Elite Event @ Ananda Spa

A well, better late review than never right?
Anyway I feel like I’m going to be the only jackass here giving four stars to a free event with free booze, but hey I’m writing a review. So we can all agree the room was blazing hot inside, and it was a HUGE bummer that all the spa events were signed up for within the first 5 – 10 minutes (it was a huge selling point to get my girlfriend out with me to the event). I guess had we known spaces were that limited, we would’ve made it a point to show up early.
Okay, but that aside. It’s always good meeting the Unilocal crew, and I must write my official apologies to Michelle as I retract a statement. There is such thing as YUMMY Sake… and it’s SakeToMe… now just don’t tell her I secretly stole a case of it on my way out…
Alright, maybe not… but I wanted to.
~G

Super belated — but thanks all who organized this event!
I’ve been woefully away from Unilocal, there is no excuse other than, I broke up with my bf and ‘went dark’ for a few months — you know, to find myself and all that…
ANYHOOZLE
I’m glad to finally meet the other Katie S… nice work on the hosting and making sure everything went smoothly. My friend who was my +1 commented on how fun these things are — we really liked the drinks (mango ginger was delish!)
btw — I got a free haircut out of it. thanks to Heidi from Seven.
I’m BAAAACK!

What a great Unilocal experience!
Not only did I get to partake in two types of Sake2Me, I got to experience all three services offered by Ananda Spa.
Eyebrow Wax: The last time I got my eyebrows waxed it was from the Eyebrow Nazi in Portland — «No eyebrows for you!» Elin did an amazing job with my what she had to work with — and I will definitely be heading back to her in the future.
Hand Massage/​Paraffin Dip: One of my most favorite things in the whole world is to have my hands massaged and Calm did it up right! She worked all the kinks out of my hands and arms, and then made them as smooth and soft as a baby’s butt with the scrub, paraffin dip and lotion.
Back Massage: Unfortunately I forgot her name (blame it on the sake), but she did a great job! My back and neck felt so much better after ten minutes with her than the hour massage I got the Friday before.
With the super duper bonus of winning a $ 25 gift certificate to Ananda I will be heading back for a ladies spa day. Though I would have anyway since they rocked!

To clarify, the unofficial Unilocal stance is that «popsicles, light beers and outdoor grills are things that should be ice cold.»
The sake at the party could easily be added to that list, once approved by PR as an unofficial sound bite, of course. Just ask my frostbitten fingers!

My first Unilocal Elite event (as a guest)!
Good times! I wasn’t sure what to expect from the flavored sake in a bottle, but it was actually quite nice. The Asian Pear was my fave, with the Green Tea following closely in second. Sadly, we missed our chance at the spa services, but I won a $ 25 certificate I can use later — so that made up for it! Playing meet-​n-​greet with my fellow Unilocalers was great. Everyone was super-​friendly and I enjoyed the mingling.
Oh! Plus, they were playing some great tunes. Two big thumbs up to the DJ — having the Yeah Yeah Yeahs stuck in my head all night is not a bad thing. ;)
Nice job guys. I hope my Elite friend keeps me as her permanent +1!

Gift cards. That’s what this event made me think of. I need to pre-​purchase Ananda Spa gift cards. Nothing relaxes a stressed out SO/​girlfriend/​platonic lady-​friend then a visit to a spa. And from what I was hearing from the Unilocalers around me, Ananda did great work.
The Elite event itself rocked, of course. It’s hard not to take it for granted, as I have NEVER been let down by the NW Unilocal crew (Laura in Portland included!). I really enjoyed meeting new people as well as seeing the regular crew. Hopefully the new folks become the regular crew. Katie and Michelle, you guys have your work cut out for ya. SeaYelp is just getting BIGGER. :)
(wow… a short review… I must still be tired from this event…)

I had a great time! This was my first Elite event and I met tons of new people, had a chair massage, drank yummy flavored sake, and walked away with a snazzy new sweatshirt. How could I complain!!!
Thank you to everyone who had a hand in making this event happen.

