Feel Good and Live Grand at Brantford's Spa

Escape the ordinary and treat your senses to a luxuriously ‘grand’ experience without leaving the city limits. Grand Wellness is Brantford’s premiere spa destination, situated along the picturesque Grand River. Tourism Brantford recently had the pleasure of touring the beautiful Spa, and we are so impressed with what we saw and learned that we just have to share. Boasting a plethora of spa services and treatments designed to leave you feeling rejuvenated and refreshed, Grand Wellness is one attraction in Brantford you do not want to miss.  

Grand Wellness, founded in 2004, is a unique local day retreat where wellness meats relaxation. Heidi Stewart-Peterson, a registered massage therapist, started the business 15 years ago with just three other employees. In 2008, Heidi and, (now) co-owner and director, Jola Westerhof became business partners and the spa moved to its current location at 202 Grand River Avenue. The spa has expanded its offerings numerous times over the years and is now a thriving operation with 45 employees who provide service to approximately 150 individuals daily.

Nestled into an old industrial building in Brantford, Grand Wellness is an inviting spa with warm, rustic décor. Visitors can relax in the uniquely tranquil setting that also celebrates the industrial heritage of Brantford. Pictures and newspaper clippings are proudly featured in the waiting room, which used to be the old Slingsby’s Cotton Mill, and treatment rooms have been named after prominent Brantford companies.

The Spa’s signature service is their Beer Soak, inspired by the Bixel Brewery, which used to exist on the property. Timeless in its healing properties, the Beer Soak can help with today’s pressing health issues such as anxiety, insomnia, and depression. There are two baths located in one treatment room, so you can book this service individually or you can bring your significant other or friend along with you to share some relaxing, self-care time together. The hoppy baths pair up perfectly with other services offered at the spa, including: massage, facials, manicures and pedicures, among many others.

The spa prides itself in providing unique naturally-derived products, with a firm belief in delivering the highest quality service and products to make their customers’ experience as relaxing and luxurious as possible. Some other services offered include: body scrubs and wraps, aesthetic services such as waxing and tinting, eyebrow and eyelash services, hydrotherapy soaks, halotherapy, reflexology, salt block detox, infrared sauna, and much more.

If you haven’t heard of halotherapy before, it may be because it is unique to this area. Grand Wellness has re-created an old world Salt Cave, and along with the many health benefits, it also oozes relaxation. It’s impossible not to rest as you snuggle up with a cozy blanket and settle into the zero-gravity chairs. Your only job is to obey the “no talking” rule of the room, breathe deeply, and relax as the Halogenerator fills the air with just the right amount of salt and humidity required to help relieve your respiratory system. The darkened room coupled with the glow of the imported pink rock salt and lamps, and peaceful sounds of cascading waterfalls make this room the perfect add-on at the beginning or end of your massage or yoga class to get you in the right mindset. 

Trish Leblanc, Grand Wellness Studio Manager and Yoga Instructor, has been working at Grand Wellness since the opening of the yoga studio in 2018. Trish is one of six instructors in the studio and one of the unique classes she provides is a Friday evening “Savvy Stretch” class, which is a restorative yoga class designed for grounding and calming the Parasympathetic Nervous System. The meditative class wouldn’t be complete without comfortable bolsters, essential oils and guided breath work. After the class, yogis are invited to stay and enjoy a glass of locally-sourced Ramblin’ Road Beer or a glass of wine from Burning Kiln winery. For an additional $10 you can sit in the salt cave for 30 minutes or enjoy the Foot Detox treatment, while you enjoy your beverage. It’s the perfect way to unwind and decompress after a long week at work. 

Owners Heidi and Jola say that their company’s sustainability and success can be attributed to the “ongoing support of family and friends, the longevity of their dedicated staff, the loyalty of their clientele, timeless service and good old fashioned high standards and quality customer care”—a trend they believe will never go out of style!

Stay tuned for the reveal of Grand Wellness’ newly renovated and designed second floor space and make sure you are following Tourism Brantford on Facebook and Instagram tomorrow for a chance to win an exciting giveaway from Grand Wellness! 

Please visit the Grand Wellness website for more information, including a detailed list of services offered with pricing information.

Follow Grand Wellness on Facebook or Instagram and keep up-to-date with current events, product and service offerings.