Best of Toronto
The Best Spas in Toronto
The best spas in Toronto can make everything better. Feeling toxic? Disjointed? Old? Lumpy? Un-vedic?
Well, from Hungarian treatments to melt cellulite to lots of luscious sounding food that you put on your body instead of in it, Toronto spa "menus" have it all.
(Women officially don't eat at all any more. We just get by on chocolate body wraps, wine facials, and papaya scrubs. We ingest all our nutrition by osmosis now.)
If it sounds like a decadent dessert, someone in Toronto will rub it on your body and then wrap you in cling film and a warm blanket. If it was once a seed in an exotic fruit, you bet it's an ingredient in somebody's "signature" facial treatment. If it's usually sprinkled on a bagel, there's a team of experts poised to grind it into your face. Even things you would never have thought of rubbing on your body (e.g. sea flora), you can bet someone else has, and they've probably packaged it as a deal with a pedicure.
De-age, detox, dejiggle. Does it "work"? Probably not. Feels great though.
Here are the 12 best spas in Toronto, as voted by readers of this site.
Stillwater Spa
Stillwater raised their prices by quite a hefty amount last year -- possibly to price out the interloping middle-tier B&C spa-goers who only go a couple of times a year (Birthday & Christmas). The staff delivers the expected obsequiousness, and the locker room features private stalls with “water chairs”, where you can lay down on a chaise lounge for your shower. (And all this time I’ve been standing up like a chump.) More »
Elmwood Spa
As far as dress codes go, it’s hard to top a bathrobe as the “preferred attire”. We’re not saying that people go to the Elmwood just to have the 3-course lunch ($28) in their robe and slippies, but it doesn’t hurt. The water therapies are very popular, but the spa also offers everything from teeth whitening to an infrared sauna and “Wild Organic Seaweeds fro the Pacific Northwest”. More »
Body Blitz
Not many places in Toronto where you can walk into a building and get nekked (and not be arrested). But clothing is optional at Body Blitz water spa. Spa services are offered, but the highlight is the water circuit. A structured/regimented series of dips and steams and sweats to improve your health (salt pool to steam to cold pool to sauna etc). There are absolutely shirkers who just order a drink from the juice bar and spend all their time in the salt pool. The cold dip is skipped by everyone but the Scandinavians. Taking the waters sounds very Victorian, but the space is a modern urban oasis in the most watery sense. Sorry fellas, ladies only. More »
Lush and Lavish
Co-owner Linh Diep also runs HUH on Queen St W. She’s extending her concern to what lies beneath. Lush offers a full spa lineup as well as being a hair salon and laser clinic (Intensed Pulse Light for hair or pigment reduction). All products are certified organic, and Lush is the only certified Eminence Green Spa in Toronto. Signature Facial is Pear & Poppyseed Microdermabrasion. More »
The 10Spot
The Ten Spot is a nail boutique at the centre of West Queen West, with a brand new location in Leslieville. Even some of Toronto’s nicer spas have "manicure areas” that just look like folding card tables up against the wall. But with sleek long banquettes filling the main space, 10Spot is unabashed about being a nail salon first and foremost. A close second? A specialty in Brazilian waxing. More »
Hammam
The central selling point of Hammam is its hammam steam room (which, given that hammam means turkish bath, is that a little like saying “chai tea”?). It is one of Toronto’s only co-ed steam rooms, and can be visited on its own for just $40 (though it’s complimentary with services over $100). More »
Sweetgrass
Formerly known as Verity spa (when it opened in 2004), Sweetgrass went through a revitalization and renovation and reopened in April 2008 as Sweetgrass Spa at Verity. The spa lounge is catered by next door neighbour George Restaurant. The spa itself features an ozonated pool, infrared sauna and whirlpool. If you’re not satisfied with “just” hands for your massage, Sweetgrass also offers the Hawaiian Lomi Lomi massage technique, where the entire forearm is used More »
Spa at the Hazelton
