I have had the wonderful opportunity to visit many Spas, being that I just can’t get enough of being pampered! Once I found Spa Utopia, that was it! No other Spa compared and gave me the relaxation I needed from the moment I walked in to the moment I left (feeling like a cooked noodle…). I knew when I started REVUE BLANC that I just had to feature and recommend this spa to all of my readers.
The amount of work and thought they put in is amazing and it is definitely noticed as the experience from start to end is executed flawlessly. They are incredibly on point and ensure you have everything you need to fully unwind, relax and enjoy your time at their Spa.
So let’s get to know Spa Utopia and Stephanie Stark, the General Manager of the North Vancouver location.
When was Spa Utopia established?
SS: Spa Utopia was established in 2000, so we have been around for 17 years now.
What type of spa is Spa Utopia? (Day Spa, Medical Spa, Wellness Spa?)
SS: We consider ourselves to be a Health and Wellness Spa or Day Spa. However, we offer a variety of services including medical treatments, therapeutic treatments and beauty and relaxation; this is a huge focus for us.
What is the difference between a Medical Spa, Health and Wellness and Day Spa?
SS: A Medical Spa typically provides strictly medical services. We consider our medical treatments to be our medical skincare services like laser hair removal and broad band light services (IPL), which includes skin tightening and pigmentation treatments. Some Spas may consider chemical peels to be a medical treatment as well.
As a Health and Wellness or Day Spa, we provide a bit of it all.
Other types of Spas that you will find are Resort or Destination Spas.
What is Spa Utopia’s vision or mission?
SS: -“We believe in truth, value, gratitude and inner beauty. The human touch is essential to the well-being of the mind, body and spirit.” I feel that this really embodies what Spa Utopia is and what we are here to do for our guests.
How many locations do you have?
SS: We have 3 locations; Langley, downtown Pan Pacific Hotel, and North Vancouver.
Are there plans to open more locations?
SS: So far, just the 3 for now, but you never know! That’s the exciting part – you never know what the future holds!
What are the differences in each location? Does each offer a different atmosphere or experience?
SS: Each location has their own unique feeling. The nice thing about Spa Utopia as a brand is that we are similar in terms of the experience and services we offer our guests.
Here in North Van, we have the beautiful view which is definitely unique to us. Our guests are able to see the water and a great view of downtown Vancouver. We are also about 13,000 sq which is very large for a spa. We offer 2 VIP suites that overlook the water. They have a large Jacuzzi tub for 2, a waterfall shower, and a private changing area. So there is quite the experience you can have here.
Our Langley location is 10,800 sq. –While they do not offer any VIP suites they do offer the same feel or atmosphere as here.
Our Pan Pacific Hotel location is 11,400 sq. They are unique in in that they have different amenities that can be offered to guests as they are part of a Hotel. For example, guests have access to the sea salt pool located on the 8th floor.
All locations are very similar in terms of the design and décor; that Romanesque feeling.
What type of training is required for staff?
SS: All of our staff are fully certified and trained in what they do; whether it is massage, skincare, or salon.
In addition, we also provide intensive in-house training for our technicians to learn our protocols and procedures. It’s quite a lengthy training process. We pride ourselves on the education that we provide to all of our team members.
We are also often adding new services and there is continuing education that we focus on heavily to stay up to date in the industry. Our guests have the expectation of the most current and best treatments and techniques so that is what we provide to our guests through the training of our technicians.
What types of amenities are available to guests during their visits?
SS: Here in North Van, we offer a relaxation lounge that overlooks downtown Vancouver, eucalyptus infused steam rooms in both our men’s and ladies change areas, comfy robes and sandals, healthy snacks, variety of different beverages, a wine tasting after your service, and complimentary make-up touch ups. There are a lot of different aspects that tie into the full experience that we offer.
As we touched on, all the locations are a little bit different, and have some different amenities.
How does the Spa Utopia differ from other spas around Vancouver? Do you offer any unique services?
SS: In Vancouver, we are so lucky to be provided many different options! We really pride ourselves at Spa Utopia with what we offer our guests, being that we try to make it as unique as possible and we create our own services. We take pride in the fact that since the beginning, we have created our own protocols and procedures to make the experiences that our guests have unique. One of the nice things is that we are continually building on that and changing things to ensure that we are always providing our guests something a little bit different that they may not be expecting.
