British Columbia is known as a destination for healthy, outdoor activities, and people here value relaxation and wellness.
There are more than 400 spas in BC, along with health retreats and resorts that offer everything from five-star pampering to boot-camp fitness vacations.
The British Columbia spa experience is varied and diverse. Stay at luxury spa resorts near the water or in the wilderness, or pop into urban day spas in Vancouver, Victoria or Whistler for a quick de-stress session.
While planning a spa holiday or wellness weekend in BC, it's typically easy to craft a custom spa getaway that combines relaxing with activities such as golfing, skiing or wine touring.
Learn more about spas and wellness in BC's regions and cities:
Vancouver Coast & Mountains: Day spas, lakefront hot springs and Sunshine Coast getaways.
Vancouver Island: Award-winning spa resorts and tranquil day spas in the Gulf Islands.
Northern British Columbia: Luxury spa resorts in pristine wilderness settings.
Cariboo Chilcotin Coast: Spas at guest ranches, including a unique Baan Thai spa in cowboy country.
Kootenay Rockies: Natural hot springs, spas and wellness retreats in the mountains.
Thompson Okanagan: North America's first "cold sauna," along with vinotherapy treatments.
Vancouver: Urban day spas and hotel spas to relax in after shopping, hiking and sightseeing.
Victoria: Spas overlooking the water, on BC Ferries, and even at a cidery.
Whistler: Nearly a dozen spas within walking distance of the village, along with Scandinavian baths and Javanese spa treatments.
Award Winning Spas
BC spas are drawing rave reviews and accolades from sources like Travel + Leisure, Forbes Travel, Conde Nast Traveler, Frommer's, National Geographic Traveler and the New York Times.
Top rated BC spas include Ancient Cedars Spa on Vancouver Island; CHI, The Spa at Shangri-La in Vancouver; The Spa at Four Seasons Resort in Whistler; Willow Stream Spa and Brentwood Bay Spa in Victoria and King Pacific Lodge in Northern BC.
Unique BC Spa Treatments
Many BC spa treatments incorporate local ingredients or elements. For example, sip Okanagan wine and enjoy soothing vinotherapy; have a body wrap with hand-harvested Pacific seaweed; or soak in natural mineral hot springs overlooking lakes and mountains.
There are also ample opportunities to combine spas with activities. Examples? Follow up a day of skiing in Whistler with an evening spa treatment. Ease horseback riding muscles with a massage or a yoga class at a guest ranch. For coastal bliss, go surfing in Tofino, and then slip out of the wetsuit and onto a massage table overlooking the ocean.
Spa Getaways
Check out two relaxing trip ideas that include things to do and places to stay: Vancouver Spas & Wellness and Vancouver Island Spa Getaways.
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