Where’s Anne? Vancouver!

I love the outdoors in Vancouver in the sunny summertime but sometimes a soft summer rain can also be just perfect to spend a day at our Willow Stream Spa at Fairmont Pacific Rim. So that’s what I just did.

Sometimes I go “underground” and I am just a total guest. I try every shower and facility. I try our teas and, of course, our cookies and relax in all the lounges – all the while listening and watching how our guests use the spa.

I checked in to the spa mid afternoon and was guided to the locker area. I joined 5 other women who were sitting around in their fluffy robes, talking. They were all going out that night to celebrate someone’s birthday. One of them was helping another with her hair and they were all raving about their skin. It seems that they had all had facials. Interspersed in all of this was talk about husbands, bosses and friends and, yes, a bit of female humour at the males’ expense; it happens sometimes. It was clearly girlfriend time.

Then I checked out our latest experience shower with jets everywhere and different volumes and temperature. I was given a mud pack to use on my face in the shower. It was fun and I am glad they have enlarged the wall sign so I can read the instructions without my glasses. I spent 15 minutes playing with the dials and figuring out the system and all the options. I do think we need some additional instructions, though.

I went into the female lounge overlooking the terrace and remembered that I didn’t bring my bathing suit to wear in the outdoor whirlpool tub. I made a mental note to sell bathing suits. There are four women in the whirlpool on the terrace and they are having a ball. Lght rain is falling and the view looking out at the city and the mountains is amazing.

Two couples in another part of the terrace have crawled into covered lounge chairs. Did I mention that no one seems to be noticing that it is raining?

Back in one of the indoor lounges, I cozy up with a cup of tea in front of the fireplace. I am already relaxed and haven’t had a treatment yet. The mood of the other guests and the very helpful staff all around are so renewing. I already have found my energy (our slogan!).

My therapist arrives and quietly introduces herself and off I go to try out one of our new Stay Active RX treatments. It was really good and I could feel the difference in my hips where I have some soreness from sitting in airplanes.

Is it ok to say how much I like our own spas? It was one of the best afternoons I have spent. I got some great insights from our guests and really liked the mood of this spa. I will be back, as a guest not just for business.

Question

Ever wonder why spa robes often have no pockets? It is a debate we have all of the time. I want pockets for my glasses and various items I take with me. Most of our spa managers say that with pockets too many guests leave jewelry behind and we have to go searching through hundreds of robes and sometimes don’t find it. What do you think? I would love your feedback.