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When a spa turns into an journey
Nordik Spa Nature – A Incredible Day Spa Close to Ottawa
Whether or not you’re looking for respite from the on a regular basis grind or an escape into nature, Nordik Spa-Nature provides an expertise not like another – a day spa retreat that guarantees rest and numerous spa-style enjoyable.
Should you’re close to Ottawa or Gatineau it’s a brief drive away. Like actually quick – about quarter-hour away by automobile.
Located in Chelsea, Quebec, Nordik Spa Nature might rub shoulders with city Ottawa, nevertheless it’s a world of its personal, combining a Quebecois flavour, Scandinavian bathing traditions and a breathe-deep setting of birch, maple and pine.
As a longtime spa reviewer who has written about wellness locations all over the world, I used to be trying ahead to revisiting Spa Nordik Nature as I hadn’t been for years.
As soon as my husband and I arrived, we discovered a lot new to discover.
What Is Nordik Spa-Nature? A Two Sentence Description
Spa Nordik is a woodsy wellness wonderland of out of doors baths, sauna cabins (together with one in a barrel), therapy rooms, therapeutic massage pavilions, eating places and lounge areas.
Consider it as a really tranquil theme park for wellness seekers.
Why Go to a Nordic Spa?
It’s hip, it’s wholesome, it’s enjoyable and peaceable. What extra do you want from a spa day?
How Massive is Nordik Spa Nature?
It’s the biggest spa in North America.
With 10 outside baths, 9 specialty saunas and 25 therapy rooms, Le Nordik has a whopping 41,500 sq. toes of inside area and 80,000 sq. toes of out of doors area.
That’s some critical sq. footage.
A Scandinavian-Fashion Spa With a Sociable Twist
As soon as we arrived, I instantly misplaced my husband to the saunas (as per normal).
Earlier than I settled in I needed to discover. I used to be torn between desirous to race round and check out every little thing, and realizing I wanted to decelerate and loosen up.
It’s all the time a dilemma at a day spa with plenty of services like this.
As I padded previous lounge chairs, rocky waterfalls and steaming swimming pools in my flip flops and gown, I finished after I noticed a scattering of individuals holding cocktails within the infinity pool.
That’s fascinating, I assumed.
In contrast to most Scandinavian-style spas I’ve been to, the place poolside drinks are extraordinary and silence is the phrase (or non phrase, as you’re not allowed to talk), at Le Nordik you could have choices.
Three Separate Sections to Swimsuit Your Spa Fashion
You’ll be able to sip a sangria within the pool along with your besties within the sociable Panorama Part, soak in silence within the Kaskad Part, or head to the Borea Part the place a little bit of whispery gossip (or candy nothings in your accomplice’s ear) is okay.
My level is, you’re more likely to discover one thing to fit your temper. Each my husband and I did.
So right here’s a information to visiting this spectacular nordic spa, what to do there and what to not miss.
How To Get the Most From the Nordic Spa Expertise
Should you’ve by no means been to a Scandinavian-style spa earlier than, know this:
Nordic spas aren’t as centered on pampering magnificence remedies as many different varieties of spas. Basically, they’re extra about an immersion into rest, detoxing and de-stressing.
Do you want to do a spa therapy? No. A therapeutic massage is a superb enhancement to a spa day, however many go for the swimming pools, saunas and rest advantages alone.
The Most Vital Factor to Do at Le Nordik: The Spa Circuit
There are completely different bathing swimming pools, saunas and relaxation areas all around the property. The saunas and swimming pools are of various temperatures, and you may dip out and in at your leisure.
Whereas there isn’t any set routine, there’s a really useful sample to comply with.
The concept is to do a circuit of scorching, chilly and rest, then repeat. Nordik Spa Nature refers to this circuit as Thermotherapy.
Methods to Observe the Sizzling, Chilly and Leisure Circuit
You would possibly begin with a sauna, rev up your circulation with a chilly splash below a waterfall, then choose a deck chair and shut your eyes or learn a e book.
Or, you’ll be able to soak in one of many many outside heated swimming pools, then tip a bucket of chilly water in your head earlier than you make your option to the massive yurt for a relaxation.
(The bucket is a little bit of a shock, nevertheless it’s assured to make your companions giggle.)
My favorite scorching/chilly combo begins with a highly regarded sauna (I appreciated the Maa Earth Sauna), adopted by a heart-stopping dip into the Kylma chilly plunge pool.
