BLISS OUT

Our reviews of Toronto’s best hotel spas will have you ready to relax

T HE KI T

How long has it been since you checked into a cosy hotel spa for a body wrap or complicated-sounding facial treatment? Slipped your feet into fluffy complimentary slippers, wrapped yourself up in a cloudlike robe, spent a little too long in the steam room and sampled every single one of the complimentary teas. It’s one of life’s great luxuries — and sending someone you love makes an extra-special gift for any occasion.

When you do indulge, you want to know you’ll get your money’s worth, so read on for our thoroughly researched guide to Toronto’s best hotel spas.

SPA MYBLEND AT THE RITZ-CARLTON, TORONTO The treatment

Located on the fifth floor, the 23,000-square-foot spa is an oasis of creamy neutral tones. The women’s locker area features its own relaxation lounge and hydrotherapy room. During my midday visit, I lucked into enjoying the steam room, sauna and mini Jacuzzi all to myself. But the room you’ll never want to leave is the airy, skylit coed sanctuary, where you wait pre and post treatment. Magazines, a snack bar, tea station and infused water (slices of orange prove surprisingly delicious) are on hand.

The extras

Being offered a glass of Prosecco following my treatment was a first, and it took basking in a blissed-out state to the next level.

The treatment

The spa offerings here were recently revamped; I sampled the myBlend Signature Experience (90 minutes, $335 weekdays/$360 weekends). It’s a facial and body treatment that utilizes newly reformulated myBlend products along with non-invasive technology. My esthetician Elizabeth began with a skin consultation, then a 30-minute tension-melting back massage. After gentle cleansing and exfoliation, my face was primed with a juicy hydrating serum, thick cream mask and a bio-cellulose sheet mask for a regenerative ultrasound session using the myBlend Cell Synergy machine. Designed to boost collagen for a firming effect, this was painless, but the wand does heat up. Next, I donned an extremely chic LED mask which uses red and near infrared LED lights to boost collagen and elastin. The first few seconds under the mask was a bit intense as it is very bright and close to the face, but the six minutes flew by as I was treated to a gentle (and optional) rebalancing stomach massage, then a hand massage. An application of targeted serums, eye cream and face cream wrapped everything up.

Immediately afterward, my face felt hydrated and smooth — even without extractions the congestion along my jawline was reduced. The next day, my complexion looked plumper and more radiant, and my pores seemed less prominent.

The room for improvement

I prefer it when a facial ends with an option of sun protection; I always want to start protecting my investment ASAP! — INGRIE WILLIAMS

THE SPA AT FOUR SEASONS TORONTO The atmosphere

The spa decor and atmosphere is straight out of central casting—a cortisol-lowering palette of cream and pebble, layered with Canadian limestone, pops of gold and conchshell pink. In the waiting room, provocatively comfortable undulating loungers raise the question: why is all seating not shaped like a cresting wave? Gentle music wafts through treatment rooms elegantly dressed in neutrals and orchids.

The extras

The robe was memorably, miraculously soft and light, as if the result of a collab between Loro Piana and a cumulus cloud. The aptly named and newly opened Cloud 9 Oasis serves poké bowls, build-yourown-bentos and bubbly on the outdoor terrace where diners can lunch and lounge on (cloud-grey) sectionals.

The treatment

I sampled the Island Body Wrap, ($225 on weekdays, $250 on weekends/holidays, 60 minutes) and the Ultimate Meso Infusion Facial ($265 weekdays/$290 weekends/ holidays, 60 minutes). The body wrap starts with a full-body drybrush, which makes you feel like a reclining cat, and sloughs off dead skin and boosts circulation (and mood). After being drizzled headto-toe in warmed organic shea butter, I was cocooned (to enhance the hydration) and given a warmed coconut-oil scalp massage. My esthetician was a model of calm and discretion, with a voice as soft as the spa robes. Using surgically inspired British brand 111SKIN line, the Ultimate Meso Infusion Facial’s marquee star is a “meso-infusion” mask, which takes inspiration from in-clinic anti-aging mesotherapy (which involves microinjections of vitamins and enzymes). Cleansing, toning, exfoliating, masking and extractions are choreographed to hydrate, soften lines, plump, brighten and even out the complexion.

