My mommy day-off at Ste. Anne’s Spa and giveaway

There are moments, days or sometimes weeks when having two young children is complete and udder chaos. From the whining, and crying, to the soothing and playing and running between programs, being a parent is exhausting! There are many nights that I wish for a few hours just to myself to relax and recharge. Last week I had this chance to have an entire day to myself at Ste. Anne’s Spa in Grafton, Ontario.

Ste. Anne’s Spa is a full service spa that is nestled in over 400 acres in the Haldimand Hills and located just 90 minutes east of Toronto. It has been voted Canada’s favourite spa from 2006-2013 by Spafinder Readers. With a goal of creating an atmosphere to help their guests rejuvenate and relax,  Ste. Anne’s spa has over 35 spa treatments and a variety of wellness classes to help you find your zen.

My mommy day-off started in the most perfect way- on the train. I haven’t been on the train in years and it was so wonderful not having to drive.  I was able to drink a cup of HOT coffee (what a luxury!), read a book and answer a few emails.

When I arrived at the train station in Coburg (the closest town to Grafton with a station), Richard, who works at Ste. Anne’s Spa, greeted me with a huge sign and a town car to take me to the spa. He was so personable and it was great speaking with him. Upon arriving at the spa he made sure I was all set up with my itinerary and whatever else I needed for the day. Ste. Anne’s Spa encourages all of it’s guest to relax in the comfy robe that they provide you the entire day! It’s funny at first seeing everyone in their robes but you quickly get use to it. They also encourage all of their guests to unplug to fully relax. It was hard but I turned off my phone and left it in my locker in the women’s change room.

mesteannes

I started my day off by getting a  Skin Nourishment Body Treatment. It is a new treatment at the spa and my therapist Amanda was fantastic! The treatment started with a foot scrub, followed by a full body scrub, then with a mud wrap and finally a shower and a light moisturizing massage. The treatment was 75 minutes of pure bliss. What I loved it that the essential oils and mud used in the treatment is tailored to your scent preferences and your skin type. This treatment gave my body some much needed TLC as my 2 minute showers in the morning leave no time to exfoliate or anything beyond a quick soaping.

I then retreated to the lounge pavilion that has big comfy couches and chairs and has big windows overlooking the property. I grabbed a book and sat down to read. The room always has cold spring water and apples to snack on. It was a refreshing treat as I read and relaxed with no one bothering me and no on wanting my attention!

Pavilion lounge Ste. Anne's Spa

Next up was lunch. Wow! The food at Ste Anne’s is amazing and made to order. It’s fresh, healthy and satisfying. I really appreciated how accommodating they were to my allergies to for people who cannot eat gluten they also have many gluten-free options!  I started with a bowl of mushroom soup topped with sour cream and alfalfa sprouts, next was a spicy chicken breast over a corn and potato hash on a bed of arugula. I then ended the meal with cinnamon tea (that was so delicious) and a piece of cake.  My seat for lunch was by the window and overlooked the grounds. The window was open and the fresh air was wafting through the room.

After lunch,I went back to the pavilion room and took a little snooze. It was so nice to curl up on the couch, close my eyes and rest. No children screaming, no phones buzzing. Just peace and quiet. Feeling even more well rested I slipped on my bathing suit and took advantage of all the water therapies that Ste. Anne’s offer. I went into the whirlpool, sauna and steam room in the women’s locker room. Then I ventured outside to the Fieldstone Grotto where I went into the hot tub, lap pool but was not brave enough to go into the cold plunge! I happened to be at Ste. Anne’s on a really beautiful spring day and it was glorious to be outside enjoying the sun while warm in the hot tub.  I then spent a few minutes in the Eucalyptus Steam Room. I, for one love steam rooms and I loved the added eucalyptus scent. This room is very, very hot so it isn’t for everyone.

After spending time in all of the water therapies, I went and dried up and had afternoon tea. What a treat!  I again was seated by the window which was perfect. I chose the cheese and fruit plate and another pot of tea. My cheese and fruit plate had two mini skewers of fresh fruit with a yogurt dip, some cubes of cheddar cheese, and cucumber slices with cream cheese.  I chose chocolate tea and it was the perfect pairing with my snack. I was able just to sit, clear my mind and really savior and enjoy everything I was eating and drinking.

I then went to sit in the Massey living room and was able to continue reading before doing a meditation class. Mats, blankets and bolsters adorned the floor for the guests use of the wellness studio. I have taken a meditation class before that focused more on the music of a CD that was playing with not so much talking. This meditation class was guided visualization with the teacher speaking to you and guiding you to relax your body during the whole class. At first I wasn’t quite sure that I would like it but when the teacher said it was over, I was disappointed. I didn’t really think I could get anymore relaxed but I did! If only I could replicate that experience at home I know I would be a much calmer, collected person.