The plunge pool is so frigid it took my breath away. Actually. Not for the faint of coronary heart. However what a refresh.
On my second or third circuit, I wish to go for a scorching outside pool the place I can take within the contemporary air and the beautiful pure environment.
🍃 Spa tip: Don’t skip the outside swimming pools, as a result of nature performs a giant position within the expertise, and it’s simple to overlook it if you happen to’re extra centered on the saunas. (Husband, I’m speaking to you.)
Distinctive Experiences at Spa Nordik
You’re in for some spa thrills right here.
You will get your shoulders pummelled below a waterfall, have scorching scented air slapped at you by a towel-wielding sauna maestro, float weightlessly in a salt pool, or possibly detox with a mud-based Vivifying Spa Remedy.
Listed below are some suggestions:
1) Don’t Miss the Aufguss – A Sauna Spectacle
It’s a bizarre and uncommon expertise to be transported into the previous. However when Mark and I did the aufguss, a multi-sensory sauna ritual led by a educated sauna grasp, I used to be shot again in time to our honeymoon after we spent per week on the alpine spa city of Leukerbad in Switzerland
(The one distinction was you needed to be bare on the sauna in Leukerbad. That wouldn’t go over properly at Spa Nordik.)
🍃 Spa tip: The aufguss, which refers back to the phrase infusion, is a German sauna ritual that has grow to be common in European spas and is catching on large in North America.
What Is an Aufguss Ritual?
An aufguss is a guided sauna expertise the place a educated ‘Rituals Artisan’ places snow, ice or water on the heated stones together with important oils, after which whips a towel round so you might be blasted with scorching scented air.
It’s as a lot leisure as transformative. Spellbinding, actually.
We began with the Aufguss Discovery, an 8-minute expertise.
Within the darkened sauna, our towel-clad ritual chief swirled his towel round in a choreographed kind of dance as Coldplay performed within the background.
(I appreciated the musical irony, as a result of the expertise is something however chilly.)
That is all accompanied by varied scents, which come at you in waves as the recent air is whipped in the direction of you.
First I caught the perfume of lemon, then I assumed I may need smelled orange. Possibly pine? I couldn’t sustain.
General, it’s as gripping as a sauna expertise can get, and you’ve got a couple of option to strive it.
🍃 Spa tip: If the Aufguss ritual is simply too scorching for you, don’t be afraid to go away. Sauna security is essential.
3 Sorts of Aufguss Sauna Rituals at Nordik Spa Nature
You are able to do the 8-minute Discovery Aufguss, or the longer Basic Aufguss within the Finlandia Sauna.
Another choice takes place on the Banya Sauna. Right here you’ll be able to go on a Canadian Forest journey with the Arboreal Aufguss.
In the sort of sauna ritual, the warmth is damaged up by whisks of chilly water sprinkled from branches.
It’s based mostly on the Russian banya expertise, the place you’re gently whipped with birch branches by your folks. (I’m not kidding. It’s hilarious.)
The primary time I went to an genuine banya was in St. Petersburg, Russia, a metropolis that likes its saunas scorching. It was so scorching, I ended up mendacity on the ground with my nostril by the door!
2) Attempt a Weightless Bathing Expertise at Spa Nordik – Floating on the KÄLLA
One other particular characteristic at Nordik Spa Nature is the KÄLLA Floating Tub.
A 1,200-square-foot pool hewn into the rock, the KÄLLA Floating Tub has a capability to carry 20 folks – although there have been solely a few others after we have been there.
The water incorporates a excessive focus of Epsom salts. It’s created to mimic the expertise of floating within the Lifeless Sea.
On this darkened indoor pool you’ll be able to let go of your stress as you float round like a lazy jellyfish.
FYI: As I simply spent per week spa-ing on the Lifeless Sea in Israel, it was an fascinating comparability.
Floating within the Lifeless Sea is extra social, whereas the KÄLLA pool is extra meditative. One factor for positive is that you just received’t sink in both!
🍃 Spa tip: There’s an additional price for the KÄLLA Floating Tub.
Spa Therapies at Spa Nordik
The spa provides massages, physique remedies and facials.
Due to time constraints I didn’t do one, although an City Detox Face Care therapy wouldn’t have gone amiss.
