Cover Story - Travel to Wellness

Cover Story
Images from Willow Stream, The Fairmont Banff Springs
Canada offers a full menu of spas
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Canada
A Winter Wonderland
Canada offers a full menu of spas featuring an international buffet of aesthetics,
body treatments, wellness therapies and anti-ageing procedures delivered by
therapists who are among the most highly-trained in the world.
by Anne Dimon
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Images (top left-right): The Wickaninnish Inn; Vida Wellness Spa; The Wickaninnish Inn; Le Scandinave
Image from Willow Stream, The Fairmont Banff Springs
C
Canada
country
Except for the border it shares with the U.S., Canada is
consisting of ten provinces and
is
a
vast
surrounded by water and is peppered with clean, clear
three territories. Populated by
lakes and networked with lazy and rushing rivers, so even
just 33 million people (about
outside the spa environment hydro-therapy is abundant
11 per cent are Asian), it boasts
in the form of water activities – canoeing and kayaking,
over 2,800 spa establishments.
for instance.
Most of these can be found in
Quebec, Ontario and British
Canadian spas come in all price categories. Generally,
Columbia. Day spas located in
a visitor will find prices slightly lower in Atlantic Canada
cities and towns form a majority
and Quebec and, except for a very few exceptions, the
of these establishments, but stay spas in resorts, hotels and
more upscale spas tend to be located in Quebec, Ontario
inns are also plentiful. There are a handful of destination
and British Columbia.
spas and most of these offer lifestyle programmes and
wellness packages.
English and French are Canada’s two official languages,
but a multi-ethnic nature manifests itself in many parts of
Canadian spas are located in both cosmopolitan urban
the country and in all facets of life. The cities of Toronto
centres and in peaceful countryside settings embraced by
in central Canada and Vancouver on the west coast, for
fields or forests, nestled next to sparkling lakes, resting
instance, are home to two of the largest Chinatowns
in the shadows of majestic peaks or bordering broad
outside Asia. This broad-based multiculturalism is also
shorelines lapped by ocean waves.
mirrored in the variety of spa menu offerings. Eastern-
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influenced treatments and therapies
including reflexology, reiki, shiatsu, Thai
SPA AT FOX HARB’R
programmes at a fitness and aquatics
centre, a variety of fitness classes, tennis
massage, and Ayurveda-based therapies
– Wallace, Nova Scotia
can be found at a good number of spas.
A gem of unexpected luxury on the
bike tours and a luxury cabin cruiser.
Then, there are the treatments that
shores of Northumberland Strait, the
Steps away from the spa, the sandy shores
reflect a specific sense of place – these
Spa at Fox Harb’r is part of an elegant
of
incorporate ingredients such as maple
resort located about a 40-minute drive
guests to a therapeutic stroll while taking
bi-products, local wines, seaweed, rich
from Halifax, Nova Scotia.
in the invigorating sea air.
therapeutic muds and glacial clays.
courts, sea kayaking, guided mountain
Northumberland
Strait
welcome
www.foxharbr.com
The spa, the most upscale in Atlantic
From the Atlantic to the Pacific, the
Canada, houses eight treatment rooms
following best represents the buffet of
(several with fireplaces), a beautiful
spas that serve up the Canadian spa
lounge drenched in earthy tones and
experience:
an inside deck where guests are served
LE SCANDINAVE
– Mont Tremblant,
Quebec
delicious spa lunches overlooking a large
Nordic-style spas are very popular in the
indoor pool.
There, the little extras
province of Quebec. The oldest, largest
include a selection of inspirational books
and most well-known is Le Scandinave.
to browse through while you’re enjoying
Located in Mont Tremblant, Eastern
a pedicure.
Canada’s largest and most popular
downhill ski region, Le Scandinave is
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Images (left-right):
Eastman; Le Scandinave; Le Scandinave
May
to
December
31,
the
about taking-the-waters in the great
resort offers activities including golf,
outdoors – yes, even in the chilly
Canadian winter. When temperatures dip
below freezing this becomes more of an
adventure activity than a spa experience but
SPA EASTMAN
– Eastern Townships,
Quebec
either way it’s about health and wellness.
