Last week as I was heading out the door for an appointment at Penelope and the Beauty Bar—the spa inside the Fairmont Olympic Hotel—my fiancé yelled up the stairs, “You better not fall in love with that mattress!” I was on my way to experience the spa’s Oxygen Dome Facial as part of a pop-up it was doing with Swedish bedmaker Hästens. (The brand recently opened a showroom in Bellevue). I used to work as a journalist in the design industry, and I was aware of the Hästens brand, but had never had the opportunity to experience one. With a price tag that starts in the low five figures, it’s a luxury item that, like cars and property, is often left in people’s wills or passed on from generation to generation. While we would never be in a position to buy one, I was eager to finally find out what all the hype was about. 

The experience billed itself as highly immersive, and that description was correct. Upon arriving to the spa, I was ushered into a room outfitted with a Hästens bed, where I would receive a 120-minute service that promised to deeply moisturize my skin, help improve its tone and texture, and combat acne and environmental damage. 

“Performed atop a Hästens bed, the treatment draws from a Swedish tradition that dates back to 1872, when Hästens began handcrafting beds using natural materials to support optimal circulation, breathability, and deep restorative sleep,” says Penelope and the Beauty Bar owner, Angela Rosen. “This heritage of craftsmanship underscores a simple but powerful philosophy: true repair happens when the body is properly supported and fully at rest. Paired with oxygen infusion and targeted, results-driven skincare, the facial enhances luminosity while reinforcing the importance of self-care rituals that extend beyond the treatment room.”

Handcrafted in Sweden for more than 170 years, a Hästens bed can take up to 600 hours to make.

Photo courtesy of Hästens

Hästens is currently partnering with Penelope and the Beauty Bar spa, in the Fairmont Olympic Hotel to offer wellness treatments and Hästens products such as robes and pajamas.

Photo courtesy of Hästens

The Oxygen Facial had no less than 15 steps—my face was washed, masked, peeled, massaged, and infused with ingredients including the titular oxygen, stem cells, caviar extract, and niacinamide. At one point the technician did a series of passes across my skin with the Lyma laser—a clinical-grade cold laser that is supposed to regenerate skin at a cellular level—and at another, my head was surrounded by the Oxygen dome (I felt a little bit like an old-school astronaut), which, according to the spa’s website “allows 90% pure oxygen and nutrients to be infused into the skin while LED and NIR (near-infrared) light stimulate collagen, repair cells, and promote healing.” 

To be honest, the science behind it all was a little over my head—I was lost in the bliss of the treatment and frankly, dozing off a bit. The first thing I noticed about the bed was the way it cradled my body perfectly. There were no pressure points, nothing sticking into me, no unevenness. The first description that came to my mind was that it was kind of like laying on a cloud. Not that I have ever done that, but I think it best describes what I was feeling in the moment. It was incredibly comfortable, but also supported. Part of that has to do with the brand’s incredible handcraft heritage: Hästens has been making beds for more than 170 years using the highest-quality natural materials including horsehair (the foundation of the mattress, it helps with ventilation and heat management), cotton, wool, and flax. Seeing a cross-section of a mattress—on display at the spa, which also sells Hästens robes, pajamas, and sleep accessories—is a testament to the ingenuity of Scandinavian design.  

The Oxygen Dome infuses the skin with nutrients and 92% pure oxygen, encouraging collagen production and refreshing tired skin.

Photo courtesy of Penelope and the Beauty Bar

“By integrating our handcrafted Swedish beds directly into the spa treatment room, we are providing clients a rare opportunity to experience our signature ‘weightless’ support while receiving world-class care,” says Mark Potvin, co-owner of the Hästens Bellevue showroom.  “This collaboration unites two iconic brands dedicated to longevity, craftsmanship, and the ultimate luxury experience.” 

Potvin nails it with that description—the collaboration between these two brands truly is the “ultimate luxury experience.” So, is it worth it? For me, it was, but as with any skincare experience, it’s all about what kind of results you’re looking for—and how  much you’re willing to pay. As someone getting married later this year, I would absolutely splurge for an Oxygen Dome Facial a few days before my wedding—even without the Hästens bed bonus. A little redness on the first evening aside, the treatment left my skin firm and glowing (and quickly cleared up the two small pimples near my eyebrow) for over a week afterwards. 

I will never be able to afford a Hästens bed, but after 120 minutes of pure relaxation, I can understand the appeal of sinking money into your mattress. We spend a majority of our lives in our beds, and the quality of our sleep affects everything from our mood to our work performance, to our health, and yes, how our skin looks every day. 

“Quality sleep, thoughtful touch, and intentional moments of rest work together to support cellular renewal, stress regulation, and lasting skin health,” Rosen observes. “It’s an approach to beauty that is both timeless and deeply modern.”

The Hästens x Penelope and the Beauty Bar pop-up runs through the end of March. To book a service (Oxygen Dome Facial or Sound Bath experience) click here. To learn more about the Hästens brand and schedule a Sleep Spa appointment at the Bellevue showroom, click here.