The Gated Sanctuary, Centre for Healing
16404 14th St. NE
Snohomish, WA 98290
ph: (425) 334-6277
fax: (425) 334-7889
alt: (206) 965-0678
Frederic
Thank you to our customers who gave us this wonderful feedback!
- 4/15/2012
- 2/28/2012
We greatly appreciate our client who wrote this marvelous poem!
The Sanctuary
The wind blows thru the trees pleasant and airy, Nestled below, the gated gardens of the Sanctuary.
As you approach, you hear the winds soft sweet song, You announce your presence by striking the gong.
You are greeted by staff who are ever so friendly, You begin your spa stay with an hour of Hydrotherapy.
First a shower spacious with heads aplenty, Then into the steam room to get nice and sweaty.
Off to the pools like jewels sparkling in the light, One is hot, one is so cold and one is just right.
One more quick shower and into your sarong, It's what you've been waiting for a massage an hour long.
The hour of bliss is over, it always makes me sad, I know for a fact it's the best massage I ever had.
One last trip to the showers, steam room and pools, Before I must go back into the world filled with fools.
The sojurn is over I leave with a smile, I know I'll be back again in a very short while.
St. James
- 10/18/2011
"A little Harbin Hot Springs right in our own backyard...how lucky are we!"
Abby, Edmonds WA
- 3/10/2012
"I was swept away by the Gated Sanctuary, the tranquil setting, the transportive self of a submerged body in a steaming and bubbling spa -- super clean without the chlorine. There I was. Just soaking in among the tall, tall pines outside of Snohomish. What a setting. A real getaway and yet within driving distance from Seattle.
I drifted, and now I am back again -- Shirley MacLaine effect – my body was planets away. Occasionally, I would wake up and realize the total comfort and looseness that one’s body felt years before the aches and pains set in. I began to relax and float in the quiet. I took a walking break. I wandered down the prayer path in my solitude. A very easy trek in sandals, much like being in the Olympics. Cold outside? Yes. But I was soon again in the heavenly steam room, my body saying "thank you, thank you." My mind checks out again. I almost forget who and where I am. I was apparently meditating without realizing it. Total zoning out. I love this place.
A wondrous massage was next, expertly deep tissue and so tension relieving by a fellow named Navdeep. And more of the pains disappear. My body then floats from the massage room, to shower to the steam room. Next, choosing Hot, Warm or Cold Spa is my biggest issue during that cold wintry date. No choice needed, as you endeavor on all three. Spiked cold rain on your face feels so gentle and friendly when the body can bathe in a heated, percolating spa.
Healing and Zen and MacLaine -- are only words. They're the only words I can conjure up to describe my time at the Gated Sanctuary. But I was there -- in person, mind and body -- and I will go back again and again. Thank you, Frederick and Danny for a rejuvenation that has to be experienced and so hard to be put into words."
JT, Seattle Wa
- 2/22/2012
"Words are hard to describe the GS experience. Often, I want to pinch myself to make sure what I am experiencing is real. Somehow you have managed to completely take the customer away.
We are blown away by the ambiance, massage, and total relaxation. This was the perfect day. I expect next time, we will both enjoy the prayer walk. Dino just also loves the camaraderie. What you have created is a bonding place for men on Saturdays."
Joey and Dino, Seattle Wa
-via email
- 2/7/2012
"Last week was my 4th visit to The Gated Sanctuary. Believe me, I would visit more often if I lived closer than an hour's drive. It is simply the best place for body therapy I have ever found.
Everything is deluxe from the decor, the friendliness of the staff, the hydrotherapy circuit, and the massages I have had (always 90 minutes). I am stressed and stiff from work very often and this spa has left me in a state of profound relaxation.
One of the masseuses, Sh'kala has the best technique, and spirit, of all I have tried. The indoor steam room is a good place to start, after a shower, and then outdoors to the, top of the line, jacuzzis. The weather doesn't matter when you are in the warm jacuzzis (two) with 6 different seats for a variety of jets and force.
You have to pick the day that suits you best, because the hydrotherapy is clothing optional - coed some days, men only some, and women only the others. Swim suits are fine too, and you see both. The front area where sign in and massage are strictly clothed, although you can wear the sarong they give you if you like. An hour before my massage I go in the steam room and then to the jacuzzis and then back to the steam room. By that time much of my stress and soreness has melted away, which is an excellent prep for the excellent massage.
The prices are reasonable and the setting is ideal. Highly recommended - just try it once and you will understand."
Joe, Anacortes WA
- 12/17/2011
- 1/1/2012
"The massages here are amazing. Sh'Kala is the best....I've been back several times.
Very secluded/peaceful location too...."
