Although Vancouver, BC is a three-hour drive from my home in Washington state, I venture up there every six weeks or so for hair care at Ian Daburn Salon and to indulge in one of my favorite day spas. Here are my top ten day spas (listed alphabetically) in the vibrant Canadian city of Vancouver. Divine, indeed!
1. Absolute Spa
Absolute Spa has two downtown locations: Century Plaza Hotel at 1015 Burrard St. and the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver at 900 W. Georgia St. Call 604-248-2772 for appointments at both. The spa at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver is Vancouver’s “first spa for men,” and features a 75-minute Gentleman’s Facial ($125 CDN). But the spa is women friendly, too.
2. EvelineCharles Spa and Salon
EvelineCharles Spa and Salon, 1495 W. 11th, 604-678-566. This is a sleekly whitewashed second story haven located in the shopping-friendly South Granville Rise area. Get down and dirty with the Mud Slide ($245 CDN), a soothing treatment that includes a mud bath, mud wrap, massage and moisturizer. Mmmm!
3. Miraj Hammam Spa
Miraj Hammam Spa, 1495 W. 6th, 604-733-5151. Middle Eastern treatments are featured here, including the Hammam and Gommage, an exotic steam and exfoliation process, followed by a 30-minute massage ($125 CDN). Luxuriate afterwards In the Sultana Lounge with tea and sweet cakes.
4. Breathe Spa
Breathe Spa, 325 Howe St., Suite 501, 604-688-4769. This sanctuary is tucked away in the fifth floor of the Pacific Coast Building in the heart of the city. Indulge in the “Out of This World” package ($215 CDN) that includes a two-hour Breathe Facial followed by a two-hour Hot Stone Therapy Massage.
5. Skoah
Skoah, 1011 Hamilton Street, 604-642-0200. This is the spot to get the skinny on skin. Featuring its own product lines, the small menu of facials includes everything from a “quickie facial” ($30 CDN) to the more intense “face, peepers and pout” treatment ($100 CDN). Located in trendy Yaletown and just a few flip-flops away from the Opus Hotel, by far the hippest hotel in the ‘hood.
6. SpaEthos
SpaEthos, 2200 West 4th, 604-733-5007. In the kicky Kitsilano area of Vancouver is SpaEthos, housed in a former Bank of Montreal building. The 75-minute Warm Stone Thermotherapy Massage ($145 CDN) is heavenly. Take a steam before your treatment and afterwards relax in the Intention Room with a cup of tea by the fire.
7. Spa Utopia & Salon
Spa Utopia & Salon, Pan Pacific Hotel, 999 Canada Place, 604-641-1351. The “VIP Suite Romance” package ($846 CDN) includes treatments for two in your own spa suite with private changing room, heated floors, fireplace and waterfall shower. You’ll enjoy 30 minutes in a jetted tub, 60-minute massages, luxurious facials and beverages and fruit. You even get to take your robes home!
8. Spruce Body Lab
Spruce Body Lab, 1128 Richards St., 604-683-3220. This is one cool and sleek spa, featuring white Corbusier chairs in the waiting room and staff sporting lab coats. The skin and body care menu includes massages, reflexology, facials, waxing, microdermabrasion, botox and acupuncture. A 60-minute massage is $85 CDN.
9. Vida Wellness Spa
Vida Wellness Spa, Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre Hotel, 1088 Burrard St. and Sutton Place Hotel, 845 Burrard St. 604.682.8432 for appointments at both. Indulge yourself for two hours with the Ayurvedic Swedana ($220 CDN) that includes a massage, relaxation in a handcrafted West Coast cedar cabinet and a dry flour exfoliation.
10. Spa at the Wedgewood Hotel
Spa at the Wedgewood Hotel, 845 Horby Street, 604-608-5340. This jewel box of a spa is diminuitive yet elegant. Featuring classic body and facial treatments and the Epicuren Discovery skin product line. Combine the Chai Soy Anti-Stress Back Treatment ($140 CDN) with the Wedgewood Classic Facial ($120 CDN). Then enjoy afternoon tea at the hotel’s lovely Bacchus restaurant and lounge.
