Ah, glorious British Columbia, the marvelous province of the West, the province of the Pacific, the province of the Rockies, the province with lush green forests, giant trees, great hiking areas, great mountain biking trails, world renowned ski hills, great golf courses, great getaway resorts and vacation spots. And even some great getaway Spas!
I have only had the pleasure of traveling to British Columbia once. I went there two years ago to visit a friend of mine from high school who was living out there and attending college. I went for just ten days, in February, accompanied by another friend of mine from University whose parents were vacationing out there. In these ten days I did it all. For starters, the weather was calm; and with a bright shinning sun and the temperature sitting at 12 degrees I had trouble believing it was February. I mean there was a certain crispness in the air that I had never experienced before but meanwhile back home in Ontario it turns I had just left one of the worst snow storms of the year. To enjoy this “warmer” weather, that I was not accustomed to at this time of year, I ended up wearing shorts most of the time. Including when we went golfing in the “winter time” (something I had only done once as a child, but this time the fairways were green and not covered with snow); I also saw amazing sites, ventured through different cities (Vancouver, Victoria, and various other cities on the island mostly), I crossed an expansion bridge, visited national parks, climbed a mountain by myself (Mount Finlayson, on the island), I watched seals and whales swim, I went to Whistler to ski, and I played 5 rounds of golf (at around $25-$40 a pop at courses you would have to pay at least $100 for in the off-season in Ontario). Golf courses with water falls and wild deer only twenty feet away as I took my shot, things I had never seen or experienced before. Needless to say B.C. is an amazing place with lots to offer. And the rest of the world must know this with millions of people flocking to its different tourist attractions and destinations year round.
If you need a chance to get away and relax; a place where both you and your husband or you and your wife or girlfriend, or boyfriend, or whatever you call your significant other, spouse, or “very good friend” can go to let loose and rejuvenate your body, mind, and soul. Well, there are a number of things you could do together to “get away” and to relax. I am sure you could think of a number of possibilities such as going somewhere warm down south. But, did you ever think about escaping to a paradise that is found in B.C. No I am not talking about going to Whistler Blackcomb for a great skiing adventure, although that would also be a lot of fun, but rather I am talking about you escaping to one of the great getaway SPAS that British Columbia has to offer you. That’s right, a Spa; this destination traditionally traveled to by women is quickly becoming a great getaway spot for both men and women, especially couples. Now men are able to delve themselves in the same king of wonderful body treatments that women have sworn by for years.
What do B.C. spa getaways have to offer?
Even when you just arrive in British Columbia there is a different feeling in the air. Things seem more relaxed. People are not as in a huge a rush as the rest of North America it seems. The air has a nice chilling freshness to it and the wildlife and mountains at your door step are awe inspiring. When I think of British Columbia I think of two things: ADVENTURE and RELAXATION. I bet you did not realize you could combine the two.
One of best places to find some of this great relaxation and also some great rejuvenation is at one of the amazing spa getaway resorts British Columbia has to offer. B.C. is one of the best places in the world you can travel to and stay at a top getaway spa. Whether you live in B.C. or in one province over, or in another country altogether, there are a lot of great opportunities for you to take advantage of in terms of great relaxing SPA treatments in B.C. So if you are looking to experience any of the relaxing spa treatments you have heard about from massages, to aromatherapy, to hot rock treatments, to full body treatments. Or if you are ready to indulge yourself in any of the more aesthetic treatments such as manicures, pedicures, facials, scrubs, etc than the getaway spas in British Columbia are certainly the places for you. Or for you and your loved one or you and your group of friends or simply you to come to and relax and enjoy being the queen or king of your domain as you invigorate your mind, body, and soul with all of these wonderful treatments and also with the great food, accommodations, and attractions these resorts have to offer you.
Great B.C. getaway spas and resorts:
Be sure to discover that in B.C. you can find the answer to any of your SPA needs. In B.C. you will be able to check out new state of the art spas, found in the city, such as the Ethos Spa in Vancouver (http://www.spaethos.com/) and you can also find spas that are nestled away in the wilderness, amongst giant Douglas firs and a long the ocean, such as the Poets Cove Spa and Resort (http://www.poetscove.com/) on Pender island. Or imagine finding yourself after a long day of skiing to be able to come down to the resort and to unwind at your own personal relaxation palace such as the Avello Spa (http://www.whistlerspa.com/), found in the heart of the Whistler Village. And as you are getting the royal treatment in the form of the uncountable types of common and unique treatments the getaway spas in B.C. offer, you can recline and sink deeper and deeper into comfort and a feeling of complete calmness while you look out the window and experience a giant mountain or flowing river, the power of nature just outside of your retreat. It does not even need mentioning but B.C. spa resorts can offer you an experience unrivaled by any other spa destination in the world.
