Wander The Spa, the first-ever lakefront Nordic spa in Ontario, is officially open.
A place for intention and restoration, disconnect to reconnect in the tranquility of a 10,000 square foot thermotherapy circuit, nestled among the tall grasses of Wander The Resort on West Lake in Prince Edward County (15841 Loyalist Pkwy, Bloomfield). Passes start at $95 and bookings are now open.
Since opening in 2021, Wander has received international acclaim as one of the top travel and design destinations in the country. The addition of the nordic spa culminates an experience of peace and connection for locals and overnight guests alike, as one of the few in the province to offer onsite accommodations.
“Wander The Spa was built to give our guests what we all desperately need, a place to disconnect and reconnect. Somewhere to experience time standing still for a moment, designed to be an oasis of intention and restoration,” said Shannon Hunter, owner, Wander The Resort. “Opening the first-ever lakefront Nordic spa in Ontario has been years in the making and, together with our award-winning restaurant Gather, culminates the Wander experience of peace and connection.”
Relax and retreat
Begin with a hot session (over 100 F) in the 32-seat sauna (dry heat, beneficial for detoxification and improved circulation), steam room (moist heat, beneficial for opening pores and soothing muscles), or hot soak pool (ideal for easing muscle tension).
Next to the steam room, visit the scrub area to exfoliate and refresh your skin before quickly cooling down with a 1 to 3 minute cold plunge (50 F) to invigorate the senses and enhance circulation. Rest in the sunken fireside lounge or the Terrace lounge overlooking the spa, with views of sparkling West Lake.
An equally restorative experience, skip the full circuit to spend more time unwinding in any of the amenities, which also include two warm soak pools (98 F); and the temperate dip pool (temperature adjusted to the season), where guests are soothed by the sounds and views of two waterfalls and multiple fireplaces year-round.
Whisper Beach on West Lake offers 200 feet of waterfront exclusively to spa guests for a natural cold plunge experience, with two more intimate saunas and cozy Hygge Huts nearby.
Laidback luxury lives here
Wander’s acclaimed attention to detail continues in the spa and here the laidback luxury transitions to an oasis of serenity. Curved interior walls and domed ceilings are hand parged in parchment-toned microcement and highlighted by soft indirect lighting, reminiscent of candlelit hallways. This textural subtlety is juxtapositioned against the clean and simple lines of white oak millwork and black iron hardware.
Finishing touches such as arched doors featuring black pane glass, custom backlit LED mirrors, acoustic panelled ceilings in Treatment rooms, and integrated speakers throughout encourage contemplation and reverie.
Natural materials are carried outside where cedar establishes warmth and intimacy in The Cove, the spacious subterranean pool deck that provides a protected all-season experience. Here, natural Baltic Ivy-covered concrete is the backdrop to renewal, and guests can disappear among the 10’ by 10’ waterfall, or reconnect around one of three fires.
Ascend the floating concrete staircase to the Terrace Lounge or venture inside the Clubhouse for access to The Market, where the signature Wander x Sunday’s Company spa scent, with notes of eucalyptus and wild spruce, is available to take home as a diffuser, a candle or as Wander’s new line of body products. Enjoy the resort’s award-winning culinary offerings at Gather, where Chef Justin Tse’s balanced menu takes cues from the seasons and highlights the flavours of the County, marrying global influences with locally-sourced ingredients.
With two private treatment rooms, Wander The Spa is launching with Reiki, an ancient Japanese method of healing that uses light to touch to channel energy into the body; as well as a Relaxation Massage that aims to restore balance, using gliding strokes of varying pressure to stimulate circulation, to smooth tight muscles and reduce stress. Wellness practitioners will also offer daily Aufguss sauna rituals, infusing essential oils, heat, steam, and sound for a 10-minute multisensory experience.
Wander The Spa is open daily and is also available for private bookings. Visit wanderthespa.com for more information.
