Toronto spas

Few things bring a couple together more than a day at the spa. Guys may act all macho and strong, but send them into a soothing therapy room with rich aromas of peppermint and eucalyptus, and you’ll have them begging to join you for your next session. Living in Toronto, we are fortunate to have plenty of spas in the city to be pampered in, and my husband Dave and I have taken advantage of many luxury wellness centers.

We’ve enjoyed our fair share of adventures in our travels, but we always mix up climbing mountains with spa days to relax, reconnect, and recover. Recently we returned to our hometown to enjoy a few city breaks and were lucky enough to try out some of the best Toronto hotel spas.

Four Seasons Spa

Our first stop took us to the Four Seasons Toronto. The Four Seasons in Yorkville is the flagship store of this luxury chain and it recently had a complete overhaul moving next door to Toronto’s most glamorous address. This 55-story skyscraper boasts the largest luxury spa in Toronto. With 30,000 square feet to bask in luxurious glory, your stress and anxiety will melt away as you sit in the steam room or read a magazine on a comfy couch while you wait for your massage.

Dave and I booked a couple’s aromatherapy deep tissue massage together. Ladies, if you want your husband to join you at the spa, starting off with a massage together is the way to go. It helps the men feel more comfortable joining the land of decadence. At the Four Seasons, you can choose your music that will lull you into a trance. We chose the traditional meditative music that made us feel relaxed and ready to have every knot in our shoulders and back kneaded away with precision and strength.

Viewfinder Tip: Arrive early to take advantage of the spa amenities. The steam room and sauna will loosen your muscles to help you relax before your treatment.

After your massage, make sure to enjoy the gorgeous indoor relaxation pool overlooking the city. The large co-ed whirlpool is as inviting as it is relaxing so that by the time you leave the Four Seasons, you’ll be transformed to a state of Zen that will make you plan on coming back for more.

Quartz Crystal Spa at the Trump Hotel

The Trump Hotel has the enviable location right in the heart of the Financial District of downtown Toronto. The Quartz Crystal Spa towers over the city on the 31^st and 32^nd floors and instantly transports you to a world of calm tranquility.

We checked in at the front desk and immediately indulged in the array of chocolate and other treats. The Trump Hotel has a chocolate lab that produces exclusive chocolates and desserts for guests. Whenever we had the chance to take advantage of these treats, we did!

Today’s treatment was a bamboo massage. Using freshly cut bamboo, our massage therapist had extra leverage to press deep into our tissues relaxing every aching muscle. They did their job well, as halfway through the session, I heard gentle purrs coming from Dave as he quietly slumbered by my side.

Like the Four Seasons, guests can use the pool and fitness area before or after their session. We went to the infinity lap pool and hot tub. The salt water infinity lap pool is the only one of its kind and offers awesome views of the Toronto cityscape.

Shizen Spa at the Pantages Hotel

Switching gears takes us to the bustling center of downtown Toronto steps away from the Eaton Centre and Dundas Square. The Pantages Hotel is a chic, urban, all-suites boutique hotel that just so happens to have one of Toronto’s most popular spas. The Shizen Spa (translated “nature”) is a quiet oasis tucked away on Victoria Street just a block away from the Mirvish Theatre, formerly known as the Pantages Theatre.

There are couple’s massages here too, but our day at the Pantages had us try a facial. Yes, men can have a facial. The Shizen classic facial offers a skin analysis and consultation, before the relaxing treatment. Imagine someone soothing your temples and forehead with rich aromatherapy, all the while hydrating and rejuvenating your skin. Even Dave got a kick out of it. Hey, when you are over 40, all the age-defying tricks and techniques you can get are greatly welcomed.

The spa at the Pantages Hotel offers therapies from around the world, as well as specialists who will see that you get the treatment that is right for you. It features a giant 10-person Jacuzzi, sauna, and steam room for your enjoyment at your leisure after your session. I highly recommend taking a half-day to truly indulge. With Asian chic design and plenty of inviting couches, its tranquil solarium is a place you’ll never want to leave.

What’s been your experience with a couple’s spa treatment?