Before the Toronto sunrise had fully awakened, I boarded a plane to Quebec City, a historic city that blends French romance with Canadian beauty. This short escape of only three days and two nights was not filled with a rushed sightseeing itinerary, but rather allowed me to experience this ancient city at a relaxed pace. The biggest contributor to this was the "Strøm Nordic Spa".
Landing in Quebec, nestled amidst the traces of history.
After landing in Quebec City early in the morning, we headed straight to the Auberge Saint-Antoine, a luxury boutique hotel located in the Old Port district, which was awarded two Michelin Keys in 2024, becoming the first hotel in Quebec City to receive this honor. Michelin describes it as "half hotel, half museum," private and exquisite, with almost every room offering views of the St. Lawrence River. The entire complex is built on top of several centuries-old warehouses, and artifacts unearthed during the hotel's construction, ranging from French colonial-era artillery positions to 19th-century port relics, are fully displayed in the guest rooms and public areas. Even the reception desk is made of two-hundred-year-old oak planks.
The highlight of the second day was the Strøm Nordic Spa, just a 15-minute drive from the hotel. Located in Boulevard Champlain, facing the St. Lawrence River, the spa's greatest feature isn't its luxurious facilities, but rather how it integrates the scenery into the treatment. With the river unfolding before you, the width of the water and the changing colors of the sky naturally engage your senses. Simply standing at the entrance, gazing at the boundless view shrouded in steam, is enough to bring a sense of relaxation.
The old town of Strøm boasts a full range of facilities, including an outdoor whirlpool, thermal and Nordic baths, a Finnish sauna, a eucalyptus steam bath, tropical and Nordic waterfalls, indoor and outdoor fireplace relaxation areas, and an infinity pool. Stretching along the riverbank with unobstructed views to the opposite side, the pool is one of Strøm's most breathtaking spots.
The three-part Nordic thermotherapy
Strøm's core concept is "Thermotherapy," derived from thousands of years of Nordic wellness tradition, which involves a repetitive cycle of three steps: heat, cold, and stillness. First, immerse yourself in a hot pool or steam room to open your pores, relax your muscles, and accelerate blood circulation; then jump into cold water to cause a sudden contraction and awaken your nerves. Finally, find a quiet corner, remain still, and allow your body to return to balance. I sat quietly in the steam room for a while, then stepped into the Nordic waterfall pool, found a hammock, nestled in, and let my body slowly warm up from my feet back to my heart. I repeated these three steps several times, and my body definitely felt lighter.
Floating on the saltwater of the Dead Sea
One facility at Strøm's Old Quebec Pavilion that I can't forget is the floatation bath. Boasting the largest floatation bath in North America, surrounded by candlelight, it makes floating feel more like a meditative state. The bath uses a high-concentration Epsom salt solution with a salt content of 25% to 27%, similar to the Dead Sea, allowing the body to float effortlessly on the surface. The feeling of weightlessness is magical; you don't need to swim, you don't need to use any muscles to maintain posture, you just float there, like a falling leaf. Strøm's official description states that the floatation bath effectively creates a state of deep meditation and relaxation, relieves muscle fatigue, and reduces anxiety and stress by relaxing the nervous system.
Nord Restaurant: River Views and Nordic Terroir Cuisine
Nord, located within the spa, is more than just a "restaurant attached to the spa." Its culinary standards are so high that it has the potential to stand alone as a culinary landmark. Nord's head chef, Raphaël Podlasiewicz, has served as executive chef at Strøm's restaurants since 2018. Inspired by Nordic cuisine, his menu uses seasonal, local ingredients and changes with availability and the season. The restaurant boasts large floor-to-ceiling windows and stunning views, and in the summer, it opens a breathtaking terrace overlooking the river.
The dishes were refreshing and layered, with a focus on fresh and local ingredients. After a thermotherapy treatment and massage, such a light and non-greasy meal was the perfect ending. Everyone ate in bathrobes at the spa, creating a very relaxed atmosphere. Sitting by the window, the St. Lawrence River stretched out beyond the glass, its surface shimmering silver in the afternoon sun – the view alone was worth the price of admission.
Ultimate care from head to toe
After enjoying a sumptuous lunch and a short rest, I experienced two treatments. The first was a 60-minute "Relaxation from head to fingertips massage." The aromatherapist's technique was extremely delicate and rhythmic, not just heavy pressure, but following the lines of muscles and lymph nodes, gently yet deeply pushing away all blockages like ocean waves. Paired with massage oil with woody and mossy notes, I closed my eyes and felt as if I were lying in the primeval coniferous forests of northern Quebec, even the subtle tensions in my fingertips and scalp that I hadn't noticed before were soothed by the aromatherapist's warm palms.
Following this was a 60-minute "BOREAL face treatment." This treatment also used extracts from northern Canadian plants, specifically designed to combat tired skin caused by urban environments. The therapist first gently yet thoroughly cleansed and exfoliated, then applied a cooling, herbal-scented mask. While waiting for the mask to deeply penetrate, the skin also received gentle relaxation on the shoulders, neck, and arms. After the treatment, the skin not only regained its long-lost radiance and elasticity but also exuded a healthy, natural glow.
On the day of departure, I didn't head to Quebec City Airport until 5 PM, leaving a few hours of free time. I didn't have any specific plans, so I just strolled slowly along the cobblestone streets of the old town, sat down in a small café to daydream, and occasionally took some photos. Three days and two nights is too short, not enough to fully appreciate the ancient city, but it's also long enough to allow me to unload the anxieties and tensions accumulated from city life, one by one, amidst the alternating hot and cold springs and the weightless feeling of floating. This is the most natural, and also the most luxurious, meaning of travel.
The post "A Spring Dream by the Waterside" first appeared on Pure Lucky Magazine .
Before the Toronto dawn had fully broken, I boarded my flight to Quebec City, a historic city that blends French romance with Canadian beauty. This short three-day, two-night escape wasn't packed with a whirlwind sightseeing itinerary; instead, I experienced the city at a relaxed pace, thanks in large part to the Strøm Nordic Spa. Upon landing in Quebec City, we headed straight to the Auberge Saint-Antoine, a luxury boutique hotel in the Old Port district, which was awarded two Michelin Keys in 2024, becoming the first hotel in Quebec City to receive this honor. Michelin describes it as "half hotel, half museum," private and exquisite, with almost every room offering views of the St. Lawrence River. The entire complex is built atop several centuries-old warehouses. Artifacts unearthed during the hotel's construction, ranging from French colonial-era artillery positions to 19th-century port remains, are displayed in their entirety in guest rooms and public areas. Even the reception desk is crafted from two-hundred-year-old oak planks. The second day's focus was the Strøm Nordic Spa, just a 15-minute drive from the hotel. Located in Boulevard Champlain, facing the St. Lawrence River, the spa's most striking feature isn't its luxurious facilities, but rather how it integrates the scenery into the treatment experience. The river unfolds before you, its width and the changing sky naturally engaging your senses. Simply standing at the entrance, gazing at the boundless, steaming expanse, is enough to bring a sense of tranquility. …
The post "A Spring Dream by the Waterside" first appeared on Pure Lucky Magazine .
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