Shangri la Toronto spa by Caudalie Paris
This is the story of how a simple travel writer managed to get an invite to Shangri la Toronto spa.
Covering wellness tourism naturally has many perks, but it’s something I subscribe to even when at home. A well-executed massage or facial not only leaves you looking amazing, but also feeling renewed. After all, given the everyday stresses of modern living, it’s something we should all make time for.
Shangri la Toronto spa
The hotel
If you’re not familiar with Shangri La or its many locations around the world, then familiarise yourself with them now! The Hong-Kong-based leading luxury hotel group has more than 90 hotels and resorts around the world. I can’t vouch for all of them, but the ones I’ve been to are equally grand in measure and in design.
You can’t miss Shangri La Toronto, mainly because of the awesome black metal dragon structure outside its main entrance. Expect the utmost friendliest staff and personal service once you enter its revolving doors.
Shangri la Toronto spa – Miraj Hammam Spa
Miraj Hammam Spa by Caudalie Paris is on the 5th floor of the hotel. You instantly feel a rush of tranquillity once you see the Moroccan-inspired sign.
The design extends into the reception area, where the staff are ready to make your experience as enjoyable as possible. Upon filling in the standard health questionnaire, an attendant takes you to the changing rooms.
There are all the amenities you can imagine, plus soft and fluffy cotton robes and slippers to change into. Once ready, my facialist, Julia, came to take me to my treatment room. Take note of the names of the rooms as you walk to your treatment; each are named after Middle-Eastern cities and famous places. It adds a charming touch to the oriental feel of the spa.
Shangri la Toronto spa – the product
The facial uses products from the Caudalie Vine[Activ] range. Again, if you’ve never heard of Caudalie, this is one French brand worth getting to know. You’ll start to see real improvement in your skin within a few weeks of regular use.
VineActiv is one of Caudalie’s premium ranges. As well as having anti-ageing properties, it also helps to protect the skin against the everyday elements. I’m a huge fan of the Vine[Activ] 3-in-1 Moisturizer, which has a tried and tested 8-hours anti-pollution protection. It’s light, yet moisturising, and perfect if you live in a busy urban environment.
Other worthy products in the range include the Glow-activating anti-wrinkle serum. It visibly smoothens lines after continuous use, while simultaneously giving your skin a renewed and healthy glow.
Keep the glow long after the treatment’s ended and book yourself on a local tour. It’s a fun, and informative way, to see the best sights of the city.
“…there’s no pain without gain, and after unveiling me from my muslin cocoon, I just knew my skin would look 100 times better.”
FOLLOWING THE RIVERA
The facial
Rather than bore you with every minute detail about the treatment, I’ll focus instead on what I found most interesting.
After cleansing and extracting the skin, Julia gently massaged/cleaned my face using a tool that looked like 2 small circular discs. The sensation is strange at first, but pretty relaxing once you get used to it. Lucky for me, I really liked it, and Julia used it at several intervals throughout the facial.
After cleaning my skin and doing the extraction (not as painful as I’d expected), Julia began applying the face mask. Admittedly, I began to feel a bit claustrophobic when she applied the muslin over my whole face. Apart from the cucumbers on my eyes, and a small cut near the nose and mouth area to breathe, my entire face was covered.
Listening to my breathing helped me to relax, as did the mini hand and feet massage Julia gave me.
As the saying goes, there’s no pain without gain, and after unveiling me from my muslin cocoon, I just knew my skin would look 100 times better.
With a gentle pat on my arm, Julia let me know the facial was finished. Feeling rejuvenated, yet beautifully relaxed, I swung my body with great difficulty from the heated bed.
Shangri la Toronto spa – the aftermath
Every guest is taken to the relaxation room, where they can stay as long as they wish. Here, you really get the feeling you’re in a real Moroccan hammam, especially when lounging on the generously-sized sofa/beds. The treats don’t end at the facial, as on arrival you’ll receive a glass of ginger tea and some sweet baklava.
The exit
It really was a struggle leaving the Shangri la Toronto spa. From the service to the facilities to the facial, I couldn’t find one fault. I floated out the doors, trying hard to resist touching, and dirtying, my skin, but I couldn’t stop looking. From the mirrors in the elevator, to my reflection in the glass windows of the hotel, I only saw a healthy me staring back. And if that isn’t a sign of a damn good facial, I don’t know what is.
