Besides a day of shopping to our hearts content there’s nothing we like better than going to the spa. Toronto is home to many amazing spas and from mud wraps to a champagne nail bar, we’ve selected six of our favorite go-to places to unwind, relax and get pampered from head to toe.
Body Blitz (471 Adelaide St West and 497 King St East)
Body Blitz is a women’s only spa with two Toronto locations known for its therapeutic waters. The setup of the facility is based around the old tradition of communal bathing allowing women to come together, unwind and relax. Guests can book one-time treatments here, but you’ll likely get hooked on the unique H20 experience. You can purchase Body Blitz’s therapeutic water card for $270 (five visits and get the sixth free) or a membership (three-month or annual) where you can get blitzed as often as you like.
Try out: its water circuit treatment uses specialized pools aimed to soothe the body; for example, the hot Epsom salt pool relives muscle pain, reduces water retention and draws out toxins and excess fluids through the skin.
Hammam Spa (602 King St West)
Opened in 2005, Hammam is a quaint 500 sqft coed spa based on the Turkish bath tradition using steam rooms and saunas. The spa menu here offers up a myriad of treatments and while you can pay an affordable $55 to experience the facility’s signature steam room one-time, you may want save up a little money and go all out. Treatments here generally cost more than $100, but with spending that amount of money (and more) you have the opportunity to use the steam room complimentary.
Try out: other than stepping foot into the steam room, consider getting a 60-minute Swedish massage or Hammam custom facial which uses Dermalogica products to exfoliate, cleanse and hydrate the face.
Miraj Hammam Spa by Caudalie Paris at the Shangri-La Hotel (5th Floor, 188 University Avenue)
Just walking through the doors of the Miraj Hammam Spa at the Shangri-La Hotel will instantly calm your nerves and propel you into a state or relaxation. Located at the corner of University Ave and Adelaide Street West, the team here is very friendly and focused on providing guests with top-notch service. If you’re looking to spend a few days in a luxurious hotel in the city then this is the place to be! The Shangri-La often offers spa credits for guests staying at the hotel; however, this may depend on your length of stay and offers valid at the time of purchase.
Try out: when visiting any spa it’s the small details that make the experience memorable, we couldn’t get over the sweetened peppermint tea here – it was delicious! As for treatments, you have to try the Hammam steam chambers, as well as the Vinothé©rapie® Spa Manicure and Pedicure which uses fresh grapes to cleanse, soak and groom your hands and feet.
Spa at The Hazelton by Valmont (118 Yorkville Avenue)
Located in trendy Yorkville and tucked away on the lower level of The Hazelton Hotel, this elegant facility boosts the use of Valmont products, a luxury Swiss skincare line. Again, with the facility situated in a hotel, spa credits are offered when you stay; as this article is being written, a credit of $150 per night is provided to use toward services in the spa when you stay overnight. The only heads up we’ll give you is that the locker room at the spa is small and the waiting room to start your services is also the reception area.
Try out: the Valmont facials are a unique experience because spa therapists use a skincare line not commonly found at department stores in Canada. Plus, the treatment uses a high frequency machine with a wand-like device that lights up as it’s placed over your skin, as your eyes are closed of course.
Spa at The Ritz-Carlton (181 Wellington St West)
Ranked number one by Travel + Leisure as the 2013 World’s Best Awards List of Top Hotel Spas Overall, The Ritz-Carlton Spa is a well-endowed 23,000 sqft facility with 16 treatment rooms, a Champagne Nail Bar, jacuzzi, tranquility pool, vitality pools and steam rooms. Yes, they have everything! Combine this with the outstanding customer service that the hotel chain is known for and you’ll feel like you’ve died and gone to heaven.
Try out: you have to experience the city’s first Champagne Nail Bar where you can sit back, relax in a fluffy white robe, and get your hands and feet did with a glass of bubbly. For extra pampering, try any of the Spa My Blend treatments which use specialized Clarins products to treat the skin from head to toe.
Stillwater Spa at Park Hyatt (4 Avenue Road)
A staple of the Toronto spa scene for years and consistently ranked as one of the best spas in the city, Stillwater Spa at the Park Hyatt is conveniently located at Yonge and Bloor housing 17 treatments rooms, a couple’s massage room, aqua therapy room, steam room, sauna and whirlpool, and tea lounge all in a spacious 10,000 sqft facility. Many people runaway to this urban sanctuary to schedule some quality ‘Me’ time and leave feeling like a new person. Being one of the top spas in the city, we suggest that you check if Stillwater has any special offers or spa packages available which would be friendly on your pocket book.
Try out: the Essential Milk and Honey Wrap is a popular 90-minute body treatment which nourishes and hydrated the skin; plus, who wouldn’t want to be wrapped up in milk and honey topped with a Swedish massage. Sign us up ASAP!