Sunday, December 15, 2024

10 Ontario spas for the ultimate winter getaway experience

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You can relax and recharge at these luxurious retreats

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It’s that time of year when the air grows colder, the days get shorter and the winter blues start to creep in. Fortunately, there are more than a few luxurious resort spas in Ontario that offer a welcome respite from the stress of holiday shopping and never-ending to-do lists. 

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After all, sometimes you need to take your relaxation to the next level with a winter escape that refreshes your spirit and reconnects you to your inner peace.

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Ontario offers a rich buffet of spectacular spa retreats that will help you find your bliss, reconnect with nature and let the stresses of the world fade away. You can indulge in a massage or facial, go for an invigorating dip in a hot-cold-relax pool circuit or just wrap yourself in a cosy plush robe and dry off by a crackling fire for the ultimate reset this winter.

Here are some of the best spas in Ontario for a relaxing winter getaway.

Elora Mill Hotel & Spa 

Location: 77 Mill St. W., Elora

The cascading Grand River and Elora Gorge provide the backdrop for this luxurious hotel and spa. The Elora Mill is surrounded by the enchanting village of Elora, not far from the city of Guelph, with plenty to see and explore. The spa has a eucalyptus steam room, Nordic-inspired sauna, rooftop pool and hot tub to enjoy year-round. Guests can opt for one of their thoughtfully-curated day packages or book a longer stay for serious self-care. If you take advantage of their Great Canadian Winter promotion between Jan. 2 and April 24, you can add an extra night to your escape for less.

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And if you’re feeling festive you can walk over to the European Christmas market open every Friday to Sunday until the end of December and wander through cobblestone streets filled with local vendors, outdoor fireplaces and more.

Elora Mill Hotel & Spa

Ladies chatting in plush white robes at Ste. Anne's spa
Ste. Anne’s Spa also offers overnight stays. PHOTO COURTESY OF STE. ANNE’S SPA

Ste. Anne’s Spa

Location: 1009 Massey Rd., Grafton

Just 90 minutes from Toronto, in the hills of Northumberland, lies an 1800s fieldstone country castle and estate. This 500-acre property includes one of Ontario’s top spas — the all-inclusive Ste. Anne’s Spa. You can go for a wintry dip in their outdoor meditative and therapeutic hydrotherapy pools or stay warm and toasty in their outdoor sauna. From the seasonal scents of a spiced orange body scrub to eucalyptus inhalation room, to the quiet of the Zen garden and warmth of the firecircle and more, the Winter Citrus Day Spa is just one of their seasonal getaway packages.

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Ste. Anne’s Spa 

Strathmere Country Retreat

Location: 1980 Phelan Rd. W., North Gower

Two centuries of history converge in this picturesque estate located south of Ottawa. Strathmere Country Retreat offers accommodation and spa services to make an unforgettable weekend escape. Holistic therapies, facial treatments, manicures and pedicures will light a spark in your step. This Ontario resort offers activities such as hiking trails, gardens, yoga and a hot tub (the swimming pool is seasonal). Private accommodations for groups offer a rich bonding experience.

Strathmere Country Retreat

Pillar and post
Guests can enjoy a year-round heated pool at 100 Fountain Spa. PHOTO COURTESY OF PILLAR AND POST

100 Fountain Spa at Pillar and Post 

Location: 48 John St. W., Niagara-on-the-Lake

When you need to press the reset button, Pillar and Post offers a hotel stay like no other with a 13,000-square-foot spa onsite. A five-star hotel in a 19th century building offers a first class experience surrounded by country elegance in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

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100 Fountain Spa has a heated indoor saltwater pool, hot spring pool and outdoor pool. It also offers soothing therapies such as the Lalicious winter spice body wrap to make your winter indulgence complete.

Plus, the hotel’s Christmas Wonderland package captures the magic of the season with sparkling lights, holiday music, festive snacks, ice skating, and holiday movies under the stars. And you’ll get a keepsake blanket for when you visit the Christmas Wonderland Garden. You can also book their Warm Up To Winter escape until March 31. This package includes overnight accommodation at one of their three luxurious hotels, plus specialty coffee in the lounge.

