“The tribe hired someone to capture that place in all four seasons, and we have artwork throughout the spa showing the lake in every season.“

The Azure Road Take

Deep in northern Idaho’s Palouse region, where Pacific Northwest peaks meet pine forests, the Coeur d’Alene tribe has created a wellness sanctuary that bridges ancient traditions with modern spa treatments. At 15,000 square feet, Spa Ssakwa’q’n (pronounced SOCK-wah-kin) stands as one of the largest spa facilities in the Inland Northwest.

“The spa name comes from Crystal Lake in the Bitterroots, which is supposed to be a secret place for the tribe,” said Kathleen Stewart, spa coordinator. “The tribe hired someone to capture that place in all four seasons, and we have artwork throughout the spa showing the lake in every season. The Coeur d’Alene tribe and the Coeur d’Alene people are all about the land. The land is extremely important to them, so they are very good stewards of the land. The land has supported them, financially, mentally, physically, and socially for hundreds of years, so they return that support.”

These images represent the continuous connection between the Coeur d’Alene people and their ancestral lands. Water, a sacred element in Coeur d’Alene culture, flows through the spa’s design while an indoor waterfall cascades down the reception area wall and across the floor. Outside, a 12-person hot tub operates year-round.

Sustainability Chops

The facility’s design incorporates natural elements that reflect the tribe’s connection to the environment. Wood and water dominate the aesthetic, with treatment supplies displayed in wooden baskets and large windows framing views of the surrounding meadowlands. This design philosophy extends to the spa’s product selection, which includes organic skincare lines packaged in reusable glass bottles, a practice aligned with traditional principles of environmental stewardship.

The Treatment

In each treatment room, bundles of sage and sweetgrass—plants central to Coeur d’Alene ceremonial practices—are prepared for traditional smudging rituals. The ceremony begins with burning sage for purification, followed by sweetgrass to invite positive energy. Locally harvested, sweetgrass also plays a vital role in tribal life, from basket weaving to ceremonial use.

The spa features Blue Beautifly, an organic skincare brand that blends ancient sciences with modern naturopathy. Used in its signature facial, the line detoxifies, hydrates, and nourishes the skin with high-quality, hypoallergenic ingredients. Free from GMOs, gluten, and synthetic additives, Blue Beautifly’s formulas incorporate botanicals like acai, aloe vera, arnica, goji berry, and cranberry. The brand also prioritizes sustainability, packaging all products in glass, which requires significantly less energy than plastic and is 100% recyclable.

“For our signature facial, we use Blue Beautifly, and it’s completely organic, so it’s pretty popular,” Stewart said. “It’s probably the most organic and natural product we offer. And, because of their ties to the land, the tribe places a strong emphasis on recycling—even with their own products. Everything they send us comes in a glass bottle, and once you’re done, you can return it for credit. That way, we can reuse it instead of it going to the landfill.”

The Location

As part of the Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort, the spa is one facet of the tribe’s broader economic initiatives, which have supported investments in community infrastructure, including wellness centers and medical clinics serving both tribal members and the general public.

Within a 10-mile radius of the casino, visitors will find a wellness center with athletic facilities and an indoor water park, along with one of the region’s premier medical clinics. “The medical clinic isn’t just for tribal members—it serves the general public as well,” Stewart said.

The spa’s influence extends beyond its immediate surroundings. Located 25 miles south of Coeur d’Alene, it has become a regional economic driver, attracting visitors from across the Pacific Northwest. Together with the casino’s acclaimed Circling Raven Golf Club—rated among Idaho’s finest—the spa helps generate resources that support tribal programs and local community development.

Spa Vibe

Traditional Coeur d’Alene hospitality infuses the spa experience. 

“The Coeur d’Alene tribe tries to make sure that when they hire people, they let them know that this is a friendly place,” Stewart said. “They want employees to feel like family, and they want the people who come in to feel like family.” This approach has fostered a loyal clientele who return regularly to experience treatments ranging from therapeutic massages to organic facials.

In the treatment rooms, floor-to-ceiling windows frame views of native meadowlands, creating a seamless connection between the spa’s interior spaces and the natural world beyond. This design choice reflects the Coeur d’Alene people’s traditional relationship with their environment, one of stewardship rather than separation, said Stewart.

Through Spa Ssakwa’q’n, the Coeur d’Alene tribe has created a space where traditional healing practices and contemporary spa treatments coexist, offering visitors a unique perspective on Indigenous approaches to wellness and land stewardship.