John, Lynnwood WA
-Yelp review ("filtered" review)
- 11/18/2011
"This place is awesome, and Frederick is the most amazing massage therapist! His knowledge of musculature, mechanics is impressive...but with the assistance of my new favorite physical therapist, Jan, and Frederick, I may end up aging gracefully. If you want to really get away, this is the place."
Deb, Seattle WA
-Posting on facebook
- 10/24/2011
"I just had to write back and tell you how wonderful my experience was at your facility. I honestly think it is very important for me to say that the time away from the hustle & bustle of a busy Saturday
was so awesome and only because of the place of escape that the Gated Sanctuary is.
I was more than surprised at the facility. The pictures online don't do it justice. I felt so welcome by the staff and didn't want to leave.
My massage, by Chris, was
amazing. It has been a while since I treated myself to a massage (in my book, a luxury) and might I say, it was worth it! Anyway, I'm looking forward to returning very, very soon.
Many thanks to everyone that served on staff while I was there. See you all soon."
Rob, Seattle WA
-via email
- 9/1/2011
"Dear Everyone at The Gated Sanctuary,
My friends and I recently celebrated a birthday there - Thursday 8/25/2011 to be exact. My, my, my how wonderful you all are! It's difficult to put into words how spectacular your place is. In a word though - AWESOME.
Thank you so very much for opening this place AND for how well you treated us. We all feel blessed. "
Maggie, Snohomish WA
-from a card we received in the mail
- 4/29/2011
"GO HERE NOW!!! Absolutely Amazing. Danny, Frederick, and Sh'Kala are the ultimate professionals but also the nicest people.
Everyone needs this experience."
David, Seattle WA
-Yelp review ("filtered" review)
- 10/2/11
- 5/4/2011
- 8/10/2011
"I must say, my second visit to TGS was even more peaceful and relaxing than the first. Sh'Kala's sense of exactly what I needed and exquisite touch left me so totally relaxed.....words cannot describe."
Jim, Renton WA
-via email
- 10/3/2011
"Jim and I would like to thank you for helping us celebrate our 10 year anniversary at The Gated Sanctuary yesterday. We thoroughly enjoyed the property, the amenenties and especially the staff. The anniversary card you presented to us was very much unexpected and certainly helped to make our day."
Dan, Seattle WA
-via email
- 2/5/2011
"I wanted to again thank you for making this amazing vision come to fruition. From the moment I turned into the driveway, I was greeted with stunningly beautiful grounds of the property.
After parking in the back, I took a few minutes to walk the prayer path. I had seen the photos on your web site, but they didn’t do the surroundings justice, so even before entering the spa I knew I was in for something special.
From the moment you greeted me, to the time I left, you and your staff catered to my every need. How you managed to perfectly time exactly when I was just about to have my last drink of water, you were right there to give me another one I’ll never know, and it was much appreciated.
The showers, steam room, and pools were perfect, and both the inside and outside areas are so peaceful, serene, and tranquil. It was no surprise to find the other men that came and went during my stay were also very respectful of one another, quietly conversing or being silent when appropriate.
While it was very nice to have the light mist falling while sitting in the hot tubs, I can hardly wait to enjoy your facility when the warm sunny weather comes. I will definitely be returning many more times.
Thank you and have a great day!"
Ric, Everett WA
-via email
- 6/19/2011
"Had a fantastic time at The Gated Sanctuary this weekend. Hot tubs amongst the trees. Amazing hosts. The best massage I have ever had. Most definitely a place I would recommend to anyone who wants a few hours to sit back and relax."
Shane, Vancouver BC
-Posting on facebook
- 12/1/2010
"I had the pleasure of experiencing The Gated Sanctuary on it's opening weekend. Prebooked a 1 hour deep tissue massage preceeded and followed by 1 hour hydro therapy - eucalyptus steam with chroma therapy lights, 3 outdoor tubs (hot, less hot, and cedar cool plunge).
Everything at The Gated Sanctuary is so well thought out - customer service, the experience, the design & aesthetic (a great combination of Pacific Northwest, Japan and Asian influences). I've been to a number of spas over the years, both on land and at sea, and have to say this one ranks right up at the top.
One of my favorite take away memories would have to be sitting in one of the jacuzzi, looking up at the tall cedar trees and feeling so relaxed and at home. What a great 1-day mini vacation. Thanks guys."
John, Seattle WA
-Yelp review ("filtered" review)
- 4/29/2011
- 6/20/2011
"This is such a wonderful place to go and get away from it all, and relax. Far away, but not very far at all, it's a quick drive out of Seattle to a secluded "sanctuary".
While I didn't partake in the massage therapy, I've heard it's nothing short of amazing.
Thank you for such a wonderful time!"
Jason, Seattle WA
-Yelp review ("filtered" review)
A special thank you to Shasta from Seattle for sending us this beautiful picture of our angel on the Muriel Lisa Prayer Path!