Once unwrapped, the skin all over my body felt soft and satiny and well-quenched. Post-facial, my complexion felt nourished and hydrated and illuminated somehow, as if I had swallowed a ring light and a great deal of alkaline, ionized water.

The room for improvement

A few days later, I did experience some redness and flaking in my sensitive skin, but most skin types would be fine. —OLIVIA STREN

MIRAJ HAMMAM SPA AT SHANGRI-LA TORONTO The atmosphere

As I stepped into the reception area, I felt transported. The Middle Eastern-inspired decor and dimmed lighting instantly set the mood. The treatment room was spacious and the bed was so soft — the sheets felt heavy on my body, like a luxurious weighted blanket.

The extras

The robe was so thick and warmly lined — I’ve never felt such a strong urge to keep a robe. (I didn’t.) I was given some complimentary baklava and tea after my service to enjoy in the ornate lounge area.

The treatment

I tried the Custom Glow Facial featuring products from French skin care line Biologique Recherche ($235, weekdays, $245 weekends and holidays, 60 minutes). My esthetician, Tina, was highly knowledgeable and explained that most of the steps were designed to be cooling. She cleansed my skin with Lait VIP 02, designed for anyone exposed to city pollution, then applied the line’s hero product, Lotion P50T, to purify my skin and maintain its pH balance. Two masks were applied in sequence: Masque Vivant, to help reduce breakouts, then Masque VIP O2, a creamy mask that felt heavy (in a good way) and was applied liberally. Multiple serums followed, which Tina tapped into my skin, followed with a massage with a cooling facial roller. The facial ended with a Créme VIP O2 intensive cream, and some juicy lip gloss.

Before this, my skin felt really stressed and dry — I was in need of a facial badly. Afterwards, I kept wanting to touch my face, just to feel how soft it was. Over the following weeks, I felt inspired to amp up my skin care routine and it’s made the results of the facial last longer.

The room for improvement

Be warned that some of the Biologique Recherche products smell a little funny (they don’t contain fragrance to mask the smell of the ingredients). I would recommend adding a sign letting you know where the spa is when you get to the hotel; I had to ask someone in the café where to go. —OANA CAZAN

THE SPA AT THE ST. REGIS TORONTO The atmosphere

This spa underwent extensive renovations last summer. The space feels serene — it was busy with treatments, but I felt like I was the only one in the space. The space is minimalist, modern and luxe with a creamy white and dove grey palette accented with rose, blue and gold. The lounge has floor-to-ceiling windows and incredible city views from the 31st floor.

The extras

The marbled locker rooms offered a great selection of products, amenities and ice-chilled hand towels. The lounge was stocked with a selection of Sloane teas as well as petit fours, coconut macaroons, trail mix and truffles, all individually wrapped. I enjoyed a glass of champagne posttreatment, and had access to the hotel’s infinity-edge saltwater pool.

The treatment

I went for the Sensual Elevation ($285 weekday/$300 weekend, 90 minutes), which consists of a body scrub and massage. Robyn was my therapist, and she started with a sugar scrub on my feet, which was removed with hot towels. A warm enzyme syrup was applied all over and then my skin was gently scrubbed using a unique terracotta stone that is handmade in France. (I was given this stone to take home.) For the massage, she used a warm amber oil that smelled like heaven — it reminded me of Obsession, one of my all-time favourite fragrances. This was very much a full-body massage that included an optional abdominal portion. This was my first massage in 18 months, so there was a lot to work out!

I could feel an instant boost in circulation from the body exfoliation, and after the massage my skin was buttery soft and smelled divine. I also felt a great relief of the muscle tension and stress in my body. Posttreatment, Robyn suggested some stretching techniques and reminded me to take move breaks, like a five-minute dance party on my lunch break!

The room for improvement

Honestly, nothing. It was flawless. —ALISON MCGILL THE WRITERS VI S I TED THE S PAS AS GUESTS OF THE S PAS, WHICH DID NOT REVIEW OR APPROVE THIS ARTICLE.