And by "new" I mean the hotel itself had only been open for 12 days, but considering that the "old" Four Seasons at 21 Avenue Road didn't even have a spa - guests were directed across the street to Stillwater in the Park Hyatt - this is an entirely "new" amenity available to Four Seasons Toronto guests - and to the general public, like myself.
Taking the elevator up to the 9th floor I was greeted by name (love that!) and escorted to my locker. Yes, it was my first time to the Spa so a short familiarisation tour of the facilities was in order. The indoor "relaxation pool" is flanked by a wall of floor-to-ceiling windows leading to an outdoor terrace. There's a cosy lounge with comfy chairs, soft lighting, and glossy magazines where I would chill out after my massage, but my first stop, after undressing and donning a thick robe, was the pre-treatment room. Reclining in one of the organically curved chaises longues I sipped tea while completing the short medical history to let my therapist know of any concerns or conditions she should be aware of.
The treatment room - one of 17 - is possibly the largest I've ever seen, and although my eyes would be closed for the 60 minutes of blissful rubbing, I appreciated that it wasn't all white and antiseptic. I also appreciated the toweling off of oil from my hands and feet, and the delightful temple bell that gently signified the end of my deep tissue massage.
I should mention that when I made my appointment I was given several options, including whether I had a preference for a male or female massage therapist. I also gave feedback during the treatment as to how much pressure I wanted or was comfortable with.
And speaking of pressure, the sinus congestion that had caused me such grief was no match for the *amazing* eucalyptus steam room.
