Eastern Inspiration

Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts already takes cues from Eastern sensibility—the Hong-Kong based group was originally founded in Singapore in 1971—and this holds true with the Miraj Hammam Spa by Caudalie Paris at the Shangri-La Hotel, Toronto. Here, traditional Turkish treatments prevail. The ultimate detoxification is the Hammam and Gommage, a signature treatment in the Middle East. Hammam includes a full-body steam session in a private high-intensity, low-mist steam chamber to open the pores. A full-body gommage treatment follows, using eucalyptus-infused black Moroccan soap to whisk away dead skin cells and rid the body of toxins and impurities. At just 30 minutes, Hammam and Gommage is an express path to zen.

Not that you’ll want to rush; the spa also offers Caudalie Vinothérapie treatments and products. “When you look at the discovery of the grape, it was first discovered in the Middle East,” says spa director Daryll Naidu. “We thought pairing Caudalie Paris with the Miraj Hammam Spa would be a good fit, we wanted something different.” The Miraj Hammam Spa at the Shangri-La, Toronto is the only Caudalie-branded spa in Canada and the second in North America. Vinothérapie harnesses grape and grape vine extracts for their natural, effective skin-care properties: resveratrol, discovered in grape vine stalks, is an effective anti-aging property; grape-seed polyphenols are a powerful anti-oxidant; viniferine from grapevine sap treats dark spots and boosts skin’s radiance. Treatments range from facials and manicures to a full wine barrel bath, and the spa also features a Vichy shower. To top it all off, Turkish tea and treats, including the spa’s signature ingredient, a few fresh grapes, are included after every treatment.