I know that I just can’t bear swimming in a pool that’s been tiled domestically, so it’s a comfort that Hazelton tells you right on their splash page that the lap pool has been done in imported Bissaza mosaic tile (*coifs*). Treatments are the standard mix of scrubbing, de-aging, and detoxing, but with a special focus on the traveler, including the Copper Relaxation Body Scrub “ideal for jet lag” ($120 for 60 min) and the Jet Leg Facial with Anti Fatigue Leg Treatment ($220 for 90min) which “reduces the appearance of dark circles on the eyes and tired heavy legs”. (I hate it when I get dark circles on my tired heavy legs.) More »
elmspa
elmspa is Elmwood’s slightly less formal sister spa. Pricewise elmspa and Elmwood line up pretty much exactly, so the informal really does refer to tone, and different monthly specials and package deals. Waxing for men is billed by the hour ($106), which is somewhat unusual, and may work out to be a good deal for some of our thriftier furry friends. More »
Novo Spa
Some spa “specials” are a savings of just $5-10 when you add up the cost of the individual treatments. Novo’s packages genuinely are well-priced for what’s delivered. Take the Mid Day Relaxer -- $89 (1hr 15min) that includes either a spa facial or therapeutic massage (60 min), steam colour therapy sauna (15) and lunch (a sandwich or salad) courtesy of Whole Foods and wrapped up to go. More »
Tula
It’s brilliant marketing synergy really. You’re in yoga class, you’re spending a lot of time gazing out over the tips of your fingers (with soft eyes). Your foot brushes up against some leg stubble while you’re standing in tree pose. It’s the perfect time for someone to swoop in and offer you a mani-pedi or a little light waxing. Enter Tula Yoga Spa. Where inner peace includes threading. More »
Shizen Spa
Tucked inside of the Cosmopolitan hotel (which is itself tucked inconspicuously away on Colborne Street right in the middle of the Financial District). Shizen fits a lot of urban oasis into a relatively modest square footage. Including a raised cushion-filled platform to lounge on while you sip your tea. Treatment rooms are well-appointed and extremely private, with en suite washrooms. More »
Discussion
28 Comments
Sort By Oldest First / Newest First
Subscribe
I LOVE the Spa at the INTERCONTINENTAL HOTEL on FRONT STREET.
And you can lounge outside, very calm spa, juice bar (or whatever libation you desire)..Great STAFF!...THIS is MY FAV.....weeeee:):)
They couldn't find any spas east of yonge?
Sarah,
One quarter of the spas listed in the article are, in fact, east of Yonge.
My favorite spa, Ritual, just got reviewed on this site last month.
http://www.blogto.com/fashion/ritual-spa-toronto
Still Water the bes by far!! Speaking of the best, anyone going to the SOGNO New Years Eve at The Hazelton Lanes Mall, with the Cavalli Fashion Show.. Just grabbed my early bird tickets for $60.00. This party is going to amazing. Check out the link below...
http://partypm.com/events/SOGNO_New_Years_Eve_2010_at_Hazelton_Lanes_Mall_presented_by_Roberto_Cavalli__and__Lamborghini_/44d44f11-b6b5-495b-87cc-9f969f63f49f
Do you guys know where I can find a RUSSIAN bathhouse? I hear rumors one up in North York...
Where can a man go for baths... and not have sex, nor need to be a metrosexual. No offense meant to men going to baths for a good rogering, or waxing, but it neither are my thing. God I miss simple onsen/sento in Japan.
I agree, James. Sentos and onsen (Japanese public baths) equivalents in Canada should exist, especially in our winter. I go to gay bath houses just to be in such an environment, but the sexual advances can be a turn off if you're not in to that.
Hammam & Body Blitz! My other two homes. = )
Everyone at Hammam is so nice too... Body Blitz you could stay all day if you wanted!
I agree!I get my brazilian done there with a girl named Heather who is lovely, and the pedicures she gives me last me a month!
try steamworks
The Oak Leaf Steam Room on Bathurst is great.
I'm very surprised to see that Tula made it on the list. I've been once and despite the lady being very pleasant the quality of work was very low. I wouldn't put it on the same list of those of these other high end spas.
Dova Spa in Rosehill is really great! New to the city and very realizing atmosphere.
