I was recently invited on a retreat to Ste. Anne’s Spa with my #FamilyTravelCa colleagues and I couldn’t help but mull over which definition of retreat best defined my escape. Was I looking for refuge or escaping the enemy? As it turns out, it was both.
While I love my home, like many people today, it’s also my place of employment—and like any place of employment, sometimes I just have to GET OUT OF THERE, so seeking refuge was definitely high on my list.
As an entrepreneur, I have no set hours for work and no routine in my life. The only thing routine about it is that I can rely on nothing to ever be the same. I’m okay with it mostly. It comes with the territory of having various work contracts and not one single employer that I answer to. The enemy here is within. It’s the voice that doesn’t allow me to rest. The one that whispers continually “Gotta make hay while the sun is shining.” That voice is why a retreat was not only needed but absolutely mandatory. That “voice” had to be on a time-out.
If you find that you too need an escape AND a piece of paradise then it’s time to book a retreat of your own. There’s no better place than Ste. Anne’s Spa in Grafton, Ontario. I’ve written about it over here and I hope you’ll pop over and read more about it. I’m going to share how to get the most of your Ste. Anne’s Retreat in this post.
How to Plan The Perfect Retreat at Ste. Anne’s Spa
Take Someone Who will Fill Your Heart or Your Head
I’ve visited Ste. Annes twice now—once with a best friend and once with a group of my peers. Once I left with a full heart and great memories, and the other time I left inspired. Both times I left recharged and ready to conquer the world. Choose company that makes your life better.
Book Your Spa Services in Advance
Take the time to review all the amazing services that Ste. Anne’s offers online and book your services before you go. I can’t say enough good things about the Sychronized Tuning or the Aroma Stone Massage. Your body will feel as light as a feather when you’re done.
Live in Your Robe
Let go of pretensions like putting on pants in the morning. Who likes pants anyway? Ste. Anne’s encourages guests to stay in their fluffy, white robes for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Book The Private Chef
The dining at Ste. Anne’s is a foodie’s paradise. Much of the food is sourced from the farm that has an extensive herb and vegetable garden, as well as livestock. Ste. Anne’s also has a gluten-free bakery which will leave you scratching your head as to why we bake with flour at all. For the ULTIMATE experience though, book your own private chef at your cottage.
Live in the Moment
Leave your phone in your room and truly enjoy your spa services free of daily stresses. If this isn’t a work retreat, go so far as to leave it and your laptop at home. Keep your head firmly planted in the present and don’t let yourself get caught up in your to-do list.
The Farmhouse is the Ultimate Professional Retreat
The Farmhouse at Ste. Anne’s is the perfect place to host your next professional retreat. Located near the main inn for treatments, it has five charming bedrooms and can sleep up to 11? The country kitchen has a large harvest table perfect for group brainstorming sessions and private chefs (see above). The Farmhouse, like all the cottages and rooms at Ste. Anne’s have high-speed wi-fi connectivity so you can work from anywhere.
Since it’s the holidays, I’m thrilled to be offering a two day escape to Ste. Anne’s Spa. This package includes the following:
Overnight accommodation for 2 people (Monday – Thursday) in a standard spa cottage.
2 breakfasts
2 3-course lunches
2 afternoon teas
2 4-course dinners
$240 in spa allowance
Full Use of the facilities
Julie Farmer says
December 10, 2015 at 9:44 amI have never been to a spa but think it would be lovely to stay in a beautiful place and just get pampered. I would take hubby with me so we could have some quality time together.
Victoria Ess says
December 10, 2015 at 10:26 amMy partner and I will need a retreat after busying ourselves with home renos.
Darlene S. says
December 10, 2015 at 10:26 amI’ve never been to a spa, but yes, I need a getaway… I would bring my 2nd youngest daughter with me.
Samantha D says
December 10, 2015 at 10:32 amMy husband and I are both December babies and we would love to head to Ste. Anne’s Spa for a birthday retreat!
Jessica W. says
December 10, 2015 at 8:45 pmWe’ve been busy renovating our bathroom for the last several months. My fiancé and I need a stress reliever!
Jennifer Alger Morse says
December 11, 2015 at 5:02 pmMy sister and I used to do sisters getaways every year but we haven’t since the birth of my 4 year old son. We have always wanted to go to Ste Anne’s.
Renee says
December 12, 2015 at 12:38 pmI would take my husband. He’s never been to a spa and after taking amazing care of me and my kids while I was sick he deserves to be pampered!
