BC Living
The Best Basic Quiche Recipe
Squash Risotto with Fried Sage Recipe
You’ve Gotta Try This in November 2024
5 Tips to Prevent Muscle and Joint Pain When Working a Desk Job
Skincare Products for Fall
Exploring the Benefits of Cold Therapy
Inviting the Steller’s Jay to Your Garden
6 Budget-friendly Holiday Decor Pieces
Dream Home: $8 Million for a Modern Surprise
Where to Eat, Stay and Storm-Watch in Tofino
A Relaxing Getaway to the Sunshine Coast
Exploring Vancouver’s Top Wellness Spas
Disney on Ice Returns to Vancouver This Winter
5 Boutique Art Galleries to Visit in BC
B.C. Adventures: Our Picks for November
21 Jolly Holiday Markets to Visit in B.C. in 2024
Elevated performance in elegant form: the next generation of Audi Canada
How to Transition Your Skincare From Summer to Fall
Soothe the soul at one of many highly rated retreats scattered all around the province
It’s no secret that British Columbia has some of the best spas around. From the heart of Vancouver to the southern Gulf Islands, the Sunshine Coast to the Interior, we are not lacking in the relaxation department. While a perfect day of pampering may be where it’s at, these B.C. spas deliver so much more.
In no particular order, here are our choices for the province’s Top 10 spas of 2017…
If pure indulgence is what you’re looking for in a getaway, this is your stop. Whole body wellness is the focus at KurSpa, with 100 treatments provided by a clinic of various healthcare professionals. Cozy up with a hot stone massage or reap benefits of glacial proportions by visiting the cryo chamber. You will want to include the signature fango—an Italian thermal mud therapy—to detoxify and reinvigorate. Feels like butter!
Easily accessed by the beautiful Gulf Islands ferry route, you will find the stunning community of Galiano Island. Housed in the Galiano Inn, Madrona del Mar boasts 4,000 square feet of indigenous and natural luxury. From the Blueberry Bliss to the Wild British Columbia Seaweed Experience, these treatments fully capture the essence of West Coast living. Try the Spirit of Galiano Experience, which includes a private steam room, 60-minute float and a massage in the garden cottage. One warning: you may want to move in!
You don’t have to travel far to experience luxury and results-driven treatments at Casbah Day Spa in South Surrey. The menu boasts a great selection of medi-spa treatments from facials to body contouring, all to address specific concerns. Need to escape? Have the West Coast Wrap. This seaweed delight works on minor cellulite, tackles water retention and includes a mini-facial. You may forget why you’re there while cocooned in the relaxation room with a cup of tea or post-treatment beverage. Pure bliss!
Get away from the hustle and bustle and head up the beautiful Sunshine Coast. The Spa at Painted Boat Resort is a getaway in and of itself. From the moment you step in, you are transported to an oasis. Be sure to leave time to relax in the spa gardens and enjoy the outdoor glacial rain shower, warm saltwater floatation pool, sauna and massaging waterfall. You can really only top this off with the four-phase spa experience known as the Signature Ritual. You will fully surrender!
If retreating to the mountains is more your thing, make this one a day trip. Immerse yourself in the Finnish lifestyle at Scandinave: soaking in the hot and cold baths which are known for revitalizing, refreshing and releasing those feel-good endorphins. Sauna and steam at your leisure, enjoy a massage and be sure to bring a good book to curl up in a hammock overlooking both Whistler and Rainbow Mountains. Or simply take a well-deserved nap.
In Vancouver’s downtown core, attain a sense of personal peace and well-being as you escape at Chi. Luxury at its finest, your journey invites you to pure seclusion as you relax in the comfort of your own suite. Treatments are combined for a holistic experience. They are inclusive of a traditional foot bath, tea service and choice of aromatherapy steam or bath treatment. While the Indulgence of Time treatment gives you peace of mind, you may also opt for the cleansing West Coast Detox. You will be treated royally!
We have already raved about the Ultimate Vichy Shower Experience, but this Fraser Valley gem attains Top 10 status with scrubs, wraps and Vichy experiences that are truly unique. The ambience at the Wild Orange Spa alone will make you feel like you’ve stepped away on vacay. They’ve one-upped themselves with a 2017 facelift so you won’t want to miss out on all things new.
On the North Shore, you can indulge your senses in 13,000 square feet of rejuvenation. Relaxation rooms, couples options and VIP suites abound. Hosting for a special occasion or enjoying a night out on the town? You can even have your hair and makeup done after one of Spa Utopia‘s Canadian Treasures treatments, which rely on the healing powers of West Coast seaweeds, muds and clays.
Need to be whisked away? Just steps away from Okanagan Lake, you will find a sanctuary to leave your stress and worries behind. Relax and enjoy a customized facial or muscle-melting massage at your leisure. Extend your visit at Melt Mineral Spa by unwinding in the relaxation lounge with a cup of tea or adding a Melt Manicure. Feeling frazzled? The five-part Total Body Meltdown will take care of that. It’s the ultimate Melt experience.
Take a break from shopping! Awaken and transport your senses on a genuine Thai escape, nestled locally in Coal Harbour. While Sabai Thai Spa offers a full range of services, you will not be left wanting for more if you try an Ancient Thai Massage: an oil-free massage while you are wearing traditional, loose-fitting clothing that will leave you in a deep state of relaxation. Prefer an oil massage? Try the Siam Blend Massage. Cozy up in the tea room after to extend your stay.