Get warm
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
The Hothouse is a wonderful gem of a place tucked down below street level on Capital Hill.
When you enter (there is a locked door and you must be let in) you take off your shoes and then proceed into a dressing room where the floors are heated and there is filtered water with fresh limes. Upon undressing, your choices of activity are a (lavendar scented, when I've been there) steam room, a cedar sauna, a large hot tub, a cold plunge shower and a quiet space for resting after your soak.
The tone is tranquil and they discourage much talking and instead play quiet music. The lighting is dim and calm.
I really love this place because it has many of the amenities of a "spa" but with out all of the froufrou service and spendy pricetag. (I believe the cost is $12... quite a good deal). If you would like to indulge in more than the basic stuff, there is a masseuse available for massages for an additional cost.