Thursday | January 24, 2008
A legacy of wellness continues with Elmwood Spa renewal
For immediate release
Multimillion-dollar renovation offers
four floors of wellness options
Toronto – The landmark Elmwood Spa in downtown Toronto is celebrating 25 years as a standard-setter in Canada’s day spa industry with the announcement of a multimillion-dollar renewal. Elmwood Spa has evolved to meet the changing needs of today’s spa-goers and now offers four floors of wellness options, a sleek new lobby and retail boutique, a cutting-edge treatment line, two restaurants, space for special group events and expanded amenities.
“When Elmwood Spa opened in 1982, it was one of just 50 spas in North America and in fact we were the only true day spa in Toronto,” said Marie Picton, Executive Manager of Spa Services for Elmwood Spa. “While more than 20,000 spas dot the continent today, Elmwood Spa continues to stay relevant – and remarkably fresh – with savvy spa-goers. We invite our guests to visit the renewed Elmwood Spa and experience the spa again, for the first time!”
With more space than any other day spa in the region, Elmwood Spa is now a complete wellness destination that caters to women and men who want stress relief and to relax in a serene and spacious atmosphere. It is an ideal place to gather with friends, to celebrate milestones, to reconnect with a loved one or to use as your own destination for stress relief and self-renewal.
Elmwood Spa is located in an historic, five-story brick building at 18 Elm Street in downtown Toronto. Designed by Gordon & Helliwell Architects and built by Edward James Lennox – the same architects who designed Old City Hall, St. Paul’s Anglican Church and Casa Loma – the juxtaposition of its historical exterior with modern interiors offers guests a delightfully refreshing experience. One of Toronto’s best Thai restaurants, Bangkok Garden, is located in the same building and both the spa and the restaurant are owned by Canadian spa aficionado, Sherry Brydson.
“It was definitely a challenging experience to renovate such an old building and we discovered early on that the original architectural drawings were not very accurate which meant construction plans were constantly evolving,” said Ms. Picton. “This has been a long process, but we believe that it was worthwhile. We continue to be the benchmark in the industry and the feedback we have received from guests has been a testament to our renewal project.”
Renewed design and décor
The spa’s subtle Thai theme begins with a large carved image in the entryway and continues throughout the 34 treatment rooms and in many of the lounge areas with the use of Thai silk and Asian works of art. Elmwood Spa’s contemporary new lobby features a retail boutique for after spa care, showcasing the new ElmLine of skincare products. There is a plush new woman’s changing room with wooden lockers and a lavish whirlpool in bright blue mosaic tile, as well as a new men’s lounge complete with flatscreen TV and a club-like sitting area.
The “bones” of the historic building – with beamed ceilings on gables and cozy spaces – help create a special mood in the new Sapphire and Royal Couple’s Rooms and the private Kashmir Suite complete with fireplace and in-room shower. The Midnight Meditation Room at the top of the spa is a cathedral-like space of natural light; an ideal place for reflection and repose. The Terrace restaurant on the fourth floor is a popular spot for lunch whether visitors are dressed in business attire or spa robes, while the spa’s Juice Bar offers healthy options in-between spa appointments. With a full floor of manicure and pedicure stations, a hair salon and a full-sized swimming pool and water therapies, Elmwood Spa guests can be refreshed and rejuvenated from head-to-toe.
The spa’s reservation staff can suggest effective treatment options from the plethora of beauty, body and wellness therapies offered on the newly expanded treatment menu for both spa “newbies” and seasoned spa go-ers. Elmwood Spa’s team of Spa Care Experts™ – including Registered Massage Therapists, certified aestheticians and licensed hair stylists are trained to make you look and feel your best. Elmwood Spa offers a world of healing including its own line of international teas, traditional European massage therapies, alternative therapies such as Reiki and Reflexology, retreat packages, exclusive Siam treatments from Thailand and LI’TYA healing rituals from aboriginal Australia, exclusive to Elmwood Spa in Canada.
Elmwood Spa signature treatments
LI’TYA- Binhumarri Body Ritual –Surrender to the power of Australian desert salts and essential oils. Mineral salts sourced from below ancient riverbeds combined with native flowers and plants are used to invigorate your body and soul through a full body exfoliation. Following a warm and calming shower, you will be swept away by the Miji Kodo massage using some of the most powerful essential oils in the world. You will emerge feeling alive and rebalanced with your skin incredibly smooth. The treatment takes just over an hour and is $150.
Siam Herbal Tension Release – Experience a Thai ritual that restores and redirects energy while relieving muscle tension. First, an exfoliating scrub of ground coriander seed, nutmeg and other spices revitalize the skin. Second, a warm Thai herb compress is applied to help open pores and relieve tension. A relaxing massage using therapeutic oils completes this restorative treatment which lasts 80 minutes and is $165.
LI’TYA The Dreaming Whole Body Ritual – Rejuvenate the body, mind and spirit from head-to-toe and outside-in as The Dreaming embraces traditional Australian Aboriginal healing techniques and combines the Miji Jina foot treatment, Mala Mayi body wrap, Kodo body massage, Paudi head massage with a facial massage and a hand and foot ritual. Surrender to the ultimate renewal and potency of this experience through the power of native plant essential oils and extracts, earth ochre and desert salts which allow you to celebrate your utmost potential. Combining deeply therapeutic treatments with a healing approach, your skin is cleansed, invigorated, restored and nourished. Tired muscles are eased and energized and all the body systems are rebalanced and rejuvenated. Nurturing your energy and emotions, the Aboriginals say the soul of those who receive this experience is left refreshed and ‘smiling with delight’. The Dreaming means ‘unforeseen vibrations of creation’. The treatment takes just over three hours and is $360.
Elmwood Spa is a founding member of Premier Spas of Ontario and Leading Spas of Canada.
Visit elmwoodshop.wpengine.com for more information and daily operating hours.
416-977-6751
For more information please contact:
Marie Picton
Executive Manager, Spa Services
416-646-0105
mpicton@elmwoodspa.com
or
Gwen Hayes
Senior Manager Sales & Marketing
416-964-4515
ghayes@elmspagroup.com