SEATTLE — Research says that a long hot soak stops stress, eases muscle aches, may even have heart benefits. Perfect for hibernation season.
Here are some places to take a healing winter plunge:
First, the 'cannibal hot tub' at the Paradise Village Hotel.
It's essentially a giant cauldron of water, fed by a mountain stream that's heated by a fire underneath.
"It's like a Ukranian type thing, they've got tons of them out there. They've got whole entire resorts," said William Zaika. He was born in Ukraine.
His family immigrated to the U-S and runs this small hotel in Ashford.
Ukrainians clearly have epic relaxation figured out.
Hothouse Spa and Sauna is 12 hundred square feet of private relaxation on Seattle's Capitol Hill.
“I love seeing people transform coming into the spa they often come in stressed out and exhausted to get their mind off the world,” said Ursula Stewart, who works at the spa.
“I'm used to going to spas where you are in spaces with lots of people and tip toe around cut to: having privacy and comfort of your own space is nice,” added customer Tonye Wokoma.
Hothouse is for private rentals only, up to 8 relaxers at a time, and has a steam room, jacuzzi and a quiet area to get away from the chilly weather - and chill.
Soak on the Sound in Port Townsend is one of the few saltwater bathhouses in the Pacific Northwest.
They've also got two kinds of saunas - far-infrared and a Finnish steam sauna.
But the salt water soaking tubs are the soul of this spot, these tubs have 10 to 20 pounds of salt in them, creating salinity that’s equal to the ocean, and the human body.
A soak in hot salt water relieves pain, stimulates circulation, and has a host of other health benefits. And the private pools are set in relaxing rooms with décor that comes right from the beach.
A salty soak that's a perfect mid-winter change of scenery.
Prefer to immerse yourself in Winter? Then head to Whistler British Columbia's Scandinave Spa.
But be sure to shush. That’s right. This is a silent spa.
Modeled after the spas of Scandinavia, this is a place to disconnect - to re-connect with yourself.
And because it's outside, you'll soak up some vitamin D as well.
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