A Tranquil Day At The Olympus Spa In Lynnwood

Olympus is a traditional Korean spa that has drawn spa lovers from far and wide looking to experience relaxation and rejuvenation. Note: Olympus is a women-only spa. The nearby Q Sauna and Spa is a great option if you’re looking for a co-ed spa experience.

After a quick outfit change into the provided spa robe and hat, my first stop was the pool area, home to four soaking pools, an herbal sauna, and an herbal steam room. Before hopping in the soaking tub, I rinsed off with hot mugwort water, which had an incredible herbal scent and is said to have medicinal properties for women.

The hours flew by as I rotated between the different soaking pools, ranging from the 60-degree cold plunge to the 104-degree hot tub. As I soaked, I watched women heading to get their Korean body scrubs, one of Olympus’ signature spa services. I didn’t book far enough in advance to try it this time, but I’ve tried a similar scrub at spas in Korea, and it is heavenly!

Olympus encourages all spa visitors to use their “spa voices,” so the only sounds in the pool area were rushing water and the low whispers of spa-goers. It was a truly peaceful experience. Feeling sufficiently soothed after my soak, I headed to the herbal steam room, where I sweated out my stress and breathed in the herbal scent of mugwort. I continued my rotation between the steam room, sauna, cold plunge, and hot tubs until my curiosity drew me to explore the FIR (far infrared rays) heated rooms.

I donned my spa robe, grabbed my book, and headed to the 140-degree salt room, one of eight relaxation rooms. The salt room’s floor is a giant canvas sack stuffed with salt, which you can feel crunching beneath your feet as you walk. With no electronics allowed in the entire spa, I began devouring my book, which had previously sat neglected on my nightstand for months. It was the true definition of unplugging.

All that relaxing made me surprisingly hungry, so I walked down the hall to Olympus’ in-house Korean fusion restaurant. No shirt, no shoes, no service doesn’t apply here, where barefooted diners can enjoy deliciously fresh Korean food. I had the dolsot bibimbap, a hot stone bowl filled with rice, veggies, meat, and egg.

After dinner, I finished my book while reclining on a beanbag in the 90-degree heated reading room. Full and relaxed, I put my finished book away and headed back to the pool room, once again beginning my soak, steam, and sauna rotation. By the night's end, every muscle in my body was relaxed, and my mind was unplugged after hours away from electronics. Pure relaxation.

Things to know: A day pass to Olympus costs $53 and allows you admission to the spa for the entire day.

Hours are Monday to Thursday, 8:30 AM to 9 PM, and Friday and Saturday, 8:30 AM to 11 PM. The spa is closed on Sundays.

Staff recommends booking spa services at least two weeks in advance and up to three weeks in advance for weekends.