ELMSPA 557 Church, 416-964-4500, elmspa.ca
Whether you’re pre-Pride primping or post-Pride passing out, nothing beats a day at Church Street’s Elmspa. Hidden away on the third floor of an office building at Gloucester, the discreet space is the boutique offshoot of the sprawling Elmwood Spa a few blocks south.
Early in the week, Elmspa is used to train the Elmwood’s army of therapists and estheticians, but Thursdays through Saturdays a select team of pro pamperers serve up massages, body treatments and grooming services in its Zen suites. For guys, there’s a special menu of man-specific manicures and pedicures, but anyone can take advantage of experiences like Moor Mud Body Bliss or Paraffin Detoxifying Body Mask.
Elmspa is outfitted with steam rooms and infrared saunas, but its best relaxation spot is a glass-walled balcony furnished with lush greenery and Muskoka loungers that overlooks the city.
Elmspa picks: Siam herbal tension release treatments relax you with a rub of coriander, nutmeg and other spices, $95 to $165 spa-goers on the go should book a quick-fix pedi that compresses the usual hour-long foot-finishing into 25 minutes, $40 the in-house Elmline collection of body care and cosmetics includes a Siam-scented body polish, $22.
Look for: Three months of unlimited waxing during the summer for $295.
Hours: Thursday to Saturday 11 am to 7 pm.
