Thermëa Spa Village: The ultimate wine and wellness experience

May 10, 2023

Shannon Mastaler shares her recent experience at Thermëa Spa Village Whitby – a place that combines wellness with gourmet farm-to-table dining, wine and specialty cocktails, all creating the ultimate spa experience

Welcome to VINE AND WELLNESS – A Special VineRoutes Editorial Series exploring select spas and retreats that have mastered the unique art of combining wine with wellness, resulting in a luxury food, wine and spa experience.

A glass of cool, crisp riesling. The warm sun glistening off the hot pool. A toasty sauna with scents of lavender and eucalyptus. A crackling fire with a favourite book. An exquisite dinner with the perfectly paired wine in a captivating restaurant at the end of a relaxing day. Welcome to Thermëa Spa Village Whitby, where the art of combining gourmet cuisine, wine and wellness is blended to perfection.

Chosen as a first stop in our newest series, Vine and Wellness, is the newest spa in the Nordik family’s roster of luxury destination spas – Thermëa Spa Village Whitby. This little hideaway tucked conveniently off the highway in Whitby, Ontario, is set in a forested area and is home to the widest selection of experiences dedicated to the wellbeing of body and mind in North America.

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As their website states: “For those who dream of being somewhere else, Thermëa Spa Village is a wellness haven.” And it really is. But, it also offers something pretty unique (even for a luxury spa) – three gourmet farm-to-table restaurants with delicious menus curated by Executive Chef Melissa Ross, a beautifully designed wine list, and sensational cocktails.

Spa experience

Thermëa offers spa guests various massage therapy options, body treatments and of course, the Thermal Experience. If the Thermal Experience is new to you, it is a 2,000 year-old Nordic tradition, an alternation between hot and cold followed by rest. It has been shown to improve sleep, physical and mental health and accelerate recovery among countless other health benefits. It’s a sacred experience that is deeply personal and leaves one feeling truly refreshed.

At Thermëa you’ll discover countless saunas, firepits with cosy spots to nap or read, hammocks for rest, hot pools with glorious waterfalls, lovely views of the forest, and cold plunge pools for the brave. A favourite and must-try experience at Thermëa is The Aufguss Ritual, an ancient German sauna experience that heightens the effects by using water enriched with natural essential oils. When the infused water and snow are poured onto the heated stones of a sauna, a burst of vapour with health-enhancing properties is released. The artisan performing the ritual creates a soft breeze using entrancing towel-waving choreographed movements to move the essential oil scent and hot air throughout the sauna. Every Aufguss is incredibly unique and offers opportunity for deep meditation and relaxation. Scents, sounds, atmosphere, length, spirit, and choreography can all vary greatly—it’s aways different, and always a one-of-a-kind experience that is truly memorable and invigorating.

Dining experience

At Thermëa, the theme of wellness and luxury is carried through right into the dining establishments. An integral part of the whole spa experience, the culinary journey here is exceptional and provides healthy, gourmet cuisine. The Village offers three restaurants: Le Resto (an upscale, candlelit environment with a robust wine list and beautifully designed menu), The Lounge (a casual place to sit and relax on big couches, fireside, and be treated to casual fare and a tremendous cocktail list) and the Biergarten (the outdoor, backyard-style gathering place).

The food and wine experience at Thermea Spa Village goes above and beyond what one might expect to find at a spa retreat.

“Our food is fresh, healthy, and delicious. There is a care and feeling that our team puts into our dishes. I believe our passion is reflected in not only the taste but the presentation,” says Executive Chef Melissa Ross.

The cocktail list at The Lounge rivals any high-end lobby bar in Toronto. With both elevated classics and new, innovative drink creations including the Halo Paloma, Smoky Maple Caesar, Elderflower Collins and the Strawberry Gin Smash, each cocktail is designed to be both visually striking as well as perfectly crafted. The food is delicious. Fresh, elevated and the perfect afternoon bite between wellness experiences. The menu features cheese boards, a wild salmon poke bowl, a honey ginger stir-fry, grilled peach and arugula salad and more.

“Offering a luxury dining experience helps compliment a day full of pampering, wellness, and relaxation.” – Melissa Ross, Executive Chef

Le Resto is nothing like what one would expect at a spa restaurant. It’s as beautifully designed as any luxury fine dining establishment. In fact, if it weren’t for being in robes and sandals, you would never know you’re inside a spa. Its cosy and warm, and candlelit with an exceptional menu featuring items like Canadian Coastal Bouillabaisse, Wild Boar Ragout, and Citrus Rubbed Ontario Pickerel.

The wine list is robust and crafted expertly to include local Ontario wines that complement the local fare, (Chef Ross likes the Rosehall Run Pixie Sparkling Rose), as well as some stand-out imported wines. It’s a true gastronomical experience, a restaurant that could certainly stand alone.

The Lounge is a casual place to sit and relax fireside and be treated to casual fare and a tremendous cocktail list.

“Our guests are coming to escape their every day stresses. Offering a luxury dining experience helps compliment a day full of pampering, wellness, and relaxation,” explains Ross. “It’s being able to experience both a day to yourself to relax and unwind, as well as a fabulous meal out. It’s about elevating the entire experience at Thermëa.”

It’s clear that Thermëa’s restaurants are not simply an add-on to the spa experience. They are a destination all in themselves, and combining them with the stunning grounds and exceptional wellness options has truly created the ultimate in luxury spa experiences.

Learn more about the Vine and Wellness experience at Thermea at www.thermea.com/whitby.