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As we’ve gotten older, my partner and I have really grown to appreciate a good spa experience. Fortunately there are many great spas in Vancouver for us to choose from. I’ve recapped some of the spas in Vancouver we’ve enjoyed over the years, with some pros and cons for each.
Table of Contents
- Parq Spa by JW Marriott
- Willowstream at Fairmont Pacific Rim
- Circle Wellness
- Art of Sauna
- CHI Spa at Shangri-La
- Sense at Rosewood Hotel Georgia
- Smile Thai Wellness
PARQ SPA BY JW MARRIOTT
Price: $$$$
Best overall experience
Pros:
- No time limit
- Offers RMT so you can use your benefits
- Yummy snacks, lots of relaxation areas (indoor and outdoor)
- Strong massages and great facials
- Day passes available for those who don’t want treatments
Cons:
- No sauna
- Very pricy
The Spa by JW Marriott at Parq Vancouver would be our top choice if we were looking to spend the entire day at the spa. Unlike many other spas, guests aren’t limited to how long they can spend enjoying the amenities, such as the steam rooms and relaxation lounges. We went during the summer and I spent the first part of my visit tanning on the rooftop by the hot tub. We could easily spend the entire day there. It’s our pick for the best overall experience for spas in Vancouver. Prices for treatments aren’t cheap, but from what we experienced the services and practitioners are quite good.
Location: 39 Smithe St, Vancouver, BC V6B 0R3. Click here for the map.
WILLOWSTREAM AT THE FAIRMONT PACIFIC RIM
Price: $$$$
Best complimentary snacks and beverages
Pros:
- Great amenities
- Lovely variety of beverages/snacks. The BEST spa water, I was obsessed
- Offers RMT so you can use your benefits
- Lots of indoor and outdoor relaxation areas, access to gym
- Day passes available for those who don’t want treatments
Cons:
- Very expensive
- Time limit of two hours pre/post treatment for amenities access
- Massages are a bit weak
Willowstream at the Fairmont Pacific Rim would be my second recommendation for those who are looking for a luxury spa experience in Vancouver. They have an extensive spa menu with a large variety of services, including RMT. We have used our benefits to book RMTs here and made use of the spa’s amenities, including the steam room & sauna, and 360 shower. There are tons of relaxation areas, both indoor and outdoor, but my favourite thing about Willowstream is the complimentary snacks (ha ha). The wasabi peas are the best!
Location: 1038 Canada Pl, Vancouver, BC V6C 0B9. Click here for the map.
CIRCLE WELLNESS
Price: $$$ ($219 for 90 minutes to $249 for 120 minutes + tax)
Best unique and boutique experience
Pros:
- Completely private circuit
- Very new and clean
- Boutique feeling
Cons:
- Shorter spa experience (this could also be a pro if you’re looking for an express relaxation session)
- No treatments available
I treated my boyfriend to a session at Circle Wellness for his birthday in 2022. Circle Wellness has since moved to a newer and bigger location on Granville Island. You can choose from a 90-minute or 120-minute session. We loved that it was completely private and that we could do the circuit at our own pace. The circuit starts with a shower and a relaxing soak in the cedar tub, followed by a cold plunge and sauna. The WelPod (sauna) with Himalayan salt walls was great and felt like a sensory deprivation experience. It was a very relaxing experience and we’d definitely book it again.
Location: 1297 Johnston St, Vancouver, BC V6H 3R9. Click here for the map.
ART OF SAUNA
Price: $$
Best for sauna and steam room lovers
Pros:
- Great variety of saunas and steam rooms
- Day passes available if you don’t want to book a treatment
- Offers RMT so you can use your benefits
Cons:
- Sometimes saunas/steam rooms can be crowded so you need to wait your turn
- Massages were just okay
- Not a luxury experience, some of the rooms didn’t seem to be super clean when we were there
My boyfriend is a sauna and steam room enthusiast, so I surprised him with a massage at Art of Sauna in Burnaby for Christmas one year. Booking treatments gives you access to the eight different sauna/steam rooms (Finnish and dry saunas, eucalyptus steam room, Turkish Hammam) for two hours. There are also cold showers for hydrotherapy. You can purchase a two-hour admission pass if you’d rather not book a treatment. We enjoyed going at our own pace and trying the different rooms, all of which had different temperatures and features. Of all the spas in Vancouver, this would be my boyfriend’s top choice.
Location: 7818 6th St, Burnaby, BC V3N 4N8. Click here for the map.
CHI SPA AT SHANGRI-LA
Price: $$$$
Best treatment rooms
Pros:
- Beautiful, cozy treatment rooms with heated floors and steam showers: they offer services that allow you to spend extended time in the treatment room (Suite Spa Experience)
- Access to hotel amenities (hot tub, steam room, sauna)
- Offers RMT so you can use your benefits
- Great hot tea selection
Cons:
- Very expensive for what you get
- Limited relaxation areas: for the price you pay, I expected more relaxation/lounge areas to maximize the time spent at the spa
- Snacks are just okay
I went to CHI Spa at the Shangri-La for a massage and was quite happy with the service. This is one of the fanciest luxury spas in Vancouver, with an extensive menu with high prices, so I was expecting more lounging and relaxation areas. The waiting room was quite small and the snacks were just okay, although I think I’ve been spoiled by previous experiences at Willowstream. I’d be interested in booking a Suite Spa Experience or a service that allows me to take advantage of their treatment rooms, which are among the nicest I’ve ever experienced. Overall CHI was very nice and I would return.
Location: 1128 W Georgia St, Vancouver, BC V6E 0A8. Click here for the map.
SENSE AT ROSEWOOD HOTEL GEORGIA
Price: $$$$
Best for fitness enthusiasts
Pros:
- Beautiful and luxury amenities
- Indoor heated pool
- Access to gym and other hotel amenities with treatment bookings
- Offers RMT so you can use your benefits
Cons:
- Very expensive
- No saunas and steam rooms
- Facial treatment was a bit lacking for the price
- Small bathrooms and changing areas
Sense at Rosewood Hotel Georgia is one of the few spas in Vancouver with a heated lap pool! They also have great fitness facilities which spa goers have can access. The spa is very high end, with great service, but I was surprised for the price I was hoping to have more amenities similar to what Parq & Willowstream offer. I also felt that the signature facial was a bit lacking for the price. In any case Sense is a very nice, luxury spa.
Location: 801 W Georgia St, Vancouver, BC V6C 3L2. Click here for the map.
SMILE THAI WELLNESS
Price: $$$
Best full body massages
Pros:
- Strong massages
- Very convenient location in downtown Vancouver
- Couples massages available
Cons:
- No RMT massages offered
- Some treatment rooms are a bit small
In busy downtown Vancouver is Smile Thai Wellness, offering traditional Thai massages. If you’re looking for a truly strong, full body massage, then this would be the place to go. We’ve tried the couples massage, which was an amazing experience. Thai massages are not for the faint of heart, as the pressure is very strong and they stretch your limbs and crack your back. I always feel amazing afterwards though!
Location: 235 Robson St, Vancouver, BC. Click here for the map.