«Warm it up Kris – (I’m aBOUT to)
Warm it up Kris – (‘Cause that’s what I was born to DO)»
Ambassador Gallies Katie S. and Michelle B. warmed it up for us, Kris Kross style. [Can’t say which one is Kris («Mac Dad») and which one is Kross («Daddy Mac») – that’s for THEM to sort out.]
My first event! A Yellow Cab FAIL (call Orange!) meant too little time to cover the room, but I was psyched to meet many of Seattle’s Finest Unilocalers.
Look forward to more («Miggida miggida miggida Mac») events.

K town– way to go on your first event girl! Looked like everyone was having a good time… nice mellow crowd, which actually I enjoyed and it didn’t seem clusterfucky. :) Although disappointed I missed out on some much needed spa services, I loved meeting new people who I chat frequently with online and not yet in real life. The sake was tasty and thank god they had some water too as I was enjoying the complimentary sauna but I felt like a wilted flower as the night came to an end. Thanks again Katie and Michelle. You’re the bestest. :)

I am just happy I wasn’t banned from this event.
Zipzap Zubidy Bop!

I feel bad that I didn’t get to chat it up with a lot of you, but I was too busy getting my relax on downstairs. Big thanks to the ladies and gents of Ananda for providing some much needed TLC.
The sake was delicious.
Those wasabi nuts needed a warning sign though… yowza. Note to self: snacks covered in green powder are meant to be eaten ONE AT A TIME!
Next event, I promise to be more social and get to meet more of you!
(Thanks Katie! Thanks Michelle!)

This was a great idea! Thank you Katie for organizing this event, and to Michelle for lending a helping and experienced hand. I almost did not go because Betsy had rehearsal and was going to miss it. Boy, am I glad I changed my mind!
I heart Sake2me! That is some tasty beverage!
Also thank you to Betsy because this was a great birthday present! :) I could totally get used to being pampered the way the staff of Ananda Spa pampered me yesterday!

SakeToMe Unilocalers!!! I’m so excited I’m no longer an Elite Event virgin!
As promised everyone was incredibly cool, and Michelle and Katie were kickass hostesses. The staff at Ananda spa were super. And thanks Ron «the official Unilocal event photographer» M. for taking great pics!
Just as I was beginning to feel like a shiny glazed donut mingling upstairs, I realized that it was my time slot for the chair massage. My massage was 15 minutes of pure bliss, and for once the oily lotion they rub all over you smelled delish! What a great way of ending the event!

If it was any hotter in the room, this could have turned into a sexy-​time free for all fast. Think about it: a hot, confined space + massages + smooth hands from paraffin dips, + alcohol for social lubricant + a crowd of hot sweaty people. Thank God it wasn’t held on No Pants Friday.
Needless to say, I had a blast. I thankfully left my full dress tux at home and came in a very business-​super-​casual mode. The sake was great, especially the Mango Ginger. Weird combination, but it worked. Plus points for having the soft drink Tab!
Awesome location, awesome hosts, awesome Unilocal folks, old and new (mostly new this time, which was cool, a lot of first time Elite evnters were here), awesome overuse of the word awesome!
Can’t wait for the next one. Props to Laura, Michelle, Julianne, & K-​Town (FIRST EVENT THROWN) on one excellent event.

I am just happy Tony G. wasn’t banned from this event.
Thanks for the Tab!
Great job KT!!! *SIZZLE*

Now that’s how I’d like to end my work day EVERY DAY. A nice massage, some nice tasty beverages, good company. Very chill event. Well done, Katie. It was great meeting you, the über cool Michelle and several fabulously Unilocaly Unilocalers. Looking forward to meeting a few more of you at future events.

Awesome time with an Awesome crew!
Thanks to Julianne @ Ananda Spa and her hardworking crew, some of the best lookin’ brows and hands in Seattle were respresentin’ here tonight.
To those of you who got massages OR had a few too many Sake2Mes–
Good for you– I’m glad you were havin’ a good time! :)

The sake is chilling, the guest list looks fantastic, and we have massage chairs!
It’s looking to be a five star kinda night!

Now this was quite the relaxing event! I had an awesome massage and consumed mass quantities of sake. What more could I ask for? I know — can we have massages available at all future Elite Events?
It was great meeting all the new people!
Photos: