For my anniversary, we decided to escape for the weekend and head to Salt Spring Island. The island is best known for tourism in the summer time but I still wanted to find a special experience for the winter time! After doing some research, I decided on Solace Organic Spa because of their massage offerings and also a super neat area called Spa Ritual. If you like to relax on vacation (remember when I went for my waterfront massage in Curacao), keep reading!
Spa Ritual
One very unique offering from Solace Organic Spa is their Spa Ritual and is what initially caught my attention. This portion of their spa facility includes a private hot tub in the forest and also an infared sauna. Solace Organic Spa is situated on a private property with the massage treatment room on one end of the building and Spa Ritual on the other end.
I liked that the robes, towels, and slippers are provided for your use. The Solace Organic Spa robes are amazing! They are lined with fuzzy fleece on the inside but a smooth feeling on the outside. It’s also very warm which is perfect for relaxing outside!
The hot tub was great for unwinding and I love that it’s surrounded by tall growth trees. It was so relaxing to be submerged in hot water while the winter sun was beaming down. There is fruit water available as part of the Spa Ritual experience and Julie also served us some delicious tea. Make sure you hydrate as you use the hot tub and sauna!
The infared sauna looks very new and very well maintained! The bench is covered by towels already and there’s actually a headrest/backrest on one end. Theres enough room for two people to sit on the bench side by side. But if you want to stretch out your legs and lean back, it’ll be a solo adventure.
If you want to experience Spa Ritual it is $25 per person for 75 minutes. If you already booked a massage/spa appointment, it is $15 per person. It’s such a great price to have a special experience on vacation especially if your accommodation does not already have a hot tub.
Treatment Room
After our hour in the hot tub and sauna, we headed to the treatment room for our spa appointments. Unlike most massage treatment rooms, the treatment room at Solace Organic Spa is bright, airy and very spacious. Since we were having a couples massage, two massage tables were placed side by side.
I absolutely adore the decor in the space including big indoor plants, an amethyst crystal, and lots of exposed wood. There was so much sunlight flowing in through the windows and it was so beautiful and uplifting.
To start off the experience, we sat on the sofa in a foot soak while choosing our essential oil. As part of the massage, you can add an essential oil for aromatherapy. It’s a really neat touch to personalize your experience.
Solace Organic Spa Signature Treatments – Salt Spring Steam
There are a few signature treatments suggested by the spa and I decided on the Salt Spring Steam. I’ve never had a steam canopy before so that really intrigued me.
Salt Spring Steam includes a full body dry brush, 1 hour aromatherapy massage, steam canopy using fresh coastal Cedar, and a hydrating facial mask. 90 mins $185
To be honest, I read the treatment as a full body scrub and was expecting a sugar scrub. But it is actually a full body dry brush. I had the wonderful Becky for my appointment. She was very attentive to any of my needs and requests but also let me just fall asleep. The two brushes she used on me looked really new and clean which is great! The soft quick strokes help to stimulate circulation and while not painful at all, it does feel a bit prickly.
Once she scrubs an area, she’ll also complete a massage of that same area. The essential oil that you picked at the beginning will be incorporated into the massage oil to give a complete aromatherapy effect. At the start of the consultation, I mentioned I preferred a light pressure. Becky used the perfect amount of pressure to loosen up all my muscles without causing discomfort.
I started on my stomach with a back massage and my arms. Then I turned around and she did my legs and hands.
Steam Canopy
Once the one hour massage is completed, the steam canopy was set up above my whole body. I was super excited for this portion as I had no idea what to expect! The canopy traps the steam so that my body feels like it’s in a steam room. The steam is using coastal cedar and the smell gave a great Pacific Northwest vibe.
Lastly, while the steam is happening, Becky cleansed my skin and applied a hydrating mask on my skin. She also did a wonderful scalp and neck massage to round out the treatment. My body and hair was greasy after the treatment but luckily you are welcome to use their shower to get ready for the rest of your day.
My boyfriend had Jennifer for a one hour massage ($110). I know he had a great time because I can hear him snoring through the treatment! This experience was definitely a highlight of our weekend. If you’re looking for some relaxation or a special couples gift, definitely look into Solace Organic Spa! Here is their full massage service list and you can book appointments online.
Thanks Solace Organic Spa for providing the Salt Spring Steam for me to experience!