There is something different about walking up to the spa in the fall. It might be the crisp air, the jeweled tones of all the trees twinkling in the wind or perhaps the scent of the campfire, pulling you closer to reception as the crackling logs get louder. If you have only experienced bright summer days at La Belle Cabane this might be your sign to take a break before fall gets too busy.
Conveniently located near Saint John, NB, here’s what it looks like out here once the air turns.
Why are the cooler months a beautiful time for an outdoor spa?
It’s simple… the heat feels better when the air is cold – the dry sauna heated towels feel like a warm hug. You walk over from the cold plunge into the steam of the hot tub and sigh with warm relief. You step out of the sauna into the smells of the campfire and sounds of the birds that have made Canada home for the winter,, and your whole body wakes up at once. You sink into the hot tub with the trees also resting around you, and everything goes quiet again – in your space, in your mind.
What does a cooler spa day look like at La Belle Cabane?
Our forest thermal spa is a self-guided journey in four parts – four directions – four meaningful healing components.
Sweat. Start in the dry or steam sauna. On a cool afternoon, this is where you’ll want to stay the longest.
Soak. Cool down in the cedar cold plunge or just let the crisp air do the job. Then settle into the hot tub beside the forest and watch your breath turn to steam.
Stone. Lie back on the heated river-stone bed with a cozy robe (maybe even a blanket). The warm stones underneath you and cold air above have a way of making three hours feel like an entire weekend. At night, stargazing while enjoying the cold air above you and the warm smooth rock bed below you is a gift
Salt. Use the salt room, your halotherapy treatment and infrared sauna to breathe a little deeper than you did on the drive in.
The cedar tea is waiting for you, along with towels, spa shoes and bathroom amenities. Robe rentals are optional, but putting your robe and clothes in the dry sauna for an after-spa warm hug on your drive home is mandatory 😉 in the cooler months we might recommend a tuque (or picking one up in our gift shop) and bringing a blanket so your outdoor rest session can last a little longer
Is the spa private?
Completely. You book a private pod for three hours, and it’s just you and your friends and/or family. Our Beaver Pod (Amik) is made for one to four people and our Bigfoot Pod (Sa’be) fits up to six-eight, so it works just as well for a quiet afternoon for two as it does for a friends’ day out with the full crew. Sessions start at $195 plus HST for two guests.
How do you make a day of it on the Kingston Peninsula?
The drive is part of it. We’re about 40 minutes from Saint John on Route 845, and in the fall and winter, the Kingston Peninsula is one of the prettiest drives near the city. Take the Gondola Point ferry across the Kennebecasis and it starts to feel like a trip instead of an errand. Stop at the Kingston Farmers’ Market if it’s a Saturday morning and the market is still running or stop by Reeds Point Pub or YIP Cider for something tasty after your spa.
If you’d rather not drive home at all, stay the night. Extend your forest escape with an overnight stay! Cozy up in one of our off-grid cabins, complete with a wood stove, lanterns, and a loft bed, or retreat to The Nook, our intimate private suite, perfect for a solo getaway. Cabins require a two-night minimum when booking online, but single-night stays may be available by contacting us directly.
What should you bring to a fall spa day?
A swimsuit, a warm tuque, and a cozy layer for the walk from the car. Slip-on shoes also make life easier. Bring a water bottle, and leave your phone tucked away. Everything else, from the towels to the tea, is here for you.
Is the spa open all year?
Yes, and it’s a different feeling every season. The hot tub is covered and stays warm right through winter, which is its own kind of magic with snow in the trees. The outdoor shower takes a break until spring but the cold plunge is running unless we’re dealing with extreme temperatures.