1. Absolute Spa
Absolute Spa has two downtown locations: Century Plaza Hotel at 1015 Burrard St. and the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver at 900 W. Georgia St. Call 604-248-2772 for appointments at both. The spa at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver is Vancouver’s “first spa for men,” and features a 75-minute Gentleman’s Facial ($125 CDN). But the spa is women friendly, too.
2. EvelineCharles Spa and Salon
EvelineCharles Spa and Salon, 1495 W. 11th, 604-678-566. This is a sleekly whitewashed second story haven located in the shopping-friendly South Granville Rise area. Get down and dirty with the Mud Slide ($245 CDN), a soothing treatment that includes a mud bath, mud wrap, massage and moisturizer. Mmmm!
3. Miraj Hammam Spa
Miraj Hammam Spa, 1495 W. 6th, 604-733-5151. Middle Eastern treatments are featured here, including the Hammam and Gommage, an exotic steam and exfoliation process, followed by a 30-minute massage ($125 CDN). Luxuriate afterwards In the Sultana Lounge with tea and sweet cakes.
4. Breathe Spa
Breathe Spa, 325 Howe St., Suite 501, 604-688-4769. This sanctuary is tucked away in the fifth floor of the Pacific Coast Building in the heart of the city. Indulge in the “Out of This World” package ($215 CDN) that includes a two-hour Breathe Facial followed by a two-hour Hot Stone Therapy Massage.
5. Skoah
Skoah, 1011 Hamilton Street, 604-642-0200. This is the spot to get the skinny on skin. Featuring its own product lines, the small menu of facials includes everything from a “quickie facial” ($30 CDN) to the more intense “face, peepers and pout” treatment ($100 CDN). Located in trendy Yaletown and just a few flip-flops away from the Opus Hotel, by far the hippest hotel in the ‘hood.
6. SpaEthos
SpaEthos, 2200 West 4th, 604-733-5007. In the kicky Kitsilano area of Vancouver is SpaEthos, housed in a former Bank of Montreal building. The 75-minute Warm Stone Thermotherapy Massage ($145 CDN) is heavenly. Take a steam before your treatment and afterwards relax in the Intention Room with a cup of tea by the fire.
7. Spa Utopia & Salon
Spa Utopia & Salon, Pan Pacific Hotel, 999 Canada Place, 604-641-1351. The “VIP Suite Romance” package ($846 CDN) includes treatments for two in your own spa suite with private changing room, heated floors, fireplace and waterfall shower. You’ll enjoy 30 minutes in a jetted tub, 60-minute massages, luxurious facials and beverages and fruit. You even get to take your robes home!
8. Spruce Body Lab
Spruce Body Lab, 1128 Richards St., 604-683-3220. This is one cool and sleek spa, featuring white Corbusier chairs in the waiting room and staff sporting lab coats. The skin and body care menu includes massages, reflexology, facials, waxing, microdermabrasion, botox and acupuncture. A 60-minute massage is $85 CDN.
9. Vida Wellness Spa
Vida Wellness Spa, Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre Hotel, 1088 Burrard St. and Sutton Place Hotel, 845 Burrard St. 604.682.8432 for appointments at both. Indulge yourself for two hours with the Ayurvedic Swedana ($220 CDN) that includes a massage, relaxation in a handcrafted West Coast cedar cabinet and a dry flour exfoliation.
10. Spa at the Wedgewood Hotel
Spa at the Wedgewood Hotel, 845 Horby Street, 604-608-5340. This jewel box of a spa is diminuitive yet elegant. Featuring classic body and facial treatments and the Epicuren Discovery skin product line. Combine the Chai Soy Anti-Stress Back Treatment ($140 CDN) with the Wedgewood Classic Facial ($120 CDN). Then enjoy afternoon tea at the hotel’s lovely Bacchus restaurant and lounge.
English to Chinese BETA
English to French
English to German
English to Italian
English to Japanese BETA
English to Korean BETA
English to Russian BETA 
English to Spanish
