Where the journey unwinds: Spa retreats across Manitoba
- Karin Schreiber
- 22 hours ago
- 4 min read
A road trip through Manitoba unfolds in a cascade of impressions: quiet lakes, endless stretches of prairie, vibrant cities and outdoor adventures that keep travellers moving from morning until night. Somewhere along the way, the longing for a place where the pace gently softens begins to rise. A moment to let the body exhale and the mind sift through the day’s impressions in its own quiet rhythm.
This is when Manitoba’s spa retreats become cherished sanctuaries – warm, soft, comforting. They ground you after an active day outdoors, ease the fatigue of long drives and bring a welcome balance to a journey filled with adventure. And the loveliest part: these places aren’t just perfect for winter. They offer a beautiful kind of relaxation in summer, too.
Below is a selection of Manitoba’s most inviting spa havens – small, calming anchors that bring a gentle pause to any road trip.
Winnipeg
Thermëa Spa Village
Regarded as one of Winnipeg’s premier spa destinations, Thermëa Spa Village has long been a favourite among those seeking a warm, peaceful outdoor retreat. Its signature Thermal Experience is the crown jewel of relaxation: a restorative cycle of heat, cold and rest that gradually slows body and mind. In the colder months, a gentle mist rises above the temperate and hot pools, while the icy Polabër pool and the Icebër waterfall entice only the genuinely brave.
For the warm cycles, guests step indoors to a selection of dry saunas – including the popular Aufguss ritual – and fragrant steam rooms. During rest phases, you can stretch out on heated stone slabs or sink into warm seats, accompanied by soft music that drifts you into a quiet, dreamy calm. Throughout the grounds, firepits crackle invitingly, perfect for warming up, unwinding – or roasting a s’more as slowly as you please.
Ten Spa
High above downtown Winnipeg, inside the historic Fort Garry Hotel, lies Ten Spa, blending modern elegance with a centuries-old tradition. The Turkish Hamam, a warm and deeply cleansing steam ritual, goes far beyond contemporary wellness. It offers a sense of physical and spiritual purification through heat, water and gentle scrubbing techniques that reawaken both skin and mind.
Whether you choose a short introduction or a more elaborate ritual with massage, this time-honoured experience unfolds in a serene, grounding rhythm that invites you to let go.
Riverstone Spa
Set right at The Forks – one of Winnipeg’s most vibrant gathering places – Riverstone Spa surprises with its settling quiet. A moment in the sauna, a few minutes by the open fire, a cosy nook to lean back in … and the bustle outside fades almost instantly. After long walks along the Red River or hours exploring the lively district, the calm here feels like a quiet gift. Perfect for slipping out of the city’s rhythm without wandering far at all.
Pocca Pocca Spa
As Winnipeg’s first Japanese-style spa, Pocca Pocca is entirely dedicated to Ganban-yoku, a beloved form of warm-stone therapy in Japan. Guests begin by choosing their stone: Maifan, tourmaline, jade or tenshou. Each is imported and naturally emits far-infrared rays and negative ions that warm the body gently and evenly. The effect is calming on the nervous system, while joint and muscle tension ease almost effortlessly.
In the heated room, the session starts simply: 30 minutes lying on your stomach, followed by hydration, then another 25 minutes on your back. This rhythm is repeated a few times – and time begins to slip away unnoticed. Once settled on the warm stones, you won’t want to get up anytime soon. An ideal pause after an active day in Winnipeg.
Riding Mountain National Park
Klar So Nordic Spa
Nestled within the Elkhorn Resort in beautiful Clear Lake Country, Klar So Nordic Spa offers a peaceful retreat to restore and recharge. Here, the authentic Nordic approach to wellness takes centre stage: heat, cold and deep relaxation woven into a therapeutic cycle that energizes circulation and soothes the mind – perfect after a day on the park’s trails.
Between the steam room, dry saunas, bubbling hot tubs, temperate pool and invigorating cold plunge, a tranquil outdoor oasis unfolds naturally around you. Add a soothing massage or revitalizing skincare treatment if you wish, or end the day with a relaxed visit to the onsite bistro. Everything here invites you to breathe a little deeper.
Fiddlehead Cabin
Fiddlehead Cabin offers a cosy, quietly charming way to experience Riding Mountain National Park. Perched on a small rise, it opens onto a wide 180-degree sweep of meadow and sky – a panorama that shifts subtly with every change of light. A storybook-like sauna completes the picture, offering comforting warmth after a full day in the outdoors.
Hecla/Grindstone Provincial Park
Salka Spa Resort (Lakeview Hecla Resort)
After a lakeside hike, a bike ride or a peaceful walk along the shore of Lake Winnipeg, Salka Spa welcomes guests with gentle warmth and calm. Mineral pools, restorative treatments and soft lighting let tired muscles unwind, while the surrounding park breathes quietly just outside. It’s an ideal place to let the day settle – and gather fresh energy for the next stretch of the road ahead.
Brandon
The Hills Spa
At The Hills Spa by Skin Clinics, body, mind and skin find their balance again. This wellness haven in Brandon offers a thoughtful selection of treatments – from traditional Hamam rituals and soothing massages to hydrafacials, eucalyptus-infused steam and a warm cedar sauna. To enjoy the experience fully, arrive a little early: the relaxation lounge awaits with fresh fruit, small snacks and a selection of teas and beverages – a gentle beginning to a peaceful pause.
Manitoba’s spa retreats are more than simple stops along the way – they are small anchor points along a journey rich in impressions. They offer calm before the next lake, the next encounter or the next long stretch of open road. Perhaps that is why they fit Manitoba so well. And even more so a road trip meant not only to be seen, but truly felt.
Please visit www.travelmanitoba.com for further information about Manitoba.