Banya #5

Banya 5 is an interesting experience. We used to go all the time but then when it went up to $30, we slowed down a bit. $60 for a couple of hours seemed a bit much. What I do like is that the banya...
Published by Becca C. More

Banya 5 is an interesting experience. We used to go all the time but then when it went up to $30, we slowed down a bit. $60 for a couple of hours seemed a bit much. What I do like is that the banya can get to around 210-220 degrees. What I don't like is that sometimes it's more of a bathhouse and less of a spa. And the hot tub holds about 4 people. The place is going to be outgrown soon so I hope they have plans for another one. If you don't like crowds and noise, go right when they open or just before closing. They also have a nice tea station and chill out/stretching areas as well as massage and scrub services.
Published by Becca C. Less

This place is great - hot spa, cold pools, even the little wet stick that you're supposed to smack yourself with to get the blood flowing. My wife went last weekend and there were big eastern...
Published by Clay M. More

This place is great - hot spa, cold pools, even the little wet stick that you're supposed to smack yourself with to get the blood flowing. My wife went last weekend and there were big eastern europeans chattering away and sweating it out right next to the north seattle ladies. Love that fact that we have this place in a city with similar winter light as vladivostock...
Published by Clay M. Less

I just took my mother to Banya 5 on their "family" day. We had a great time, it was relaxing and not too loud. I got a scrub which was amazing, and my mom got a massage. She said the massage was...
Published by J D. More

I just took my mother to Banya 5 on their "family" day. We had a great time, it was relaxing and not too loud. I got a scrub which was amazing, and my mom got a massage. She said the massage was the best she's ever had! I had a really great experience there, worth every penny.
Published by J D. Less

I prefer my spas to be serene, so Banya 5 is less than perfect. You have your Russian families, but you also get what I call the Abercrombie set. They're young and their chattiness makes it hard to...
Published by Chloe B. More

I prefer my spas to be serene, so Banya 5 is less than perfect. You have your Russian families, but you also get what I call the Abercrombie set. They're young and their chattiness makes it hard to get fully immersed in what should be a peaceful experience. However, Banya 5 is conveniently located and its parilka (dry sauna) is scorchingly hot (200 degrees F), so it gets plus points for that. The facility is smaller than I thought it would be, but the hot tub is smaller still. So much so that it seems like an afterthought. Maybe the hot tub is not a key feature in traditional Russian baths? With four people in the hot tub, you are practically sitting shoulder-to-shoulder. I do like the local touches. The tepid salt pool is kept at the same degree of salinity as Puget Sound. It accommodates many more people and is an interesting feature. The cold plunge (55 degrees F) is kept at the same temperature as Puget Sound and is deep enough that you can submerge most of your body quite easily just by slipping in. It's also small, but no one spends too much time in there. The steam room is really nice. It uses just enough eucalyptus to get your nasal passages clear. It also gets steamier than any other steam room I've ever been in, which is a pretty cool effect. However, my favorite is the dry sauna. It's like an oven, from the heavy Brothers-Grimm-style wood door to the stone fireplace that occupies a quarter of the room. The sauna is huge, though only one side has a bench wide enough to allow you to lay down comfortably. It gets hotter than any other dry sauna I've been in and really lets you feel like you're getting cooked. The free teas and the nap room upstairs are nice touches. I also really enjoy the twenty minute, thirty dollar honey/oil/salt scrub.
Published by Chloe B. Less

Russian for "bath," the banya is an old-world tradition. Banya 5 gives it a hip setting and a new-age twist. For $25 you can spend as long as you like in the whirlpools, steam room, sauna, cold...
Published by Amy R. More

Russian for "bath," the banya is an old-world tradition. Banya 5 gives it a hip setting and a new-age twist. For $25 you can spend as long as you like in the whirlpools, steam room, sauna, cold plunge pool or tepid saltwater pool, not to mention a snooze in the somewhat spartan "nap room" upstairs. Finish it off with complimentary black tea sweetened in the Russian way, with a dollop of jam. The locker room and facilities are pristine, hip, and modern. You'll find many Russians come here, and often use the traditional bundles of leaves to create more heat in the sauna by smacking themselves and each other with the branches. Don't be alarmed-- it's not mandatory! Spa scrubs and massage are also available for an additional charge. There are co-ed days where everyone wears swim wear, and single-sex days where patrons wear nothing. Suit yourself! It's a great place to relax and worth the price.
Published by Amy R. Less

Whenyou go to Banya 5 you will spend your hard earned money, but on the plus side, it is totally worth it! The staff is friendly and welcoming. The facilities are modern, clean, and comfortable. The...
Published by Nancy L. More

Whenyou go to Banya 5 you will spend your hard earned money, but on the plus side, it is totally worth it! The staff is friendly and welcoming. The facilities are modern, clean, and comfortable. The body scrub was an enjoyable experience. Unlike Olympus Health Spa in Federal Way, the Scrubber didn't scrub my leg until all of my skin fell off. She wanted me to be comfortable and not in pain. The scrub is mainly a honey and sugar combination that leaves your skin wonderfully soft. The only negative is that there is no delicious Russian food. I would recommend this is the future for Banya 5. It's a great atmosphere and great service.
Published by Nancy L. Less

Then go to Banya5! I admit I was hesitant at first, but we just purchased a punch card there (5 visits for $100) so I plan on going back again and again! The facilities are very clean and safety is...
Published by Nic P.