Readers' Choice 2026
Read More ›
Best Salon: Gene Juarez
This article originally appeared in the November/December 2026 issue of Seattle magazine.
In the 1970s, a stylist from Wapato, Washington, went to London to study at the famed Sassoon Academy. After a month, he returned to Seattle with pioneering handheld-hair dryer styling techniques—and went on to launch a hair salon empire. That stylist was, of course, Gene Juarez, and his namesake brand still has a dozen salons across the state. Offering hair, nail, waxing, and massage services, Gene Juarez is the Northwest’s premier stop for an afternoon of pampering, from a fresh mani-pedi to the season’s hottest haircut.
Runner Up: Gary Manuel
About Readers' Choice 2026
Once a year, we turn the tables and ask our readers about their favorite local spots. The neighborhood café with the best coffee, the restaurant you book for every special occasion, and where you send out-of-town guests for top-tier cocktails. Seattleites have opinions, and they shared them with us. This year, we received more votes than ever before, with some familiar favorites returning and plenty of new names making the list.
Follow Us
Best Fitness Studio/Gym: MVMT/MTHD
MVMT/MTHD opened in Lower Queen Anne in 2025 with a workout philosophy that’s pretty easy to understand: build a body that will serve you well for a long time. One side of the studio offers Lagree, a hardcore, high-intensity, low-impact workout performed on a MegaPro machine using slow, controlled movements and resistance to build strength…
Best Spa: MoonRise Spa
Relaxing at the MoonRise Spa starts before your appointment with a trip to the indoor pool and lounge. Continue the journey in the Western red-cedar dry saunas, eucalyptus steam rooms, and an outdoor hot tub on a deck overlooking the valley below. Treatment menus are nature-inspired and cover plenty of ground, with stone massages, skin-enhancing…
Can a Sound Bath Wash Away Stress?
A first-time experience at the Washington Athletic Club offers a different way to unwind during the busy holiday season.
The sound of the singing bowl vibrated in my ears so strongly that I felt it traveling through my body. Next came the Kenari shaker—the noise fluttering throughout the room like leaves rustling in the wind. A gong sounded, keeping me awake and aware, connecting me to the floor I was lying on, next to…
K9s For Warriors Helps a Whidbey Island Veteran Get Back Out Into the World
With his service dog Atlas beside him, Navy veteran Justin Hughes is finding his workdays—and everyday outings—easier to navigate.
When Justin Hughes gets frustrated while on his computer at work, a nose sometimes appears between the armrest and the back of his chair. It belongs to Atlas, his service dog, who has been resting on a bed behind him. Hughes runs simulators for the military, and irritation can build before he recognizes what’s happening….