Ultimate Guide to Nordik Spa Nature: Ottawa’s Premier Luxury Spa Retreat

Just a 20-minute drive from downtown Ottawa is a serene forest oasis, known as Nordik Spa Nature. It stands as the largest spa in North America, featuring 10 outdoor hot and cold baths, 9 saunas, relaxation areas, restaurants, and treatment rooms designed to melt away tension and stress.

Located in Chelsea, Quebec, Nordik Spa is frequently included in many Ottawa itinerary. It offers a unique Scandinavian spa experience where visitors cycle through alternating heat, cold, and relaxation phases. Winter is an especially good time to indulge in these cycles, making the most of hot and cold experiences.

The saunas and steam rooms provide heat while the winter air offers a natural cold cycle. Additionally, the numerous meditation rooms and tranquil lounges provide ideal resting spots.

Nordik Spa Nature

Note: Photography is prohibited within Nordik Spa. Our team had special permission to capture moments before opening, but we then secured our cameras. Some images displayed in this article are courtesy of Nordik Spa.

Tips to Enjoy Nordik Spa Ottawa

Arriving early is essential at Nordik Spa. Feedback on social media indicated overcrowding during peak times, yet we experienced solitude by accessing the pools precisely at 9:00 am. This allowed us to relish a quiet morning and we remained unaware of busyness until departing around 2 pm.

Moreover, weekdays and evenings tend to be notably quieter.

Tip: To avoid crowds, it’s advisable to skip between 2-5 pm. The expansive property often means that while one pool may feel busy, several others beckon with solitude.

Nordic Spa Amenities

• 10 baths
• 9 Saunas
• 1 Infinity Pool
• 1 Salt Water Floating Pool – Kalla Treatment
• 3 Restaurants
• Indoor and Outdoor Lounges
• Multiple Treatment rooms

Spa Day Passes Include

Day passes begin at $65, granting access to saunas, baths, and relaxation zones. Various packages are available, including food, wine, cheese, massages, and additional sauna experiences. Guests can comfortably explore Nordik Spa Nature throughout an entire day without ever feeling bored, leaving with a sense of total peace and calm.

What to Pack for Nordik Spa Nature

• Flip flops and bathing suits are a must.
• Bring your own robe or consider renting one for the day.
• While one towel is supplied, it’s wise to bring a second towel.
• A non-glass water bottle is advisable.
• Sunglasses and sunscreen are also recommended.
• Consider bringing lip balm, as much of the experience takes place outdoors.

Nordik Spa Nature Experience

After initiating our relaxation journey with the Källa Treatment, we felt rejuvenated and prepared to make the most of all the treatments offered. With personal ailments including a frozen shoulder and sciatica, this spa experience was relished as a crucial remedy. With this in mind, we adhered to the Thermal Treatment Cycle.

The Thermal Cycle Guide

The Thermal Cycle revolves around a 2000-year tradition established in the Nordic countries.

• 5-15 minutes of Heat
• 10-15 seconds of Cold
• 20 minutes of Rest

Heat:

Frankly, our favorite stage was the heat and our time in the saunas and hot pools may have been excessive. The heat experience is available through different saunas—both dry and wet or steam options. There are nine saunas to choose from.

Cold

Experiencing cold may come in the form of plunge pools or braving cold waterfalls. Alternatively, simply relaxing outdoors by the fire in winter offers a refreshing reprieve. We made an effort and ventured into a few cold zones; however, we may not have achieved the recommended full 10 seconds.

Rest

With 10 baths available, we had ample opportunities to unwind. Our top choice was the infinity pool—a stunning expanse overlooking the spa grounds. Here, one can freely converse while enjoying a drink or snack.

A Biergarten with a snack bar adjoins the infinity pool, while the rest of the area promotes a tranquil environment conducive to meditation and relaxation.

Quiet Areas and Mingling Areas at Nordik Spa

Nordik Spa presents an array of relaxing spaces—from warm pools to lounge chairs and meditation rooms. Following a brief dip in the infinity pool, we gravitated toward the quiet areas. Emphasizing mindfulness, Nordik Spa offers the rare opportunity to simply exist in stillness and embrace thoughtfulness. This was precisely what we desired.

While surrounded by cascading waterfalls and warm pools, we savored the misty ambiance of the rainy day. Is it possible to remain here indefinitely?

Exploring the Saunas

To begin, we opted for the hottest option—the Maa Sauna. With temperatures reaching between 95-100 degrees, it’s designed for quiet meditation. After only a few minutes, we fled to the cooler outdoor air to seek a more tolerable sauna experience.

The Tuli Sauna

This meditative sauna, maintaining a comfortable 85 degrees, features an octagon shape surrounding the wood stove. Resting on the teak wood with our legs drawn up allowed the heat to invigorate our spines—a delightful experience. However, after 15 minutes, we exited to cool off.

Aromi Sauna

Our next adventure led us to the Aromi Sauna, where a therapist blended a snowball infused with lemongrass to enhance the space with aromatherapy. Placed atop the hot rocks, the melding scent rejuvenated us while immersed in warmth.

