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Holtz Spa Arrives in Picture-Pretty town of Perth, ON
August 12, 2009


by Anne Dimon

Holtz Spa. The name leaps to mind when one mentions “Ottawa spas.” Located within a hot stone’s throw of the Canadian Parliament Buildings and the landmark Fairmont Chateau Laurier, Holtz Spa is the most established spa in Canada’s capital city and certainly one of, if not the most wellness-minded. They are also very much into “alternative” therapies and treatments. Earlier this year, Holtz made the Travel to Wellness annual list of Best Spas Canada in the Best Alternative Therapy category for their Spirit of the Forest – Vibrational Healing Therapy.

There’s a second Holtz Spa at the Hilton Suites in Markham, Ontario and, in June, a third opening in the spanking new Code’s Mill Inn & Spa perched on the banks of the Tay River in Perth’s downtown core. The town, dubbed by TV Ontario as “the prettiest town in Ontario,” is located about 2.5 hour’s drive from Toronto, about an hour from Ottawa.

Conveniently situated in a just-off-the-lobby wing of the hotel, the spa is intimate – just four treatment rooms, plus lounge and mani/pedi areas. It's actually the perfect size for this intimate inn - just 58 spacious, nicely-appointed guest rooms and with chromatherapy tubs in bathrooms.

The spa’s treatment rooms are oversized with riverside views, a lounge with a walk-out to a small deck overlooks the gazebo for outside massages and the river beyond, and in the pedicure area guests relax in the Cadillac of pedi-chairs. One of the treatment rooms has a versatile therapy “capsule” used for a wide range of treatments including hydro therapy.

There is no locker room, but treatment rooms all have baths with showers and are large enough for guests to change. Those staying at the inn are given robes in their rooms. At the moment, there is no sauna, no steam room - but such wet room facilities including an indoor pool are being added on the inn’s lower level.

The spa menu is not as extensive as that at Ottawa's Holtz Spa but clients will not be disappointed. There’s a good selection of massages, a few body treatments, facial treatments (main skin care line is Babor), men’s services and esthetics and a number of different packages. Holtz owner (and president of Leading Spas of Canada) Donna Holtom says: “Like the original Holtz in Ottawa, Holtz here at Code’s Mill will be just as wellness oriented plus will have the added bonus of accommodations to allow for multi-day detox and other wellness type programs.” She adds that yoga and nature-focused programs are in the works.

I tried the 80-minute Raindrop Massage – a relaxation massage not unlike aromatherapy but with the addition of acupressure techniques and signature blend of essential oils “rain dropped” along the body’s key energy centres. It’s a gentle, very relaxing, centering type of treatment.

One of the things that make’s the Code’s Mill Inn & Spa distinctive is the beautifully landscaped riverside lot. It helps that the owner is also a landscape architect. Along with the landscaping, Code’s abuts a park, the river bordered by a pebbled path good for running and meditative walks. Unlike most inns, Code’s does not offer in-house food and beverage facilities, but the inn does have a sister restaurant (Fiddleheads) directly across the street plus there are a number of good restaurants (and shops) within easy walking distance. Local restaurants will also deliver and special events can be catered. A large fitness centre – with free access to Code’s guests – is also just across the street.

The town of Perth is on the Rideau Heritage Route which runs from Kingston to Ottawa along the Rideau Canal, a UNESCO World Heritage Centre. The arrival of Code’s Inn & Spa adds a quality combo of accommodation and spa not previously available in the area.

For more info

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Where else to spa in Ontario