On checking into the stylish and intimate Sense spa in this elegant downtown hotel, staff showed me to the dinky changing room. When I was robed and ready to go, I made my way to the relaxation area where staff anticipated my every whim and had some welcoming vanilla and rooibos tea in a glass already awaiting my attention, along with a small, warm towel infused with the Hotel Georgia's signature scent, with notes of mint and basil. Fortified by the tea and the warmth, I filled in my consultation form and was ready for my therapist, Sophie.
The Vancouver Signature Sensation (80 minutes, $180) involves water -- lots of water. Do not dream of booking this treatment if you do not love water. Sophie asked me to disrobe and advised that I could don disposable underwear if I wished. However, I have had Vichy showers before and knew exactly how wet I would get -- so disposed of the idea of the disposables in an instant. Instead, I trusted Sophie's (impeccable) modesty-protecting draping skills.
Before I got on the bed ready for my treatment, I played around with the in-room sound system and chose "Water" for my water-based treatment (others on offer are Air, Fire, and New Age, amongst others, so you can set your own spa atmosphere).
The treatment itself was lovely. Sophie began with a peppermint-and-herb-infused scrub for exfoliation, which she massaged on expertly, and which was rinsed away from above by the carefully temperature-controlled Vichy shower. (This is when you get wet.) Two of the five Vichy shower streams flow onto the heart and solar-plexus chakra points on your body, which is soothing and revitalising.
Once I was dry, Sophie tailored the massage element at my request to focus on particular areas of my body that have been troublesome lately. As she applied the spa's signature-scent-infused shea butter to my skin, her touch felt very therapeutic and I could feel my tightened muscles relax.
Relaxing afterwards, with a departing glass of rooibos tea, wreathed in scents of vanilla, I felt calm but revitalised. A great combination!
Try this treatment if: you need to be both silky soft and seriously serene.
Get in touch Call: +1 604 682 5566
Email: [email protected]
Single Spy
27th February 2014
Spy Likes:
Warm floors when you put your bare feet upon them; heated treatment beds; soft towels; attention to detail, so that your treatment room looks and smells beautiful when you arrive in it.
Spy Dislikes:
Cold floors when you put your bare feet upon them; therapists who use your treatment time to write up a list of product "recommendations" that they hope you will purchase.