Our signature services that we offer, for example; our signature massage or facial have the unique Spa Utopia touch, whether it incorporates heating gem stones, warm towels or different massage techniques. They are unique to us because we created them with a lot of thought and feedback from our guests.
How does Spa Utopia keep modern and fresh?
SS: We put ourselves in the eyes of our guests. From a visual perspective, we are always performing regular maintenance, upkeep and making sure that things are staying current in terms of our facilities.
In terms of the treatments we provide, we ensure that we are offering up to date and up and coming treatments in the Spa and Salon industry.
In this industry, you need to stay current, travel and see different spas and what is out there as well. The company as a whole attends trade shows and conducts research to see what is up and coming and what would be a good fit for our Spa.
What treatments are the most popular for relaxation?
SS: I would say for sure massage. We offer a wide variety of massages and they tend to be the most popular of our services.
Overall, our Swedish massage is the most popular. If you are looking for therapeutic, our Designed for U massage is very popular as well. This is for those wanting more focus on specific problem areas or specific muscular tension.
Do you offer a signature treatment? Tell me about it.
SS: Our signature massage is a combination of all of our massages; it incorporates a little bit of everything. We use heated gem stones placed along specific areas of the body, warm towel applications, and foot wraps. Our signature facial which is popular as well, it’s more of a massaging and relaxing facial as opposed to a results-based facial. It uses heated gem stones, a paraffin hand mask and different massage techniques. It’s a facial for those looking for the ultimate relaxation.
Are there any treatments that are a must try that may not be as popular?
SS: If I had to pick one service, and this is my personal opinion, the treatment that tends to surprise people the most when we encourage them to try is our body wraps.
People often feel that if they were to get a body wrap, they might as well just get a massage. But they are amazing. It’s taking care of YOU from head to toe. We offer some really relaxing body treatments; I’d say our relaxing lavender or tranquility body wrap is our must try. With these, you get a body exfoliation, lotion application, and while the product settles, a facial exfoliation, cleanse and massage. It’s kind of the overall body experience in one.
If you haven’t tried one, I strongly suggest it.
What type of packages do you offer clients or groups requesting the ultimate relaxation?
SS: We offer a wide variety of packages that typically include 3 services or more. Our packages cater to wedding parties or individuals looking to spend a half or full day at the Spa. We offer VIP packages that include our VIP suites to relax with a loved one or friend in order to have a more private intimate experience.
One of the things we love to do is cater to our guests. So if we do not have a package that is what you had in mind, we can create one for you.
How do you ensure that your guests have the most luxurious experience?
SS: For us, experience is everything. Without hiring and training amazing staff, we wouldn’t be able to provide the experiences that we do. We also ensure all of our guests are educated on the amenities that we offer and what is here for them to enjoy. Really, just helping our guests unwind and relax and enjoy their experience from start to finish.
What other types of services do you offer your clients in addition to massages?
SS: We offer a wide range. We offer a full service massage department, skincare services (everything from facials, manicure, pedicure, waxing and tinting, body exfoliation and body wraps), spray tan applications, makeup lessons and applications, and a full service hair salon.
What is your secret to providing excellent guest experiences?
SS: The training we provide, our amazing staff, our sanitization practices. These are things that are important to our guests. Our guests know that they are coming to a place where they are serviced by well trained team members who know what they are doing and proper sanitization, which we have very high standards for. The beautiful spa environment definitely helps to complete the overall experience.
Walk me through what a guest would experience when visiting Spa Utopia.
SS: We will greet guests as they come through the doors and welcome them to the Spa. Our Spa Coordinators will take our guests back into the Spa, and new guests will be asked to complete a quick client file so that our technicians care provide the best possible care. Guests are shown the facilities that we offer; the relaxation lounge, the change rooms with instructions on how to set yourself up for your services. Then your technician will greet you in our relaxation lounge, and take you in to experience all the great services that you are scheduled for on your spa day. The lounge is there for you to relax in afterwards for as long as you need.