The wet saunas also provide a magical experience, where one pours water over hot rocks, generating vapor and allowing for temperatures soaring above 100 degrees within the largest sauna on-site.

Russian Sauna

The Nordik Spa’s Russian Sauna presents a distinctive experience, merging the traditional Nordic sauna with hot steam baths akin to hammams. A 1-hour experience can be reserved, encompassing four steps:

1. Infusion with birch veniks—yielding essential oils
2. Exfoliation using onsite-prepared salts and essential oils
3. A gentle whipping ritual with birch veniks
4. The celebratory Aufguss ritual

Aufguss Ritual

The Aufguss Ritual is an experience not to be missed. During our first visit, we overlooked it, but upon returning, we ensured to partake. Occurring every two hours beginning at 11:00 am, this Finnish ritual involves pouring water infused with essential oil over hot stones while a therapist swings a towel to dramatize the heat, enhancing the aromatic effects for about 15 minutes, marked by a gong.

Exfoliation

Post-Aufguss Ritual, we gravitated toward the salt pools, where we exfoliated with aromatic salts before refreshing ourselves under a cool shower. We followed the heat, cold, relax regimen by indulging in one of the warm outdoor baths after.

Cold Pools

I could only immerse myself up to my waist in the cold pool, feeling invigorated but guilty for not adhering entirely to the protocol. A brief soak under the chilly waterfall satisfied my need for cooling down.

Meditation

Invigorated from our cold experiences, we then sought a meditation space that felt right. Wrapping ourselves in robes, we discovered a quiet room perfect for unwinding. Dave excels at meditating, while I’m in the process of cultivating a clear mind. Given the rain outside, we opted for one of the indoor locations rather than outdoor public areas.

Our favorite pick was the Tellura Room, featuring heated stones where we lay in silence. The gentle warmth was soothing against my back. Throughout our time, we sought out peaceful meditation rooms outfitted with heated stones or wood, while also enjoying various pavilions, hanging beds, lounge chair areas, or the bar beside the pool. No matter your preference, Nordik Spa accommodates every kind of relaxation.

Spa Treatments Available

Källa Treatment

A highlight of our visit was the 40-minute Källa Treatment—an indoor saltwater pool dug five meters into stone and containing 10 tons of Epsom salt. Although it incurs an additional $45, the experience is invaluable—equivalent to three hours of restorative sleep.

We visited the salt pool first thing, enjoying it entirely to ourselves in an ambiance filled with calming music resonating above and below the water’s surface. Offering the same density as the Dead Sea, this pool provides a zero-gravity floatation experience.

Should you face muscle tension or stress, the therapeutic effects prominent in the water soothe all issues, while any tension dissipates. Floating effortlessly induces a feeling akin to being in a trance. If you haven’t yet experienced floating in the Dead Sea, this comes remarkably close!

Spa Treatments

While we didn’t engage in spa treatments during our visit, it’s clear they offer a variety of services:

• Deep tissue massages and Thai massages.
• Facials, foot treatments, and detoxifying therapies.

Rest assured, a return visit to try one of their massages is definitely on the agenda!

Dining Options at Nordik Spa

Nordik Spa features four dining options, allowing visitors to enjoy meals while continuing to relax in cozy robes. Dine beside the infinity pool with a refreshing cocktail, or share snacks like grilled cheese or tacos. At Panorama, indulge in a cheese plate paired with wine or opt for lighter fare at the Mezz Café.

During our visit, we chose Bistro Resto, where a variety of salads and vegetarian dishes awaited us. They also offer gluten-free options and locally sourced ingredients. For those preferring meat, burgers and chicken dishes are readily available.

What to Bring to Nordik Spa

• Bathing Suit
• Towel – One is provided, but a second towel is advantageous post-shower.
• Robe – Rent one for $12 or bring your own.
• Flip flops
• Refillable water bottle
• Sunglasses

What is Provided at Nordik Spa Nature Quebec

• Lockers
• Towels
• Wrist Bands – These are used to unlock lockers and access pre-paid treatments.

Spa Etiquette

Respecting privacy and quiet hours is pivotal within the three distinct areas of Nordik Spa. No cell phones or cameras are permitted.

1. Quiet area – For meditation and relaxation
2. Whisper area – To enjoy hushed conversations
3. Socializing area – For conversations and drinks by the pool

Nordik Spa Prices and Hours

• Monday- Thursday: 9 am – 11 pm
• Friday and Saturday: 9 am – midnight.
• A visit to Nordik Spa starts at $65 Canadian Dollars per person
• Access to Källa Treatment is $45
• Spa Treatments begin at $105
• Banya Treatment $55
• For more details, visit Nordik Spa.

Our experience at Nordik Spa Nature was sublime. It provided the rare opportunity to disconnect and focus solely on health and well-being, perfectly setting the tone for our upcoming adventures in Ottawa. If you’re planning a visit to the city, ensure that Nordik Spa in Chelsea features prominently on your itinerary!

Our trip to Ottawa is in partnership with Tourism Ottawa; all opinions expressed are our own. For more information on traveling to Ottawa, visit their website.