Erin McSweeney says
December 12, 2015 at 1:57 pmi would take my sister its her 40 birthday this year…and it would be a great sister getaway for both of us which we could use
Kathy Fowler says
December 12, 2015 at 3:38 pmWould love to visit this spa to relax and spend some quiet time with my husband
Debbie says
December 12, 2015 at 3:59 pmWith two young kids and work from home, I need a mini break! I would take my hubby as we don’t get to see a lot of each other during the week.
Mel says
December 12, 2015 at 5:27 pmI have been begging my husband to take me to St.Anne’s!!!
Jaime Damak says
December 12, 2015 at 7:27 pmReading your post makes me want to go back, like now.
Kathy says
December 12, 2015 at 8:13 pmI have always wanted to go to Ste Anne’s Spa. Would love to have a mommy getaway with my best friend.
Ashley Levesque says
December 12, 2015 at 10:09 pmI need a getaway because I work hard and I’ve never been able to just get away and relax. I would have to take my other half. He deserves it
Sarah Smart says
December 13, 2015 at 12:41 amIt’s been awhile since I’ve been on vacation and I would love to bring my boyfriend Leo 🙂
Ophelia says
December 13, 2015 at 1:27 amI’d take my husband for a couples’ retreat. He works so hard!
julia g says
December 13, 2015 at 3:54 amI need a retreat because I find the holidays really stressful. There is so much to do and I always seem behind.
Jenna D says
December 13, 2015 at 9:05 amI would love to take a friend for my first whole day/night away since I had my daughter, who’s three now. It’d be such a treat to have a day off 😉
Angela M says
December 13, 2015 at 9:17 amIt has been a long few months. I had to pull my youngest daughter out of school because she is no longer able to sit in her wheelchair. She needs back surgery for her severe scoliosis. My mother recently fell ill and passed away a week and half ago. It has been a very stressful time trying to be a caregiver for both and I need a break to recharge and reflect. I would love to take my oldest daughter while she is on a break from University. It would be so nice to get away.
Shelley Nelson says
December 13, 2015 at 9:25 amWe have just moved due to my husband’s job change. My husband and son moved to the new location and I stayed back prepping the house for sale, working my job during the week, travelling each weekend to see them, then packing up the house contents once it sold and now I am looking for work at the new location and unpacking here. I could use some time one of my girlfriends
Kris Wilson says
December 13, 2015 at 10:56 amI can use a retreat as I’m the sole support parent to a very active toddler and I feel tired all the time. I’d bring either my closest friend who has cancer or my niece who had a double lung transplant last year, both deserving of a little pampering. Thanks for the giveaway!
Cheryl says
December 13, 2015 at 11:43 amI would take my husband, we never had a honey moon so I think this would be very good for us to get away and relax
Shane Smith says
December 13, 2015 at 4:39 pmfunny at our year end dinner yesterday someone was just raving about ste annes spa!
I’d love to take my wife. We both work very hard and she suffers anxiety as well so i’d love to be able to relax and reset. thank you very much!
Lynne m says
December 13, 2015 at 6:26 pmI’ve never been to any spa, and my husband and I could use a break from renovations we do ourselves
erikakomori says
December 13, 2015 at 6:38 pmI don’t have benefits anymore so I would love a massage! I would take my wonderful boyfriend!
Elaine says
December 13, 2015 at 7:19 pmI need a break from the routine my life has become lately! I would take my husband but I have a feeling he wouldn’t enjoy it so instead I’d take a friend!
Yashy Murphy says
December 13, 2015 at 7:27 pmI REALLY need to get the hubs to experience a spa getaway.
angela september says
December 14, 2015 at 1:18 pmI would take my mom, she is going through some very tough stuff right now and she LOVES the spa.
Leslie W-H says
December 14, 2015 at 9:09 pmMy good friend Carol, a fellow teacher, would be a fun companion for a moms’ retreat from everything.
Helen says
December 15, 2015 at 4:50 amMy bday is coming up so I want to spend a solo self care day 🙂
Cathy C says
December 15, 2015 at 2:33 pmI have 2 evil teens …need I saw more I would bring my poor tired hubby He needs a break too!
Catherine Brown says
December 15, 2015 at 5:19 pmI really need it, and would take hubby.
sschool2010 says
December 15, 2015 at 8:50 pmIt has been a long stressful year and I’d take my best friend (Suzi)
JoAnne Hudy says
December 15, 2015 at 8:59 pmI need a retreat because it’s been a REAL tough five years, and I would share it with my best friend, who just happens to be my hubby.
marie s says
December 15, 2015 at 9:44 pmwork Is stressful lately and I need a vaca.. I would take my sister.
