Olivia TaylorDon’t get us wrong, the Ottawa winter turns the city into a beautiful and magical wonderland, but sometimes, the extreme cold can be overwhelming. If you want to escape this chilling weather and treat your body to pure relaxation, then a trip to the sauna should be on your itinerary!
Luckily, you’ve come to the right place! Listed below are some of our favourite saunas in Ottawa that are worth checking out. A visit to these spots will warm your body and soul, and most importantly relieve your stress, so keep on reading!
Uppliva Sauna and Steam
Website: https://uppliva.ca
Address: 1140 Wellington St. W Suite C100, Ottawa, ON K1Y 4H4, Canada
Contact details: +1 613-421-3880
Operating hours:
- Wednesday to Friday: 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM
- Weekends: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- Monday and Tuesday: Closed
Cost: $$
Upplva Sauna and Steam offers a Nordic experience where you’ll be treated to both hot and cold temperatures. The treatment begins in their world-class sauna where you can relax in silence while enjoying a nice warm steam scented with fragrant essential oils.
Afterwards, you can either choose to plunge into an ice-cold pool or enjoy a cooling rain shower. This technique is said to have been practised by the Scandinavians for centuries, and it aims to relieve stress and relax the different muscles of the body.
The place itself is quite nice too, as it features a fancy lounge where guests can gather around in their waffle robes while mingling and drinking unlimited herbal tea—pretty cool! Also, the spa limits the number of guests to 15 at any given time to maintain peace and harmony.
| Pro tip: If you’re looking to be in tip-top shape after being overwhelmed by stress for quite some time, you should opt for their UPPLIFT Package. This package includes a hot stone massage on top of the sauna and steam experience for added relaxation. |
TEAL Wellness Ottawa
Website: https://www.tealwellness.com
Address: 570 Montréal Rd, Ottawa, ON K1K 0T9, Canada
Contact details: +1 613-745-3418
Operating hours:
- Tuesday to Friday: 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM
- Saturday: 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
- Sunday and Monday: Closed
Cost: $$
TEAL Wellness Ottawa offers their sauna in a different way wherein they offer it along with a body massage. Furthermore, they offer a different kind of sauna, an infrared sauna, where instead of using air to humidify the room, they use strong light to generate high temperatures.
They claim that infrared saunas can provide the same benefits as regular saunas but at a lower temperature, as the light is able to heat the body directly. The aforementioned benefits of this treatment include detoxification, healing, muscle relief, improved blood circulation and more.
As for the massages offered alongside this sauna, guests can choose from either registered, therapeutic or Thai Yogic. They also offer something called Mu Xing Therapy, which uses a myriad of tools made from bamboo to use for deep tissue massaging.
| Pro tip: Regularly check the promotions page on their official website to be updated with the latest offers and discounts! |
Nordik Spa-Nature – Chelsea
Website: https://chelsea.lenordik.com
Address: 16 Chem. Nordik, Chelsea, QC J9B 2P7, Canada
Contact details: +1 819-827-1111
Operating hours:
- Monday to Thursday: 9:00 AM to 11:00 PM
- Friday and Saturday: 8:30 AM to 12:00 AM
- Sunday: 8:30 AM to 11:00 PM
Cost: $$$
Nordik Spa-Nature offers a complete retreat experience for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of Ottawa. It’s only a quick drive from the capital, but it’s well worth it because of its world-class facilities and services.
Their sauna experience is quite unique compared to other hotels and spas, as it’s more of a ritual than your regular treatment. The ritual starts with the sound of a gong, which signifies that the guests should start heading to the sauna.
From there, you can relax and enjoy the heat slowly building up until the sauna is enriched with warm vapour. Furthermore, some nice relaxing music will be played during your relaxation and essential oils will be sprayed to provide added fragrance to the room.
| Pro tips: You can download a PDF file of Nordik Spa-Nature-Chelsea’s map on their website to guide you through the different facilities of this spa. This can come in handy, especially considering that this place is the largest spa in North America. |
Hot Rock Spa
Website: https://spacarp.ca/
Address: 110 Donald B. Munro Dr, Carp, ON K0A 1L0, Canada
Contact details: +1 613-908-1229
Operating hours: Daily from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Cost: $$
Hot Rock Spa is a private sauna rental that lets you enjoy a steaming relaxing time while in the middle of beautiful nature. Their saunas are the traditional type, boasting White Cedarwood to withstand even the craziest snowstorm in Ottawa.
After spending time in their premium saunas, you can treat yourself to what they call after-sauna treatments. These treatments include deep tissue massages, foot massages, energy healing, relaxation massages and body moisturization.
They claim that these extra services complete the package, and we’re not ones to doubt them, as these messages are really tempting! Plus, these services are perfect for bodies that are right out of the sauna, as they can further improve body relaxation—count us in!
| Pro tip: If you want to take a break from the sauna but still want to stay dry and warm, you can spend time in their lounge. This room features ultra-plush armchairs, heated floors and a beautiful view of the tranquil surroundings. |
reStays Ottawa
Website: https://www.restays.com/
Address: 101 Queen St, Ottawa, ON K1P 5C7, Canada
Contact details: +1 613-688-6200
Cost: $$$
If you’re looking to experience a nice relaxing time in the sauna without having to leave the heart of Ottawa, reStays should be on your radar! This fancy boutique hotel features one of the best saunas we’ve seen in the city, where you can simply relax in silence.
This sauna doesn’t come with all the fancy massages and treatments, but it does provide you with a temporary sanctuary in the middle of the bustling city.
Plus, reStays is one of the best places to spend the night in the city, as it features world-class rooms that come with all the amenities you need for a comfy stay. If you’re one to admire views, you’ll get that as well when you’re inside your room!
| Pro tip: If you do decide to stay here during your visit to the capital, make sure to stop by the nearby attractions such as Parliament Hill, Rideau Locks and Peace Tower. |
Honourable Mention: Kodiak Saunas
Website: https://www.kodiaksaunas.ca/
Address: 247 Westbrook Rd Unit #6, Carp, ON K0A 1L0, Canada
Contact details: +1 613-261-3461
Operating hours:
- Monday to Saturday: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Sunday: Closed
Cost: $$$
If you want to bring the sauna to your own backyard, Kodiak Saunas are the guys to call! This company will let you enjoy the wonders and benefits of saunas without ever leaving your home by providing you with one of their carefully handcrafted saunas.
They offer two types of saunas: the birdhouse and the barrel, both of which feature state-of-the-art electric and wood-burning stoves. These two types of saunas also come in different dimensions to cater to different family sizes—you can even include a changing room!
What’s great about their saunas is that they’re completely made out of cedar wood. This type of wood is perfect for withstanding the harsh winter that Ottawans have grown to know and love for the longest time.
| Pro tip: If you’re unsure of your budget, don’t worry! You can get a free quotation on their website to help give you an idea of how much you have to spend to have a personal sauna right outside your doorstep! |
