From Russia, With Love
Izba SpaMontreal
(Sep.05.08)
Quebecers are no strangers to Nordic resorts. We’ll head to the Laurentians to relax at Le Scandinave or we'll go to the Townships to Spa Balnea. But we need a car—and the time—to enjoy the hot-then-cold baths.
So we were thrilled to discover a new spa offering the Russian banya (steam bath) experience right downtown. Izba is on the twelfth floor of Le Crystal, a discrete boutique hotel. The basic Izba massage experience is $135 for 60 minutes, but we can spend up to $250 for more time and treatments.
We were given a yellow robe, slippers and a key to our locker before we headed to the cedar-lined sauna. It’s small, but perfectly sized for one-on-one treatments. There, a masseuse rubbed and whipped our backs with oak leaves to promote circulation and detoxification (a surprisingly pleasant sensation, like a light tickle).
Then we headed into a luxurious room next door, where we enjoyed a vigorous massage before relaxing in the lounge. Sipping lemon-infused water on a day bed, we grazed on fruit and granola bars.
With Izba in such easy reach, our car will be staying in the garage a lot more often.
Izba Spa
http://www.izbaspa.qc.ca/
1100 de la Montagne (corner of Rene Levesque)
514-871-2444
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