Spa Season: 6 Offerings to Embrace Wellness This Winter

There is no turning back. It’s winter, no matter what the solstice date tells us. That means it’s cold and damp (ok, very wet) here in B.C. And that also means less daylight, a lag in energy and droopy moods that aren’t helped much by sunset at 4 p.m. We invite you to take charge of the seasonal shift when it comes to your own self-care, by visiting one of these wellness wonders known as spas, saunas and more.

Orrin Spa at Hyatt Downtown Alberni

It’s no secret that the Shangri-La Hotel is no more, and that Hyatt has moved in with big plans for a multi-million-dollar transformation and rebrand in the new year to become the prestigious Park Hyatt. The former CHI, The Spa at the Shangri-La is now called Orrin Spa. It doesn’t look that different (for now) but has more of a West Coast vibe, particularly with the Signature Orrin Ritual treatment.

I was led into my private spa “apartment,” as spa tech Emily aptly described it. The apartment is a candlelit space with a fireplace, massage table, my own bathroom and shower, plus a massive tub. To start, I was exfoliated head to toe with B.C.-brand Enhance Arts CBD scrub, rinsed and relaxed in my private eucalyptus steam shower, then massaged with CBD oil with reviving properties. Sipping warm honey and ginger tea in the spa lounge with gluten-free energy bites, and I floated off feeling like a new woman. Why not make a staycation out of this? The Spa Getaway package runs through December 31, 2026, including a daily breakfast for two, a $250 spa credit per stay and, of course, a gorgeous cityscape room.

AetherHaus

Vancouver sauna and cold plunge studio, AetherHaus, opened last June in English Bay to the delight of those familiar with German Aufguss, a wellness practice where aromatic steam is circulated through the sauna. Heard of Russian Banya? That would be a communal bathhouse where heat, steam and social connection are considered the trifecta of health. Step into AetherHaus to experience both and more, with a Himalayan salt sauna, communal cold pools and relaxation tea lounge.

The West End is the fitting location for the all-are-welcome attitude here, with a menu of experiences on offer like Haus Classic: a dimly lit sauna, curated playlists and high heat followed by cold plunges. Yin Stretch is restorative, gentle and paired with breathwork. Special evenings like Queer Night and Aufguss in the Nude are popular. “We created AetherHaus to welcome everyone, not just the hyper health-conscious,” says the studio’s founder, Kevin Frank. “This is a space for people to simply show up as they are and experience the power of stillness.”

Hälsa Spa

Introduce flotation therapy to your wellness routine. Hälsa Spa on West 4th in Vancouver opened in 2014, and it’s still my think-tank refuge when the going gets tough, or the chill of winter has me on shiver-mode. The sensory deprivation of float tanks does wonders for easing anxiety, tamping down cortisol and more. I like to make a day of it: rest in the infrared sauna, book an acupuncture treatment or get a massage. The upstairs lounge is a calm and quiet space to finish the visit.

Tevah Wellness

Tevah Wellness just opened earlier this month in downtown Vancouver. This spot is sure to be a destination for locals and visiting guests of nearby hotels. Featuring a circuit of guided breathwork, sauna sessions and that bracing cold immersion many folks swear by (cold plunges), Tevah aims to offer a holistic experience for all. The space takes up a total of 4,200 square feet, including a 725-square-foot sauna that can hold 60 people. Cold plunge pools and body jets in the rain shower room help get one’s cryo on.

There are also special sessions to target your needs. Consider Awakening and Gratitude, a morning class, or Relax and Rest to nudge you towards your best sleep. “We designed this for the people who are always building, creating and pushing forward to have a space where they can slow down without stopping,” says Andrew Ao, founder of Tevah Wellness. “This isn’t about pampering or surface-level self-care—it really is about realignment, renewal and supporting transformations on physical, mental and spiritual levels.”

Solace Organic Spa

If you find yourself on Salt Spring Island, a visit to Solace Organic Spa is essential. For 20 years, guests have lined up for the spa’s forest hydrotherapy circuit. Think: a cedar sauna, hot tub and cold plunge immersed deep into the woods. Spoil yourself with the Nourish Journey, which includes a full body therapeutic massage, reflexology and seaweed foot scrub. The Solace Facial revives that glow hidden away by winter’s drying weather.

Polar Plunge and Brunch at the Fairmont Waterfront

The Fairmont Waterfront’s ultimate cryotherapy experience, led by the hotel’s CEO (Chill Experience Officer), Jodi Francks, starts with a visit to Third Beach in Stanley Park. First, guests are led into the bracing ocean waters for a cold dip. Then, hotel staff are at the ready to wrap guests in warm towels after the plunge. Back at the hotel, sip on a nice cup of hot tea, or make it a toddy. A nice hot shower at the hotel’s Health Club, followed by ARC’s signature Bottomless Brunch, gives one a serious sense of accomplishment. You did it—better order mimosas.