It seems that Nordik Spa Village Chelsea has found the winning formula for the ultimate moment of relaxation. For over 20 years, this unique venue has been recognized as the largest spa in North America, making this wellness destination a must visit in the Outaouais region. In 2022, a few years after the opening of Thermea Spa Village Winnipeg, a new site was added, this time in Whitby, near Toronto. The mission remains the same: to provide a space for rest, happiness and reconnection through an unrivalled thermal experience.
It’s fair to say I know Nordik Spa Village pretty well, having visited the spa every year since I was sixteen. Whether it’s for a solo day of relaxation or a chance to spend quality time with my loved ones, I enjoy rediscovering the grounds with each passing season, and every visit always does me a world of good.
While I was in Toronto for a weekend, I really needed some self-care, so I extended my stay and spent a few blissful hours at the Thermea Spa Village Whitby. I was instantly charmed by this magnificent place, where time seems to stand still and renewal comes naturally.
Let me tell you about my experience, and why you should consider a visit here if you’ve already been won over by what Chelsea has to offer.
Installations Like Nowhere Else
As I walked through the doors leading to the site for the first time, I felt a wave of excitement wash over me, curious to see what lay ahead. Step by step, the saunas, baths and relaxation areas revealed themselves to me, bathed in soft morning sunlight. A serene calm reigns at every turn, and I am amazed by the quality of the facilities. Dry and steam saunas, a beach and campfires mingle with hammocks, cold plunges and temperate baths. Among the facilities you won’t find at Nordik Spa Village—and where I’ll be spending most of my time during the day—are the A-Frame, the Prospector tent and the beach, all restful spots perfect for reading a good novel or taking a well-deserved nap, in the sun or by the fire. What more could you ask for?
Throughout the day, I let myself be guided by my feelings, alternating between heat, cold and rest—the essentials of a thermal cycle. I also took the opportunity to include a guided meditation and an Aufguss in my day, two rituals that are also available at Chelsea, offered at various times of the day to anyone who fancies joining in. Here, you settle into a relaxation area or a sauna and let yourself be guided by the Artisan, the music, the aromas and the heat.
If you enjoyed the Kalla experience in Chelsea, you’ll love the one in Whitby even more, set against a Moroccan-inspired backdrop. As you descend the stairs to the lower level, you’re gradually enveloped in a warm, soothing darkness, lit only by candles and lamps. There you’ll find two shallow pools, where the warm water is infused with Epsom salt, rich in benefits for both body and mind. There are few words to describe just how incredible this immersion in the salt water is, it’s like being weightless. Honestly, I can only recommend that you add the Kalla experience to your booking, and return as often as you like during your visit.
Another signature experience you simply must try during your visit to Thermea Spa Village Whitby: the Rhassoul. It is described as “a sensory journey inspired by centuries of Middle Eastern hammam tradition”. Available by booking only, this is a 30-minute ritual led by an Artisan, who guides you through applying, one after the other, three products presented on a tray: an orange blossom body scrub, a detoxifying green clay face mask and a body mask with clay and rose petals, which we rinse off in the shower or with a bucket of water before finishing with a moisturizing argan oil lotion. After the ritual, we were offered Moroccan mint tea and passion fruit lokum, a traditional Turkish sweet, and we continued this moment of contemplation in silence in one of the relaxation areas. I really enjoyed this invitation to take care of myself in a different way, by practising mindfulness and reconnecting with my senses. As an added bonus, my skin felt so soft and radiant afterwards!
An Exceptional Culinary Experience
A visit to the Spa Village wouldn’t be complete without checking out the restaurants. For breakfast, I headed to the Lounge, which serves light, nourishing and fresh dishes from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. I opted for a mocha, a raspberry Danish and a yoghurt and berry parfait, which I savoured whilst admiring the view of the grounds. For lunch, I sipped a glass of rosé sangria in the festive atmosphere of the Biergarden, accompanied by a Smash Burger, tortilla chips and salsa—it tasted like summer! Finally, for dinner, mussels in garlic and white wine, grilled salmon and a glass of Chardonnay at Le Resto brought this gourmet adventure to a perfect close. The variety of flavours, the presentation of the dishes, the attentive service and the décor of each space—all of these things made me want to come back, again and again!
An Oasis of Tranquility Close to the City
In both Chelsea and Whitby, there’s a strong sense of being right in the heart of nature, even though city life isn’t far away. The abundance of trees, flowers and bushes, alongside waterfalls, streams and waterways, helps to create an environment where the sounds of the city barely reach us, to the point where you forget that the city centre is so close by. In fact, it takes just twenty minutes by car to get from Gatineau-Ottawa to Chelsea. From Toronto, it’s barely an hour’s drive to Whitby, and you can also get there by train via the Go Transit system, followed by a taxi.
A day at the spa is therefore a natural addition to your next city break. For my part, after spending the day exploring Toronto’s most famous attractions on foot, including The Distillery District, St., Lawrence Market and the CN Tower, I was more than happy to get away from the hectic pace of big-city life, rest my tired legs and rediscover the peace and quiet of nature. It was the perfect transition to ease back into home life and routine gently, slowly, mindfully and with intention.
After the thermal cycle, the Kalla, the Rhassoul, the rituals and the meals, I left the spa with a clear mind, a light heart and a relaxed body. I loved every moment at Thermea Spa Village Whitby and really felt as though I was on a sunny vacation. I enjoyed rediscovering elements I already love at Nordik Spa Village just as much as discovering new facilities that are unique to Whitby.
I won’t hesitate to come back, nor to recommend the experience to anyone visiting or living in the Greater Toronto Area. After all, whatever the season or stage of life you’re in, we all need a moment to ourselves—to refocus, put ourselves first and recharge our batteries. Your mind and body will thank you for it, I promise!
WRITTEN BY Camille Labonté, @camille_labonte
