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.
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!
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.
The EARTH STONE FACIAL sounds awesome!
I’m exhausted all the time so the DETOXIFY sounds like what I need.
Contouring mud and stone wrap. Sounds, blissful!
Relax & Rejeuvenate! That aroma stone massage sounds gooooood!!
This sounds to die for!! Glad you had a great time!
Love st Anne’s!
The massage
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.
relax and rejeuvenate..after this brutal winter!
Definitely! This winter has made everyone deserve a little pampering!
Sounds like an amazing day! The aroma stone massage sounds perfect!
Relax and rejuvenate!
the massage!
Detoxify is a service is love to try.
Aromas stone massage would be so amazing for this mama!
Aroma stone massage. Lucky girl
Aroma Stone Massage
So want to visit this spa
Definitely Detoxify!
Heard such wonderful things and would love to go there soon!
Massage!!!
Signature facial sounds soooo nice!
I’ve heard st Anne’s is fantastic
Dying!! Take me there now!
The Hot Stone Aromatherapy Massage
Ganev needs a massage
The deep tissue massage sounds so relaxing!
Mud Bath!!
Signature facial!
I’ll take what I can get for any break.
UM ALL OF THEM!! I like the Relax and rejuvenation package.
The Skin Nourishing Treatment sounds amazing, it all does!
The Coconut Breeze treatment sounds wonderful.
Oh my! Reading this makes me want to go to Ste Annes right now! I’d love an aroma massage and coconut breeze treatment!
Body synchronization sounds wonderful.
Deep Tissue Massage
Relax & Rejeuvenate
The SEAWEED BODY MASQUE sounds great!
Citrus sun!
The hot stone massage interests me the most.
Eucalyptus body wrap sounds yummy!
Dying for a spa day!! This blog post made me envious 😉
i forgot to add that i am in need of a massage and facial!!
The massage, any massage! 🙂
I could use an Aroma stone massage about now!
The extremity reflexology sounds blissful!
The Pure Aroma massage sounds exactly like what I need!
I really want to try the Aroma Stone Massage!
Being picked up from the train with a sign makes me feel special. Is that weird?
Aroma stone massage for me
The lymphatic drainage sounds interesting.
The deep tissue massage sounds great!
Mmm, the Chakra balancing massage sounds like something I could use right about now!
The pregnancy massage sounds amazing!!!
Detoxify!
I am very much in need of a relaxing massage!
Everything looks great!
The Deep tissue massage sounds amazing!!!
CONTOURING MUD STONE WRAP looks amazing!
A massage – any massage!
Aroma stone massag
Ste. Anne’s Signature Facial sounds amazing.
I would love a chakra balancing massage!
I want a massage! Any kind for as long as possible! LOL
The aroma stone massage sounds amazing, I would love to try it.
The CHOCOLATE SPABERRY SUNSET sounds neat!
I’d love to have the AROMA STONE MASSAGE!
It all sounds great, the signature facial might be one for me
I would love the Relax and Rejuvenate treatment!
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!!!
I would love any of their treatments they all sounds amaaaazing!!!
Relax and Rejuvenate! Oh, does that ever sound like what I need right now!
I’ve been….it is as wonderful as they say and I am overdue for a Swedish Massage!
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!
I would love the Relax & Rejuvenate bundle! 🙂
LOVE this spa. 2 kids under 4 + working full time = need a day of relaxing!
I would love to have the aroma stone massage!
I commented on this post!
http://mysocalledmommylife.com/2-year-blogiversary/#comment-18555
The mud bath interests me most.
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……….
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!
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!
The skin illumination facial sounds amazing!
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!
I would love a spa day – so stressed – I’m opening to trying any and all treatments to help melt it all away
Amazing place!!!!
Aroma stone massage please!
The Skin Nourishment Illumination Facial says it calms and plumps tired skin and stressed skin – I definitely need that!!
Relax, Rest, Rejuvinate, that is what St. Anne’s Spa is all about!!
Coconut Breeze and Aroma Stone Massage
A relaxing Swedish massage sounds perfect! Although id like to be adventurous and try a citrus sun treatment.
would love a chance like this
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.
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!
Dextoxify…for sure!
OMG the Coconut Breeze. My fave scent, so great! Reminds me of being on a tropical beach.
The anti aging facial sounds great !
Would love a massage about now!!
Would live the Thai massage
The deep tissue massage!
Interests me the most? The full day away from the toddler chaos (and the deep tissue massage)!!
Sounds like you had a really relaxing time Renee. I love their Hot Stone massage.