Soak on the Sound — Attraction in Port Townsend

I've been here a few times before, but this time we booked the suite for my birthday from 10:45-12:15. They called me on Thurs and told us to arrive by 10:30 (15 min early) so they could check us all in. We drove an hour and a half and showed up a few minutes earlier than expected. It was raining outside so with no awning on the building, I knocked on the door because the attendant was just sitting at the reception desk. The attendant answered the door after a few minutes and was annoyed that we were early. She explained that they don't open until 10:30 because they had things to do before people arrived. Umm okay... sorry we're 3 minutes early but you should expect people to be a few minutes early or late. We checked in, got bubbles, and headed for our room. The room smelled heavily like chlorine (which I've never noticed before). The suite has a big cubby system to put your stuff. A small hand towel for the sauna and a larger bath towel for the tub and/or shower. It would have been nice to have a separate towel for the shower. I found it odd that there is only one chair in the entire suite especially when you advertise a Himalayan salt rock wall for relaxation; yet only one person can sit there at a time. When the 15 min bell went off, the 4 of us started showering and moving to the bathroom (which is outside the room) to change; however, I noticed we were a little ahead of our reservation so I wasn't concerned that we'd be out of the room on time. Unfortunately, after myself and another friend came back from the bathroom, the attendant came to the door and informed us we had 1 minute left. I told her that my reservation is until 12:15 and we'd be done by then. It wasn't like we were moving slowly or anything - you give 4 people 15 minutes to shower and get ready. That's less than 4 minutes a person. She then informed me that she started our reservation early and that our time was up. I was shocked at her comment and behavior especially for a "calming" spa atmosphere they claim to have. It was 12:09. First off, I still have the room reserved through 12:15 or at least that is what my reservation says and you never told us you were starting our reservation early. Secondly, we just paid $320 for 90 minutes and you are harassing us over an extra 5-6 minute difference because we got there early like you asked? My goodness! Is the extra 5-6 minutes really that big of a deal when the room is essentially booked through my reservation time? Honestly, I will likely never come back here after this last experience - it left a completely terrible taste in my mouth. What should have been the start to a fabulous birthday celebration day in Port Townsend was immediately overshadowed by being basically kicked out of the spa. Considering the lack of amenities at this place - it's not even worth it!

Cons: No locker room. No dry bar. No bathing suit bags or dryer to put your wet swimsuit in. No amenities other than shampoo/conditioner. No hair dryer. Nothing to actually get ready...

Came in as a group of four and left feeling more stressed than when we arrived. We shared a private soaking tub which was really nice. But it's a very rushed process.

They sold us beverages. We were also sold some kind of balm/lotion that they recommended for after because the soak leaves your skin very dry. They have you pay and tip upfront. Now looking back I realize my 20% tip included my sparkling water and balm.

The room has a shower with soap and shampoo and we were told we must shower before getting in the tub. This took some time as there was only a small area to put your clothing so we had to take turns undressing and showing.

Once in the tub we had already used up a lot of time. I really wish they would've had a separate area to undress and shower, perhaps with a locker.

Three of my group needed a restroom but the towels they provided were not big enough to cover them. When we asked for a robe they said they have wraps but that we would be charged for them. Kind of silly, in my opinion, for a spa to not offer something so standard. So we had to partially dress and then walk across the lobby (not private) to the bathrooms. It was very awkward.

Our time was up shortly thereafter. The bell rang indicating we had ten minutes. We got out to shower off and start dressing then the light was turned off, apparently indicating we needed to move faster. Then a woman knocked telling us we needed to exit and could use the bathroom across the lobby (not private) to finish dressing. All the good effect of the soak was quickly disappearing in the rush to get out in time.

I was the first one out and to use the shower to rinse off and even I wasn't ready yet. I hadn't even gotten to use the balm I paid extra for. The room was soaked, so I leaned out and asked for more towels so we could move faster and/or cover up better, grab our stuff, and run to the bathroom to finish. The woman gave us the towels but not without mentioning that usually they cost extra. Which again, is a really unexpected upcharge. I appreciate that we didn't have to pay for them but it didn't feel like we were being done a favor. It felt like she just gave them to me to get us out of there asap.

I gave 3 stars because the soak itself was nice but the process was so stressful it ruined the whole thing.

If you are going to charge extra for robes and towels maybe indicate that on the website or tell people when they book to bring their own.

Also, for larger groups, please give us a little more time to get dressed.

It's a very nice room and a lovely soaking tub. I truly think your service could be improved so much with a separate room for dressing and showering. I would also suggest providing robes. If you can't do that then please give people more time to rinse, dry...

Just visited per a recommendation from my sister while we were visiting the area for the weekend.

I usually only review places I really enjoy but today I have a mixed review...

While a lovely experience in the private tub, the spa could use some additional space for changing and storing guest items. It's very awkward having the bathrooms directly across in the lobby to the spa rooms, and you don't get your towels until you're in the tub room. Meaning you have to walk across the busy lobby with people coming and and going while you're half naked. I would highly suggest they built a locker room or cubbies to help with this.

THIS ALSO RESULTED IN ... A fellow guest accidentally took my friends keys while we were putting back our shoes at the lobby bench ...and drove all the way to Sequim before they realized they took an entire set of keys. The spa staff didn't really know what to doing this situation as we looked high and low for these keys. We waited a while and the staff did not want to bother any other guests to check if someone accidentally took them with their stuff. They did not seem comfortable checking the waiver list to see who else left the spa (we were some of the first guests of the day) or bothering any guests that had arrived around the time we were changing. We were two nursing moms with small babies are our Airbnb (30 minutes drive away) stuck with no keys. Luckily the other guest called back eventually when we were still waiting for the keys. It was a frustrating experience that I felt could have been handled more quickly and by checking with the staff gently checking-in with the guests.

I frequent Banya 5 in Seattle and I think that Soak on the Sound could take some notes from them on guest services. I noticed they also did not reset the private tub room before the next guests arrived. I would expect the room be cleaned up a bit more. Also bring your own plastic bag to contain your swimsuit. They don't have anything!

Also I just saw my receipt. The cherry on top. The drinks they "offer" you are not complimentary as they make it seem. $12 for kombucha for two people plus a 15% tip and the experience above has left me not enthusiastic to return or recommend this place to others. A few changes would go a long way and could help better through experience for all guests.

The space is beautiful and small. I would suggest bringing nothing with you and going early as it also seems to be...