Visiting Sensea Nordic Spa In Nova Scotia
Canada Travel || Tags: Nova Scotia, South Shore ||There’s nothing like a spa day to relax and feel rejuvenated, but a nordic spa? Even better in my opinion! I was so excited when Nova Scotia’s first Nordic spa opened in early 2020. I’ve visited twice, once in October 2020 and once in January 2021.
Let me tell you everything you need to know to have an amazing day at Sensea!
About Sensea
Sensea is located in Chester, a little less than an hour outside of Halifax.
They are open all year and 7 days a week. Right now their hours are 10am – 7pm Sunday through Thursday and 10am-9pm Friday and Saturday.
You do have to book either a spa pass, or a spa service (which includes a spa pass in the price) in order to visit. Unfortunately the passes can be hard to get! Your best bet is to keep checking the online booking site, as people may cancel. When you book a spa pass it will give you a check in time, and you may stay as long as you wish.
What Is A Nordic Spa?
Nordic spas are based on hydrotherapy that has been popular in Scandinavian countries for a very long time. The idea is that by making your body hot through saunas, or hot pools and then going directly into something old like a cold pool then relaxing before repeating, you’ll strengthen your immune system, decrease tension and feel less stress.
Spa Services
There are spa services such as massages and facials available, I haven’t personally booked one but it sounds like the ultimate in relaxation! Some of the massages are provided by a Registered Massage Therapist and therefore can be submitted to an insurance plan if you have one (they do not direct bill, so you would need to submit the receipt yourself).
How Much Time Do You Need?
You really need about 3-4 hours to get the full experience. Anything less than that you may feel rushed!
What To Do At Sensea
The idea is to warm up, cool down, relax and repeat.
Warm Up
There are several hot pools around the property to relax in, 2 near the front of the spa and 2 at the other end. There are also a few dry saunas, a hammam, which is a heavily steamed room scented with oils, there is also a Scandinavian sauna and a Russian sauna.
Cool Down
Beside the warm options there is always a cool down option. There are cold pools, showers (the hammam has a lovely shower with epsom salt scrubs), and cold water buckets to pull over your head. When I visited in January we mostly used the cold air outside to cool down
Relax
Relaxing is probably the most overlooked part of the equation. There are lots of chairs around fires for you to relax, hammocks (heated hammocks in the winter), and a relaxation hut where you can relax around a fire inside, and get food and drinks.
When the weather is good, occasionally there is yoga by the lake. You can book one of the spa services as well.
There is a new facial hut where you can do DIY facials, but be warned, the line can be long!
Sensea In The Winter
The time of year you visit will undoubtedly impact your experience. In the winter being that it is cold outside, you may not want to partake in the cold pools, plus the cold water buckets are closed!
That being said, Winter is an amazing time to visit Sensea! The hot pools and saunas feel amazing when it’s cold outside, and I think it’s a great way to beat those winter blues.
My favourite place to relax was the relaxation hut (not just because there was food!). The fire in there made it so cozy, I wish that I had brought a book to read.
Definitely make sure you bring a hat, and slip on shoes.
What Should You Wear To A Nordic Spa?
Once I booked my first trip to the Nordic Spa, the first thing I wondered was what to wear!
Sensea provides towels included in your admission price. You can also rent robes, and buy sandals. I have rented a robe – and they are cozy, but the only downside is most other people are wearing the same one, so it can be easy to get confused!
You should bring a bathing suit, a change of clothes, sunglasses, hat, and shoes that are easy to slip on/off.
Where To Stay Near Sensea
Sensea is building “Dream Cocoons” where you’ll be able to stay, however they aren’t finished yet!
Chester is a lovely town to visit, and there are lots of Airbnbs nearby. I haven’t personally stayed in Chester but my pal and podcast co-host Meggan has stayed at Mecklenburgh Inn and had a great experience
The Oak Island Resort is about a 20 minute drive away from Sensea, I love it there.
Final Thoughts
If you haven’t made it to Sensea yet – do it! It is so relaxing and definitely worth the drive to Chester.
Chester is such a great place to stop on your Epic South Shore Road Trip, you can check out some other destinations on the south shore here:
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