Everything to Know About Vettä Nordic Spa

When Vettä Nordic Spa first opened its doors two years ago, I knew I had to visit. Being an avid spa-goer, I was ecstatic to learn there would finally be a Nordic spa opening so close to Toronto. Located in beautiful Horseshoe Valley, just north of Barrie, Vettä offers a secluded oasis away from the city perfect for a day of self-care. Finally, a place to indulge in some much-needed water therapy. I decided to treat myself with a trip to the spa for my birthday to kick off the year right.

Inspired by the age-old Finnish style of living and art of relaxation, Vettä Nordic Spa was the perfect spot to unwind for my special day. I was really craving some me time this year and what better way than in a place surrounded by nature? This marked my second time visiting and I ended up booking for Easter Sunday. Read on for all the details of my spa experience, the facilities and my favourite parts of Vettä – they’ll probably be yours too.

Vettä Nordic Spa: the Ultimate Me Day

It was a bright and beautiful sunny day when I visited Vettä Nordic Spa. The temperature was around zero degrees celsius, which is a little warmer than what I prefer when visiting a Nordic spa. However, on this day, I found it to be just right. Usually, I’d be running from the heated pools to dry off and put on my robe but the weather was comfortable enough for me to take my time with it. Anyone who has visited a Nordic spa before will know what I’m talking about. The temperatures can be excruciatingly cold.

I spent a total of five hours soaking my body in a mixture of hydro and heat therapy. With three heated relaxation pools, two large wood-burning saunas, cold plunges, steam rooms, relaxation rooms with a gas-burning fire and a hot stone room – the amenities were aplenty. If I could suggest anything, it would be arrive earlier in the day to give yourself time to enjoy them all. I could have easily spent 6 hours or more at Vettä. The heated pools were the perfect treat for my sore muscles while the cold air against my skin put me into a deep state of relaxation.

You can check out their full experience map here.

Checking into Vettä

The check-in process at Vettä Nordic Spa was fairly easy and seamless. After showing your reservation confirmation at the front desk, you’re given a silicone bracelet to wear throughout the spa. This allows access to your own personal locker (no code needed) and to pay for anything purchased at the spa. Unfortunately, on this day, my credit card couldn’t be linked to the bracelet so I had to use my actual card instead. This wasn’t too much of a hassle but it just meant I had to go back and forth to my locker to retrieve my wallet when dining at the bistro.

Along with the bracelet, you’re also given a robe to wear during your time at Vettä and two clean towels. I enjoyed how you could always ask for more towels if needed. There were always cleaning staff in the locker rooms and on the premises to assist you. That was another plus at Vettä. The staff were super friendly and helpful throughout my visit, offering to provide me with fresh towels without asking.

Something to take note of is that phone usage is prohibited here. The first time I visited, they didn’t allow me to use it even in the dining area. However, I found they were much more lenient with it on this visit. Just make sure to keep it on the down-low if anything and away from the quiet spa zones.

apple cider spa time — Apple cider – A must

Spa bistro self-care — Apple cider – A must

Dining at the Spa

Along with the spa facilities, Vettä Nordic Spa has a couple of dining options available. There’s a bistro located on the lower level as well as a restaurant on the main floor. Both are open until 8pm daily with the exception of Sundays – the restaurant is only open for brunch on Sundays. Since I did visit on Easter Sunday, I was only able to dine at the bistro this time. I didn’t mind though, the bistro was just as lovely and offered a similar menu to the restaurant but in a more casual and cozy setting.

After enjoying the heated pools and saunas/steam rooms for two hours, I was super famished and headed to the bistro for a snack. The bistro had lots of delicious options to choose from, all freshly made, that I had a hard time deciding what to get at first. Vettä really impressed me with their extensive menu in comparison to other spas. In the end, I decided on the bacon and ham quiche. However, that didn’t fill me so I ordered one of their raspberry cookies with a side soup as well.

The soup of the day was spiced carrot and butternut squash that day. Not usually a butternut squash fan but I found theirs to be super comforting. The cookie was surprisingly delicious as well. The server (sorry I didn’t get his name) suggested I get it warmed and I must say, each bite honestly tasted like heaven. I also love the apple cider here – it’s a must. Unfortunately, I didn’t have enough time to have dinner later on. However, with a Finnish and Nordic cuisine that’s all made from locally sourced ingredients, I already know it wouldn’t disappoint.

What to Know Before Visiting

Vettä Nordic Spa is conveniently open all year round, making it a great spot to indulge with a friend or by yourself throughout the year. I personally enjoy coming during the colder months when the weather is nice and crisp to balance out the heat from the waters. However, if you’re into massages, Vettä also offers 60-minute RMT massages, which are great any month. These can be purchased on its own or with spa access on top of the treatment for a different price.

If you’re coming for the hydrotherapy only – which most guests are – entry to the spa is $99 on weekdays and $109 on weekends excluding taxes. There’s also special twilight pricing after 5pm from Sunday to Thursdays that’s $20 off. However, Vettä closes at 9pm so unless you’re okay with only spending four hours there, I’d suggest paying the regular price. This way, you’ll be able to get the full spa experience while squeezing in a meal in between.

Make sure to book your reservation in advance, otherwise walk-ins get charged an extra $10 and there may not be space available either. I booked my reservation less than a week in advance and there were still many time slots available. Though you do need to book a specific time slot for Vettä, they’re quite lenient on it. I was an hour late and got in no problem. You can book your online reservation here.

relaxation room spa day — Relaxation room with gas burning fire

relaxation room self-care — Relaxation room with gas burning fire

Hydrotherapy and Relaxation Rooms

Loved how Vettä has both social and quiet zones. I personally found the quiet zone to be my favourite. They gave more time to reflect and to focus inwards. There were two hot relaxation pools – one in each zone – that I spent the most time in. It was especially beautiful late at night having the pools all to myself while gazing up at the stars. Then there was the hot stone room, where you get to lie on top of a heated stone bed with tranquil music playing. Afterwards, I ended the night in the relaxation room, lying on the comfiest bean-bag cushion.

Over in the social zone – where chatting with friends is encouraged – I really enjoyed the two steam rooms with different scents in each. One was eucalyptus while the other was citrus-scented. Of the two, it was the eucalyptus one that I loved most. I could practically feel the heat working its magic while eliminating whatever toxins I had built up. There was also a shower room with an exfoliating salt rub, where you get to exfoliate your entire body from head to toe. That was great to revisit throughout my stay.

The one room I didn’t enjoy at all was the large wood-burning sauna with three external cold buckets. I was only able to spend less than a minute in there before my skin felt like it was burning. I guess that’s why it was equipped with three cold buckets – definitely not for the faint of heart. Proceed with caution!

Spending my birthday at Vettä Nordic Spa was one of the best presents I could have gifted to myself. I had a great time relaxing in the heated pools while being surrounded by nature. No blaring sirens or screaming kids to interrupt my thoughts, the place was absolutely perfect. From spending an entire day in my robe to relaxing in the spa bistro, it was a day dedicated to practicing mindfulness.

Having been to Vettä twice now, I’m already ready for a third. What really set Vettä apart from other Nordic Spas was the friendly service. The spa attendants, floor staff and servers at the bistro all made it a memorable experience for me. It was a great birthday treat and a lovely experience overall. The best part is that it’s only a short hour’s drive north of Toronto. Being so close to home, I’m tempted to go back on the regular. Anyone else want to join?