Time to Unwind: 6 Spa Havens to Discover In The Seven
Nothing beats getting away from the day to day grind, but adding a spa day to your holiday can be the cherry on top of an already great vacation. Northeastern Ontario is well known for its beautiful scenery, excellent adventures and action-packed outdoor activities, but why not slow down and enjoy a little pampering from the best spas in the Seven?
1. Treat Your Traveling Toes in the Gateway to the North
Tucked away off Highway 11 in North Bay, you’ll find Travelling Toes Esthetics & Laser Boutique. This gorgeous, airy spa offers a plethora of relaxing services administered by certified estheticians who specialize in different techniques and treatments. From holistic facials and body treatments, to fillers and Botox, Travelling Toes is a full service spa with a professional and friendly staff. A point of pride for Travelling Toes’ owner Lea Brenne, is that the spa uses Canadian-made products and the retail shop is fully Canadian, with many businesses being women-owned. The flagship product of Travelling Toes is the award-winning Eminence Organics line (created in Hungary and produced in Canada), which allows for facials and body treatments to be customized exactly to your skin.
Travelling Toes is a great day spa for anyone, as they can accommodate solo visits, couples/pairs treatments and even parties, as they have a dedicated event space. Men are more than welcome in the spa, as Travelling Toes believes that men need self-care too, so make sure to check out the various men’s services. Make your visit complete with a warm coffee or velvety rich tea from La Bonne Fille Tea Co., and pair your services with a tasty charcuterie board from Adoro Olive Oils and Vinegars. Want to spice up your visit? Travelling Toes has a liquor license, so why not pair that pedicure with a mimosa? Treat yourself!
If you’re in the mood to spend a while at the spa, Travelling Toes has various pre-made packages, or you can contact them to create a custom spa day package. Only have time for one treatment? Lea recommends one of their facials to treat your skin and relax your mind. We recommend visiting their Instagram account to learn more about their services, staff and products. You can book through Instagram, their website or by calling or texting (705) 493-8226.
Stay nearby: Want to stay overnight in North Bay? Check out The Finch Beach Resort to keep the vibe from the spa going for the duration of your visit.
2. Take Time to Heal in Haileybury with the Good Green Witch
Close to the shores of Lake Temiskaming, you can find a local Green witch. Her cozy studio is nestled under lush lindens, cedars and spruce, and you can even find a raised garden bed of medicinal herbs and plants that she uses for her potions right out front, cauldron included. You’ve arrived at Heal with Shari, holistic skin studio nicknamed the Witch’s House.
Shari Miller is one-of-a-kind in the Temiskaming Shores and Northeastern Ontario area when it comes to the bespoke facial services she provides. With over 15 years of experience working exclusively with skin, Shari has studied many holistic modalities, massage techniques and treatments. Shari treats her clients from an entirely holistic perspective. Her Holistic Intuitive Facial Treatments are the basis of her business, and she tailors each treatment to the clients unique needs - mind, body, soul and skin. Each client chats with Shari so she can design their treatment, customizing each step from the botanicals she chooses to the techniques she employs. Shari pulls from Ayurveda, traditional Chinese medicine, holistic nutrition, lifestyle coaching and herbalism to ensure each client is treated not just for their skin, but for their whole being.
Shari only uses organic plant oils and raw plant materials, many grown, foraged and harvested right in Temiskaming Shores. Shari makes her own herbal oil infusions which are the base for her holistic skincare line, the products that are used in every treatment and also available for retail. When visiting the good green witch, she recommends her Holistic Intuitive Facial, which is pure, bespoke bliss. The indulgent treatment consists of facial dry brushing, acupressure points, lymphatic release cleanse, honey tapping exfoliation, intuitive flow face massage, jade rolling, fully customized phytonutrient mask, neck, shoulder, and scalp massage. What a dream!
If you’re planning to book with Shari, it’s important to plan ahead as she has a dedicated clientele booking with her regularly. You can book by visiting her website, heading to her Instagram or calling (647)828-1672.
Stay nearby: Practically located in the witch’s backyard, you’ll find The Little Crooked House AirBnB, the perfect retreat after a life-changing facial.
3. Natural Pampering on Manitoulin Island
For many residents and visitors going back thousands of years, Manitoulin Island has been a place of intense energy and healing, so it is no wonder one of the best places for healing and self-care is in Kagawong. Bare Naked Beauty is a family-run business with the philosophy that using all-natural, environmentally-friendly self-care products will allow you to flourish as your natural and beautiful self. With this in mind, Bare Naked Beauty uses their own skincare line for all of their services.
When you walk into the recently built, gorgeous building with high ceilings, you are greeted by an extensive and immaculate retail shop. The shop boasts over 200 handmade products that have you covered from head to toe. They also have other great brands and collaborations available, including a Stout Beer Soap made with beer from Split Rail Brewing Co. You'll also get a hint of their relaxing and calming signature scent—Happy. Many of the house made products come in this beautiful blend of seven essential oils. The vibe continues into each treatment room, with soft earth tones and gorgeous art adorning the walls.
Bare Naked Beauty prides itself on the fact that all services are completely natural. There are no harsh chemicals being used, such as acetone. From manicures and pedicures, to massage and reflexology, you can rest assured you are being treated in a fully holistic manner. Besides your traditional spa services, Bare Naked Beauty also offers services such as energy work, psychic medium readings and shamanic services. This gorgeous spa is ready to help heal and re-energize body, mind and soul.
If looking to spend a few hours in the spa, owner and product creator Louis recommends a spa package, either solo or as a couple or pair that includes Shiatsu foot massage, custom facial or body massage and a body sound chair or float pod treatment. Only have time for one treatment? Louis recommends foot reflexology. So many people neglect their feet, but it's important to treat them with respect and attention.