- 2/19/2012
"This is one of the best experiences I've ever had. I had gotten massages before going to the Gated Sanctuary, but I never really had the whole spa experience. The Gated Sanctuary was just what I'd imagined the spa experience would be. It was a place to decompress from the everyday stresses and let your conscious be free. The customer service was great. The co-owner Danny was a very cool guy and when talking to him you could tell that this was not just a business but a place he truly believed in. The cold water plunge, the hot tubs and the sauna are just what I needed to help with some of those sore muscles. Even with the weather a little colder and raining the hydrotherapy circuit seemed to be that much better. For those looking for a great year round place to relax the Gated Sanctuary is the place to go.
So that there are no surprises, understand that it is a clothing optional spa. I know my wife was alarmed when I told her of the spa being clothing optional, so I ended up going alone. I wanted to make sure it wasn't a place where my wife would feel uncomfortable. It wasn't such a place. To the women that were there, the men were very respectful... I didn't see any gawking or anything remotely similar. As for some men being uncomfortable around other naked men, it wasn't even an issue. Before going I imagined the men's locker room at the gym. The Gated Sanctuary is such a relaxing environment that after a while I barely noticed the nudity, (sounds weird I know, but true). I was so busy relaxing that I couldn't focus on anything else but well...me. Now where else can most people escape for more than 10 minutes and do such a thing? The Gated Sanctuary gets 5 stars from me."
BP, Lakewood WA
-Yelp Review ("filtered" review)
- 1/29/2012
"Have you ever been to a place that's so nice you forget how long you've been there?...The Gated Sanctuary is like that!"
Oren, Monroe WA
-via email
- 1/8/2012
"Your World of Bliss!"
Both you and Danny should be so proud to have created this oasis of happiness!"
- 2/5/2012
"Hi guys!
Just a quick hello to let you know just how much we enjoyed our visit to The Gated Sanctuary yesterday: most enjoyable! Your grounds are so lovely and serene.
The massage Navdeep gave Tim was excellent in so many ways.
Hopefully we shall be able to visit again, most probably in the summer.
Take care and be well."
Denny and Tim, Portland OR
-via email
- 12/15/2011
"I had been to two doctors, but the healing didn't start until I visited the Gated Sanctuary. Sandwiched between two visits to the hot and cold tubs on men's day, the massage from Frederick was the best I've ever had, and the results are still evident a week later. What a relaxing way to spend a Saturday, spending six hours with guys I met there enjoying all the various helpful benefits of the tubs, the rain, the fresh air, the steamroom, and of course, the massage, brought to perfect balance by walking the prayer path at the end of the day. I can't believe that anything this good is so nearby."
Gordy, Bellingham, WA
-via email
- 7/4/2011
"...the aesthetic surroundings filled with dark and gilt Indonesian woodcarvings, (brass peacock door handles!) deepens the pleasure of surrendering to the experience of "be here now". Fredrick, my massage therapist for years in Seattle, has built a dreamscape in which he now practices his art: after hot steams and tubs with cold plunges between, tension has nowhere to hide. Standing naked in the open air, drinking a third bottle of water because it tastes so good, a rinse cycle has begun...and the best is yet to come under the dancing, intuitive and skilled hands of master Fredrick. I have no doubt his hand-picked therapists are creme de la creme. The groove is pure bliss. Look, it is only because the place is worth the drive and so deserving of sustained success that I give it up for the GS...I really don't want to share, but some of you deserve this. The rest of you, please stay away."
Ki, Seattle WA
-Yelp review ("filtered" review)
- 2/22/2011
"I just wanted to thank you again for creating such a lovely space for healing. Inga & I are still beaming from how amazing we felt Sunday. It was an absolute treasure meeting all of you and experiencing the Gated Sanctuary. Please let me know in the future if you need any volunteer help for your fire pit, trail blazing, and such. I am more than happy to contribute whatever time I can. And I'm sure to return soon as well for a relaxing visit!"
Shasta, Seattle WA
-via email
- 9/5/2011
"Hi Danny & Frederick,
I want to thank you for the loving care you gave during my visit to your Sanctuary. It was a much deeper experience than I expected, and to be honest it opened me up quite a bit to some feelings that I have been holding back in order to survive what I have been going through. I felt a lot of caring and love, and felt very much at home. I know Frederick took additional time with me on Sunday, and I really appreciate it."
Steven, Olympia WA
-via email
- 7/16/2011
With my best regards and thanks to you and your staff,"
- 6/27/2011
"This is without a doubt one of the most unique and marvelous places I have enjoyed for a massage and other amenities! I have been twice now, and even though it is a long drive for me, it has been worth it. You can get an excellent professional massage by either a male or female masseuse. I have seen Sh'Kala twice (female), but others rave about Frederick and the other male masseuses.
The spa is very private (and a bit out of the way for sure). The spa itself is beautiful, decorated with items selected by the owners from Thailand and other places. The attention to detail is amazing. It all fits and has a very spiritual, relaxing feeling.
