Happy snowy Saturday, everyone! I can hardly believe December is in TWO DAYS. We just put up our Christmas tree and decorations last weekend, and are starting to sketch out our holiday plans. December always brings a long to-do list, but unlike my regular to-do list, I actually look forward to the chores on this one: from tree-decorating to cookie-baking, gift-shopping to card-writing, everything feels more fun this time of year!
Speaking of gifts, I just received one that I’m especially excited to dig into this December. The Ontario Craft Cider Advent Calendar features 24 full-sized cans of local craft cider from independent cideries across Ontario. I still love my chocolate advent calendar (my mom buys me one every year!) but I have to say, this cider calendar takes merry to a whole new level. Featuring a wide range of cideries and flavours – from cherry pie to mango dragonfruit to caramel apple – there’s a cider here for everyone. I can’t wait to start sipping!
Another holiday gift that’s always a winner? A spa day! Even the person who has everything can always use a day of R&R. A gift certificate to a local spa is one of my go-to gift ideas, and luckily, we just so happen to have several excellent spas in and around the GTA. Some of my favourites include Langdon Hall Spa in Cambridge, the Pillar & Post Spa in Niagara-on-the-Lake, the Grand Wellness Centre in Brantford, and Elmwood Spa in Toronto.
Located in downtown Toronto, Elmwood Spa is one of the city’s most popular day spas. They offer RMT massages, facials, body scrubs, manicures and pedicures, and hair and makeup services. Any spa service over $120 includes complimentary access to their water therapies: a swimming pool, two steam rooms and two whirlpools. Elmwood Spa also has their own on-site restaurant, Terrace, where you can enjoy a delicious meal before or after your treatments. They even have a special birthday offer: sign up here to receive a free three-course lunch, any Monday-Friday during your birthday month, when you purchase any à la carte spa service(s) valued at $180 or more. Tania and I went this summer to celebrate my birthday, and we had such a great time!
This was our second time at Elmwood Spa – Tania had taken me for Christmas a few years ago. (See? Best gift idea!) This time, we booked a couple’s Swedish massage, which includes 55 minutes of water therapies access prior to your treatment. My favourite amenity at Elmwood Spa is the whirlpool inside the women’s locker room (sorry guys!) because it’s honestly just so pretty. It’s made of bright blue mosaic tiles; the sky-blue ceiling and crystal chandelier overhead lending the space a glamorous yet serene feel.
The main pool area features a swimming pool, whirlpool and steam room.
There’s lots of areas to lounge and relax in, from the poolside deck to this cozy little alcove stocked with magazines.
Guests can order food and drinks and have them delivered poolside. It wasn’t even noon yet and we hadn’t had breakfast, but we decided to start our day with pina coladas and chocolate croissants. You’d think that a fruit salad or green juice would be the more popular pick on a spa menu, and it may well be… but for us, this day was all about indulgence!
After enjoying our treats and using the amenities, it was time for our massage. The Elmwood Spa is located in a historic heritage building – it was built in 1889 and originally served as Toronto’s first YWCA – and even through its multi-million-dollar renovation in 2007, its original architectural details have been carefully preserved.
The massage was so relaxing! We went about a month after our wedding, and I could literally feel all that leftover planning stress leaving my body. Bonus: Elmwood offers RMT massages, so you can get an insurance receipt! We headed back to the locker room to freshen up before lunch, although there wasn’t much to worry about, because the Terrace restaurant has a very relaxed dress code.
Terrace pairs fine dining with casual dress – as in, “wear your spa robe to lunch” casual! Now don’t worry, you don’t have to wear your robe if you don’t want to. But if you prefer to stay cozy, it’s not only permitted, but encouraged. I have to say, it was kind of funny sitting in this elegant restaurant and seeing everyone eating in their spa robes. At least we weren’t the odd ones out!
Fun fact: my parents actually got married at the Elmwood Spa in 1993, when it was a private club. They held their wedding reception in the room that’s now the Terrace restaurant.
Terrace changes their menu seasonally, and their current offerings can be viewed online. You can order a la carte or do their signature three-course lunch (which I highly recommend!)
We ordered a bottle of Jackson-Triggs Rosé, and started our meal with fried calamari and shrimp-topped avocado toast. Both were delicious, but the calamari were definitely the winner!
For our mains, Tania ordered the flat iron steak, and I continued the seafood theme with the grilled shrimp lemon risotto. The risotto was excellent; light and citrusy. The shrimp were tender and flavourful, and the steak was delicious too (you know I had to steal a bite!)
For dessert, Tania ordered the summer berry tart, and I got the chocolate cake. They brought it to the table with a birthday candle, which was such a sweet touch! The staff at Elmwood are great and always go out of their way to make you feel special. I love that they offer a birthday freebie and will definitely be taking advantage of it again next year!
If you’re looking for the perfect gift for that tough-to-buy-for loved one, need a day of relaxation amidst the Christmas chaos, or just want to use up your insurance benefits, a spa day is just what Santa ordered! And if you want to turn your spa-cation into a full staycation, why not book a fancy Toronto hotel and make a weekend of it?
Click here to read my other Ontario spa reviews, and stay tuned for some fun holiday-themed posts throughout December – be sure to subscribe to the blog so you don’t miss them.
Wishing everyone a wonderful start to festive season!
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