I wanted a weekend of bliss and pampering. I wanted fun stuff to do. I wanted a gorgeous north woods setting, trails to walk, streams to cross, but I also wanted to come in out of the crisp, cold to a comfortable, well appointed room. Add to this, what I really, really wanted was to tone my body, shave off a few inches, maybe even shed a few pounds.
The opportunity to do it all was waiting for me at The Spa at Willows Lodge in Woodinville, WA.
Food & Accommodations
Picture a colossal stone fireplace and huge aged timbers — that’s the lobby and lounge of the Willows Lodge, built from a 100-year-old Douglas Fir salvaged from pioneer waterfront buildings. The grounds, five acres of pools, waterfalls, herb gardens and impressive sculptures, border the Sammamish River.
Each room has a giant bed, a private patio or deck, a push button fireplace, and a massive tub for two. A complimentary continental breakfast is served each morning in the lounge and wine tasting is offered in the late afternoon.
The food at The Barking Frog, the Lodge’s restaurant, is outstanding. Open for brunch, lunch and dinner, the restaurant features “Northwest cuisine with a European flair, and an extensive Northwest wine collection.” Dinner specialties include lacquered Alaskan halibut and exotic mushrooms sautee. They also make a great martini.
There are other temptations as well — two wineries and a brewery within walking distance. I particularly enjoyed the tour of the Redhook Brewery immediately next door (tip: try the Blackhook Porter). Redhook also has a pleasant pub, The Forecaster’s Public House, that offers a hearty menu and live entertainment.
If beer isn’t your thing, or if you simply want to do more tasting and touring, Washington’s leading wineries, Chateau Ste. Michelle and Columbia, are within walking distance.
Spa Treatments & Activities
The Willows features the typical massages, facials and pedicures but I also had access to air ballooning, horseback riding, river kayaking and canoeing.
Next door, a hiking trail winds its way along the banks of the Sammasmish River past Lake Washington all the way to Puget Sound. The 34-mile Burke-Gilman Trail, wide enough to accommodate bikers, roller-bladers and horseback riders, passes through tall timber and lush green hills — a perfect way to enjoy the area’s natural Northwest beauty.
I loved the hiking, bracing air, scent of pines, rippling sounds of a meandering river; but, truth be told, the promise of pampering drew me back to the lodge.
The Spa at Willows Lodge has four different massages reputed to be slimming as well as sensuous. I chose the Affinoderm — designed to restore the body’s natural balance and overcome water retention by activating a natural cleansing system. Or so they say, all I can say is that it feels heavenly.
It began with me on a warm, toasty sheet being slathered with seawater, seaweed and algae. Pretty soon I looked like a frog in spa panties (a tiny disposable bikini provided for the occasion.) Special attention was paid to my waist — the area I particularly wanted to target.
Finally, I was wrapped in a thermal blanket and allowed to gently steep for 20 minutes — feeling all the while like some cherished, expensively wrapped Christmas present. After I’d showered, cellulium was applied to tighten the skin followed by huile, a light oil spray.
Yes! I did feel a bit trimmer and I felt fabulous.
The spa’s facial menu offers 13 possible treatments. Just consider the Aromatherapy Facial — 90 minutes wrapped in an aromaplasm poultice made from a natural multi-vitamin complex. The nourishment and revitalization process is said to rejuvenate the skin after only one treatment.
It sounded marvelous, but so did the Enlightening Treatment designed to fade age spots, fight free radicals and environmental damage. The plant complex of Japanese white mulberry and grapefruit extract helps to reestablish the skin’s natural glow bringing about a brighter and more radiant look.
How to choose? Why can’t life be one endless facial? (Perhaps because the least expensive option was $50.)
I went with the Ultimate Anti-Aging Treatment — 90 blissful minutes tailored for “mature” skin. It began with cleansing, ex-foliation and steaming. Next, digital pressure was applied with an anti-aging essence of cinnamon, clove, thyme and geranium. The carrier oil was hazelnut with a dash of Muscat rose. Also included in the mix was jojoba and wheat germ to prevent dehydration and borage to activate cell renewal. It felt and smelled heavenly.
The next step was a massage with more rich oils and botanicals followed by a mask of algae and seaweed for l5 minutes. Finally the mask was removed and more essence applied with a day cream. The avowed purpose of all this is to combat fine lines and wrinkles and restore a relaxed, radiant and youthful complexion
My skin was taut and glowing. It was a nice way to return to the world.
You can visit their website at: http://www.willowslodge.com/spa/