FASHION Magazine

From the West Coast to the Atlantic Ocean, Beauty Director Adriana Ermter scours the nation for must-try rejuvenating, relaxing and beautifying spas.

Riverside Spa, Calgary

110 Point McKay Crescent NW, 403-270-7500, riversidespa.ca

I’ve got too much on the go and I’m feeling the stress. A more informal spa experience is what I’m after. As I make my way to the change rooms, pick a locker and slip on a robe, I am grateful to not have someone hovering over me—it would only add to the pressure. And right now, sitting in a pre-reclined chair in the spa’s informal environment, while sipping a glass of lemonade and listening to the twangy sounds of an Asian-inspired CD are all I need. At least that’s what I think until I’m face down on a table in Nadine’s treatment room for an hour long Chocolate Bliss Mud Wrap ($140).

From the West Coast to the Atlantic Ocean, Beauty Director Adriana Ermter scours the nation for must-try rejuvenating, relaxing and beautifying spas.

Concepts Day Spa, Toronto

60 Bloor Street West in the Holt Renfrew Centre, 416-922-2823, conceptstoronto.com

I’ve been here 100 times before. It’s not fancy, the spa is underground, there’s nothing special about the décor and you have to pour your own complimentary herbal tea. Sometimes, you can even hear the rumble of the subway. But it’s my comfort zone. And my ritual goes like this:

From the West Coast to the Atlantic Ocean, Beauty Director Adriana Ermter scours the nation for must-try rejuvenating, relaxing and beautifying spas. This month, she sends Nadine LaRoche to check out Spirit Urban Spa in Halifax.

Spirit Urban Spa
5150 Salter St., Suite 200, Halifax, 902-431-8100, spiritspa.ca

As my aesthetician Allison lifts my head from the table, I feel all weight release from my body. I’m half way through the one-hour Sweet Skin Organic Facial ($90), which is customized for your skin type, waiting for my strawberry rhubarb mask to hydrate and replenish my skin and Allison has taken the opportunity to massage apricot oil into my scalp.

From the West Coast to the Atlantic Ocean, Beauty Director Adriana Ermter scours the nation for must-try rejuvenating, relaxing and beautifying spas.

Shizen Spa
Pantages Hotel, 200 Victoria St., Toronto, 416-369-7882, pantageshotel.com or shizen.ca.

The neon lighting of the lobby at the Pantages Hotel is a far cry from the quiet, calm atmosphere of the Shizen Spa on the fifth floor. I slip on a robe before being guided to the room where I’m set to enjoy the spa’s signature service: a 70-minute Rose Wrap ($140).

From the West Coast to the Atlantic Ocean, beauty director Adriana Ermter scours the nation for must-try rejuvenating, relaxing and beautifying spas.

Willow Stream Spa, Vancouver
Fairmont Pacific Rim, 1038 Canada Place, 604-695-5550, fairmont.com/pacificrim

In dire need of a facial, a pedicure and relaxation, I head to the spa. I start off in the steam room, which, unlike most, is filled with natural light streaming in through the frosted glass windows overlooking Coal Harbour. Already beginning to feel the day-to-day pressures melting away, I slip on a robe and head to the lounge to sip orange-infused water and nibble on a bran muffin.

Welcome to Spa of the month, a new feature where we track down the top spas across Canada. First up: Beauty director Adriana Ermter checks out the Stillwater Spa (Hyatt Regency Calgary, 700 Centre St. SE, 403-537-4474, calgary.hyatt.com) in her home town of Calgary.