Spa Eastman, Canada’s original destination
The practice of taking-the-waters dates as
spa, is tucked away in the heart of Quebec’s
far back as the Roman Times and it is all
rural Eastern Townships about an hour’s
about stimulating the circulation system and
drive from the city of Montreal.
helping the body to detoxify itself. Le
Scandinave water circuit includes a number
An ideal choice when the plan is to simply
of outdoor pools, waterfalls, showers, saunas,
get away from it all, Spa Eastman is a village-
steam room and relaxation areas that take a
like collection of buildings that house the
guest from hot to cold to temperate. Along
spa and recreational facilities, dining room
with hydrotherapy, this “nature spa” offers
and guestrooms. The spa’s all-day dining
a variety of massages in its 17 treatment
room caters to the guest looking for a healthy
rooms.
cuisine.
Le Scandinave does not offer accommodation,
In addition to an extensive menu of
but the upscale Beauvallon Inn just three
treatments, the spa also offers consultative
minutes away offers lovely rooms and a free,
sessions with a naturopath, fitness consultant
year-round shuttle to and from the spa.
or life coach.
www.scandinave.com
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After spending the better part of a day working
aboriginal rituals from Australia.
up a sweat on Eastman’s own 10 miles of
The spa’s newest offering is a Light Therapy
groomed cross-country trails, guests can relax
Room, set up with three comfy chairs and
in the steamy co-ed hammam followed by a
flooded with both natural and high tech
dip in the spa’s fresh water pond, or book a
lighting to help lift the spirits and energy
spa treatment.
of those who get the blues due to Seasonal
www.spaeastman.com
Affective Disorder, jet lag or shift work.
www.elmwoodspa.com
ELMWOOD SPA
– Toronto, Ontario
One of Toronto’s most established and
certainly one of Canada’s largest day spas,
SPA AT MANITOU, INN
AT MANITOU
– McKeller, Ontario
Elmwood Spa has recently treated itself to a
A typical day begins at 7:45am with a
complete makeover. The all-over enhancement
guided
includes new men’s and ladies’ change rooms
permitting, yoga on the dock overlooking Lake
and three lovingly decorated spa suites. An
Manitouwaubing. The physical beauty of this
Asian theme prevails.
inn’s lakeside location, its elegant French-
walk
and
followed
by,
weather
Asian décor, the outdoor fitness activities, the
In the modern new reception area, guests can
spa, the food and the level of service all help
step into a digital world to fill in their health
to create a pervading sense of well-being at
forms and access their own guest profiles. One
this upscale Ontario resort – open during the
of the spa’s signature menu items is Li’Tya,
milder months between May and October.
a unique line of spa products and associated
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Images from
Manitou
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Image from Le Scandinave
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Lovingly appointed in keeping with the rest
of the inn, the Spa at Manitou Spa offers
11 treatment rooms – a generous size for a
property with just 35 guest rooms. As with
other parts of the inn, the spa employs an
international staff including one therapist
trained at the renowned Chiva-Som in
that simulates the ocean waves. It offers
THE SPA AT FOUR
SEASONS RESORT
WHISTLER
- Whistler, British
Columbia
spa guests a wonderful sense of place as
One of the largest and arguably one of the
GROTTO SPA AT TIGHNA-MARA SEASIDE
RESORT
– Parksville (Vancouver
Island), British Columbia
does the cedar-shingled cabin with its
own fireplace and terrace overlooking the
rocky shoreline and ocean beyond. It’s the
perfect venue for a spa-loving twosome.
www.wickinn.com/spa
Thailand. There’s a wide variety of treatments
including the signature Oxygen Facial.
most luxurious of the many spas in Whistler
Other guest activities include tennis lessons,
– one of North America’s busiest and most
guided morning walks, yoga, cycling, golf and
popular ski regions – the Spa at Four Seasons
water sports including kayaking and canoeing.
Resort Whistler may also be the first spa in
There’s also Afternoon Tea served daily in the
Canada to offer treatments inspired by the
very elegant Asian-inspired Tea Room.
