Manoir Hovey opens a luxury spa on the shores of Lake Massawippi

In 2021, when I first snuck away to the Eastern Townships for a luxurious stay at the five-star Manoir Hovey, I immediately fell in love with the property and their Relais & Châteaux hospitality. At that time there were hints of a luxury spa that was in the works. Well, fast forward to July 1, 2023 and said spa, along with three new and opulent guest suites, has now opened. With this, Manoir Hovey’s pledge to become a four-season wellness destination has come true!

There are three luxurious penthouse suites overlooking Lake Massawippi

Now, the province of Quebec certainly has no shortage of fabulous spas, some of which have been around for decades, but very few of them are nestled into the side of a forest (Manoir Hovey sits on 30 acres of nature) and, one could argue, that none offer the view of a lake that this one does of Lake Massawippi. Le Spa Hovey Manoir, like its hotel, now finds itself in a category all of its own.

This 9,000 square-foot spa spans three levels and is equipped with six treatment rooms, three relaxation rooms, a dry sauna, hammam, a Saskatchewan pink salt shower experience, cold plunge pool, and an esthetician room for manicures and pedicures. All of this is connected to an open-air pool deck which features an all-season heated pool, Jacuzzis, lounging areas, fire pits, and a cabana bar. While most may be familiar with the thermal experience being based on the Scandinavian tradition of using hot and cold contrast therapy to promote circulation, detoxification, a natural state of relaxation and overall health, the spa’s attendants do find themselves having to explain this process to many visitors who are experiencing this technique for the first time. Well, these first-timers will leave this spa spoiled as their experience will not easily be duplicated elsewhere.

Le Spa suites include oversized double bathrooms with a soaking tub, steam shower, and Japanese toilet

The spa treatment menu offers traditional massage therapy, skincare and beauty treatments, body wraps, rejuvenating therapies, and more. Hovey’s Honey Bliss signature skincare treatment, utilizes a honey exfoliant sourced from on-site beehives (the hotel dining room’s sommelier is also a passionate apiarist), enhanced with snow and reishi mushrooms, among other natural ingredients.

On the upper levels of the new building, three luxury suites were added with large picture windows and spacious private balconies offering breath-taking lake views. Each suite has a king bed, fireplace with limestone mantle, sitting area, desk, skylight and oversized double bathrooms with a soaking tub, steam shower, and Japanese toilet.

Spa guest are offered a dry sauna overlooking the lake

The spa’s design has taken care to respect the historic significance of Manoir Hovey, incorporating architectural features of the estate’s original 1899 facade, with broad verandas, tall white columns, cedar shingles and local field stones. In fact, the stones used for the gorgeous retaining wall surrounding the pool were hand-selected by the stonemason from the property’s surrounding area. By using natural materials and this subtle contemporary design, the new spa seamlessly blends with the hotel’s timeless appeal.

The new 9000 square foot spa includes an esthetician room for manicures and pedicures

The spa’s interiors feature muted tones and raw materials such as wood, stone, wool, grass cloth, and rattan to reflect the surrounding landscapes and provide a total sensory experience.

Here exposed barn wood beams have come from local farms where derelict buildings were deconstructed and the weathered wood re-cycled for this more pampered new function. In addition, the spa showcases works from local Quebec artist Yechel Gagnon and whimsical wallpaper in a bright floral motif lines the walls of the esthetician room.

The four season outdoor pool uses recycled heat from the resort to heat the water

In a commitment to sustainably operating the spa facilities in all four seasons, Manoir Hovey invested in energy-efficient power and a boiler room system that recovers the heat generated by the hotel and redistributes it in an optimal way towards the heating system of the terraces and the basins.

With this addition, the pool and hot tub access are complimentary for all resort guests while the complete thermal experience is available at a supplemental cost. However, non-resort guests are also welcome to experience the thermal experience at $120 per person per five hour sessions (either 9am-2:30pm or 3-9pm). A bargain when you consider that the Spa Suites start at $1,250 CAD per night.

Enjoy a pink salt therapy

Already named as Canada’s Best Resort three years in row in the Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards, Manoir Hovey is certainly one of the  leading destinations found anywhere for luxury hospitality, world-class gastronomy, and now, for wellness in nature.

For more information: Le Spa Manoir Hovey manoirhovey.com/en/spa/le-spa/ or via email at [email protected], or call +1 (819)-842-2702 extension 232. For information on the Manoir Hovey visit: www.manoirhovey.com/en

A.J. Twist is a Montreal-based travel writer and photographer.  Ajtwist.net