We offer a lunch service, which is different at each location. Here in North Van, you can order same day if it is a weekday. For weekends, we typically request advanced notice but we do our best accommodate what we can. The menu varies day to day, but typically we offer a gourmet sandwich with a side mixed green salad. Our Pan Pacific location offers lunches through the Pan Pacific hotel.
What is the proper spa/massage etiquette required by guests?
SS: We request guests to unplug, turn off their devices, and take time out to focus on yourself.
In terms of attire, my motto is wear what is most comfortable for you. With every guest it is different.
For example, with the steam room, we provide you with a towel and sandals. Most guests wrap themselves in the towel, but some guests choose to bring their swimsuits.
For treatments, again, whatever is most comfortable for you. For massage treatments we recommend guests remove any upper body garments, however in terms of undergarments, it’s completely optional.
How far in advance should appointments be booked?
SS: This varies on the type of service you are having and the time of year as well. We typically recommend 2 -3 weeks in advance, but that’s not to say that we can’t accommodate same day treatments. If you have any specific requests for technicians or gender preferences, again, it is best to book in advance.
How many RMT’s do you have on staff?
SS: It varies location to location, but here in North Van we have about 30 RMT’s on staff. At Spa Utopia, we employ the most RMT’s within the province. Spa Utopia as a whole employs over 80 massage therapists. That number surprises many guests! Here at this North Van location, we have over 80 employees in total. There’s a lot of team members working to create your experience.
What types of products do you use in your services and are they made in house or sourced elsewhere?
SS: We offer a wide range of products because we offer so many services. Our main product line is Comfort Zone for body and skincare. It is from Italy. Our main lines for our salon are Davines and Kevin Murphy. Davines is also from Italy, and Kevin Murphy is Australian.
We carry a wide range of different products. We also use our own product line – Spa Utopia Rosemary Mint lotions, shampoos, conditioners and Body & Salt which is made with either Himalayan, Deep Sea or Canadian salts.
What types of products do you offer for purchase? Do you have any locally made?
SS: A whole lot! We offer a lot of the products that we use in our services but we also carry some that are a little more unique or great for gifting. We are always bringing in new lines that we think would be suitable for our guests.
We currently have 2 new lines that we have brought in that are exciting because they are both local and all natural – K’Pure and Pink House. They are from the Fraser Valley and Abbotsford. They are great for people looking for organic and natural products. They have everything from natural deodorants, moisturizers, bug sprays – all sorts of different stuff.
Do you have a favorite product yourself that you love from Spa Utopia?
SS: Just one? That is a hard one – when you work here for so long you try them all. There are so many great ones! The makeup line that we carry – Jane Iredale is an amazing product line. It’s 100% mineral based. Comfort Zone has a wide variety of different lines for different skin types. Coola is really nice as well!
Have you tried all the services? Is it recommended to all the staff to try the services?
SS: Of course! It’s important especially for our front house staff like our Guest Services tea. It really assists in describing the experience that the service is going to provide. Our guests can go online and read on our website what the service entails but to hear it described by someone who has experienced it is a whole other level.
So yes, we do encourage all of our staff to experience the services so that can explain to our guests what they should expect. Most people are pretty happy to have spa services and it can become a little bit addicting. For myself, I do not think there is a service that I haven’t tried! The body wrap though was one that took me approximately 4 years to try. I was encouraged to, but always thought “it’s just not my thing…” And then I did – and it is the best thing ever!
What are the most popular products you sell? Is there one that you just can’t keep on the shelf?
SS: One of the skincare lines that we carry – Pro Derm. It’s a smaller Canadian line, but we sometimes can’t keep their cleansers in they are so popular.
We carry a soap called “Dam Good Soap” which is also local. It’s an olive oil based soap which is very popular so we do our best to always have it on the shelves!
One of the nice things of being the size that we are is that we are able to carry a wide range of products.
And at last, it’s time to get personal – my favorite part! I loved getting to know Stephanie better, and learned quite a few funny facts that I hope you all enjoy as well!
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Thank you Stephanie for sitting down with us and giving us an inside look into how Spa Utopia takes relaxation to a whole other level and the amount of work that goes into it! (And congratulations on your baby to be!)
Up on the blog next – my own personal experience at Spa Utopia. I will take you through my experience and give you an inside look as to what you can expect when you visit Spa Utopia.