First Nations. Taking the cue from the steam-
www.manitou-online.com
cleansing ceremonies of the native peoples,
Grotto Spa at Tigh-Na-Mara Seaside Resort on
the spa offers guests a Personal Steam
Vancouver Island is one of the largest spas in
WILLOW STREAM,
THE FAIRMONT BANFF
SPRINGS
– Banff, Alberta
Tent Infusion that includes the inhalation
B.C. and certainly among the most beautiful.
of therapeutic aromas from traditional
botanicals such as Rose, Lavender and
The
Juniper. Another treatment – the Compress
appointed, three-level spa is the indoor
Massage – finds these same botanicals
water circuit including a large free-form
There are two distinctive features of this
combined in a compress that is heated and
mineral
mountain-side Willow Stream: the therapeutic
used as a tool in a massage that helps sooth
(hence the name) fed by two waterfalls.
indoor mineral pool and the spectacular
and relax tired muscles. A signature Après
views of the Rocky Mountains. Located in
Ski massage incorporates hot stones.
the castle-like Fairmont Banff Springs in
main
feature
pool
in
of
a
this
beautifully-
grotto-like
setting
Local artists have helped to carry a “nature”
theme throughout the spa with lounge chairs
Banff National Park (one of the country’s
Enhancing the sense of place, guests will also
and settees hand-crafted from local driftwood.
most dramatic and well-known parks), this is
find local products such as B.C. glacial clays
Distinctive wall art is fashioned into stylized
the spa brand’s Canadian flagship store and
and Pacific coast seaweed incorporated into
trees from various types of “found wood”.
with 23 treatment rooms it’s also one of the
treatments such as the 80-minute Sea to Sky.
Along with the mineral pool and artwork,
largest spas in the country.
www.fourseasons.com/whistler
another point of distinction is the spa’s Tree
Top Tapas Grill, serving a selection of tapas
Two of the must-try treatments are the Banff
Mineral Scrub and the Beyond Botox Facial.
Set under a domed ceiling, the therapeutic
ANCIENT CEDARS SPA
AT THE WICKANINNISH
– Tofino, British Columbia
– the Spanish word meaning “little dishes”.
Food is healthy, delicious and beautifully
presented.
www.grottospa.com
pool – with waters mineralized by harvested
The acclaimed Wickaninnish Inn is all about
sea
is
its geographic location on the shores of the
surrounded by a collection of smaller plunge
Pacific Ocean. And, while its Ancient Cedars
pools with cascading waterfalls, a steam-
Spa (by Aveda) is very nice, the point of
room and lounge areas. Walk out onto the
distinction ultimately lies in the location.
terrace to enjoy the spectacular view of the
Every treatment, except manicures, begins
Rocky Mountains while soaking in a hot-tub.
in the lounge with a signature tea and
With spas in downtown Vancouver and
Thanks to its geographical location, visitors
footsoak in a hand-hammered copper pan.
Whistler, B.C., (and an Ontario spa opening
salts
imported
from
France
–
to the spa can also enjoy a wide range of
VIDA SPA
– Vancouver & Whistler
in mid-2009), Vida Spa has established itself
outdoor activities – including hiking, skiing,
One of the spa’s signature treatments is
as the predominant Canadian hotel spa
rafting and horseback riding.
Lomi Lomi, a Hawaiian massage that
brand to focus on Ayurveda, the 5,000-year-
www.willowstream.com
includes visualization and a forearm stroke
old Indian system of holistic health.
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You’ll find information on spas across Canada at the following:
Veda Spa menus include about a dozen Ayurveda
treatments including the traditional Swedana, which
Leading Spas of Canada
incorporates a massage with selected warm oils based
Leading Spas of Canada represents all major Canadian spa
on the guest’s “dosha”. This is followed by time spent
industry segments from spa operators to suppliers and
in a custom-built cedar steam cabinet personalized
educators. www.leadingspasofcanada.com
with steam infused with selected herbs. One of the
Vida trademarks is the “open dispensary” where guests
Ontario’s Finest Spas
can see authentic ingredients such as chick pea flour,
Sprinkled throughout the province of Ontario, members of
dill seed, juniper berry being blend-customized by
Ontario’s Finest Spas have accommodations and dining onsite.
therapists just before a treatment.
www.ontariosfinestspas.com
While relaxing in lounges decorated with a West Coast
Premier Spas of Ontario
feel guests sip herbal teas and snack on a made-in-
Premier Spas of Ontario represents spas – both day spas and stay
house mix of organic nuts and dried fruit.
spas – scattered thoughout the province of Ontario.
www.vidawellness.com
www.premierspasofontario.ca
Spas Relais Sante
Spas Relais Sante represents day spas, resort/hotel spas, Nordic
spas and destination spas located throughout the province of
Quebec. www.spasrelaissante.com
Anne Dimon is a Canada-based spa journalist and founder/editor of
traveltowellness.com
Image (left-right) The Spa At Four Seasons Resort Whistler; Inn At Manitou.
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