
Natural beauty is abundant in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage site, after all. There’s also an abundance of amazing restaurants, gorgeous local beaches, and a thriving music scene, but there is something else the area has to offer: spas!
Luckily, there are two within walking distance of our SPARKS FLY RETREATS venue — the Bluenose Lodge — and another is a short half-hour drive away in the stunning town of Chester. After all, all work and no play would be cruel in such a gorgeous place.
Book your spas in advance
Both our memoir and creative writing workshops are designed so that in the afternoon, participants are free to write, have their one-on-one meetings with instructors Allegra or Kate, explore the area — or relax in a spa, of course!
Right in the heart of Lunenburg, there are two spas:
The emOcean Wellness Centre offers a variety of services, including hairdressing, massage, skin care, and therapeutic laser treatment. The centre also boasts an infrared sauna and a saltwater swimming pool. The Centre is closed on Sundays and Mondays, and booking well in advance is a must.


The Spa at Ninety4, at the Lunenburg Arms Hotel, is a full-service spa that offers manicures, pedicures, hair and facial services, and a variety of massage treatments, including deep tissue, hot stone, Indian head massage, body polish and a coconut wrap. Again, remember to book in advance.


Gaze out over a lake from your sauna
A half-hour drive from Lunenburg, in Chester, is the truly spectacular SENSEA Nordic Spa, a relaxation experience inspired by the Nordic culture. Set along the shores of a lake and in beautiful woodlands, are a series of saunas, hammams, outdoor hot and cold baths, a waterfall, relaxation area, spa rituals, massages, and body treatments. There’s also a little café on site, and if you want, you can enjoy a glass of wine and a sandwich. You can buy a spa pass for $69 CAD that entitles you to use the spa all day long.
There’s also a self-facial treatment room where you can relax as your masque dries whilst gazing out over the water. SENSEA Nordic Spa is open seven days a week, all year round. Definitely book your treatments, and your visit, well in advance. This spa is extremely popular!


Relaxation frees the mind
Relaxation is a great way to let your thoughts drift and meander and free up your mind from everyday concerns, enabling you to focus on your writing. Indulging in a spa afternoon is highly recommended!
