BRITISH COLUMBIA SPAS & WELLNESS TRAVEL
Hugging Canada’s Pacific coast, the province of British Columbia is speeding towards the excitement of the 2010 Winter Olympics. Affectionally known as B.C., it's unoffically known as Canada's "most fit" province and the options for those who like to hike, cycle and paddle are unlimited. Along with Ontario and Quebec, B.C. also has the most choice for spa goers.
Things you should know before you go
SPAS
Whistler Artesia Spa at Hilton Whistler, Taman Sari Spa, Vida Wellness Spa at Fairmont Chateau Whistler, Spa at the Westin Whistler, Spa at the Four Seasons Whistler
Kelowna Spa at the Grand Okanogan, Beyond Wrapture
Vancouver Island & Gulf Islands Spa at Delta Victoria, Aveda Spa at Wickaninnish, Sante Spa at Bear Mountain, Spa at Poet's Cove Pender Island, Grotto Spa at Tigh na Mara.
B.C. Interior Hills Health Ranch, Gensing Spa
Articles:
Vancouver Island Great Views
Poet's Cove: It's a Facial.....Butt
Health & Wellness at Hills Health Ranch
Things you should know before you go:
• It's a destination where you can often ski one day and golf the next.
• It's home to the Okanagan Valley, one of the country's prime wine regions and agri-tourism destinations.
• Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands are often named "best islands" in the world on which to live.
• It's a fabulous destination for anyone wanting to hike, cycle or paddle.
• B.C. is where visitors will find the mildest winters in Canada
• It's home to world-famous Whistler Village.
WHISTLER
One of North America's most renowned mountain villages and recently declared one of the most liveable communities in the world, Whistler is located in the Coast Mountains 120 kilometres (75 miles) north of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, and is the site of the alpine, Nordic, and sliding events for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. The destination is best known for its downhill skiing, but over the last several years it has become increasingly popular as a year-round destination. The annual Whistler Wellness Week (usually held in May) is the first such destination-wide, annual wellness events in Canada. We love this part of Canada for spas and the outdoor fitness activities available in an inspirational mountain setting.
Artesia Spa
The Artesia Spa at the Hilton Whistler Resort & Spa (right in Whistler Village) is one of the newest full-service spas located right in the village. It’s small – just six treatment rooms plus a mani-pedi area and tiny relaxation nook – but nicely presented and comfortable. The only thing lacking - due to space constraint - is a hydrotherapy room. Signature treatments offer a sense of place by incorporating products such as Canadian Moore Mud and Outer Coast Seaweed hand-harvested from British Columbia’s Pacific Coast. www.artesiaspa.com
Spa at Four Seasons Whistler
One of the largest spas ( 14 treatment rooms) in Whistler, and considered one of the most luxurious, is the Spa at the Four Seasons Whistler. One of the things we most liked about it is the use of local products to create a sense of place. B.C. glacial clays and Pacific coast seaweed are incorporated into a number of treatments. We liked the special touches such as the small bunches of grapes presented to guests on a china plate and, in the locker room, a bowl of chilled towels set out near the steam room. Along with the usual spa amenities – there were lots of extras such as including mouthwash, hair products, hair ties and bags for wet bathing suites. Also this is one of the few spas we've been to with hairdryer diffuser attachments for those of us with curly locks. The only downside was the small-ish and rather bland (considering it's a Four-Seasons) coed lounge.