Do you need a place to sleep in the city? Save yourself a long trip after your facial and stay at Shangri-La Toronto. The hotel has special offers from time to time, and perfectly matches the elegance of its spa.
“I floated out the doors, trying hard to resist touching, and dirtying, my skin, but I couldn’t stop looking”
FOLLOWING THE RIVERA
Miraj Hammam Spa by Caudalie Paris Shangri-la Hotel Toronto, Fifth Floor, 188 University Ave,
Toronto, Canada M5H 0A3 Tel: + 1 647 253 5770
Disclaimer: Even though I was invited by Shangri la Toronto spa, all views are my own and based on my own experience.
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This sounds like the perfect place where to spend an awesome relaxing day ? I would need it actually!!) Too bad I just came back from my Trip to Canada but I’ll definitely keep it in mind for next time! Thank you for sharing!
You’re so welcome Lisa! I know you’re also a fan of wellness from reading your blog. It’s wonderful!
I live in Toronto and have heard great things about this spa! I’m so envious that you got to experience it. Glad you enjoyed!
Thanks Amanda! Lucky you live in such a lovely and welcoming city, I really enjoyed it! 🙂
Sounds very luxurious! I’ve never been much of a spa person myself, but I do love being pampered. May need to try this one day!
You’re totally missing out Kate! Spas are wonderful and a very healthy way to relax:) I hope you try it for yourself
The one thing that I was not able to do in Morocco was visit a hammam. I didn’t want to rush my time there but my schedule didn’t allow for it. I would love to find a similar experience closer in Dallas but I’m sure that would be a little bit difficult. I have plans to be in the Toronto area next June and maybe I can check this out!
That would be excellent Courtney! It is a shame you didn’t try the real thing, but Miraj Hammam Spa is so beautiful and relaxing too 🙂
I live in Toronto and I’ve heard great things about this spa! I’ve been wanting to go and try it for myself for a while now and I think your post just convinced me to book an appointment. I love the Turkish design and feeling like you’re in a whole different world. And if your skin feels healthy and beautiful afterwards then that is what is most important!
It’s so relaxing and a real treat for your skin and body! You have to try it for yourself ?
Wow! I feel so relaxed after reading your blog. Spa is one of my favorite relaxation. However, I am very far from Toronto but will recommend this to my Canadian friends.
Excellent! I’m glad you felt relaxed! Please do recommend to your friends as it’s totally worth it.
Oh I need this in my life right now! The ShangriLa group really know how to make you feel like royalty. Love the Moroccan styled spa. Looks amazing.
I need it in my life at least once a week! Miraj Hammam Spa is so beautiful and worth visiting in Toronto!
I am a spa girl at heart, so you quickly won me over. And I do agree with you, Shangri-La hotels are definitely one of a kind in terms of service and the grandeur of design for their establishments. I haven’t tried this kind of facial spa experience since it isn’t something that isn’t readily available where I live, but it’s definitely worth a try if you want to pamper yourself from time to time.
Caudalie is one of my go to brands and I swear that it works! The facial was so relaxing and I felt like a new person when I walked out!
I have stayed in a Shangri-La in Hong Kong and also visited the city of Shangri La in China. It was one of my favourite hotel stays and Shangri La in Toronto looks stunning too. The spa looks like the perfect place for a spa day, I love the Moroccan feel and even better that you get to walk out of Morocco straight into Toronto afterwards.
That’s great James! It’s always good to hear a man’s experience on this subject so thank you!
What a totally decadent spa! I’ve only gotten into spa’s recently and have visited a couple of day spas but nothing a luxurious as this! The Shangri-La certainly know how to do a spa well.
Better late than never Vicki! And Shangri La spas are not the worst place to start either ?
I always love pampering myself with a spa treatment when we travel. The Miraj Hammam Spa sounds like a real treat! I would love to try their heated bed!!
Yay a fellow luxury spa fan! The heated bed is a dream, it was so hard to get out of it!
This sounds like a wonderful hotel. The spa looks so luxurious, I have never experienced anything like this before. So pretty and calming
It really is Natasha! The decor adds to the tranquil feel of the place, and I can only wish others can experience it for themselves.
