Vancouver has a certain reputation to uphold, and a rainy one.

Our signature drizzle is now celebrated as a spa treatment: the Vancouver Signature Sensation at the city’s newest luxury spa destination, Sense at Rosewood Hotel Georgia.

The designated Vichy spa room may be described as a rather large shower with a bed in it. Sounds ingenious, right? A shower while lying down. Using a local skincare line, Beauty Through Balance, one is exfoliated with a peppermint and basil-infused sea salt, leaving the skin with a breezy, cooling sensation, as it is showered away by warm water. Then, a massage with seaweed concentrate-mixed shea butter awakens the skin and the muscles. Water, salt, seaweed… we're loving this weather. —Anya Georgijevic

80/110 mins. $175/$225 at Sense, a Rosewood Spa, Rosewood Hotel Georgia, 801 W. Georgia St., Vancouver, 604-673-7045, www.rosewoodhotelgeorgia.com

Sunny months have left us with some unwanted freckles, and it’s possible to turn back the clock and correct the damage.

Kerstin Florian’s ‘Correcting’ line is set to do just that, infused with the almighty vitamin C, which provides antioxidant protection and boosts collagen production. Correcting Serum C+ Infusion ($89) helps fade those excess freckles, while the peptides in the Correcting Brightening Eye Crème ($69) are key to looking fresh. Follow it up with a Correcting Rescue Crème ($69), ideal for cold winter days. Or for a quick perk up, indulge in a 90-minute age-correcting facial ($219) at the Willow Stream Spa. —Anya Georgijevic

Willow Stream Spa, Fairmont Pacific Rim, 1038 Canada Place, Vancouver, 604-695-5300, www.fairmont.com/pacificrim

Learn more about Kerstin Florian in our Q+A with Vice President Charlene Florian on our Editors’ Diary.

All our pretty sky-high heels may be punishing to our feet, but the right touch can make us feel like we're walking on air.

According to reflexologists, our feet have connections to the lungs and kidneys, and even the heart. As with every living thing, all these organs need a certain balance that can be achieved (or disrupted) through our soles. Keep that in mind the next time you put on those stilettos.

The newly opened Footworks Relaxology in Kitsilano offers a heavenly escape for tired tootsies. We were pampered with a warm bath and an exfoliating sweet orange and spearmint scrub ($7), then a spectacular 55-minute foot massage ($39) where each organ was energized to achieve total harmony.

Put your best foot forward. —AG

Footworks Relaxology, 2992 W. Broadway, Vancouver, 604-730-2992, www.footworksrelaxology.com

Sometimes one needs to go on a getaway to get away from old routines. If it's time to shake up your makeup, consider a wellness weekend at Whistler Creek's Nita Lake Lodge.

The brand new Ashram Spa specializes in traditional Indian Ayurvedic treatments, such as the "Udvartana" detoxification massage that had us feeling like a human chapati. A paste made from chickpea flour, barley flour and milk was the basis for the gentle exfoliation, and upward massage strokes sent blood flowing toward the heart so that internal organs are better able to excrete built up toxins.

A rainforest steam room and yoga studio complete the spa experience, while vegan meal options and an in-house Ayurvedic doctor take it to the next level.

—SB

Nita Lake Lodge, 2131 Lake Placid Rd., Whistler, 1-888-755-6482, www.nitalakelodge.com
To see photos of our Wellness Weekend, visit our Editors' Diary.

Head to Victoria for festive cheer while the Parliament buildings are decked from copper top to bottom in Christmas lights. Herewith, our weekend picks:

spa
Get your nails done while you sail to Swartz Bay. BC Ferries’ new onboard C-Spa offers manicures, pedicures and massages. They take you to a room away from it all, provide gossip magazines and pamper—you walk off polished. From $20, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. sailings, Thursdays through Mondays, www.c-spa.ca

stay
We didn’t know Abbeymoore Manor was the top-ranked inn in Canada on TripAdvisor before our visit, but now we know why. Among many things it’s their breakfasts fit for a foodie (how’s a piping hot poached egg atop a crab cake drizzled with chipotle hollandaise sound?) and the cozy common room outfitted with jazz radio, port wine for the taking and crackling fire. But it’s the generous hospitality that’s warmest of all. From $129, www.abbeymoore.com

