This beautiful spa in a Heritage building in downtown Vancouver is all marble and whiteness. Drinking caramel rooibos tea -- a flavour combination which we were initially unsure about but which turned out to be deliciously warming -- we admired both the dainty white china teacup and the original carvings at the top of the high columns. Breathe is a basement spa located down a grand marble staircase, but has a light and elegant aesthetic with a friendly and helpful atmosphere. Independently owned and operated, Breathe Spa is worth a visit for that reason alone. There are just five spacious treatment rooms, each with its own chandelier.
Breathe Spa is the spot to hit if you're after a tailored, customised, personalised, individualised -- or any other word not yet invented that means specific and unique to you -- facial treatment. That's what we booked in for, and the treatment we recommend.
The spa uses products from the Swiss Methode Physiodermie range and Sacred Nature, a certified organic skincare line from Italian brand [ comfort zone ].
Breathe Spa doesn't get swamped by out-of-town visitors -- and that's because savvy Vancouverites book their next treatment as soon as they leave their previous one -- so it's not always easy to turn up as a tourist and book on the spot. Our advice: get ahead of yourself, facial devotees, and check out their booking service before you arrive
People come here for the signature facial, the spa's most popular treatment, which we tried. It's results-driven and worth every dollar.
You can try a shortened version of the facial if you're pushed for time, or a version with warm stones. You could also book in for a Hawaiian organic body scrub, hand and foot treatments using Zoya nail colours, or add-on services such as waxing or lash tinting.
Anyone who takes their skincare seriously: locals and the well-informed.
Getting to the spa a little early so you can sip some signature caramel tea in the marble lobby and start to feel serene already.
Single Spy
29th November 2013
Spy Likes:
Warm floors when you put your bare feet upon them; heated treatment beds; soft towels; attention to detail, so that your treatment room looks and smells beautiful when you arrive in it.
Spy Dislikes:
Cold floors when you put your bare feet upon them; therapists who use your treatment time to write up a list of product "recommendations" that they hope you will purchase.