To learn more about Bare Naked Beauty, check out their website, Facebook or Instagram. You can book your services by calling (705) 988-6003.
Stay nearby: Did you know that Kagawong is also the home of the stunning Bridal Veil Falls? A great place to stay while recharging and exploring is The Carter House B&B and Manitoulin Teepees.
4. Enjoy a Nordic Spa Retreat in Timmins
Timmins is the ultimate destination for wilderness adventures. Surrounded by Boreal forest, there are so many outdoor experiences to enjoy. Did you know that Timmins is also home to one of Ontario’s best resort spas? As you drive up to Cedar Meadows Resort & Spa, you will pass hedges of manicured cedars and Fallow deer, elk and bison pastures. Yes, we said bison! You can feel yourself relaxing with every moment that passes as you make your way to your hotel room. The feeling continues to grow as you enter the Spa Grande Nature.
Spa Grand Nature is unique in that it is currently the only spa in Northeastern Ontario with Nordic Baths. Growing in popularity, the technique of contrast bathing is incredibly beneficial for the body and mind. Spa Grand Nature offers a Nordic waterfall bath, tempered salt pool and cold shower for cold treatment and a dry sauna and steam bath for hot treatment.
Treatments continue with services administered by friendly and experienced estheticians, including facials, massage, body treatments, manicures and pedicures. Coming soon, the spa will also be offering Tempsure Radio Frequency. This full service spa has it all and is happy to accommodate solo services or couples services.
If planning to spend several hours or even a few days at Cedar Meadows, we recommend the Nordic Bath Package. You'll get a 60-minute relaxation massage, 2 hours of Nordic bathing and a delicious meal from the Cedar Meadows dining room, which boasts locally grown products and features breweries from around Northern Ontario. Only have time for one treatment? Try the Illuminating Custom facial – a 75-minute facial customized to your skin, using award-winning product line Eminence Organics.
Stay nearby: If you’re planning to visit Cedar Meadows, chat with the reception staff when booking and let them know you’re planning to visit the spa, as some hotel packages include spa vouchers! To book, head to their website or call (705)268-5800.
5. Get Your Glow on in Cochrane
Minutes from the shores of Commando Lake and right in the heart of Cochrane, Afterglow Skincare and Esthetics will make your relaxation dreams come to life. Cochrane is a popular destination for snowmobilers, who endure the harsh winter winds to enjoy the gorgeous terrain and spectacular views of Northern Ontario. Why not rejuvenate your wind-beaten skin with a specialized facial from Afterglow?
Koralie Beaudoin, owner of Afterglow believes that although she offers many services, her facials and skincare treatments set her spa apart from others in the area. Offering exciting services such as dermaplaning, enzyme treatments, oxygen facials, and Circadia (a medical skincare line) allows Koralie to treat different skin types and concerns to ensure the perfect afterglow. Afterglow also offers Circadia and other products for retail purchase so that you can keep up with your newfound glow daily.
If you’ve got a few hours to spend with Koralie, she recommends coming in for a classic pedicure, classic manicure and glow facial package. This three hour relaxation package allows for a feeling of refreshment and rejuvenation. Starting with a manicure, you’ll then carry on to a pedicure with a foot and lower leg massage and finish off with an hour long facial. Only have time for one treatment? The deluxe Afterglow Exfoliation facial is a must. This hour and a half long facial includes dermaplaning, cocoa enzyme treatment, LED light therapy, custom mask and face, neck, shoulder, arm, hand and scalp massage. An amazing way to reset your skin and your mind.
Get in contact with Afterglow on Instagram, through their website or give them a call at (705)271-5098
Stay nearby: Thinking of heading to Cochrane and looking for somewhere to lay your head after a day of adventures or a day of relaxation? Check out Snowmobile Haven (available year-round) for an unreal getaway.
6. Find Magical Inspiration in the Deep North
Surrounded by the Boreal forest and beautiful epic rivers, Hearst is the perfect town to visit when looking to reconnect with nature. Take that reconnection one step further at Magical Inspirations, where you can heal your mind, body and soul. This wellness center incorporates the beauty of Hearst’s natural surroundings into their warm and welcoming space. With dark wood accents and soft lighting, you are able to immediately calm and relax the moment you walk in.
Magical Inspirations Holistic Centre offers services that address the whole person. Whatever the individual needs, be it mental reprogramming, emotional healing, physical health, or looking to embark on a deeper spiritual journey, there is a service available to help.
Owner Rachelle Lavoie is a healer, teacher and ritual master who opened her center eight years ago. Magical Inspirations is a safe haven for people who are searching, in whatever capacity the search may be. A big part of her mission is to help heal and empower individuals by helping them to reconnect with their divine essence and healing.
The quintessential Magical Inspirations experience is one of total relaxation and healing. Start your experience with an aromatherapy bath with healing salts, followed by a 30-minute infrared sauna session and finish off with an hour long aromatherapy massage with an optional cord cutting—a treatment to clear complete negative emotional energy that leaves you feeling physically, mentally and emotionally relaxed and cleansed.
Being used throughout the center and in all treatments is Lavoie’s custom line of aromatherapy essential oils. Organic, lab-tested and 100% pure, these oils allow for custom blends for all treatments. It was important to Lavoie to be able to create a line that was easy to use and understand to ensure that clients correctly use various oils to ensure the best outcomes.
If you’d like to find out more about Magical Inspirations’ services or to book, check out their Instagram, their website, email or call at (705) 372-5609.
Stay nearby: We recommend a stay at Inn the North while in Hearst. This gorgeous B&B is owned and operated by Mylène Coulombe-Gratton, also owner and operator of Follow Her North. Why not combine a visit to Magical Inspirations with a stay at Inn the North and an experience with Mylène for the perfect Northern Getaway?