Willows Lodge

My wife and I had massages at Willows Lodge ~Jun 2009. Get there at least 30 minutes early to spend some time in the naturally decorated in-ground spa hot tub and/or the sauna. The hot tub was my personal favorite feature. Great to talk and relax while waiting for our massage appointment. The waiting room itself is indeed cozy, but complementary tea and view of hot tub garden area made the experience calming and intimate instead of cramped. Massages were very professional and felt great. My wife and I were in separate rooms, but we didn't ask for combined massage room. (Perhaps next time :-).) I like learning about massage techniques and my masseuse did a great job talking me through the techniques she was using. My wife also enjoyed her massage. Expect to be upsold a little on herbal oil or butter rather than basic massage oil. After testing a few options I decided to splurge the extra $5-10 and thought it felt good and smelled nice. Do what you like, but ask to feel and smell samples including default before making a decision. Price is about the only drawback. It's definitely in the "full service spa" category. more

We spent my birthday at the Willows Lodge this year, and what a great decision that was. We're Seattle folk who wanted to get away from home and see the winery and brewery over in Woodinville. I'm so glad we stayed where we did! Our room was fantastic. The large soaker tub and fireplace were really the icing on the cake. We loved the lodge dog, a large golden retriever who was very friendly. The hotel was very centrally located for what we wanted to do, and we were able to walk everywhere. I would absolutely recommend The Willows Lodge to anyone who is coming to stay in Seattle, or any Seattleite who wants to get away for a while. more

My husband and I just made our annual anniversary getaway, choosing to stay at the Willows Lodge in Woodinville for the second time. We booked massages at The Spa at Willows this year. We were under the impression that we would be getting our massages simultaneously in the same room; however, my husband was whisked off to an upstairs room (which he later told me was huge and had two massage tables in it), and I was taken into one of the smaller, downstairs room. He mentioned to his massage therapist that he thought we were to be in the same room, both massage therapists apologized profusely, and as I was already undressed and on the table (and you don't really talk much during a massage anyway), we just went ahead with their set-up. A little disappointing, but really not a big deal to me. My massage, by Heidi, was quite good. She listened to what I told her pre-massage and gave a great leg massage. I would rate the massage itself 4 stars. The women working the front desk at The Spa had little personality, and the first one (there was one there when we went in, and another when we came out) was giving one of the therapists a hard time (in front of three clients) about a removed document, which I found quite unprofessional. The facility itself was rather small, the waiting room a little too "cozy." I should review Heidi separately because she *did* give a good massage, but the overall experience left a little to be desired. more

The Willows Lodge in Woodinville is a wonderful little area getaway for couples. They offer some great packages (check out the "do not disturb" package), and there is a spa on the premises if you want to indulge while you're there. http://www.willowslodge.com/ more

I have to recommend the Willow Lodge in Woodinville, Washington. Far enough away from Seattle, that you will feel like you have been somewhere: close-in enough that you can get home within 30 minutes. Here are some of its many charms. THE LODGE: Although the common spaces (lobby, lounge, library) might lean a little heavy on the log cabin motif, the guest rooms are absolutely zen. Foresty tones of mushroom and moss (the rooms in which I have luxuriated) combined with European bedding and the extra large soaking tub (for two) give the rooms an unmistakable rustic elegance. All of the rooms have balconies and most, if not all, have fireplaces (certainly worth a request). My favorite thing (strange, perhaps) is the lighting. Nothing disrupts a heavenly night sleep like fumbling for the lights at 3:00am. Unless I dreamed it, an almost imperceptibly soft cone of light over the stone sink guided my way to the loo without so much as dilating my sleepy eyes. That is a nice touch. DINING AT THE LODGE: There are two restaurants on property--The Herbfarm Restaurant and The Barking Frog. Both offer Northwest cuisine. While I have enjoyed dining experiences at both, the Barking Frog is a far more relaxed experience (bistro feel). If you want oto explore a wine list of Northwest wines, this is the place. But even if you do not dine at the Herbfarm Restaurant, don't miss their herb garden which is on property. THE SPA AT THE LODGE: On one such occasion I treated my husband to a hot stone massage at the spa. It was a huge hit. BEYOND THE LODGE: Located in Woodinville, the Willows Lodge is in the heart of western Washington's wine country. Read more here http://www.woodinvillewinecountry.com/wwc.php. I'd have to think, a tour of Château St. Michelle and a romantic cheese-and-wine picnic on the grounds of the Château would serve as an excellent mood-setter. If you are considering a stay between May and September, you might make a reservation for a hot air balloon ride. Contact Over the Rainbow at http://www.letsgoballooning.com/Seattle/seattle.html. more

The Willows Lodge in Woodinville has the Northwest touch. The architecture, furnishings and the casual atmosphere puts you at ease when you walk in. You may even be greeted by the resident Bassett Hound, Gus. Rooms are minimalist modern, with Bose radio/alarm clocks, digitally controlled thermostat showers (!), and an indulgent soaker tub in the room. If you have breakfast included like we did, don't miss it. You'll have to walk across the parking lot to the Barking Frog, but it's a first-rate breakfast. On the day we breakfasted there, they had smoked salmon and seafood, bagels, cream cheese, fruit, fresh squeezed juices, pastries, etc. Wonderful! more

Willows Lodge offers beautiful luxury accommodations in the verdant green valleys that contain Red Hook Brewery, Chateau St. Michelle and Columbia Wineries, and a stretch of the Burke-Gilman bike trail. Enjoy the gorgeous greenery, take a walk along the bike path, or while the day away sampling wine and beer. Great for corporate retreats as well. Accomodations are luxurious and beautiful, but expect to pay for them. Restaurant onsite as well. more