One of the most renowned spas in Canada, the Grotto Spa at Tigh-Na-Mara Resort, is celebrating its 20th anniversary. The Grotto Spa has provided exceptional experiences to guests for the last 2 decades. It has won numerous awards over the years, including the 2019 World Luxury Spa Awards’ Best Luxury Mineral Spa in Canada, and has been recognized as one of the top spas in the country by leading travel publications such as Condé Nast Traveler, Travel + Leisure, Spa Inc and Spas of America.
Opened in March 2003 the 20,000-square-foot, 3-story Vancouver Island spa was designed exclusively as a refuge for relaxation, self-care, and well-being. Offering treatments including massages, facials, body treatments, nail care, and hair salon services, the heart of the spa is its iconic Grotto Mineral Pool, designed to emulate a natural stone grotto that is infused with natural minerals to detoxify the body and rejuvenate the spirit and includes a whirlpool and cool splash waterfall.
The Spa currently employs 110 team members, however, their biggest challenge, early on, was finding enough trained providers. They expressed their concerns to Vancouver Island University (VIU) and volunteered as an industry advisor for the development of a spa therapy curriculum. In 2008, VIU’s Professional Esthetics & Spa Therapy Certificate Program was launched at its Parksville campus. It is still running strong today, helping fill career vacancies with highly qualified students. The Grotto Spa is proud to sponsor $1,000 annually, awarded by VIU’s faculty to a student, based on academic achievement, and demonstrated leadership.
Enter to Win Grotto Spa’s 20th Anniversary Giveaway
“When we first opened, we were the largest spa in Canada…by a long shot! And that was thanks to the foresight of our owners, who believed in the growing spa industry and chose to ‘overbuild’, to meet anticipated demand in the years ahead. Only the first 2 floors were opened initially, which included the Men’s & Women’s Locker Rooms and Lounge areas, the Mineral Pool, 18 treatment rooms, a hair salon, and a nail care room. Then in late 2005, the 3rd floor was completed, doubling the size of our locker rooms and adding the Treetop Tapas & Grill Restaurant, a large co-ed Relaxation Lounge, and 3 ‘Grotto Suites for Two’ featuring handcrafted copper soaking tubs and cozy fireplaces,” said Spa Director Paulina Alexander.
Providing intimate experiences for individuals and couples, the spa also specializes in ‘social spa’ catering to groups and corporate businesses looking to add a self-care component to their program. Since the pandemic, this has really taken off. Spa guests are suggested to set aside 4 hours for the full spa experience. Starting with a soak in the Grotto Mineral Pool, guests then wind down fireside in the Relaxation Lounge before being taken for spa treatments. Finally, guests indulge in Endless Tapas as they dine in their robes and sandals overlooking the surrounding forest.
“Our success would not be possible without partnerships like the one we have with VIU and our 18-year-long partnership with Eminence Organic Skin Care, but most importantly, our success can be attributed to a genuine team of spa professionals who are dedicated to delivering the best treatment experience in the industry,” said Alexander. “And we give heartful thanks to our guests who have faithfully supported us and allowed us to be part of their self-care journey.”
In honor of its anniversary, the Grotto Spa will be offering special promotions throughout the year to thank its loyal guests and welcome new ones. For more information about the Grotto Spa, please visit www.grottospa.com.
