Finding Serenity at Ste. Anne’s Spa
Hidden away on 500 acres of idyllic rural landscape near Grafton, Ontario, Ste. Anne’s Spa is a magical place where nurturing and nature come together. Where you come to find serenity and leave with your spirit enriched and a smile lighting your way.
Constructed in 1858, Ste. Anne’s Spa began its legacy as a fieldstone country castle and estate. A cherished home for several notable families (the Masseys, Jaynes, Keelers, and Blaffers) before being lovingly restored by the Corcorans, currently owned by Jim Corcoran. Ste. Anne’s sense of familial warmth and hospitality has grown through the years and continues today.
Describing the special atmosphere, Wanda Hoehn, Ste. Anne’s Marketing Director says, “Between the castle and the rolling hills, it feels like you’ve come to Tuscany in Ontario. It’s truly an oasis, a retreat from the city. There are hiking trails, where you’ll discover all sorts of hidden gems. We even have a little chapel in the middle of the forest where you can go to reflect. The Northumberland area is so spectacular in the autumn, with every road lined with passing rows of fall colours as you wind through the country. It’s just awe-inspiring.”
The Ste. Anne’s difference
Wanda is quick to differentiate Ste. Anne’s from the many ‘ultra-luxury’ spa experiences out there. She explains, “We don’t consider ourselves ‘luxurious’… when you walk through the stone gates, it feels like coming home. It’s relaxed, casual and care-free. We’re an all-inclusive destination spa. You have unlimited non-alcoholic beverages, meals, a spa and wellness allowance, and use of all the facilities. You pay one price to come here, so put on your big, fluffy spa robe, relax and don’t worry about taking your wallet out at every turn. One of the things our guests say they appreciate the most is that the team here actually cares about you and your goals for the visit. It’s comfortable and not at all intimidating – we embrace our ‘spa hair’ here!”
Ste. Anne’s hydrotherapy pools are wonderful, even in winter. Immerse your body in a cold plunge pool, hotter thermal pools, and a river simulator pool that’s 90 to 95 degrees F. – suitable for everyone’s use, even if you’re pregnant. From May to Thanksgiving, enjoy the spring water-fed Olympic-sized pool, and the eucalyptus steam rooms and saunas are popular all year long. To enhance your spa wellness journey, Ste. Anne’s offers a variety of wellness classes including yoga and meditation. For the more active, there are guided hikes and fitness classes.
Wanda adds, “We grow our own produce, raise our own beef and have a gluten-free bakery onsite. We also make our own skin care line “Ste. Anne’s Skin Nourishment” from botanicals that are indigenous to our property. Ste. Anne’s is crafted in a way to be sustainable and as natural and holistic as possible. We think of ourselves as a healing spot – we’re on a natural aquifer, so the water that comes out of our taps is beautiful spring water. It’s what we bathe in, what we drink, what we cook with here, and it’s in our skin care line, as well.”
Meals at Ste. Anne’s are a la carte country cuisine – no buffet – you order from a menu like you would at a wonderful restaurant. Executive Chef Michael and his team work with passion to create a fantastic menu, including vegan and gluten-free options, with fresh ingredients produced on the property or sourced locally. And the afternoon teas are divine!
Who comes to Ste. Anne’s?
Everyone from solo guests to girls’ getaways, moms & daughters, couples, babymoons, everyone visits for their own reason and they all fit in. People meet up and develop relationships… Ste. Anne’s has a warm, welcoming, friendly and laid-back atmosphere.
Ste. Anne’s is an adults-only facility, generally 18 plus, offering Day and overnight getaways. For overnight stays, the property offers beautiful rooms at the main inn, cute little spa cottages, and group spa cottages that can accommodate larger groups and feature a living room, a hot tub and several bedrooms. You can even have one of the chefs come in and cook your dinner in your spa cottage.
As you can imagine, Ste. Anne’s is in such demand that it’s wise to book two to three months in advance. When you call in, you’ll be guided through the many offerings by a team member, and they’ll craft an itinerary of meals, spa services and wellness classes that’s perfect for you, scheduled at a comfortable pace so you’re not running from one thing to the next.
Getting to the spa is a breeze. Ste. Anne’s is just a 90-minute drive from Toronto. Or take VIA Rail to Cobourg and arrange for a Spa shuttle to pick you up at the station and whisk you off to countryside spa heaven. steannes.com
