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Review content:
I don't do "foofy spa" - I find New Age music irritating, I loathe aromatherapy and I don't need my chakras aligned. What I *do* need is periodic steaming, soaking, scrubbing and rubbing, and a facial as required to keep from scaring small children and animals. I tend to like Korean spas despite being a pale fat Anglo guy, and my recent visit to Palace Spa was precisely what I needed. If you're looking for a hushed, child-free sybaritic experience, Korean spas are generally not for you, and Palace Spa is no exception. If you're looking for well-priced services delivered in a spotless low-nonsense environment, you need to try this undiscovered gem. If you're not familiar with Korean spas, the primary service is the Korean Body Scrub. The previous review is correct in that it's like being thoroughly sanded with ScotchBrite pads, and yes, buckets of water are periodically poured over you. I had no problems with temperature or thoroughness; this service is performed in the altogether by a partially clothed technician in a semi-private alcove in every K-spa I've ever visited, and my scrub totally met and exceeded my expectations. I glowed, and the mitts work much better than chemical or "microcrystal" exfoliation, for a third the price in my experience. My massage service was provided by a more-conventionally-attired technician and was generous in time and the exact type of massage I desired and problem areas were briefly identified beforehand. Draping was applied and maneuvered appropriately and I was periodically asked about pressure levels and positioning. I can't speak for the ladies, but Palace offers men a brutal-but-tolerable 200F dry sauna, a pleasant steam room without added eucalyptus, hot, warm and chilled soaking pools and both conventional and Korean-style showers. Everything was spotless and attendants were frequently drying floors and straightening up. The coed salt, clay and "ice" rooms were clean and spacious. Appointments tend to the utilitarian - think "country club lockerroom" not "weekend at Golden Door", but touches of granite, glass tile and agate abound. Towels are big and absorbent, but you won't be tempted to steal them as an example of magic fiber technology; they're just nice cotton towels. When you check in, you're handed a shirt and shorts for the co-ed areas; they try to guess your size, and you may wish to check their guess before you enter the lockerroom. As an aside, If you were a fan of the now-defunct Newlife in Lynnwood, you're going to *love* Palace Spa just as much if not more. Overall, I felt my package ($100 for admission, 30-minute scrub and 45-minute massage) was an exceptional value even in the realm of Korean spa-dom, and look forward to becoming a regular.
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