Canada’s Best Spas and Saunas to Relax and Recharge In
Check out these spots spots centered on wellness.
Fogo Island Inn
Whether it’s to find an escape in a bustling city such as Toronto, indulge in luxurious treatments, or to simply rest and contemplate, we have rounded up a few of our favourite stories exploring the country’s best spa offerings.
Sweat It Out in Toronto’s Newest Sauna
Othership combines traditional hot-cold treatments with rigorous breathwork and movement classes. Laine and her partner, Harry Taylor, studied performative sauna leadership in the Netherlands in 2018 and brought what they learned back to their hometown of Toronto. — Peter Saltsman
___
Sip Saunas Fuses Nordic Traditions With Canadian Craft
Made in Prince Edward County using locally sourced wood and Finnish stoves, with the option to customize plans to suit any space, Sip is well on its way to democratizing Canadians’ access to löyly, the esoteric Finnish term for the steam that rises in a sauna, and all the possibilities it can bring. — Jack Lowe
___
5 Canadian Spas and Hot Springs With Stunning Design
Discover five of the best spas and hot springs throughout Canada that will let you disconnect—from natural springs in the B.C. wilderness to a repurposed barge in downtown Montreal. — James Brillon
___
A Floating Sauna in Clayoquot Sound
Moored in the frigid waters of B.C.’s Clayoquot Sound, the sauna combines the peace of nature with the physical release of a day at the spa. From the resort’s Marine Adventure Centre, a short boat ride takes guests to the sauna in a secluded inlet, nestled in a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. — Elia Essen
___
Exploring Thermotherapies of the World at Quebec’s Förena Cité Thermale
The expansive 600,000 square feet of therapeutic space evokes a resort where robed clients roam through various thermotherapies: hot and cold water baths, waterfalls inspired by Iceland’s landscape and wellness practices, paths of granite from a nearby quarry leading to a pavilion for Germany’s Augfuss sauna and cold bath cycles, and Russia’s dry saunas, steam rooms, and salt scrubs. — JP Karwacki
___
The spa is intended to be used in a circuit, drawing on the thermal, hydro, and contrast therapies said to have lasting benefits, like reduced stress and inflammation, boosted circulation and mood, or improved sleep. — Elia Essen
___
The Guerlain Spa Is Parisian Luxury in Toronto
In 1939, Guerlain opened one of the world’s first spas on the Champs-Élysées, and now Canada has its first Guerlain Spa, opened in Toronto at Hotel X. Entering the world of Guerlain beauty in Toronto is to be greeted by an impressive display of perfume bottles—the company has put its name to nearly 800 perfumes—before segueing to the lounge with its sweeping view of Lake Ontario. — Allie Turner
___
Scandinave Spa
Three Nordic Spa Experiences Not to Be Missed
Whistler’s iconic thermal spa, Scandinave Spa, is surrounded by an old-growth rainforest and rugged Coast Mountain views. Guests are challenged to sink into complete silence and a digital detox while journeying through cycles of hot, cold, and relaxation installations spread over 25,000 square feet. — Sabrina Pirillo
___
Vancouver’s Restorative Getaways
The new year brings the promise of greater self-care and personal wellness. In Vancouver and the Sea-to-Sky Corridor, there are relaxing and restorative getaways to rejuvenate the mind, body, and spirit. Whether you have two hours or two days to indulge in blissful baths, steamy saunas, and salubrious soaks, these four wellness getaways will help you begin the year with more good energy and serenity. — Claudia Laroye
