapists ever (not cheap but they do great work!) and how can you beat a relaxing afternoon or evening for just over 10 bucks?!? It's such a welcoming place - and anyone can feel comfortable there - you don't have to have a "perfect" (whatever that is!) body to visit this place! It is girls only so leave the guys at home! :)
