Name: Willow Stream Spa at The Fairmont Empress, Victoria, Vancouver Island, British Columbia
Type of Spa: Hotel Spa
Summary:The Willow Stream Spa is a modern-day match to Victoria’s grande dame of a hotel, The Fairmont Empress. Nearly half of the spa clientele are guests at the hotel, primarily from the Pacific Northwest and California. Girl getaways are becoming this spa’s signature, both for locals and out of towners. Share the locker room with teachers’ groups, wedding parties and book club fanatics.
The Setting for Willow Stream Spa at The Fairmont Empress: Located in the regal and oft-photographed Fairmont Empress Hotel in Victoria on Vancouver Island, Willow Stream Spa is a haven from the hubbub of activity just outside this hallowed hotel’s doors. Sitting proudly on the shores of the city’s lovely Inner Harbour (and just steps away from British Columbia’s Parliament Buildings), the ivy-covered hotel has been restored to her turn-of-the-century grandeur.
The Hotel at The Fairmont Empress: With 477 guest rooms and suites, guests will be treated to views of city, courtyard or Inner Harbour. The 1905 hotel has been a longtime haunt of celebrities, from a very young Shirley Temple and her parents to Barbra Streisand and Harrison Ford. There have also been ghost sightings over the years. Enjoy the grand tradition of the Empress’ afternoon tea, an evening curry buffet in the Bengal Lounge (live jazz on Friday-Saturday nights), elegant dinners in the Empress Room and Sunday brunch in Kipling’s. Or simply order room service. A number of hotel “wellness” packages include spa treatments.
The Spa at Willow Stream Spa at The Fairmont Empress: The 8,000 sq. ft. two-level spa is a blend of traditional and contemporary designs. A calming waterfall welcomes guests and the hand-laid marble floors and soothing colors create an elegant space.
Signature Treatments at Willow Stream Spa at The Fairmont Empress: The 90-minute “Find Your Energy Body Experience” ($249 CDN) begins with a gentle brush exfoliation, a bath infused with chamomile, a massage with rose hip oil and finally a wrap with rose hips. All spa treatments begin with “The Spa Ritual,” which is complimentary. The 30-minute ritual includes five minutes each in the Finnish sauna and steam room, followed by a 10-minute Hungarian bath and ten-minute rest with a glass of cold water.
Prices at Willow Stream Spa at The Fairmont Empress: The full-service spa and salon menu ranges from $19 for an eyebrow wax to $349 CDN for the two-hour “Island Senses for Healthy Energy” signature treatment. Hotel/spa packages are available.
Rates at The Fairmont Empress: Room Rates range from $179 to to $1,319 CDN(packages available).
What’s Special about Willow Stream Spa at The Fairmont Empress: The $6 million Willow Stream spa is elegant and spacious, from the changing/locker rooms (with robes, bottled water, shaving supplies, hair products and lotions) to the 11 luxurious and comfortable treatment rooms (the Royal Suite is perfect for twosomes, complete with two massage beds, bath/shower, fireplace and views of the harbour).
What Could Be Better: From the photos I’d seen of the Hungarian Thermal Mineral Water Bath, it looked enormous. I was surprised at the postage stamp size of the bath…and the setting was somewhat disappointing.
Bottom Line: This is the perfect respite from the thousands of tourists who swarm the streets surrounding Victoria’s Inner Harbour. As with the other six Fairmont resorts’ Willow Stream Spas, it’s definitely upscale, and you’ll pay top dollar. If you’re looking for a local spot with lower prices, you may want to don your robe elsewhere.
Contact Info: Willow Stream Spa at The Fairmont Empress, 633 Humboltdt St., Victoria, BC V8W 1A6. 866.854.7444 www.willowstream.com
