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Spa
Canada 2001 by Julie Register, Your Guide to Spas |
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 A number of years
ago, I ran across the first Canadian spa I'd seen on the Internet -
Mountain Trek in British Columbia - and I quickly added it to the Spa Site (http://spas.about.com/).
I was enchanted by the photo on the website of a young woman sitting in
an alpine meadow surrounded by an amazing display of wild flowers and
snow-capped mountains in the background. It reminded me of Heidi, the
Alps and Swiss Miss Cocoa and I thought to myself, "I'll have to go
there someday." I continued discovering and adding Canadian Spas to
my website. Now there are over 90 listed and growing. Wendy Pope, owner
of Mountain Trek, and I exchanged a few emails over the years. I finally
met her in New York City in the Spring of 2001.
From that meeting sprouted an idea to create a trip to see some of the members of Spa Canada, a corporation that represents and promotes the
spa industry in Canada. In the Fall of 2001, I flew to Canada and
visited spas from
Toronto, Ontario to Vancouver, British Columbia - day spas, hot springs
spas, destination spas, hotel spas and resort spas. And, yes, I visited
that meadow in the photo of Mountain Trek's website. The flowers were
gone for the season, but the views were spectacular! For US spa
enthusiasts, Canada has everything going for it. It's close, the spas are great, and
the exchange rate makes a spa visit a real bargain. The following are
summaries of the spas I had the pleasure of visiting in the order that I
visited them. Click on the "Read Review" links for the full stories
and photos. |
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1.) Elmwood
Spa
This day spa occupies three floors in an historic building in
Toronto. It buzzes with local
clients, but its location next to the Delta Chelsea Hotel makes it a
good place for out-of-towners, too. There was a great selection of
spa services. The spa cuisine was excellent. Many clients enjoyed their
lunch while having pedicures.
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2.) Banff
Upper Hot Springs
Located in Banff National Park in Alberta, the attraction for many is the hot
springs pool overlooking breathtaking Mount Rundle. However, they
are missing a treat if they don't visit the Pleiades Spa in the historic
bathhouse where there is a nice selection of spa treatments.
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3.) Radium
Hot Springs
Located in Kootenay National Park in British Columbia, these hot springs pools (one hot and
one cool) have wonderful views of the surrounding mountains. In 2002, a
new 4,000 square foot spa will be opened with 5 treatment rooms
overlooking the river that flows beneath the building, 2 Vichy shower
rooms, a steam room, a sauna, a plunge pool, and a waiting area that
will overlook the cool pool.
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4.) Mountain
Trek Fitness Retreat & Health Spa Surrounded by mountains and
lakes, Mountain Trek offers fitness in the
great outdoors - guided hiking, kayaking, biking, and winter sports. We
woke to yoga, hiked up 1,500 ft to Idaho Peak at 7,500 ft, enjoyed the
360° views of alpine meadows, mountains, glaciers, and lakes then returned to great spa
cuisine and a welcomed massage.
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5.) Grand Okanagan Lakefront
Resort & Conference Centre
Located on the water, this resort spa has a nice selection of spa
treatments and offers spa cuisine lunches. After a brisk guided walk along
the lake, I headed for the spa. LaStone Therapy is the crème de la crème
of hot stone massages, but most practitioners opt to only use warm stones.
Beth used both hot and cold stones as per LaStone guidelines. She also
incorporated energy work and visualization.
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6.) The Hills
Health Ranch This
destination spa in British Columbia offers many options from strict spa
regimen to resort vacation. There is always something
going on - discussions, classes, line dancing, guided walks, trail
rides, etc.
There's an extensive spa menu. Therapists
and estheticians give printed information sheets on everything used in treatments
- where it comes from, what benefits it provides, etc.
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7.) Echo
Valley Ranch & Spa
This remote working ranch British Columbia is uniquely located at a
crossroads of mountains, desert canyons, tundra, and meadows. Also
unique is the beautiful Thai spa and new Baan Thai building. Spa
services are provided by Thai therapists who offer their unique
knowledge and kind service. I was delighted to have a Thai massage - my
favorite.
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8.) Healing
Springs Spa at Harrison Hot Springs Resort
This family-oriented resort located on a wooded shore has mountains in
its back yard. The spa has been recently remodeled and offers nice
touches like radiant heat
panels on the ceilings over treatments tables so exposed skin is not chilled during
a massage or
wrap. The Rejuvenation Room has fiber optic stars in ceiling and large slate bath using mineral water
from hot springs - perfect for couples.
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9.) Absolute
Spa at the Century
This spa located off the lobby in the Century Plaza Hotel & Spa in
Vancouver has a well-earned reputation. Complementary
spa cuisine is served with every service. This really encourages you to
linger and relax after treatments. I also had and "Absolutely" personalized facial with Doina -
one of the best I've had. All services were top notch.
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10.) Kingfisher
Oceanside Resort & Spa
Located on Vancouver Island, this resort has placed the building closest
to the water at the bottom of a cliff so it does not interfere with view
for the rest of the resort. The suites are wonderfully furnished and
offer outstanding views. Treatment rooms in the separate spa building face the ocean and
I could hear the sound of the surf through an open window during my
treatment. The steam room has a unique cave
decor.
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11.) Temple
Gardens Mineral Spa Resort Hotel
This spa is located on the prairie in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan - the town
that Al Capone made famous during prohibition. I took a tour of the
underground tunnels he used and returned to soak in the hot mineral
springs pool at Temple Gardens. The pool is both indoors and out. The
outer section is kept warmer than the inner section. I followed that up
with a massage. The hotel is currently expanding to include more rooms
and a casino.
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