Top Canadian Spas for Budget-Friendly Escapes

Set your GPS: Grail Springs Retreat, 2004 Bay Lake Rd., Bancroft, Ontario

The vibe: Recognized for the third year in a row with Canada’s Best Wellness Retreat Award from the World Travel Awards, Grail Springs is all about providing guests with a sense of tranquility and balance. Unique to Grail Springs are its healing Alkaline spring waters, which lend themselves to the spa’s focus on experiences that encompass body, mind and soul.

Affordable indulgence: Grail Springs is bringing back their annual Winter Spa Fest, offering guests several seasonal specials to choose from. Our top picks? 15 per cent off spa treatments. Looking to bring a friend? Check out their BFF Special and treat a friend to a free spa excursion (see online for details), on until March 18.

Set your GPS: Scandinave Spa Blue Mountain, 152 Grey Rd. 21, Blue Mountains, Ontario

The vibe: It’s all about rejuvenation and relaxation at the famed Scandinave Spa in Blue Mountain, voted third in Canada by North American spa connoisseurs. Nestled amongst natural forest and situated on 25 acres of land between Collingwood and Blue Mountain, this Scandinave Spa location is meant to be an all-season experience for its guests, offering not only massage treatments, but also access to their unique and transformative Scandinavian baths.

Affordable indulgence: Treat yourself to a mid-week spa-cation that won’t break the bank with access to their Thermal Baths for only $75 on Wednesdays.

Set your GPS: Le Germain Charlevoix Hotel and Spa, 50 rue de la Ferme Baie-Saint-Paul, Quebec

The vibe: Get your pampering on at the luxurious Le Germain Charlevoix, where their in-house spa is all about providing visitors with a full-sensory experience guaranteed to have you feeling completely relaxed and rejuvenated. If you decide to extend your stay overnight, guests staying at the hotel are offered access to the Spa Nordique.

Affordable indulgence: Make the most of your visit (and pay the least) by taking a trip to Le Nordique Spa on Mondays or any day after 5 p.m., where visitors can enjoy the spa’s Thermal Experience offerings at rates from $40 (see online for details). Their facilities include hot and cold outdoor pools, a nordic shower, eucalyptus steam room, Finnish sauna and snow fountain.

Set your GPS: Miraj Hammam Spa, 1495 W. 6th Ave., Vancouver, British Columbia

The vibe: Old world traditions and new world treatments and services come together at Miraj Hammam spa for a truly unique experience. Voted one of the top 50 spas in Canada by Spas of America, Miraj Hammam is designed to be an oasis for its guests, where they can indulge and emerge feeling completely rejuvenated.

Affordable indulgence: While it may be one of the pricier treatments on our list, the Hammam and Gommage Massage is well worth the $185 cost when you consider it’s actually three full treatments in one. The package begins with the Hammam (steam room) session, followed by the Gommage (exfoliation) treatment and a body Rhassoul mask for 45 minutes. After the treatments are completed, guests will retreat to the Sultana Lounge, where the indulgence continues with silk cushions and velvet beds to lounge on.

Set your GPS: Northern Lights Yukon, 1178 Gentian Ln., Whitehorse, Yukon

The vibe: After taking in the overwhelming beauty of the sights all around (especially those incomparable night views), guests can enjoy the cozy ambiance of the Northern Lights Yukon spa and wellness facility, enjoying amenities like the Finnish sauna, infrared sauna, gym, yoga area, showers, massage room and relaxation area.

Affordable indulgence: We suggest the sauna service, leaving skin renewed and glowing. It's only $25 per day (see online for full details).

Set your GPS: Temple Gardens Hotel and Spa, 24 Fairford St. E., Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan

The vibe: Situated in historic downtown Moose Jaw, Temple Gardens allows visitors to sneak away from the daily grind and indulge with a soak in Canada’s largest therapeutic geothermal mineral water pool.

Affordable indulgence: Try out the rejuvenating eye treatment, which visibly reduces the look of wrinkles and dark circles while providing deep nourishment, for only $25.

Set your GPS: 100 Fountain Spa at the Pillar and Post, 48 John St. W., Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario

The vibe: This 13,000-square-foot spa was voted the number one spa in 2013 and allows guests to indulge in facilities like their indoor heated saltwater pool, hot springs, fitness center and heated outdoor pool, as well as an extensive menu of services to choose from during your stay.

Affordable indulgence: For guests of the inn, the heated indoor saltwater pool, hot springs, fitness centre and heated outdoor pool are available to use at no additional cost. For visitors looking to treat themselves, we suggest the hands-on reflexology treatment for those aching feet and seasonal treatment for $75.

Set your GPS: Tigh-Na-Mara Grotto Spa, 1155 Resort Drive, Parksville, Vancouver Island, British Columbia

The vibe: Enjoy 20,000 square feet of bliss at the spa voted number one in Canada for 2018 by Spas of America. Indulge in one of several treatments available and then treat your taste buds to the spa's Endless Tapas Experience at the Treetop Tapas and Grill, reserved for robed spa guests, with views of the surrounding forest.

Affordable indulgence: Grotto Spa guests can enjoy the Mineral Pool infused with Hungarian trace elements and minerals, whirlpool, cool splash and relaxation lounge complete with fresh fruit, coffee, juices and teas. And for $145 you can experience the Dip & Dine package – Mineral Pool plus the two hour Endless Tapas Experience.

