Spa Eastman

After some busy touring through Quebec, my family and I were looking forward to Spa Eastman, anticipating a relaxing interlude. We had visited Ste. Anne's spa several times and from the get go we couldn't help noticing a sharp contrast in the welcoming atmosphere, or lack thereof. We were checked in, given a paper map and therein left to find our way. We had three heavy suitcases and when we realized our rooms were on the second floor, went back to the desk to ask if someone could help us. She pointed to an elevator, which we had missed as it didn't look like a typical elevator from the outside. Indeed it wasn't. I went in alone with the three suitcases as it could fit no more, and discovered that in order to move the elevator, I had to press the elevator button constantly. That didn't bother me, nor our greeting overly much because I put it down to a language barrier. English was not proficient. It was when we saw our rooms that things began to go south. Old is okay, quaint even, but ill-repair is quite off-putting. The carpet looked like it had neither been changed, nor cleaned in 40 years. Furniture was held together in some places by duct tape. I don't remember ever requesting a room change in the past but the thought of spending 2 days in these rooms was unacceptable. I went back to the front desk and conveyed as much. I was told that the spa was completely full but after some fumbling I was then told to bring my luggage down and wait. This confused me so I asked whether they had alternative accommodation as I didn't want to make the luggage/elevator trip for nothing. She said yes. After some lengthly waiting we were then given a map and told to drive to our new accomodation. This took some navigating but eventually arrived at our new accomodation. It was slightly less expensive because it wasn't in the main lodge but a decided improvement. We even overlooked the sandy feel of the floor. I looked for a fridge, which we needed, to find none. Went to ask for this to be asked whether I had requested one. What?? I have travelled extensively and this was the first time I was ever asked this question. The last thing I will say about the physical accommodation is that if you're expecting any kind of room service, don't. Finding our treatments was also on us. After asking a cleaner who never understood english and then the woman at the gift store, we were finally pointed in the right direction. The treatments (massages) were the highlight. Two out of four had good ones. The outdoor amenities included a "cold pond" which, if you are not afraid of many giant frogs or hundreds of large tadpoles, may be good. We didn't feel inclined to try. The two hot tubs were lovely until we were forced indoor to escape the horseflies. - Not Spa Eastman's fault. We enjoyed the indoor infra-red saunas (one was not working), the steam room, cold dips and polar shower. The relaxation room was also lovely. The food. Gluten-free, lactose-free, sugar-free and taste-free. We ate one meal at the spa and for the rest ventured to nearby towns. Don't be enticed to try the front desk cookies (at over 2 dollars a cookie) unless you like cookies that taste like compressed flour and grains, and come with no warning that nearby liquid would be essential. We had really looked forward to this spa and were greatly disappointed. In fact, we cancelled our last massage and left early. I would highly recommend that the owners visit Ste. Anne's to understand what a pampering, getaway spa should feel like.

The ideal place to recharge physically and mentally. The food, gluten- and dairy-free, is delicious. After a three-night retreat, I feel light and reinvigorated. An experience to be repeated.

First time I visited the spa and I was surprised by the level of care given to the cuisine: No dairy, no gluten but OMG delicious and filling. From the amazingly diverse colorful salad selection, to the soup with the amazing olive oil that is always on the table at every meal then the visually stunning and even more surprising "en bouche"... the cuisine was the best "healthy" cuisine I have ever had. All the meat I've had the pleasure of eating melted in the mouth. Don't get me started on the fish! But seriously, other than the cuisine, I went from sauna to cold plunge (whether in the lake, the outdoor pool, the lake to the jacuzzi) and I can say, I really relaxed and appreciated the choices offered. And oftentimes, staying out of the home, I sometimes dread the pillows and my sleep is affected but the bed and pillows were so comfortable too. So I highly suggest and I think I might have found an escape from city and office to just "let go"