Stephanie T says
December 15, 2015 at 9:54 pmI need a break from my hectic schedule and I would definitely take my sister with me!
my villa says
December 15, 2015 at 11:19 pmI’m so burnt out. my equilibrium is off, trying to get it together. I would bring my cousin as she’s been helping me alot with my parents
ellaprettyblog says
December 16, 2015 at 9:46 amI need a retreat because it would be nice to have a break from everyday duties and just unplug and enjoy the countryside. I would take my husband with me because we hardly ever get to spend time alone together these days.
Karma Brown says
December 16, 2015 at 9:51 amI would love to do this with my sister … it’s been SO long since we’ve spent time together, just the two of us, and this would be one for the memory books 🙂
Mellissa says
December 16, 2015 at 6:05 pmI would love to do this to celebrate some milestones that occurred this year. I’d bring a girlfriend 🙂
Anna hutchison says
December 16, 2015 at 6:28 pmThanks for the reminder about st Anne’s! I haven’t been in years, it is fantastic! I’d go with my partner or a girlfriend!n
Philana Cassolato says
December 16, 2015 at 10:20 pmI just want to reconnect with my best friend in a beautiful setting
Jackie Man says
December 16, 2015 at 10:28 pmI would bring my hubby as a post-honeymoon relaxing getaway! I love St.Annes!
Chandra Christine O'Connor says
December 17, 2015 at 4:27 amI need a retreat because I’m recently unexpectedly separated from my husband and it’s very stressful starting over. I would take my sister who has really helped me these last 4 mths, plus I live in Grafton and I would love to experience the spa before I move away.
Sandy says
December 18, 2015 at 2:01 pmI have had a bit of a rough year and have never visited Ste. Anne’s. I am dying to try it out. 🙂
Nicole says
December 18, 2015 at 2:32 pmI would take my husband. We’ve had a crazy, stressful year and could really use some alone time to relax and reconnect. Thanks for the chance!
BobbiJo pentney says
December 18, 2015 at 11:48 pmI would take a friend, it has been a really tough year and I need to renew.
Wendy J says
December 19, 2015 at 2:52 pmI would take my sister who’s having a tough time right now but is still keeping a positive attitude while I plan my wedding.
Pam says
December 20, 2015 at 5:33 pmI could use some much needed time away with hubby to rejuvenate after caring for two sick moms.
Jennifer Will says
December 20, 2015 at 6:30 pmI would love this! Some much needed R&R!
Jennifer Hayden says
December 20, 2015 at 8:05 pmMy husband and I have two boys who have Autism and could definitely use a getaway!
Lauren Miller says
December 21, 2015 at 1:44 pmI would love a getaway, we have two toddlers and my husband and I haven’t had a night to ourselves in years. This would be a dream come true!
Janssen Adriano says
December 21, 2015 at 2:00 pmI’ve not been to the spa, but sent my sister there, as well as my mom and two of my good friends. I’ve not heard anything but great things of their experiences. My dealing with the people on the spa chat line about their services, as well as speaking to their CSR’s on the phone have all been very helpful and great experiences as well.
Priya Chendk says
December 21, 2015 at 3:26 pmGreat tips thanks
Rachel says
December 21, 2015 at 3:37 pmIts my mom’s 60th birthday next month, so I would take her… quality time with my mom is the reason why I would need this retreat. Thanks for the contest!
Kristina Ziegler says
December 21, 2015 at 10:09 pmI would take my hubby because we are both turning 40 soon and are long overdue for a relaxing getaway!!
Lindsay T says
December 21, 2015 at 10:38 pmI’d love a retreat with my husband. Both of our jobs have been very stressful lately & it would be nice to get away & relax together and Re-connect.
Tania Carfa says
December 22, 2015 at 9:31 amI would LOVE a retreat with my husband. We have two young children (4 years, and 21 months), we both work full time and I also have an online business I run! Life is so busy and chaotic for us-we could use this!
Anna Noelle says
December 22, 2015 at 2:17 pmI need a retreat because it’s been a very long year for me. I would love to relax just for a teeny bit with my Mom. She deserves time away.
alliefutterer says
December 22, 2015 at 4:20 pmI need a retreat because I work as a writer and cat owner and never really have a holiday or weekend. So drained. Thank you! I’d take my loving mum!
Tim says
December 22, 2015 at 9:11 pmMy wife and I celebrate 10 years of marriage in 2016, so I would bring her to celebrate the occasion.
Sherry says
December 23, 2015 at 6:00 pmWe have had quite a difficult year and my husband and I could use a quiet spa getaway. He has never even been to a spa 🙂
Robertha W. says
December 23, 2015 at 6:31 pmI definitely agree with Candace to unplug and refresh at Ste Anne Spa. I am a foster parent of several children and after giving of myself to children who need a home and nurturing, I need to rejuvenate. I would take my daughter as she has been very helpful with the foster children.