ThalaSpa: A Traditional Spa at the Historic Hotel Mont-Gabriel in Ste-Adele, Quebec
Located in Hotel Mont-Gabriel in Ste-Adele, ThalaSpa is more of a traditional spa (no rolling in the snow here!) but with some unique treatments. The historical 129-room hotel was built in 1936 (it originally had a grass roof with goats on top!) and is located halfway between the villages of Saint-Sauveur and Saint Adele.
The spa is on two levels, and I indulged in The Hydromassage Bath ($45 CDN) with a view of the snow-covered hills. The 20-minute bath (with 252 underwater and air jets) aids in relieving pain and tension along with improving body and lymph circulation. After the bath, I was wrapped up snugly in blanket on a table where I rested for another 20 minutes.
Then it was 20 more minutes in the Sea Mist Treatment Room ($25 CDN). The “black light” of the treatment room was somewhat eerie (I hadn’t seen a black light since the 1960’s), but I relaxed in a lounge chair. My guide explained that the room was filled with the mist of seawater and infusions of negative ions, oxygen and high concentration of minerals. I didn’t feel any immediate benefits but appreciated the peace and tranquility nonetheless.
“Nature music” (water and bird sounds, etc.) is played in the seven treatment rooms, and spa guests have access to an indoor swimming pool. Spa services include massages, clay and seaweed wraps, sea salt exfoliation, lymphatic drainage, and a variety of facials (products used in the spa are Algotherm and Phytobiodermie).
For more information on ThalaSpa or Hotel Mont-Gabriel, call 450.229.7813 or visit www.thalaspa.ca or www.montgabriel.com
Manoir Spa in Saint-Saveur, Quebec:
The resort town of Saint-Sauveur is nestled in the Saint-Sauveur Valley. The village of 8,500 people is home to boutiques, galleries and 80 restaurants. The lovely Manoir Saint-Sauveur, a 300-room deluxe hotel, was my home in the mountains for two nights. The Manoir Spa at the hotel is a full-service spa. Spa guests have access to a Jacuzzi, Finnish sauna, steam bath, exercise center and swimming pool.
Upon checking into the hotel, I popped into the spa and booked an hour-long therapeutic massage ($70 CDN) before dinner in the hotel’s Restaurant L’Ambiance. Other treatments include facials, collagen treatments, manicures and pedicures, and numerous body treatments.
Half-day, full day and weekend packages are offered. The “Le Grand Manoir” is 6.5 hours of treatments over two days ($375 CDN) and includes an oxygen bath, two 60-minute massages, facial, pedicure, moisturizing body wrap with and pressotherapy.
For more information on Manoir Spa at Manoir Saint-Sauveur, call 800.361.0505 or 450.227.1811 or visit www.manoir-saint-sauveur.com