Spa Experiences That Can Be Fishy or Therapeutic

NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE, ON—Not for the faint of heart or the ultra-ticklish, Vintage Hotels’ new fish pedicure will soon be the latest in alternative spa trends. The 20 minute session, termed the Garra Rufa Experience, will be offered to spa guests at Pillar and Post Inn & Spa in Niagara-on-the-Lake later this spring.

Spa-goers submerge their feet in specialized tanks where masses of minnow-like garra rufa gather on the feet to nibble away dead skin. The curious little fish are attracted only to dead skin and leave healthy skin untouched, resulting in softer skin with a more glowing appearance.

“We have constructed a special room for the treatment,” Dianne Turner, marketing and public relations specialist for Vintage Hotels, told CLN.  “It’s a beautiful spot with a nice raised bench.  Guests can drape their feet into specially made, 45-gallon Lucite tanks.

“I’ve had it done and I absolutely loved it.  At first, I felt a little bit silly,” Turner added. “But the fish don’t have any teeth — there’s nothing to worry about!  They are like little minnows that go right between your toes.  This takes the place of the traditional files and pumices.”

The session is best paired with a complete spa pedicure for maximum results.

Garra rufa fish naturally occur in the fresh water river basins of Turkey, Syria, Iraq and Iran.

Vintage Hotels is the first hotel chain in Ontario to offer the Garra Rufa Experience, although it is already offered at spas in Montreal.

The 45-gallon clear tanks which house the fish are carefully regulated for temperature, pH and bacteria. The room also contains sanitary foot baths where feet must be cleaned before and after each session.  Vintage Hotels is currently working with the Niagara Board of Health, and will offer the experience to its guests once it receives final approval.


A relationship retreat

In a time when daily stresses affect not only an individual’s well-being, but also their closest relationships, Vintage Hotels has announced a spa service specifically geared to couples.

The new set of services focusing on a holistic approach to wellness will be offered as Relationship Retreats at Pillar and Post in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Any two people in a relationship can book this special spa getaway (married or engaged couples, partners, mothers and daughters, friends). The Retreat consists of a choice of couples massage or side-by-side pedicures followed by an entertaining and reflective one-hour session designed to celebrate their relationship.

Vintage Hotels has hired Ashley Howe to lead the session portion of the Retreat. It’s worth noting that although Ashley is a therapist, this is not therapy! Couples enjoy a lighthearted Q&A discussion about such positive aspects as the couple’s earliest memories of each other, their proudest moments and dreams for their future.