sup
Opt for the Abbeymoore’s Epicurean Escape package and you get two nights, a gourmet basket of goodies and a gift certificate for one of three restaurants. We opted for nearby Paprika Bistro and suggest you do that same. Their dynamic dishes belie the quaint, quiet neighbourhood the bistro resides in. Sourcing local fare like Cowichan Bay duck and Qualicum Beach scallops, Chef Anna Hunt’s plates are perfection. www.paprika-bistro.com

shop
Over the last few years a bevy of hip shops catering to the fashion set have popped up downtown. To that list, add Charlie & Lee. The Wharf Street storefront is brick and beautiful, carrying a who’s cool of labels, like The Reformation, Factory and Something Else. Just don’t chide yourself for gifting yourself a little something. www.charlieandlee.com

Time to get your gale on—it’s storm-watching season in Tofino. Here are the only three things you need for relaxation with a side of rough seas.

stay
There’s nothing cozier than a Pacific Sands’ private two bedroom villa situated steps from the sand in Cox Bay (the top spot to storm watch in town). Specifically request villa 24, which has been redone to reflect its new design direction. Best part? There’s no need to leave your bed in the master suite for a front-row seat to 30 foot swells. Sleeps 4, from $400 a night, www.pacificsands.com

spa
Spend an afternoon at the Wickaninnish Inn’s Ancient Cedars Spa. Take a long steam in the wintergreen and eucalyptus-scented Rainforest Steam Room, then it’s a detoxifying foot soak with a cup of herbal tea before an Aromatic Massage with essential oils whisks you away to your happy place. www.wickinn.com

eat
Head into the downtown Tofino and dine at the new Spotted Bear Bistro. The chef has a history working the kitchens of Pastis and Lumiere and his cuisine is West Coast with a twist done well. Succulent scallops the width of sand dollars anyone? www.spottedbearbistro.com

Located in the stunning Jacobsen development in South Main, the new J Spa is a secret new urban oasis.

From polished concrete floors to the prettiest polishes from Essie, with its two treatment areas and infrared sauna, it’s the perfect place for an afternoon escape.   

We sampled the “juicy facial” with all organic products and were glowing like a summer peach for days.

Orange you glad you took some time out for yourself finally?

J Spa, The Jacobson Building, 276 E. Second Ave., Vancouver, 778-229-1510, www.j-spa.ca

And if you are a walking collection of aches and pains like us, we suggest slipping into this spa for a Herbal Compress Massage. 

With a recipe more than 1,000 years old, a fragrant bundle of Thai herbs (like lemongrass, ginger, turmeric, kaffir lime and cumin) is steamed to 100 degrees, then used as a hot compress from the back of your neck to the balls of your feet.

Muscles melt, essential oils heal the skin, and everything from circulation to congestion is addressed.

Hmmmmm…I think we are overdue for a teeth cleaning.

Herbal Compress Massage, $104/60minutes, Sabai Thai Spa (downtown Vancouver and North Vancouver), www.thaispa.ca

If the eyes are the window to the soul, then the soles must be the doorway to everything else.

But between flimsy flats and killer heels our feet never rest, so we hauled our tired tootsies up to the new Sole Spa. The soothing reflexology foot massages are low-maintenance (no time-consuming spa day required), pocket-friendly ($40/50 mins) and a perfect spot for a pre-stagette gathering or girlfriend catch-up session. After a warm soak, a thorough massage and a soothing application of cream from the light and delectable house line Shui, you’re out the door with your best foot forward.

We think we’ve developed a foot fetish.

The Sole Room, 3086 Cambie St., Vancouver, 604-876-6808, www.thesolespa.com

Coconut water is all the rage for its super, natural hydration (Madonna and Demi drink it) and coconut oil has long been praised as an antioxidant-rich moisturizer.

Vida Spa goes nuts with both in their new 30-minute Coconut Refresh Massage ($55) for summer. The treatment starts with a refreshing glass of coconut water to replace lost electrolytes and follows with a fragrant coconut oil massage to relieve tired muscles and protect the skin against sun damage.

In and out in under an hour, it’s the perfect afternoon delight.

Available until August 31 at Vida Spa Sutton Place, Sheraton Wall Centre and The Westin Bayshore locations, 604-682-VIDA, www.vidaspas.com