P.S. The Oak Leaf Steam Room on Bathrust is beyond shady looking from the outside. I figured it was simply a cover for some erotic massage parlour or something colourful ;)
If by "russian bathhouse" you mean bania,then I know of at least 4 in Toronto. Ambasador, Vladimirskie Bani (http://www.healthzone.ca/health/article/558323).
FYI, you can get some Russian Beer and snacks thre as well.
Enjoy!
The Ten Spot is both east AND west of Yonge! (our ability to multitask is unparalleled haha)
Check out our second location in Leslieville: http://www.the10spot.com/locations/10-spot-locations/leslieville
I LOVE Body Blitz... what a relaxing and fantastic spot to relax, read, go to the baths and enjoy there many scrubs... I am giving gift certificates for x-mas!
i love the sexual atmosphere in gay baths, but find that the steamrooms, saunas, and hot tubs just aren't hot enough for a good spa-like experience. (people keep opening the door to cruise, letting the heat out.) anyway, for a real spa experience in an all-male environment, i enjoyed stillwater. The hot rooms are in the changing areas, so they are single sex. large, hot, clean, comfortable steam, sauna, and tub. And naked men! Can't complain at all!
I went to the Ten Spot Spa a few days ago, you can see the review & photos on my blog
http://www.shopsterium.com/2009/12/one-day-at-the-ten-spot-spa.html
come on guys its all about SWEET GRASS on queen street (at Jarvis)
I too am looking for a steamroom / "russian bathhouse" / banya for straight males, or co-ed just looking for a therapeutic steam to sweat out toxins - that's all - in the west end. Reading the Toronto Star article from TOGirl, the place in the article seems a bit intimidating if you're not of their descent. Anyone know of anything?
I know a kind of onsen place here. It's Iyashi Bedrock Spa on Yonge(uptown). I heard that "Ganbanyoku"(rock bathing in Japanese) that has been popular in Japan. My time spent at the Spa is always a peaceful and I felt like I'd had an onsen(Japanese public baths). http://www.iyashibedrockspa.com/
Hey BlogTO folks,
The Webpiggy here again. We've got a good deal on "Rhythm Spa" (@ Church & Dundas) for $50 for $100 worth of spa services (50% off!) if at least 20 people buy the deal. It's up until Sunday, so ladies, get your friends together and get the deal! More info, link to reviews and details are at:
http://www.webpiggy.com
I love going to spas and I love spa deals!! Thanks Webpiggy! I also use SpaAndTravel.Com. They have great deals on spa packages and services. I just went to the spa at the Windsor Arms Hotel and got a $110 facial for $75. They promote deals right now up to 43% off. It's a really easy site to use.
heres the link: http://www.spaandtravel.com
Actually, we do have a different Spa deal for the weekend:
$50 for $100 of Spa/Salon Services @ La Main D'Or - Yorkville
It only needs 5 buys to go through by Sunday!
Celebrate spring with the Lush & Lavish team on April 27 @ 6.30pm with cocktails and goodies galore:
~ Free LoveFresh Body Goodies
~ Free DaLish Makeovers (grab your exclusive Lush & Lavish lip gloss)
~ 50% off laser services all day
~ 25% off salon & spa services all day - book now as we're filling up fast!
For more information and to RSVP call 647 343 6001.
I love sweetgrass spa.
There are so many promotions every month it's hard to keep up. I love the manicures and martini's event they have going. I'm so glad their extended it into may.
It really depends how luxiourious of a spa you want how ahead you want to book your appointment for, last minute appointments at these big spas are hard to come by. I usually get a really good deep tissue massage at a place close by my work:
http://www.ambrosiaspa.ca
I have tried Elmwood but had to make an appointment a few days in advanced, by then my back didn't hurt anymore! So whats the point?
It really depends how luxiourious of a spa you want how ahead you want to book your appointment for, last minute appointments at these big spas are hard to come by. I usually get a really good deep tissue massage at a place close by my work:
Ambrosia Spa
I have tried Elmwood but had to make an appointment a few days in advanced, by then my back didn't hurt anymore! So whats the point?