The spa is the temple of 21st Century health, fitness and eternal youth.
In a flurry of healing oils, exotic massages, algae wraps and miracle elixirs, hotels and resorts are tripping over to out-bliss one another. Spa has sneaked into the lexicon as a verb. Pamphlets instruct initiates on how to spaaaah. Courtenay keeps up. Its spas set the bar for the Comox Valley. And keep raising it.
Spa lovers are plainly besotted as they venture into sandstone caves and pools, and through indoor rainfalls to glacial waterfalls eliciting un-spa-like screeches. The finale takes place in tidal baths. West coast mud and seaweed run the toxins out of town.
Healing Waters Body Rejuvenation
Kingfisher offers a full slate of innovative treatments. Healing Waters Body Rejuvenation involves rosemary-mint-sugar body exfoliation, a soak in green tea and full body massage with organic ingredients. Some 14 kinds of massage include treatments for couples, pregnant moms and sore feet. The Thalassotherapy program involves 6 different water therapies. The preferred Pacific Mermaid treatment has guests cocooning in wraps of marine elements and facial masks of seaweed. Pampering, anyone?
Oh Spa!
Oh Spa! is the urban retreat at Courtenay's all-suites Old House Village Hotel & Spa. It trumpets innovative treatments, couples' rooms with big TVs and spa cuisine, Vichy rainforest shower, hydrotherapy tub, heated pool and hot tub.
Massages include Tandem, with two practitioners working in harmony from head to toe. A prime body treatment is a scrub with sugar, butter, olive oil and Dead Sea salt. Body wraps encase clients like Egyptian mummies. And who resists a Vichy shower with a chaser moisturizing treatment scented with lemongrass, grapefruit or black currant?
Ultimate Pampering
The ultimate pampering is a full day at the spa, six hours of Dead Sea scrub, Vichy shower, relaxation massage, facial, manicure and pedicure with shampoo and blow dry. Only $350 plus tax and tip.
Sweat out Toxins
At Courtenay's Bikram Yoga, classes last 90 minutes, with 26 yoga postures designed for all ages and fitness levels. "You'll laugh, cry, moan, groan, sweat, stretch and experience the most effective scientifically designed therapeutic yoga routine in the world," they say.
Four-Footed Spaaah
Psssst: Don't forget Paw Prints Spa in downtown Courtenay. Take the pooch for a massage, shampoo, brush or haircut. What's a dog to do but swoon?
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