Whether it’s popping into a day spa for a single treatment — facials, manicures and pedicures being the most popular — or booking a trip to a destination spa, be it a resort or buying a half- or full-day package at a day spa, people enjoy being pampered.
Spas have a long history, dating back to the Roman Empire, when people would gather at bath houses to ritually cleanse themselves, often in hot springs that were thought to purify the body.
Today’s spas still offer water- based treatments and follow a basic theory — cleanse the body by showering, then heat it by taking a sauna or a dip in a whirlpool, followed by a treatment and then a period of relaxation, often in the form of a massage.
But unlike ancient times, today’s spas are big business, catering to clients of all socioeconomic means and offering a wide variety of treatments — from traditional massages and body wraps to skin care treatments and even aesthetic practices, such as waxing and makeup application.
Most people are likely familiar with day spas, which have sprouted up in just about every city in Canada. These provide citizens with an opportunity to pop in, enjoy a treatment and then head home. But how relaxing is that? Slavica Zdravic is the spa director at the Wanakita Wellness Spa in Honey Harbour, located about two-and-a-half hours south of Sudbury.
She took over the position at the spa, which is housed on the grounds of the Delawana Inn Spa and Conference Resort, earlier this year and fell in love with it at first sight.
That’s because Zdravic, who owned a spa in Mississauga for 10 years, couldn’t believe what an ideal setting the resort offered its clients.
“ It’s so beautiful,” said Zdravic, who trained in Europe and has been in the spa business for more than 15 years. “Coming from Toronto, it’s like being on vacation, but I’m getting paid. I don’t get the opportunity to get out and enjoy the ( natural) beauty of Canada much in Toronto.”
When the Serbian native saw clients in Mississauga, they were often stressed by the hustle and bustle of big city life. They would come into her spa and try to relax while having a treatment, then head back out to the hustle and bustle.
But at the Wanakita, clients are typically Delawana guests who are on vacation at the family-friendly resort, which means they’re going to receive more benefits from the treatment.
“ They’re happy because they’re not working,” she said. “ It’s a totally different thing when they’re in the city. You know, it’s, ‘I’m on my lunch, I’ve got 15 minutes.’ Here, it’s, ‘Don’t worry, we’re on vacation.’ That’s why it’s so much easier to deal with the clients here.”
The Wanakita Wellness Spa is beautiful to behold. Set on the resort grounds, it is constructed from cedar beams that give it a rustic, natural feel. The hallways are screened in, giving you the sense of being outside without any annoying insects.
When visiting the spa, you’ll start off in the change rooms, where you can enjoy a shower to rinse your troubles away. That’s followed by a visit to either the sauna or the eight- person whirlpool that sits in a gorgeous room featuring windows all the way around so you can enjoy a view dominated by trees and the nearby golf course.
After a soak, you head to the main treatment area, where state-of-the-art equipment awaits.
There’s a Vichy shower, which uses hot and cold water jets to stimulate circulation. This is often used by clients after they’ve had either an exfoliation treatment or a detoxifying body wrap.
As well, there are a variety of baths that can be customized to each client in terms of the use of aromatherapy and essential oils, herbs and various other products, such as flower petals.
The tubs also feature massage settings, exposing the bather to pressurized jets of water, all of which the client has control over.
The Wanakita also offers skin care in the form of microdermabrasion treatments, a variety of facials, wraps that can detoxify the body and other aesthetic services.
When she took over as spa director for her six- month term this spring, Zdravic introduced several new treatments, including homeopathy, reiki, reflexology and a four layer anti- aging facial that has proven extremely popular.
It uses vitamins, minerals and amino acids from seaweed to firm up the face and includes a relaxing arm and hand massage, as well.
While the spa caters mainly to resort guests, it is open to day visitors — many of whom are cottagers who dock their boat at the resort for the day.
In fact, Zdravic said quite a few clients make a day trip to the resort to enjoy the spa and the Delawana grounds.
But if you’ve got children and are looking for a way to combine a trip to the spa with a family vacation, the Delawana Inn is an ideal destination.
The inn is an institution in Honey Harbour, dating back more than 70 years. Sitting on the waters of Georgian Bay, it can accommodate more than 300 guests at a time.
There are myriad options to keep you and the kids entertained, from kayaks and pedal boats, to miniputt, mountain bikes, a full- size pool, an adventure area with a climbing wall, a driving range and nine-hole golf course, a beautiful beach, fire pits and a main lodge where staff put on variety shows and various demonstrations throughout the day.
Another key summer feature is the supervised kids’ club, where children enjoy a wide variety of activities on the grounds, leaving the parents free to enjoy themselves and visit the spa.
Meals are served buffet-style in the main lodge and the menu changes daily.
Zdravic said she sees the Delawana’s unique setting as a big plus for people looking to get away and enjoy spa services in a truly natural, soothing environment.
“There’s no stress here at all and it shows when you’re doing the treatments. They’re relaxed.”
