The best website for spa travel is doubtlessly SpaFinder. Dedicated to worldwide spa travel, it locates spas in almost any country, assisting in the planning of a luxury spa vacation. When an internationally recognized website such as this holds an annual Readers' Choice Awards, destination spa owners everywhere take notice. Now that the readers' votes for best spas in the world have been tabulated, Leading Spas of Canada (Canada's only national spa association) is delighted: Canada as a whole is ranked #4 in international Readers' Choice Awards. Thirteen of spa vacation lovers' favorite spas are in Canada, in terms of specific spa offerings.
Readers' Choice Awards - Best Spa in Canada:
Ste. Anne's Spa, in Grafton, Ontario - Ste. Anne's won recognition as the Best Spa in Canada in 2006 and 2007. This luxury destination spa makes for a wonderful, almost perfect spa vacation. Its guest houses are all unique, with different architectural styles as well as different luxury amenities. For example, the Sentosa Spa Cottage has views of Lake Ontario and the Northumberland hills, private deck with hot tub, whirlpool tubs and romantic fireplaces in each of the three separate suites. All the cottages offer the spa cottage night basket, delivered at turn down. Ste Anne's Spa recommends that guests traveling solo stay in the main inn. Spa services include different hydrotherapy styles (Eucalyptus Body Wrap, Caribbean Aqua Therapy, etc), massages such as Swedish, prenatal, and shiatsu massages, several different types of facials and body treatments, men's favorite spa treatments, and something called Elemental Nature. This last service is based on Ayurvedic principles to customize spa treatments to each guest.
Several other destination spas in Canada received recognition for their outstanding qualities as well. Of the Readers' Choice Awards, these are particularly notable.
Best Canadian Spas in Specific Categories:
- Best Accommodations - Ancient Cedars at the Wickaninnish Inn, in Tofino, British Columbia
- Best Medical Program - Sante Spa Bear Mountain at the Westin Bear Mountain Resort and Spa, in Victoria BC
- Best for Romance - Willow Stream Spa at the Fairmont Banff Springs, Alberta, and Ste Anne's Spa, in Grafton, Ontario
- Best Urban Hotel Spa - Stillwater Spa at the Park Hyatt, in Toronto, Ontario
- Best Winter Sports Spas - Deerhurst Resort, in Huntsville, Ontario, the Four Seasons Whistler Spa, in Whistler, British Columbia, and Willow Stream Spa at the Fairmont Banff Springs, Alberta
Leading Spas of Canada's website describes more of these awards in detail. Rest assured: Luxury spa destination vacations in Canada are among the best in the world.
Related, on Suite 101:
Exhale Day Spa - Luxury and Health
Jennifer W. Miner - Jennifer has years of travel writing experience, spoken at several national conferences, and more. See Jendeavor.com for more details.
