SEVENTH HEAVEN: TOP COUPLES TREATMENT ROOMS ACROSS THE COUNTRY
By Maureen Littlejohn
Some are as sleek and expansive as the sky, some are delightfully toasty and snug. All are exquisite. Couple’s spa treatment rooms are in high demand not only for love-struck pairs, but also for mothers and daughters, best friends and business pals. The following seven are Spa Life’s choices as Canada’s most outstanding.
Spa at Ancient Cedars, Wickaninnish, Vancouver Island
www.wickinn.com
The wettest, wildest, luxe spa adventure in the country can be found at The Spa at Ancient Cedars, located in the Wickaninnish Inn on Vancouver Island’s rugged northern shore. Human lovebirds can enjoy an up-close view of pounding waves, seals and bald eagles from one of the spa’s two treatment cabins. Lined with sea-grass wallpaper, Rainforest Haven has a ceiling canopied with driftwood and a gas fireplace to add a glow on chilly days. Adjoining the 420 square foot room is a washroom with soaker tub, and shower. Cedar Sanctuary is a cozy, 150 square foot beach nest with French doors that open onto an intimate surfside private patio.
Popular treatment: Hot Stone Massage for Two, done side-by-side.
Spa Utopia and Salon at the Pan Pacific, Vancouver
www.spautopia.ca
Spa Utopia at the Pan Pacific’s VIP couple’s suite, Villa Athena, could easily be renamed the Pleasure Dome. Towering pillars, coupled with marble and stone details, give the 16 by 27 foot suite a definite ancient Roman feel. There’s also a sunken treatment area, heated Italian tile floors, fireplace, double-jetted Jacuzzi tub and dining area. If that’s not enough, the private change room is outfitted with double sinks, a waterfall shower, personal toiletries and thick towels. The pièce de résistance is the personal hostess. She’s responsible for serving beverages like champagne or cucumber water with a tropical fruit platter and making sure your every desire is met. There are two other similar, but smaller, VIP suites at the spa’s North Vancouver location.
Popular treatment: VIP Suite Romance. This package includes Swedish massage, a Hydramemory facial and a soft, velour Spa Utopia robe.
Willow Stream Spa, Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, Banff, Alberta
www.fairmont.com
This spa is one of the largest in Canada at 38,000 square feet. No surprise then that the couples suite is an expansive 400 square feet and features an elegant Onzen Japanese-style soaking tub deep enough for full submerging, a shower with customized rain settings, bathroom and sitting area. The patterned floor is made of porcelain, ceramic and mosaic tiles and a large vaulted skylight floats over the centre of the spa, infusing the interior with natural light.
Popular treatment: The Ritual of Two. A therapist demonstrates the spa treatments, and then leaves a couple alone with a variety of muds, masques and baths. The session ends with a side-by-side aromatherapy massage.
The Pantages Spa and Wellness Centre, Toronto
www.pantageshotel.com
Warm and inviting, this 15 by 25 foot double suite in golden hues is equipped with two massage tables. The subtle aroma of bergamot and chamomile floats through the air. Couples lay at arm’s reach under rich gold sheets, low light flickers from salt lamps and soothing music sets the mood. Before or after the treatment, couples can indulge in another private 40 by 20 foot room with luxurious whirlpool, draped in white organza, a steam bath and sauna. To stay hydrated, there’s chilled lemon-infused water or a selection of complimentary bottled waters from around the world.
Popular treatment: Relaxation Massage, followed by a citrus pedicure for him and a vanilla sugar pedicure for her.
Hyatt Still Water, Toronto
www.parktoronto.hyatt.com
The couple’s suite is a candle-lit, 13 by 20 foot haven equipped with oversized fountain Jacuzzi, gas fireplace, and shower with a customized, luxury head. The walls and floors are of warm sandstone and butterscotch marble and the buttery linens on the massage tables are in shades of deep orange with gold and brown accents. Refreshing amenities include chilled elderflower water as well as decadent chocolate-dipped strawberries and truffles. Truly a treat for all the senses.
Popular treatment: Couples Sanctuary. A 60-90-minute Swedish massage, which can be topped up with a facial and/or pedicure.
The Spa at the Old Mill Inn, Toronto
www.oldmilltoronto.com/spa
The lord of the manner would be very at home in Harmony, the spa’s inviting, 14 by 10 foot couple’s room. Done in shades of sage and wheat, the room is accented with custom cherry wood furniture and a plush red, gold and sage English wool carpet. Side-by-side hydraulic massage tables covered with fluffy goose feather duvets ensure the perfect comfort level. Completing the cozy ambience is an all season (or halogen) fireplace and a picture window that affords glimpses of Humber valley wildflowers and sometimes even a family of deer.
Popular treatment: Spa Date For Two. A 60-minute Swedish or aromatherapy massage followed by side-by-side traditional English facials (done in a separate room).
Chateau Montebello, Quebec
www.chateaumontebello.com
This historic log palace 150 kilometres west of Montreal unveiled its intimate new spa earlier this year, featuring a sumptuous, 525 square foot couples' suite. The room offers a fireplace, double-head jungle shower and deep Japanese-style Onzen tub. Treatments include aromatic essential oil massages, rose petal baths and hydrating clay body masques. If couples get tired of looking into each other’s eyes, the room also has a gorgeous view of the Ottawa River. Plus, there’s a lovely wooden balcony to take a breath of fine forest air.
Popular treatment: Loving Massage. A 60-90 minute side-by-side massage using a blend of essential oils such as ylang ylang, Quebec cedar, nutmeg and patchouli.
Amerispa
Chateau Bonne Entente, Quebec
www.urbaniachateaubonneentente.com
Chateau Bonne Entente is nestled in the quiet outskirts of Quebec City and has two wonderful 700 square foot guestroom spa suites that feature the ultimate in private, deluxe spa amenities. In one suite’s bathroom there is an eternity-style bathtub and Bain Ultra Temazkal shower, which can also be used as a private sauna. In the other there is an oval bathtub that can be converted into a massage table. The Amerispa therapists come and provide treatments and after you can lounge in your own living room, watch a giant flat screen TV, or relax in a separate bedroom area.
Popular Treatment: Four Hands Massage. For pure, decadent relaxation.