I wish I could get an invite to an amazing place like this! The hotel sounds lovely and a spa is always a bonus. I’ve only managed to visit a couple but this looks so luxurious.
It’s a beautiful place, and is definitely on the luxury side. Though, a little bit of luxury is never a bad thing 😉
What a perfect way to relax after being on the road for a long time. The spa looks so inviting and authentic, the decor is beautiful and reminds me indeed of Morocco. I haven’t been to many spas in my life, but none looked so luxurious. The feet and hand massage sound soooo good!
Ooh that added extra massage was certainly a treat. My face felt so soft after, and the decor only added to the ambience!
Did anyone say spa? 🙂 I’m a sucker for massages and good facials, and this place looks really good. The additional amenities are a big plus. Cheers!!
You’re welcome! It’s a beautiful spa, and I’m very lucky I got the opportunity to visit 🙂
Though I have heard about the Shangri La chain, I have never stayed with them. Well since I am a fan of all things dragon, I would love to try out Shangri La too! 🙂 I never had a facial with face wrapped in muslin, now I am curious and want to have the experience myself!
It’s a wonderful chain, and very luxurious, I urge you to check them out! The facial was superb and so professional too!
I have visited Shangri-la chain of hotels in Dubai n Abudhabi. You are true they are super luxurious and their spas are really a tempting place to get pampered. Wrapping a face with muslin sounds a nice skin therapy. If I visit Toronto will look into this spa. Also the interiors of this place is truly authentic.
I totally urge you to do so, you won’t be disappointed. The decor feels very authentic, it almost makes you feel you’re in Morocco!
This sounds like such a fantastic experience at the Miraj Hammam Spa. I have been in traditional Hammam’s in Morocco and they are amazing. It sounds like your facial was so nice and relaxing. I also thing it is great that you can spend some time afterwards at Miraj Hammam Spa
Oh yes Kathy, it’s certainly a treat, and a luxury one at that! It was very difficult to get up from that heated bed, and my skin felt marvellous 🙂
Oh wow, that sounds so relaxing! I could really do with that at the moment. Whenever I’ve had a facial before I’ve always worried about falling asleep and snoring my way through it! (I have no idea if I snore btw!) I would probably struggle with the face covering, but I bet the end results were amazingly soft skin.
I know what you mean! I did feel a little nervous when my whole face was covered, but just kept thinking about the end result!
Wow – this looks super sumptuous, I love how the colour palette really channels Morocco, it’s very indulgent. Did you find that the facial had any effects long term? I’ve only had one facial, I don’t know if it helped my skin or not but I just loved laying down for 45 minutes!!
Thanks Hannah! Will be visiting the real Morocco too, so look out for even more colourful palettes! I think the type of facial can have lasting effects – the thing is, you need to continue doing them to see real results 🙂
Ah sounds like a great facial. Can you believe I’ve never got a facial done? I’m so embarrassed to say that haha. The spa looks amazing, I love the interiors, they’re very ‘Arab’, which I guess it because they also have hammam? Did you get to experience the hammam as well, by any chance?
No way, you’re so missing out! I didn’t get to try the hammam here, but I did in Marrakech, blog coming soon!
I’ve gotten a few spas at the Shangri-La here in Vancouver but will have to hopefully try the facial treatments at the Toronto location someday. The decor is so cute too! Definitely not a typical decor for their brand I feel but gorg!
Yes, they have a wonderful Moroccan theme throughout the spa, so a little different from the Oriental feel in Shangri-La! Still, the facial was heaven, and I would kill to have it again.
So apparently I need to book a ticket to Toronto asap, because I NEED this facial! I’ve only had a few facials before (I’m more of a full-body massage kind of girl), but none of them were as pleasurable as this one sounded! I’m intrigued by the discs that were used and what they feel like! So cool that you were able to relax in the hammam room at the end. I’m sure it was just amazing!
Those discs were really a first for me, and definitely left me wanting more! I’m all the way in London, so this was a real treat for me in Toronto 😀
Your description of the treatment is so lovely. Your visual cues made me feel as if I were getting the pampering. Well done with that. And now I am craving for one… Sigh!
Actually so I am right now lol! It’s a wonderful hotel and treatment; I highly recommend it 😀