| Relaxation & Rejuvenation in Beautiful British Columbia |
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Long before today’s modern day spas featuring marble clad treatment rooms with tranquil therapeutic music and computerized Thalasso mineral baths, the Coastal First Nations people of British Columbia immersed themselves into natural, spiritual "spas". They soothed their bodies in sheltered hot-springs along the coastline, cleansed and healed themselves with a multitude of organic elements from the rainforests, and sweated in cedar planked "saunas" with hot beach rocks and vitamin-enriched seaweed from British Columbia’s coastal waters.
Spa treatments have always been an important part of British Columbia’s history, and they continue to develop into an important facet of the province's hospitality industry. People of all ages are learning about the therapeutic benefits of spas and their various treatments. For most of us who live in today's fast paced world, seeking well-being and longevity has become, well, a way of life; for many, massage isn’t a luxury, it's a necessity. After a tiring day of golf, hiking or skiing, a spa session is perfect for getting one’s body back into restoration-mode.
The province has long been a worldwide destination for visitors yearning to be mesmerized by natural beauty. And Mother Nature provides a bounty of ingredients for spa treatments, from hot beach-stone massages to vitamin-enriched seaweed body wraps. Spa seekers can pop into a downtown Vancouver retreat or venture out to the quieter side of Vancouver Island.
Serenity Spa at Sooke Harbour House
Pampering is a priority at the spas on Vancouver Island. At the internationally renowned Sooke Harbour House, the private, personalized Serenity Spa combines the natural elements of stone, garden herbs and the sea to enhance body wellness.
Treatments are offered in the privacy of your own ocean-view room, in the quiet, meditative surroundings of their Potlatch Room, or right on the edge of the ocean in a heated cabana. Specialties include body wraps with vitamin-enriched local seaweed or warm mineral oils infused with flowers and herbs grown in their acclaimed gardens. Or consider one of their hot or cold stone-massages with stones collected directly from Sooke Harbour House's beachfront.
Willow Stream Spa at the Fairmont Empress Hotel
At the Fairmont Empress Hotel in Victoria, their new 8000-square-foot Willow Stream Spa features a calming waterfall welcoming guests with an invitation to experience the healing mineral waters. The two-level spa designed with a blend of traditional and contemporary, features 11 treatment rooms—five with exterior views and a mineral-laced soaking pool. Their signature Island Senses experience takes guests on a journey through Vancouver Island. It begins with an arrival by ocean: An invigorating sea salt body scrub, a walk in the forest, followed by an aromatic pine hydrotherapy bath and then a detoxifying mud wrap. End with a healthy massage of lavender drawn from the fields of Victoria for a perfect finish.
Ancient Cedars Spa at The Wickaninnish Inn
On the vast rugged stretch of Vancouver Island's West Coast lies the serene Ancient Cedars Spa at The Wickaninnish Inn on Chesterman Beach. Extremely beautiful in its setting between the wild Pacific Ocean and the region’s old-growth forest, the spa enhances the magical guest experience of this resort haven.
Signature treatments include their Sacred Sea Thalassotherapy, which combines the most relaxing and revitalizing aspects of hydrotherapy. After a luxurious full body exfoliation with marine elements, and other skin conditioning agents, guests are primed for a soak in the Hydrotherapy Tub where one hundred and forty-four jets massage the entire body, while algae products and essential oils calm the mind. The result is complete relaxation. The entire body is massaged with an energizing composition and wrapped while warm. Then finish with a foot reflexology massage and a stress-relieving scalp massage, using personalized oils and aromatherapy.
Le Spa at The Sutton Place Hotel
Back on the mainland in the heart of Vancouver’s bustling downtown core is Le Spa at The Sutton Place Hotel. Frequented by many of Hollywood North’s visiting celebrities, this intimate European-style spa features professional and personal services including various massage therapies, reflexology, and a multitude of esthetics from facial to herbal mud body wraps. Besides the popular La Stone hot stone therapy, other specialties include treatment packages designed for their male clientele, such as soothing stress-release facials and back facials.
The Spa at The Fairmont Chateau Whistler Resort
Not only has Whistler become renowned internationally for being the best ski destination in North America, its luxurious spa resorts are also celebrated around the globe. At the foot of Blackcomb and Whistler mountains lies the prominent Fairmont Chateau Whistler Resort with its acclaimed Spa. Their mission is to provide the best quality service and healing techniques as well as to create an ongoing nurturing, supportive, holistic and spiritual environment for their guests. The spa is comprised of 17 exquisitely appointed treatment rooms with such signature showcases as their Ayurvedic and Swedena treatments.
Ayurveda is a balancing treatment for the body, mind and spirit where a personalized practitioner will evaluate your body's constitution and the individual needs are addressed with the use of oils, herbs, and massage.
The Swedena treatment starts with a massage with a personalized warm oil blend, after which you are placed into a cedar steam cabinet infused with customized dry herbs and flowers. The hot infused steam promotes sweating that enhances the elimination of toxins from the body -- certainly an incredibly detoxifying and sedating treatment. The Spa prides itself on being one of the few spas in North America to offer these treatments.
The Avello Spa and Health Club in the Whistler Westin Resort & Spa
The Avello Spa and Health Club in the Whistler Westin Resort & Spa opened last year with 8000 square feet on two levels featuring 25 treatment rooms. Upon entering the spa lounge with its magnificent river rock fireplace and picturesque mountain views, guests are overwhelmed with a bounty of treatments from facials, salt-glow rubs and hydrotherapy to signature Vichy shower treatments and Thalassotherapy Wraps. An emphasis is placed upon Asian techniques that include everything from Chinese, Shiatsu and Thai massages to Acupuncture and Reiki.
The Hills Health Ranch
In the heart of the rolling ranchlands of BC's Cariboo region lies Canada’s first year-round health and fitness vacation resort. Opened in 1985, The Hills Health Ranch offers a complete spa staffed with health professionals including a kinesiologist, a nutritionist, a physiotherapist, personal trainers and certified fitness instructors. Surrounded by over 20,000 acres of Canadian wilderness and ranchlands, the Hills Health Spa has a substantial treatment menu with a vast selection of pampering choices. Signature treatments are their Rosehip Oil Treatments, from wraps and facial massages to Glacial Clay Dual Detox Packs.
Echo Valley Ranch and Spa
Situated some 270 miles north of Vancouver (and also located in British Columbia’s Cariboo region) lies Echo Valley Ranch and Spa. Founded in 1995, this sprawling ranch recently created one of the more unique spas in the province, the Baan Thai Spa. The traditional Thai structure, set amongst the rustic western cabins of the ranch, is symbolic of the "East Meets West" theme of the spa at Echo Valley Ranch. Here you will find a team of Thai therapists who offer traditional Thai massage, herbal steam baths, meditation and yoga.
With world-class urban hotels as well as remote resort destinations visitors can indulge and be pampered almost anywhere in the province.
Hello BC
Discovering British Columbia is as easy as calling toll-free 1-800-HELLO BC (North America) or HELLO BC (435-5622) in Greater Vancouver. This reservation and information service puts you in touch with a team of professional travel experts who can provide free help and advice in planning or booking every stage of your getaway, from travel ideas and tips to booking your accommodations, tours, and transportation. You can also order your free copy of the BC Escapes Getaways Guide. And be sure to check out the Tourism British Columbia web site at www.HelloBC.com.
Photos copyright 2001,
Julie Register
Licensed to About.com
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