Leisure Areas at Spa Nordik
There are a number of locations to recline and relaxation across the property. The structure could be very calming with plenty of pure components like cedar, hearth, water and stone.
My go-to spot was a deck chair on the far fringes of the property, the place I might benefit from the woodsy silence.
One other high spot for me was the deck above the Banya Sauna. Right here you’ll be able to sip lavender-and-lemon infused water and look out over the fantastically landscaped world Spa Nordik has created.
Eating places at Spa Nordik Nature
Spa Nordik is a spot to linger, so that you’ll ultimately wish to eat. For eating, there are 4 eating places that vary from informal to fastidiously curated.
The Shack
Straightforward and Fast: You’ll be able to chow down on a taco or a hand-pulled pizza on the Shack within the sociable Panorama Part.
The Biërgarden
Sociable: Additionally within the Panorama Part is the Biërgarden. This massive terrace is right for looking over the Gatineau Hills, hanging with your folks and sipping a neighborhood craft beer.
Restö
Elevated: If superb eating is a vital a part of your keep, you’ll be able to go extra upscale with one thing like a Miso Glazed Canadian Atlantic Salmon on the elegant Restö.
Panorama Lounge
Pleasant: This can be a good place for a lunch or snack break. (If, in fact, you want a break from all that arduous enjoyable.) Sip a sangria, share a charcuterie board or dive into an influence bowl on the patio or indoors.
Mëzz | Café
On Your Manner in or Out: Positioned close to the doorway of the spa, the Mëzz is a light-weight cease for a smoothie or a pastry. Possibly a cappuccino for the highway?
Who Goes?
Age-wise, Nordik Spa attracts a variety of spa seekers, although you want to be over 16.
There are a good variety of folks of their 20s and 30s, not less than on Sunday afternoons, which was when my husband and I have been final there.
Luckily for us, there have been adults of all ages so we didn’t really feel misplaced.
As for who goes, you’re as more likely to see teams of mates as {couples} or solos.
What if you happen to’ve by no means been to a nordic spa?
It could take a couple of minutes to get the lay of the land, however you’ll quickly soften comfortably into the laidback environment and neglect you have been ever a beginner.
Ideas For Visiting Nordik Spa-Nature
Should you’re new to the spa world, you’ll be able to examine spa etiquette at the best way to spa.
What Do You Have to Carry?
- Flip flops or sandals and a washing go well with.
- I’m misplaced with out one thing to learn so I all the time carry a e book. Le Nordik offers towels, robes and lockers.
- Most individuals carry water bottles, that are simple to refill there. Should you don’t have a bottle you will get a paper cup there.
Do You Have to Carry Cash?
No. The spa provides you with an digital wristband. You should utilize this to lock your locker and in addition to pay for food and drinks throughout your keep. Once you go away you’ll be able to settle up the invoice.
Hours
You’ll be able to spa properly into the night at Spa Nordik Nature. From Monday to Thursday it’s open 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. On Friday and Saturday it’s open from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. and on Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Is It Open 12 months Spherical?
Sure, it’s open even in winter when steam is rising from the recent swimming pools, and snow is making a frosty fairyland.
Spa Nordik is especially an out of doors expertise, however with loads of heat dry indoor locations to loosen up and unwind.
Is Nordik Spa Nature Value It?
Sure.
Spa Nordik has an inviting environment that mixes fashionable therapies and age-old spa traditions with structure that matches seamlessly into the panorama. The forest setting seeps into each a part of the expertise, and nature performs an element in serving to you loosen up.
Even my nephew mentioned Le Nordik was implausible (Hello, Charlie!) and he’s not an everyday spa goer. He notably appreciated the KÄLLA Floating Tub.
With so many sections and spa facilities to discover, Spa Nordik provides a deep dive into all issues wellness. The onerous half is to make your self cease exploring and begin zoning out into bliss.
Journey details:
Nordik Spa-Nature is positioned at 16 Chemin Nordik, Previous Chelsea, Quebec. Name toll-free: 1 866 575-3700. Go to their web site for extra data.
Learn extra:
There are numerous nordic spas in Quebec like Spa La Supply in Rawdon close to Montreal. In Ontario Scandinave Blue Mountain is a favorite and British Columbia has Scandinave Whistler.
Should you’re staying in Ottawa you’ll be able to all the time take a look at Tree remedy at Holtz Spa in Ottawa.
Need extra spa? Learn my The Spa and Spa Journey article.
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