From the spa there's easy access to the hotel’s fitness centre and the hotel’s beautiful pool area - open to all guests whether you’re using the spa or not. www.fourseasons.com/whistler/spa.html
Taman Sari Spa
Taman Sari at the Summit Lodge & Spa gets our vote for the most exotic spa in Whistler. It's also one of the most exotic spas in Canada. An authentic Indonesian spa and currently the only Taman Sari in North America, the spa employs only Indonesian-trained therapists, plus all products are manufactured and imported from Indonesia. That, plus the traditional Indonesian décor, combine to give the spa a truly exotic feel. Along with Indonesian-inspired décor, treatments, products and therapists the other feature that sets the spa apart is the Jamu & Tea Bar where guests are invited to sit to fill in their pre-treatment health questionnaire. www.tamasarispa.com
Vida Wellness Spa, Fairmont Chateau Whistler
Vida Wellness Spa offers a Ayurveda (a 5,000 year old science of life.) concept. The waiting area is relatively intimate and you’d never know that beyond lies 17 treatment rooms – including two couple’s suites and a mani-pedi area. We tried the signature Ayurvedic Swedana (word means “to sweat”) which includes a massage with Ayurvedic oils followed by a system cleansing in a hand-crafted West Coast cedar steam cabinet. It’s a lovely treatment. The only downside to the spa is that the locker room is shared by the adjacent gym, or, you can choose to change right into robe and slippers in the treatment room. The bonus is that the Fairmont has one of the nicest pool terraces in the area and it’s just steps away from the spa. www.fairmont.com/whistler
KELOWNA
Kelowna is largest city in the Okanagan (the fruit-belt region of B.C.), but with the Okanagan Lake and the mountains all within quick, easy access of the main street, there’s a resort feel to this B.C. city. One of Canada's prime wine regions, the Okanogan Valley offers farms, wineries and orchards many with open doors to welcome visitors. It's a great destination for foodies and anyone wanting to get up-close to locally grown produce and the people who grow them. Kelowna is also a thriving arts community. Perfect, too, for cycling.
Spa at The Grand Okanagan
One of the main draws of the Spa at the Grand Okanagan is its beautiful lakeside location in the heart of the cultural district. One of the distinctive treatments La Stone, a unique massage that uses both hot and cold stones. The combo of hot and cold is said to stimulate blood flow and help relax the muscles. One of the things we found interesting is that the cold marble stones are so cold they somehow trick the body into thinking they are hot. There is also a full menu of services includes those that cater to the male guests that frequent this conference hotel. A beautiful indoor/outdoor pool is a nice resort feature so is the well equipped gym. www.grandokanogan.com
Other spas in Kelowna
There are five spas in the Beyond Wrapture collection.
VANCOUVER ISLAND & GULF ISLANDS
Susurrus Spa at Poet's Cove on Pender Island
This is a lovely intimate spa tucked inside a seaside resort. We like the waterfront location overlooking Bedwell Harbour (part of the Pacific) and marina, the out-of-the-way feel of Pender Island which is the Southern-most of the Gulf Islands.
Susurrus spa has just six treatment rooms but it feels spacious for this size of property. There's a pretty lounge with a walkout to a terrace with a cascading waterfall, hot tub and steam cave.
From the spa menu, The Fanny Facial gets our vote for the "most innovative spa treatment" in 2007.
Article: Poet's Cove: It's a Facial.....Butt
Spa at Delta Victoria Ocean Point Resort
The best thing about this resort is its location overlooking the very pretty Victoria Harbour. The view from the resort's Lure Restaurant is one of the best in the city plus you get to dine on tasty dishes from a menu that includes lots of spa-inspired selections.
The spa offers 10 treatment rooms but still seems smallish. Perhaps it's because the lounge area is small (but comfy) and there is no locker room dedicated to the spa so guests change inside the treatment rooms. Hoping to relax and enjoy the facilities prior to the treatment, we arrived early but they kept us waiting until we only had time to change. There's a full menu of services including the signature Seaweed Wrap using local seaweed products from Outer Coast was very nice.
If you want the enjoy the view from the spa, book a pedicure. The room includes a window but the view can only be enjoyed by one person (the one in the pedicure chair) at a time.