Besides the massage, many people go there just for the hydro-therapy circuit, which includes showers, a steam room with eucalyptus in the steam, two Jacuzzis - one warmer than the other, and a cold plunge. The hot tubs (large) and the cold plunge are outside in an enclosed patio area.
Water, plenty of towels, and energy bars and chocolate cookies are provided. The massage and front areas require clothing (yours or a provided sarong). The hydro-circuit is clothing optional (truly optional) with some days for women only and some men only and some coed. Highly recommended."
Joe, Anacortes WA
-Yelp review ("filtered" review)
- 3/27/2011
"I typically like to get a massage when I travel for work, yesterday a friend and I went to The Gated Sanctuary and spent 6 hours of pure bliss. First with a shower and then dip in one of the hot tubs. Then we each got amazingly relaxing yet therapeutic massages and back to the outdoor deck for some hydrotherapy. Between the hot tubs and the cold plunge, coupled with the massage, I can honestly say that I woke up this morning feeling energized, a little sore but in a good way and eager for my next trip to The Gated Sanctuary."
Scot, Austin TX
- 5/6/2011
Sharon, Lynnwood WA
-Posting on facebook
- 3/12/2011
"My brother had really bad back issues for a year and a half which no one could fix until he met Frederick. My brother swears by him. Frederick is the ultimate healer. It is worth an hour drive just to see him. He is more knowledgeable than most physiotherapists and doctors. He can pin point the exact problem areas. I finally convinced my boyfriend to visit him today after months of nagging. He has had back issues for a while and did not believe a massage could really help fix his back. Frederick is starting to prove him wrong."
Orlene, Seattle WA
- 1/1/2011
"Just wanted to say – What a wonderful place!
Love the eucalyptus in the steam room and the fact that you have a steam room instead of the normal dry sauna.
I also loved soaking in the hot tub amongst the beautiful cedar trees. The cold plunge took awhile to get into, but each time I went longer and longer.
Also – what great people (staff, owners). Kept asking if I needed anything, but also left me to my own, and also offered conversation when I was taking a break and feeling chatty.
I wish you well. I know I’ll be back."
Barry, Seattle WA
-via email
- 10/22/2011
"Only a few hours at The Gated Sanctuary will leave you feeling years younger. The staff and amenities are unbeatable. Don't wait, book your appointment today, and turn back the hands of time."
Justin, Seattle WA
-Review on MerchantCircle.com
- 2/13/2011
"I wanted to thank you. My time there was truly mind and heart relaxing. Sh'Kala, your massage therapist, was wonderful. I can't remember feeling so calm and still relaxed. I still have your sanctuary on my mind. I can't explain enough how I feel now. Thank you and will see you again."
Dan, Snohomish WA
-via email
- 1/29/2011
"The Gated Sanctuary is a place full of healing energy....indoors and outdoors.
I have had the good fortune and joy of receiving therapeutic massage from Frederick Steffen for many years. And to now experience Frederick's gift in this remarkable setting is a blessing multiplied. Frederick's vision of The Gated Sanctuary is truly a dream come true and then some.
Frederick and Danny......thank you and congratulations on a labor of love well done!"
Margaret, Seattle WA
-Yelp review ("filtered" review)
- 4/27/2011
- 5/26/2011
"Your taste, touch, and love in creating your sanctuary is truly amazing. It was an amazing experience for me. I felt like I was at a 5 star resort, only one in which all of you really cared about me and your other guests. Sh'Kala is absolutely the best masseuse who has "worked" on me. It went beyond the physical and warmed my spirit as well.
I look forward to seeing you all as soon as possible. Namaste"
Joe, Anacortes WA
-via email
- 12/8/2010
"What could be a better way to spend a rainy afternoon than retreating to the hot pools at the Gated Sanctuary. After many years of receiving the best massage therapy ever from Frederick, I now get to combine it with an hour or more of eucalyptus steam room and hot/cold spa therapy before and after. The whole place is so richly welcoming (warm wood, tranquil buddhas, scrumptious towels and good scents) and invites you to suspend your daily reality and shuck your cares away.
I went up for the inaugural girls day last week. It only took us about 45 minutes to get to the Gated Sanctuary from Seattle and once there felt like we were in another world. They have crafted an incredibly private, relaxing and spiritual place in the cedar forests of Snohomish. The hottubs have a variety of jet configurations that soften you up for your massage. There are snacks and drinks available so you could easily spend a full morning or afternoon relaxing under the cedars.
Can't wait to go back again this week!"
Jeannette, Seattle WA
-Yelp review ("filtered" review)
16404 14th St. NE
Snohomish, WA 98290
ph: (425) 334-6277
fax: (425) 334-7889
alt: (206) 965-0678
Frederic
