Kirkland's new Penterra Spa engages the senses with a natural approach

Just across the 520 bridge, there lies an oasis named for the Greek word for five, pente. The new Penterra Spa at the Heathman Hotel, set just near the banks of Lake Washington in downtown Kirkland, brings urban elegance and a vast range of luxurious treatments to the waterside suburb.

The aptly named subterranean spa's extensive menu, which offers everything from simple soaking baths to full-body massages, aims to engage all five senses using all-natural elements, with each individual therapy focusing on energy, aromatherapy, ritual, touch and healing.

Seven peaceful treatment rooms outfitted with heating pads, downy pillow-top beds, candles and lulling ambient music make for prime locations to enjoy one of the many customizable selections on the menu.

Penterra offers the usual quick services like lip and brow waxing, but what sets the spa apart are its Rituals -- blissful two-hour treatments that include a foot massage, five-gems body balancing, healing massage therapy and aromatherapy elixir oils.

The Ancient Mountains ritual is inspired by the Northwest's ancient volcanoes and includes a mineral mud masque to hydrate, topped off with a hand and foot massage with warm basalt stones. Upgrading to the Ultra Rituals adds a restorative soak in the side-by-side bath retreat.

A la carte services pay just as much attention to detail: the LaStone Massage, which employs smooth volcanic stones, moisturizing oils and an innovative contrasting hot-and-cold placement technique brings together muscle relaxation with an invigorating increase in circulation and mobility.

The Seattle-centric Coffee Culture revives the senses and skin through a full-body exfoliation using a blend of ground exotic coffees and essential oils along with a focused scalp and facial massage, and coco cream application.

In addition to creative treatments, Penterra offers a variety of exclusive skin care lines, including Osea, Somme Institute, Sonya Dakar and Uspa.

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