When it comes to planning your own personal B.C. Spa getaway you could become overwhelmed with information as there are a lot of spas in this province. In fact, a simple search on the internet will yield many different results for your search on getaway spas in British Columbia. So in order to make this a little easier for you what I have done is I have developed a list of three different spa resorts for you to look into. These are spas that intrigued my interest from my research and this is a great starting point for you.
Here they are:
1. The Tigh-Na-Mara Seaside Spa Resort & Conference Centre
This world-renowned Resort and Spa is an incredible site to see and to experience. Tigh-Na-Mara is found on Vancouver island (Parksville) where it is encaptured by a rich forest full of Douglas fir and Arbutus trees, the likes of which are not rivalled anywhere in the world, giving you a sense as if you have escaped to a remote paradise free from the rest of the world and its troubles.
All of the beautifully designed resort units are handcrafted from real fir and cedar logs with the resort offering up different room styles including spa bungalows and authentic log cabins that are heated by wood burning fireplaces.
The spa itself inside this great Resort is known as the Grotto Spa. Filling up an amazing 20,000 square feet of spa heaven, Grotto is the largest resort spa in B.C. This spa offers up an array of treatments including their exclusive Grotto spa signature treatments, including what they have titled “The West Coast Seaweed Experience”. All of these specialities were inspired by the majestic and unique British Columbian natural resources found along the coastline. The spa is also home to a state of the art Hydrotherapy tub. However, the piece de resistance would have to be the 2,500 square foot Mineral Bath which is fed by a two-storey waterfall and provides visual, and auditory stimulation which is unmatched. The spa also contains a full service hair salon, a manicure/pedicure room, and 16 other treatment rooms. Recent renovations have also brought three elaborate spa suites to be added, along with relaxation lounges, an outdoor balcony that contains a lavender garden, and finally a grill house right in the spa.
Website: http://www.tigh-na-mara.com/
2. The Harrison Hot Springs Resort and Spa
This relaxing getaway destination awaits you as it sits amongst the snow-capped mountains of south western B.C. (southern end of Harrison Lake) and is surrounded by a gorgeous lake, lush woodlands, mountain views, and B.C. wildlife that will all ignite the senses. Here you will discover a source of relaxation specific to you, with the resort’s hot spring pools that will sooth and rejuvenate the body and soul; to the Healing Springs Spa located at the resort which can provide you with everything you need in terms of comfort, that you could imagine.
Found only 90 miles east of Vancouver this spa offers you services that merge the power of the therapeutic properties of the resorts natural mineral “hot springs” with an array of other treatments that can only be discovered at the world’s top spas. Including the following: top facials, pedicures/manicures, many forms of massages, body care treatments (including mud and localized cellulite treatments), salon treatments, and even spa etiquette information/classes so you know exactly what to expect and what is expected from you.
From what I can see it is not only the “hot springs” which makes the Harrison Hot Springs Resort and Spa one of B.C.’s “hottest” spa getaway resorts.
Website: http://www.harrisonresort.com/
3. The Delta Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort and Spa
Located in Victoria, B.C. this resort and spa has been ranked as “one of the best places in the world to stay” for the last ten consecutive years by the travel magazine, Conde Nast Traveler Magazine. You will find this top getaway resort located on the beautiful and charming Inner Harbour in Victoria. The resort itself is located close to many unique attractions and it also features one of the best views of the unbelievable waterfront and Victorian city lights which illuminate the harbour every evening.
This resort and spa can offer you the romantic or family getaway you have been looking for. With the spa itself giving you a chance to indulge their senses as they slip into terry cloth bathrobes and prepare to experience everything the resorts spa has to offer. Here you will be able to stimulate your mind, body, and soul as you recharge your batteries by selecting from any of the spas specialized treatments. From enjoying forms of aromatherapy, to taking a hydrotherapy bath, or even enjoying their famous algae body wrap you will unwind like you never have before. Or fight your battle with stress by enjoying their other forms of hydrotherapy, or a deep-tissue massage, or get yourself looking and feeling good by taking advantage of their first class aesthetics treatments.
Having visited Victoria and seen the harbour and the city, this is an unbelievably rewarding and relaxing experience on its own. I could only imagine what treating my self to all the wonderful things this resort has to offer would do.