Sadly, my day was coming to an end. With a quick walk around the grounds before leaving, I grabbed some cranberry biscotti (available all day in the spa waiting room) and was then taken back to the train station. I then made the trip back on the train to Toronto and back to the reality of my life. After having a much needed day to focus just on myself, I was home in time to kiss my kids and tuck them into bed!

Ste.Anne’s offers day spa services, overnight getaways and meetings spaces. For more information check out their website.

Win It!

Thanks to Ste. Anne’s Spa, one of my lucky GTA readers will win a day package for 2 ($700 value)! The package includes:

  • Full day at the spa
  • $120 in spa allowance each
  • 3 course lunch each
  • afternoon tea each
  • round trip train transportation from union station
  • full use of the facilities

 

 Disclosure: I received my train ticket and day at the spa in exchange for my honest review. As always my opinions are my own. 

Comments

  1. sschool2010 says:

    The EARTH STONE FACIAL sounds awesome!

  2. I’m exhausted all the time so the DETOXIFY sounds like what I need.

  3. Paula Coop says:

    Contouring mud and stone wrap. Sounds, blissful!

  4. Darlene Schuller says:

    Relax & Rejeuvenate! That aroma stone massage sounds gooooood!!

  5. danielle says:

    This sounds to die for!! Glad you had a great time!

  6. Joanna Salit says:

    Love st Anne’s!

  7. Maryam says:

    The massage

  8. Andrea Traynor says:

    The last time I had a spa day was at Ste Amne’s when I was pregnant with my now-5 year old!!it was such an awesome day. Five years later, I really need to do it again.

  9. Lori Jackson says:

    relax and rejeuvenate..after this brutal winter!

  10. Zohara says:

    Sounds like an amazing day! The aroma stone massage sounds perfect!

  11. Debbie says:

    Relax and rejuvenate!

  12. sam says:

    the massage!

  13. Doris H says:

    Detoxify is a service is love to try.

  14. Nici shipway says:

    Aromas stone massage would be so amazing for this mama!

  15. Maya Fitz says:

    Aroma stone massage. Lucky girl

  16. razia says:

    Aroma Stone Massage

  17. Shauna Lynn says:

    So want to visit this spa

  18. jg says:

    Definitely Detoxify!

  19. Teri says:

    Heard such wonderful things and would love to go there soon!

  20. Massage!!!

  21. Jaime Perlstein says:

    Signature facial sounds soooo nice!

  22. Jaime Perlstein says:

    I’ve heard st Anne’s is fantastic

  23. Robyn Pollack says:

    Dying!! Take me there now!

  24. Shoshie Klein says:

    The Hot Stone Aromatherapy Massage

  25. John Ganev says:

    Ganev needs a massage

  26. Rochelle says:

    The deep tissue massage sounds so relaxing!

  27. mara says:

    Mud Bath!!

  28. Sivanne Detsky says:

    Signature facial!

  29. Tara Lupa says:

    I’ll take what I can get for any break.

  30. Jenn says:

    UM ALL OF THEM!! I like the Relax and rejuvenation package.

  31. Kayla barda says:

    The Skin Nourishing Treatment sounds amazing, it all does!

  32. Monique L.S. says:

    The Coconut Breeze treatment sounds wonderful.

  33. Crista Hunt says:

    Oh my! Reading this makes me want to go to Ste Annes right now! I’d love an aroma massage and coconut breeze treatment!

  34. Nancy says:

    Body synchronization sounds wonderful.

  35. Deep Tissue Massage

  36. BlessedTA says:

    Relax & Rejeuvenate

  37. May says:

    The SEAWEED BODY MASQUE sounds great!

  38. Janet Butler says:

    Citrus sun!

  39. The hot stone massage interests me the most.

  40. namastekala says:

    Eucalyptus body wrap sounds yummy!

  41. bailey says:

    Dying for a spa day!! This blog post made me envious 😉

  42. laura m says:

    The massage, any massage! 🙂

  43. Rebecca says:

    I could use an Aroma stone massage about now!

  44. Victoria Ess says:

    The extremity reflexology sounds blissful!

  45. The Pure Aroma massage sounds exactly like what I need!

  46. sarah sar says:

    I really want to try the Aroma Stone Massage!

  47. Michelle Rabie says:

    Being picked up from the train with a sign makes me feel special. Is that weird?

  48. aneta alaei says:

    Aroma stone massage for me

  49. Maggie K. says:

    The lymphatic drainage sounds interesting.

  50. Lucy says:

    The deep tissue massage sounds great!

  51. Mmm, the Chakra balancing massage sounds like something I could use right about now!

  52. Messodie says:

    The pregnancy massage sounds amazing!!!

  53. Rebecca says:

    Detoxify!

