The urban Sanctuary is one of the gorgeous features of the Ritz-Carlton Spa. (©Christopher Cypert photo)
Story by Carol Perehudoff
TORONTO — The Spa at the Ritz-Carlton Toronto soars above its downtown competition. Literally. Located on the fifth floor of the new luxury hotel on Wellington Street West, the spa is a fusion of light and glass with skylights, floor-to-ceiling windows and great cityscape views.
The focal point of the 23,000-foot spa is the long lofty lounge decorated in an airy palette of sienna and cream, with an abstract leaf-themed carpet and plenty of natural light to pull nature indoors.
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Darker and more cocooned are the 16 treatment rooms, including a deluxe couple’s Cloud Nine Suite. The rooms’ rich colour scheme of crimson, dark wood and chocolate stands out in dramatic contrast to the white, almost minimalist pool area that houses the hotel’s saltwater pool and Jacuzzi.
Facilities
Any 5-star hotel worth its hand-harvested sea salt offers guests great amenities and the Spa at the Ritz-Carlton Toronto doesn’t disappoint. A wet room in both the men’s and women’s areas houses a steam room, sauna and vitality pool (akin to a Jacuzzi but with built-in recliners). The spa also has a fitness centre, yoga studio, a boutique, a Beauty Bar for hair and makeup, and a deluxe nine-station nail salon.
Oh, Canada!
The Ritz-Carlton may be an international brand, but the property takes pains to ground itself in its Canadian locale, from the subtle maple leaf touches to the sleek local landscapes on the walls. Perhaps most impressively, the spa offers a trio of Signature “Proudly Canadian” treatments inspired by the country’s great outdoors.
The first is an Herbs And Flowers Body Polish, a custom-blended aromatic body exfoliation that incorporates mineral salts and botanicals from Canadian Gardens. Guests have a choice of essential oils: for something upbeat and energizing opt for mimosa, for tranquility go for lavender and for something stylishly retro, try the signature patchouli. 60 minutes, $160
Also in the Proudly Canadian series is the Cloud Nine Massage, a 90-minute treatment that incorporates local ingredients like Quebec Sage, cranberry and red raspberry. $220
Don’t forget the face. The anti-aging Breath Of Fresh Air Facial uses Euoko, a high-end skincare line based in Toronto that contains plenty of youth-affirming peptides, vitamins and plant extracts. 90 minutes, $240
The verdict? Enough jetsetter chic to bump up the glam factor of the Toronto spa scene.
THE RITZ-CARLTON, TORONTO
181 Wellington Street West, Toronto, Ontario. M5V 3G7, Phone: 416 585-2500
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2 Comments
Margorie Roades
February 1, 2012 at 11:04 amCultures around the world have understood the wisdom of healing with aromatherapy for thousands of years. Vital Oils are mainly used by means of the sense of smell but may be absorbed through the skin or taken internally, as well. The advantages are really similar to the use of herbs. Since they are normally taken in through the nose or skin, they are absorbed into the bloodstream immediately instead of waiting for the digestive system to process them. This is a quite powerful way to get relief from several physical, mental and emotional issues.
Monte Resse
March 1, 2012 at 12:45 pmYou have to remember that oils become the most crucial ingredient in an aromatherapy headache relief. The prime plan would be to bring good condition inside the body by the use of these oils. Of course, men and women have to choose these elements carefully, so that the very best oils can be given to those who need it.