Travelling for business can be stressful. With so many meetings, social events and new places to explore, you might be looking for a bit of respite between it all. Ottawa has plenty of opportunities for resting the body and mind. Cultivate a sense of calm and cozy up throughout the city with these wellness experiences.
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Downtown
Holtz Spa
Located in the heart of downtown, Holtz Spa is within walking distance of major conference centres and conveniently located within the historic ByWard Market. There’s no shortage of spa packages here, so you can find one that’s personal to you. Missing some sunshine? Try the Tropical Escape package where you can bundle up in a cocooning bed with a mango body scrub and wrap, followed by a coconut oil massage.
They also have facial and body treatments, manicures and pedicures, a hair design studio and men’s services like the Golfers Dream package that focuses on sun repair, a deep reflex hand massage and more.
Holtz Spa is at 135 Rideau Street. Their hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
York Street Spa
York Street Spa is directly across from the famous “Ottawa” sign in the ByWard Market. They offer several packages including facials, massage, nail services, a hair salon and other treatments. They also have an infrared sauna which heats the body directly as opposed to a regular sauna that uses heat to warm the air first. It’s the perfect way to get some much-needed warmth this season without all the humidity.
Find York Street Spa at 11 York Street. Their hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday and Monday,
A quick drive away
Kōena Spa
A five-minute drive from downtown Ottawa takes you to Kōena where you can bask in over 50,000 square feet of bliss. This thermal spa focuses on thermotherapy, a 2000-year-old Nordic tradition that uses hot and cold pools to plunge visitors into deep relaxation. You’ll enjoy Hawaiian hospitality as you access hot baths, cold pools, dry and steam saunas, relaxation rooms and more.
There’s also a gorgeous Pa’akai Himalayan salt room where you can rest surrounded by salt blocks that encourage tranquillity and purity. Massages and body and aesthetic treatments are available too.
While visiting, you can fuel up with a visit to Bistro Kōena, a restaurant that serves sandwiches, salads and baked goods. Alcohol is also available.
If you’re looking for the ultimate wellness experience, treat yourself to a stay at the nearby Château Cartier Hôtel & Resort.
Enter pure relaxation at 1172 Chem. d’Aylmer in Gatineau from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.
Nordik Spa-Nature
Continue to revel in the invigorating experience of thermotherapy at Nordik Spa-Nature, an award-winning spa that’s also the largest in North America. It’s less than a ten-minute drive from downtown Ottawa and nestled in charming Chelsea, Quebec. Alternate between hot and cold baths and enjoy luxury relaxation areas, diverse saunas and restaurants. Did you know their Biërgarden & Shack serves exclusive organic microbrewed beer from local breweries?
There are plenty of other spa treatments available including massages, body care treatments, Aufguss (a German thermotherapy ritual led by an artisan) and the only saltwater floating pool in America.
Step into bliss at 16 Chem. Nordik in Chelsea. Their hours are 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Monday, 8:30 a.m. to 12 a.m. on Friday and Saturday and 8:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Sunday.
The Boujee Parlour
The Boujee Parlour offers a range of beauty and wellness treatments such as nail care, facials, lash and brow services and massages. They also offer mobile services so that you can be pampered from the comfort of your hotel room.
Treat yourself at 5-4000 Bridle Path Drive from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily except Sunday.
Au Naturel Spa
Tucked into the Brookstreet Hotel, one of Ottawa’s leading conference and resort hotels, is Au Naturel Spa. The space offers various spa packages including massages, facials, body treatments, nail care and beyond. The hotel is about a ten-minute drive from the Canadian Tire Centre, home to Ottawa's professional hockey league, the Ottawa Senators.
Visit the spa at 525 Legget Drive. Their hours are Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
ISÖ Spa Floatation Centre
ISÖ Spa is Ottawa’s only floatation therapy spa. This therapy uses sensory deprivation and gravity suspension within a float tank to ease muscles and promote mental relaxation. It's a unique experience that restricts external distractions like light, sound and temperature.
ISÖ Spa is nestled in the heart of downtown at 5-464 Bank Street and is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. but closes at 4 p.m. on Sunday.
Uppliva Sauna & Steam
Indulge in a Nordic sauna experience right in the middle of the city at Uppliva Sauna & Steam. Their Sauna & Steam circuit involves warming up in their Cedar Sauna or Eucalyptus Steam Room, taking an invigorating rain shower or cold plunge and then resting fireside.
They also offer hot stone massages, facials and wildcrafted treatments that can be applied yourself during your Sauna & Steam circuit, such as sea salt scrubs and aromatherapy foot soaks. All treatments feature ingredients from local farms or the Ottawa region’s natural habitat.
Yoga
Pure Yoga
Treat your body and mind to some time on a yoga mat. Pure Yoga is one of Ottawa’s most popular studios and they offer over 80 classes a week at their two locations in trendy Westboro and diverse Centretown. From strong Power classes to their beloved Beats class set to heart pumping music, Pure Yoga has a variety of classes to join. Simply book a drop-in class or choose a 5 or 10 class pack.
Yogatown
Yogatown also offers drop-in classes as well as 5 and 10 class cards. The studio prides itself on its welcoming environment suitable for all levels. You can find a studio in Little Italy, Barrhaven and Stittsville. With a variety of flow classes, such as Hip Opening or HardCORE, and slower-paced styles, you can let stress and tension melt away on the mat.
Meditation
Meditation is a great way to quiet the mind, revel in stillness and become more connected to the present moment. You can embrace some meditative awareness while on business with the help of the Sri Chinmoy Centre of Ottawa. The centre offers free meditation classes on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at The Garden of Light in Old Ottawa South. Check their website for more information.
A winter meeting in Ottawa does more than connect you with peers. It’s a chance to enjoy a charming city with plenty of seasonal activities — and the opportunity to schedule some peace into your itinerary.