There's a great gym here. Plus racquet ball, squash and tennis courts. www.thespaatdeltavictoria.com
Ancient Cedars Spa at Wickaninnish
The acclaimed Wickaninnish is all about its geographic location on the shores of the Pacific Ocean. And, while its Ancient Cedars Spa (by Aveda) is very nice, the point of distinction ultimately lies in the location. Every treatment except manicures begins in the lounge with a signature tea and footsoak in beautiful, hand hammered copper pans. To add a personal touch, each foot soak is customized by allowing the quest to choose the aroma.
If you are looking to book a treatment that offers a sense of place try Lomi Lomi - a Hawaiian massage that includes visualization and a forearm stroke that simulates the ocean waves. If you're spa-ing as a twosome, book the cedar-shingled cabin with its own fireplace and terrace overlooging the rocky shoreline and ocean beyond. Very romantic.
Like the resort itself, the spa offers an appreciated attention to detail. For instance, the locker room key chains are eagle heads carved from local wood, and guest names are written on little cards then tucked into card holders made from branches. We like this resort and spa a lot. www.wickinn.com/spa.html
Santé Spa at Bear Mountain
Bear Mountain Golf Resort on Vancouver Island is a lifestyle community that includes private residences, a Westin Hotel, a comprehensive gym facility, a designer golf course (with another opening in 2008) and a spa specializing in medi-treatments.
Owned and operated by two family doctors, Santé Spa (there is also a sister property in Calgary) offers all the treatments, services and amenities you'd find at most resort spas plus a wide range of medical esthetics. Some of the more popular are Botox, fillers, laser peels and IPL (intense pulse light.) For those who want to kick-start a healthier lifestyle, the spa also offers Living Better programs.
Two special features of the spa are the two nicely appointed treatment rooms for couples, and a wrap-around deck with a mineral pool, zen labyrinth and a lovely view of the Highlands. Actually, there are nice views from many of the rooms. The design and decor of the spa is crisp and clean but not clinical.
Santé Spa is a good choice is you're looking for medical esthetics delivered under the direction of a medical doctor. It's also good if you're looking to combine spa with golf and fitness. The gym is large and well-equipped plus personal trainers can design a customized program.
www.santespa.com/bearmountain
The Grotto Spa at Tigh na Mara
Tigh na Mara is a rustic, seaside resort in Parksdale on Vancouver Island, but there is nothing at all rustic about the large, three-level Grotto Spa. Following a $1.5 million reno, it's one of the largest and most luxurious spas in B.C.
The main feature of this beautifully-appointed, three-level spa is the indoor water circuit including a large free-form mineral pool in a grotto-like setting (hence the name) fed by two waterfalls. It's a perfect spot to spend the day "taking the waters" - from hot to cold and rest - as they do in countries such as Italy, Germany and France.
Local artists have helped bring nature into the spa's spacious lounge with chairs and settees hand-craftd from local driftwood. Chairs are grouped in cozy conversation areas around four fireplaces. Sheepskin throws add more of the rustic touch as does wall art fashioned into trees from various types of "found wood." There's a good sense of place here.
Along with the mineral pool, another point of distinction is the spa's Tree Top Tapas Grill. Serving a selection of tapas - the Spanish word meaning "little dishes" - Tree Top's is exclusive to spa guests and really does overlook the tree tops as well as a collection of log-framed spa bungaloos. The food is fabulous - healthy, delicious and beautifully presented. Under Best Spa's in Canada it's our choice for Best Spa Cafe.
www.grottospa.com
BC INTERIOR
Gensing Spa in Kamloops is unique in the fact that it is the only Ginseng spa in Canada, perhaps in North America. Along with the signature ginseng-based treatments (the usual spa treatments are also on the menu)the other point of distinction is the size of the treatment rooms. They are huge - think bachelor apartment. They are, in fact, the largest of any other spa we have visited anywhere plus all themed to a colour and decorated in Asia furnishings and decorative items. There is also a lovely restaurant and tea room open to the public plus steps away a ginseng museum. This is one of Canada's most exotic spas and a visit here is an experience onto itself.
Article: Hills Health Ranch & Spa
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