By Pamela Irving
THE SPA: Temple Gardens Mineral Spa Resort Hotel is a prairie oasis in the heart of historic Moose Jaw
THE ENVIRONMENT: When you enter the Temple Gardens Mineral Spa resort hotel, you enter a world that blends comfort and design, and delivers a retreat guaranteed to decompress, de-stress and luxuriate. The lobby features a large fireplace with glass coffee table constructed on the rack of a moose, mixing elegance with hometown. The hotel in downtown Moose Jaw is set amid historic prairie buildings, that today house trendy shops and cafes, and is directly across from the city’s central green feature – Crescent Park with its canal and walking path.
THE DISTINCTION: There are two spas within this resort hotel: the Mineral Spa, a rooftop geo-thermal pool available to all hotel guests, and The Sun Tree Spa, which offers a full menu of fee-based treatments such as facials and massages. The main feature of the hotel is the geo-thermal mineral rich therapeutic waters- piped directly from ancient sea-beds, lying deep below the city’s surface, to a large rooftop pool that spans indoors and outdoors onto a patio deck. The water temperature hovers between 98 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit and is slightly warmer on the patio deck than inside. All hotel guests can freely ‘take the waters.’ At dawn to watch a sunrise or dusk to enjoy the sunset, are both highly recommended.
The Sun Tree Spa does not offer treatments related to the Mineral Spa, however it is advised that you will benefit if you ‘take the waters’ of the geo-thermal pool before any Sun Tree treatment.
THE EXPERIENCE: We indulged in the Champagne and Bubbly. The Sunday special for two includes a well-appointed terraced room overlooking the park, a king-sized bed with duvet, double Jacuzzi with mineral waters piped from the springs, a bottle of Champagne and white fluffy robes for strolling across the skywalk to the rooftop pool. I found the geo-thermal pool to be both buoyant and rejuvenating and the environment clean and opulent. While I soaked and paddled in the warm waters, stress seemed to seep out of my system, leaving me refreshed. On this glorious summer day with outside temperatures higher than those in the pool, we took time for relaxation on the rooftop patio deck chairs.
Next morning, the pre-breakfast facial left me dewy for the whole day. Spa clients can choose their own mix of aromatic oils, or go with readymade products. Later that morning, I enjoyed a full body Swedish massage.
WHAT’S TO EAT: You can enjoy lunch in the Sun Tree Spa. The menu includes panninis, sandwiches, salads, smoothies and specialty coffees. The Chicken Parmesan Pannini seems to be the most popular with guests. Some spa packages include lunch.
SPA MENU/SIGNATURE TREATMENTS: Sun Tree Spa offers four types of massages, eight kinds of body wraps, ten types of facials, reflexology, pedicures, manicures, and for those who cannot decide on single treatments, there are all-day package. The Sun Tree Signature Facial for sensitive skin uses the Italian-line Comfort Zone made from natural plant and sea extracts and restorative oils.
COST At the time of our visit a 60-minute massage was priced at $89 Cdn.
ACCOMMODATIONS: The resort’s 179 modern guestrooms and deluxe suites feature Jacuzzis and terraces overlooking Crescent Park.
BEYOND THE SPA: There’s an in-house fitness facility, sauna and, of course, the geo-thermal mineral waters. Around the perimeter of Moose Jaw is the Rotary Park path used for walking, cycling and jogging. Just five blocks from the hotel is the beautiful Wakamow Valley and the Moose Jaw River, with many hiking and walking paths.
WHAT I LIKED BEST: The skywalk, linking the mineral pools to guestrooms, is one of my favourite hotel features. Accessible only to registered guests, it is a physical reminder to leave your busy world behind and cross over into the relaxing world of the spa’s healing mineral waters. The whole experience gives you a feeling of being nurtured. The staff motto is quite rightly ‘come for our waters, stay for our people.
OUR ADVICE: The best time to attend Temple Gardens Mineral Spa Resort is whenever you need a break, but winter time seems to be a favourite. With the geo-thermal pool surrounded by snow, bathers take refuge from the cold in the warm waters. All you need to take is a swimsuit, and a casual outfit or two, nothing too over-the-top. Most of all, go prepared to be pampered. More on Temple Garden Mineral Spa