  54. Chrissy Levy says:

    I am very much in need of a relaxing massage!

  55. Tired Mom says:

    Everything looks great!

  56. Christina says:

    The Deep tissue massage sounds amazing!!!

  57. jessica s says:

    CONTOURING MUD STONE WRAP looks amazing!

  58. A massage – any massage!

  59. wobbles13 says:

    Aroma stone massag

  60. Ste. Anne’s Signature Facial sounds amazing.

  61. SUMMER PLEWES says:

    I would love a chakra balancing massage!

  62. Cathy C says:

    I want a massage! Any kind for as long as possible! LOL

  63. Robyn B. says:

    The aroma stone massage sounds amazing, I would love to try it.

  64. Francine says:

    The CHOCOLATE SPABERRY SUNSET sounds neat!

  65. VS says:

    I’d love to have the AROMA STONE MASSAGE!

  66. Lisa Neutel says:

    It all sounds great, the signature facial might be one for me

  67. loucheryl says:

    I would love the Relax and Rejuvenate treatment!

  68. Renee LeBlanc says:

    I would definitely be signing up for the contouring mud and stone wrap! It sounds like the type of R&R this mom has been looking for!!!

  69. Renee LeBlanc says:

    I would love any of their treatments they all sounds amaaaazing!!!

  70. Relax and Rejuvenate! Oh, does that ever sound like what I need right now!

  71. Donna says:

    I’ve been….it is as wonderful as they say and I am overdue for a Swedish Massage!

  72. Andrea Ball says:

    A day to myself sounds… almost surreal! I was looking at my toes this morning and realized that I haven’t been for a pedicure since I was 8 months pregnant! My daughter is now 18 months! Would love a day to myself to recharge! The Healing Bundle sounds amazing then a Foot Therapy Treatment to top it off! Sounds like heaven!

  73. Nancy T says:

    I would love the Relax & Rejuvenate bundle! 🙂

  74. Keri Tischart says:

    LOVE this spa. 2 kids under 4 + working full time = need a day of relaxing!

  75. Keri Tischart says:

    I would love to have the aroma stone massage!

  76. Nancy T says:
  77. Rachel L. says:

    The mud bath interests me most.

  78. Patricia J says:

    What a lovely write-up! I could almost feel the stress melt away as I read. Everything sounds lovely – from food to services to surroundings. Take me away……….

  79. Julia Behm says:

    Couples treatment sounds amazing, and my husband deserves some special rewards for all the hard work he does to take care of our family! I would love to treat him!

  80. Lisa Spodek says:

    I know what you mean – 2 minute showers aren’t exactly the way to go when trying to groom. Its amazing that I even get that in the mornings!

  81. Armaine Shepherd says:

    The skin illumination facial sounds amazing!

  82. What a heavenly day. I hope to take mys sister there this summer to help her celebrate her 40th bday we haven’t celebrated her birthday in the same province since she was 30!

  83. Linda says:

    I would love a spa day – so stressed – I’m opening to trying any and all treatments to help melt it all away

  84. Becky Nickle says:

    Amazing place!!!!

  85. Jordanna says:

    Aroma stone massage please!

  86. Michelle says:

    The Skin Nourishment Illumination Facial says it calms and plumps tired skin and stressed skin – I definitely need that!!

  87. Joan says:

    Relax, Rest, Rejuvinate, that is what St. Anne’s Spa is all about!!

  88. Hollie says:

    Coconut Breeze and Aroma Stone Massage

  89. Marina says:

    A relaxing Swedish massage sounds perfect! Although id like to be adventurous and try a citrus sun treatment.

  90. Jenny says:

    would love a chance like this

  91. Shameela Shakeel says:

    The last time I was at St. Anne’s Spa was 4 years ago when I was pregnant with my 4th child! I was there with a group of friends and we thoroughly enjoyed our treatments, the wonderful pools, the steam room, delicious lunch and yoga session! I would love to return for the Coconut Breeze treatment.

  92. Swrightpal says:

    I just came back from a mother,’s day weekend with my husband and two grown “children” – we were all thankful for the amazing spa experience and great food and accommodations. Got an email from my 23 year old thanking me!

  93. cheryl says:

    Dextoxify…for sure!

  94. Sybil says:

    OMG the Coconut Breeze. My fave scent, so great! Reminds me of being on a tropical beach.

  95. Jana says:

    The anti aging facial sounds great !

  96. Samantha Feldman says:

    Would love a massage about now!!

  97. shoshana kein says:

    Would live the Thai massage

  98. karinespace says:

    The deep tissue massage!

  99. Julie says:

    Interests me the most? The full day away from the toddler chaos (and the deep tissue massage)!!

  100. HeatherR says:

    Sounds like you had a really relaxing time Renee. I love their Hot Stone massage.

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