100 Fountain Spa at Pillar and Post

Scandinave Spa Blue Mountain 

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Location: 152 Grey County Road 21, The Blue Mountains 

Reconnect with nature at Scandinave Spa Blue Mountain — a 10-hectare property in the UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve Niagara Escarpment. Nestled in a natural forest, the spa combines relaxation with outdoor adventure all year round. Winter is the perfect time to enjoy a steamy soak, as skiers carve down the slopes of Blue Mountain Resort. Your thermal journey includes hot baths, cold plunges, waterfalls, saunas and a steam room. Massage packages are also available. Located within minutes of a ski resort and plenty of inns, there’s loads to do when your relaxation journey is done.

Scandinave Spa Blue Mountain

Vettä Nordic Spa

Location: 3210 Line 3 N., Shanty Bay

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Located north of Barrie, in Horseshoe Valley, Vettä Nordic Spa offers an authentic Finnish spa experience. Here you can immerse yourself in alternating hot and cold hydrotherapy as you feel your cares wash away and your mind clear. You can opt for a relaxing massage before indulging in a delicious Finnish-inspired meal at Savu Bistro or Koivu Restaurant.

Skiing this season? Mount St. Louis Moonstone Podium Pass holder will enjoy $20 off hydrotherapy at Vettä so you can follow up your ski excursion with spa treatments to ease those aches.

Vettä Nordic Spa

Langdon Hall
Langdon Hall has an outdoor, heated restaurant where you can enjoy share-style plates and warm cocktails. PHOTO COURTESY OF LANGDON HALL

Langdon Hall Country House

Location: 1 Langdon Dr., Cambridge

When you need to recharge your batteries, nothing compares to an escape to Langdon Hall, one of Canada’s most luxurious estate hotels, just a 20-minute drive from Kitchener. Surrounded by forest, you’ll experience award-winning spa services that will both restore and rejuvenate, customized to suit your needs.

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Plus, the Winter House is back at Langdon Hall — an outdoor, heated restaurant where you can enjoy delicious food, warm cocktails and more.

You can also explore the hotel’s winter packages including the Holiday Cheer Package with eggnog and festive treats in your room upon arrival, wine and carollers on Christmas Eve. The 2025 package lets you ring 2025 in style. The New Year’s Eve Gala features canapés, sparkling wine and a five-course tasting menu. Live music and dancing will make things merry and bright. And breakfast for two is included.

Langdon Hall Country House Hotel & Spa

Hydrospa Wellness by Water

Location: 1050 Paignton House Rd., Minett

What could make cottage country even more relaxing? How about a next-level spa experience at JW Marriot The Rosseau in Minett? Overlooking the majestic Lake Rosseau in Muskoka, the spa uses the ancient practice of hot and cold water therapy for the ultimate relaxation. After experiencing the benefits of water therapies, you can further indulge your senses with a visit to the salt room, massage chairs and the oxygen bar. Or take some inspiration from your Canadian roots with a Sweet Retreat Maple Body treatment to feel nourished and rejuvenated.

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Hydrospa Wellness by Water

The Pearle Hotel and Spa

Location: 3 Elizabeth St., Burlington

The shores of Lake Ontario are the perfect place to connect, unwind and relax. From skin care to self-care with the Hammam steam room and indoor pool, The Pearl is a chance to melt your stress away. If you’re pressed for time, you can book the Daybreak package which can provide the perfect escape from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. while still giving you a full body pampering. Or create a custom experience from their full menu of options.

The Pearle Hotel and Spa

Four Seasons Hotel Toronto

Location: 60 Yorkville Ave., Toronto 

There’s a sumptuous sanctuary inside the Four Seasons Hotel in downtown Toronto. The luxurious hotel hosts services for tranquillity and rejuvenation. It’s a slice of serenity in the big city bustle. Detoxify in the steam room, recharge in the serene relaxation pool or reinvigorate your body at the state-of-art fitness facilities. Body treatments, hair treatments, facials and massages for both men and women are available. The unique Wellness Bio Bar includes psychic readings, reiki, hypnosis, light therapy and traditional Chinese medicine.

Four Seasons Hotel Toronto

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