Snowy Scenes and A Soothing Spa By Andrew Hind
100 Fountain Spa at Pillar and Post
Winter brings its own unique joys. If you find the right setting — that beautiful, natural spot where snow mounds up like fluffy pillows or quaint historic communities where snow drapes from heritage buildings like Christmas garland — there is no season more beautiful. Places like these are where you’ll be inspired to get out and play in the fresh air and to experience all the adventure that winter affords. No place fits that description better than the Pillar and Post in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Let’s face it. Winter’s cold can be numbing, wind can be biting, and daily stress builds as snow grinds traffic to a halt. Winter can be hard on your body and your nerves. Solution? Head to a spa! There is none better than 100 Fountain Spa at Pillar and Post to retreat from the cold and shake off the winter doldrums. When flurries fall and the thermometer dips, this is where you’ll want to go for a memorable escape and revitalizing care. Long, cold winters can make you feel lethargic, stressed and chilled to the bone. According to Vanessa Tierney, Director of Spa Operations for Vintage Hotels — which includes 100 Fountain Spa and its sister, Secret Gardens Spa at Prince of Wales Hotel — one of the most effective ways to remove the deep chill of winter is to warm your muscles and relax your mind with a therapeutic massage. “Our Vintage Stones Massage treatment is so popular in the winter months,” she explains. “The basalt stones are heated and the massage therapist massages with the stones. The heat harnessed in the stones automatically relaxes muscles and melts away tension.” Winter is also rough on our skin. Got cracked, dry skin? 100 Fountain Spa has you covered with a range of facials and body wraps. “These super hydrating treatments offer a double exfoliation. Our facials include an enzyme peel and a granular exfoliation to gently work away dead skin cells,” Tierney explains. “In our body treatments,” she continues, “we offer a sea salt scrub followed by a sugar scrub to slough away any dry skin, allowing the warm oils, mud pack, creams and butters to absorb deep into the skin. The firm and hydrate body wrap is my personal favorite. The results last for weeks.” For a more social spa experience, bring your girlfriends and enjoy the comfort of the open twelve-person nail salon. Caring for your hands in winter is important, as the cold can lead to dry, cracked skin and cuticles. Consider adding a paraffin wax treatment to your next manicure or pedicure. Paraffin not only hydrates skin but also increases circulation.
Secret Gardens Spa at Prince of Wales Hotel
Just because you’ve reluctantly said goodbye to the Pillar and Post doesn’t mean the pampering has to end. Bring the 100 Fountain Spa home after your respite has come to an end with winter essentials purchased on-site and with invaluable advice for continued winter well-being. If Tierney could offer one tip to take home with you, it’s to exfoliate frequently. “We should be exfoliating both the face and body once a week. Winter can do a number on the skin with cold outdoor temperatures and indoor heating systems, both of which are very drying for the skin. As a result, we recommend exfoliating 2-3 times per week in colder months.” Mandarin oranges are a true sign of the holidays, but they also serve as a reminder for us not to forget about the benefits of Vitamin C for the skin. Make sure your diet is rich in Vitamin C, or purchase Vitamin C supplements. And don’t overlook the benefits of indulging in a luxuriant bath with Epsom salts and essential oils. It’s the ideal way to relieve tired muscles. Lips can also get cracked and very dry during the winter when they are exposed to cold air, so be sure to use a lip moisturizer when outdoors. Additionally, Tierney urges us to stay hydrated with plenty of water or our favourite herbal tea, and to protect our fragile skin. “Many people switch to more rich creams in the winter to give the skin extra comfort and protection,” she explains, “And remember to still wear your SPF because the sun is strong even when it’s not warm.” It’s also a good idea to avoid staying too close to the heater since the hot air can dehydrate your skin. The staff at 100 Fountain Spa can help you select all the winter essentials so you can bring the spa home with you after your respite has come to an end. Winter is a beautiful time of the year but it can also be harsh. We need to pay extra attention to our bodies to protect ourselves from the ravages of the cold and wind, and to rejuvenate from the stress of winter driving and the holidays. We all need pampering at a spa! Choose 100 Fountain Spa in Christmas Card-perfect Niagara-on-the-Lake. You will have no regrets! TODAYMAGAZINE.CA 75