Set your GPS: Fairmont Hot Springs, 5225 Fairmont Resort Rd., Fairmont Hot Springs, British Columbia

The vibe: Guests will love the natural hot springs' waters, unique to Fairmont Hot Springs, as well as the extensive selection of services, from manicures and facials to massages, soaks and wraps.

Affordable indulgence: We recommend the Mineral Soak, which is $75. Bonus: with every treatment, guests of the hotel can also enjoy full access to the spa’s mineral hot pool, fitness centre, hot and cold plunge pools, sauna and steam room.

Set your GPS: Urban Oasis Mineral Spa, located within the Clarion Hotel and Suites, 1445 Portage Ave., Winnipeg, Manitoba

The vibe: A calm and serene day spa atmosphere designed to help guests indulge and relax.

Affordable indulgence: Spend the day at their mineral pool for only $40 or enjoy complimentary use of the therapeutic mineral bath, mineral hydrotherapy and aroma-infused steam room with any spa treatment.

Set your GPS: Thermëa, 775 Crescent Dr., Winnipeg, Manitoba

The vibe: Using thermotherapy and massage therapy, Thermëa provides guests with a stimulating wellness oasis via their four baths (hot, cold and temperate), four unique saunas, outdoor and indoor relaxation areas, as well as a restaurant with outdoor patio and lounge.

Affordable indulgence: For the best deal, enjoy access to the Thermal Experience facilities (saunas, baths and relaxation areas) for $79. There's also a new Thermëa spa in Whitby, Ontario for the ultimate winter retreat.

Set your GPS: Lodge at Kananaskis, 1 Centennial Dr., Kananaskis Village, Alberta

The vibe: Kananaskis Nordic Spa is focused on helping guests rejuvenate their mind, body and soul as they draw inspiration from the unique outdoor landscape of the surrounding alpine forest and mountain peaks.

Affordable indulgence: Lodge guests can enjoy the Nordic Spa for $69 a day or $79 for visitors to the site.

Set your GPS: Spa Le Finlandais, 124 Labelle Blvd., Rosemère, Quebec

The vibe: One of the largest Nordic spas in North America, Spa Le Finlandais provides guests with a multi-sensory experience that includes several saunas, thermal baths, Arctic baths, Nordic waterfall and the unique “bubble experience,” where guests can enjoy the thermal experience via their own bubble-style floatation device.

Affordable indulgence: Access to the facilities start at $50, depending on the day and time of your visit.

Set your GPS: Millcroft Inn and Spa, 55 John St., Caledon, Ontario

The vibe: This picturesque countryside destination provides a serene spa retreat for guests looking to escape the urban jungle and surround themselves in a luxurious and tranquil setting.

Affordable indulgence: Take advantage of the Facial Treatment Promotion where you can take home a free lip-scrub when you add a an eye and lip treatment to your facial.

Set your GPS: KurSpa Wellness, 888 Sparkling Pl., Vernon, British Columbia

The vibe: KurSpa is one of Canada’s largest spa facilities, offering guests over 40,000 square feet of wellness space, where visitors can choose from over 100 treatments.

Affordable indulgence: Enjoy the Crystal Scrub treatment, where a Himalayan salt scrub and essential oil mixture is used to exfoliate and smooth the skin. After your treatment, enjoy complimentary use of the saunas and showers or aqua areas, where underwater music plays in their indoor saltwater pool as Swarovski crystals glitter like stars on the ceiling above.

Set your GPS: The Spa at Algonquin Resort, 184 Adolphus St., Andrews by-the-Sea, New Brunswick

The vibe: Relax and hit reset at this seaside spa retreat located within the Algonquin Resort, where casual elegance gives way to a spa experience that’s all about personalized service and pampering treatments.

Affordable indulgence: Treat yourself to a shampoo and blowout, starting at $36 (see online for full details).

Set your GPS: Hotel William Gray, 421 R. Saint-Vincent 8e étage, Montréal, Quebec

The vibe: It’s the ultimate luxury feel without being too expensive. Relaxation and ritual treatments are what they’re known for. Located in Old Montreal, guests can indulge in their spa packages, Himalayan detox treatments and take a dip in their relaxing pool with a tranquil mini waterfall at the end. 

Affordable indulgence: If you want to start your day the best possible way, the thermal circuit experience with access to the pool starts from $70 from Sunday to Friday. Or, skip the pool and come relax for just $45. 

Set your GPS: Elora Mill Hotel and Spa, 77 Mill St. W, Elora, Ontario 

The vibe: Perched at the cliffside and surrounded by nature, the Elora Mill Hotel and Spa dedicates health, wellness and relaxation. Guests will love how the river and forest views surround the lounge, and after a day at the spa or pool, you can grab dinner at the wine cellar or restaurant. 

Affordable indulgence: For full-body treatments, the spa has an option for guests to relax, re-energize and boost their skin with natural vitamins for a not-so-bad price that starts at $225. 

Set your GPS: Elm Hurst Inn and Spa, 415 Harris St., Ingersoll, Ontario

The vibe: The Elm Hurst spa has many different treatments available like facials, manicures, pedicures and massages. Get the ultimate pampering in this quaint spa that’s just around two hours outside of Toronto. 

Affordable indulgence: Relaxing facials start at just $76 with an option to add bright eyes or ultra lift enhancement for an extra $25. If you book a spa package with a one-night stay, there’s a $60 credit that goes towards a spa treatment, which is a sweet deal in our opinion.