Fall is here and it looks like we’re going to have grey days on a regular basis. But have no fear because there a secret little place you can go to in order to revitalize yourself. Scandinave Les Bains, in lovely Old Montreal!

It was designed by Gilles Saucier and André Perrotte of Saucier + Perrotte, an award-winning architectural powerhouse.

The 1200sp spa is set in an open space of glass, marble, slate and limestone. Mood lighting creates a chic and contemporary feel, quite different from the old traditional Scandinavian baths.

I booked a swedish massage package @ $118 , which included access to the baths ($48 / 3hr.)

After a shower I waited, along with others, for our masseurs to arrive. An entire team of masseurs, all dressed in white, came and get us. My masseur, Sebastien, introduced himself and then took me to a room for a consultation on how I would like my massage.

Sebastien is a registered massage therapist. He was able work out all of my knots and I almost fell asleep while he was doing this. Truly the sign of a good masseur! Make sure to bring some tip money with you since your clothes and personal belongings will be in your locker.

After a relaxing massage, I quickly shower and went to the juice bar. Lounge and relax on the beanie chair with my smoothie for some quiet time and contemplating.

The hot tub is beautiful, with water cascading down from 3 walls. You can sit under the waterfall and let the water take away all the pressure on your shoulders. Afterwards, you can lay back in the corner-area where massaging jets will shoot water on your back.

Helpful hints for when you go:

• don’t stay in the sauna/steam bath/hot tub for more than 20min.
• after the hot treatment go into the ice cold bath for as long as you can handle the cold. You will feel very invigorated.
• try the jet massage at the corner in the hot bath
• better value to buy a massage package
• money for tip
• bring sandals and bathrobe or rent one (it’s worth the $12 to rent.) it’s totally comfy to walk around and lounge in your bathrobe in the quiet room, where you can sit and be with your thoughts or even sleep
• make sure you try the beanie chair near the juice bar; you won’t want to get up after you lay back on it!

spa website:  www.scandinavemontreal.com

“Occupying the ground floor of a restored former warehouse, Scandinave Les Bains Vieux-Montréal’s setting is less intimate than the rural settings of the first two Scandinave spas. The first corporate spa opened in 1999 in the log-and-stone cabin country of Mont Tremblant’s ski hills in Quebec, and the first franchise opened in 2006 in the Blue Mountain ski hills of Collingwood, Ontario.” the cool hunter

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