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One small step

There is an unwritten law that states that on your anniversary, your spouse or partner may be willing to agree to unusual date ideas that he or she would normally scoff at. This is particularly true if the person in question has completely forgotten the big day.
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The Banff Upper Hot Springs have a long history as a health and wellness retreat. For centuries

There is an unwritten law that states that on your anniversary, your spouse or partner may be willing to agree to unusual date ideas that he or she would normally scoff at. This is particularly true if the person in question has completely forgotten the big day.

Whether it is enduring an hour of shopping at the mall, watching a Twilight movie or experiencing a long morning of trying to hit a tiny white ball with a club, these unusual activities will either bring you closer together or ensure that you don’t need to worry about celebrating any future anniversaries.

It was a wedding anniversary that prompted my husband’s first visit to a spa. As we were travelling in Indonesia, he wasn’t able to pick up flowers at the last minute.

The solution came when I invoked the unwritten law and asked if he would like to enjoy a couples’ spa treatment with me.

Although he was sceptical, he is not one to break the law — especially an unwritten one, so he acquiesced.

Like many men who have discovered the pleasures of the spa, he now eagerly responds to suggestions that we visit a spa together.

In the spa industry, treatments for men are becoming so popular that spas catering solely to males are popping up in major cities around the world.

Many men are realizing that spas are not a girlie thing — they help a person manage stress, look and feel good, and are often a first step on the fast track to wellness.

Some of Alberta’s best destination spas are located in the Rocky Mountain National Parks. Here are some suggestions for top notch couples spa retreats in Banff, Lake Louise and Jasper that combine accommodations with onsite spas

Spa getaways make very relaxing and romantic retreats, but if you have trouble convincing your spouse or partner to go with you — try asking on your anniversary.

Red Earth Spa

This full service luxury spa is located in the Banff Caribou Lodge and spa guests have full access to the hotel’s hot pool, steam room, and fitness facilities.

The spa features two lounge areas, and six treatment rooms including one dedicated to hydrotherapy. There is also an aesthetics room with manicure stations and pedicure chairs.

There is a full lineup of spa treatments available including a variety of massages, facials, manicures, pedicures, wraps, and other body treatments.

There are also couples treatments, customized men’s treatments, and several unique packages on the menu.

A 60-minute massage starts at $125. The hotel offers a spa package that includes one night accommodation, a $50 food and beverage credit at the Keg Restaurant and two $75 spa credits for $165 per person per night.

The hotel is a 15-minute walk from the downtown area of Banff. (521 Banff Ave.; 403-762-9292 or 1-800-563-8764; www.bestofbanff.com/redearthspa/index.html)

Rimrock Resort Spa and Fitness Centre

Offering a complete mind and body retreat, this full service spa is located in the Rimrock Resort Hotel at the base of Sulphur Mountain in Banff.

The spa menu is extensive with hand and foot care, body treatments, facials, spa packages, couples treatments and a men’s spa menu. Spa guests can also access the hotel’s fitness facilities including squash courts and yoga classes.

A 60-minute massage starts at $125.

The restaurant at the Rimrock is one of only six in Canada to have achieved the prestigious AAA five diamond status. (300 Mountain Avenue; 403-762-3356 or 1-888-RIMROCK; www.rimrockresort.com/spa)

Temple Mountain Spa

Located in the Post Hotel in Lake Louise, visitors to this full-service spa can also access the hotel’s steam room, fitness centre, whirlpool and salt water pool.

The extensive spa menu includes a variety of massages, facials, hand and feet treatments, couples treatments, men’s spa menu, and make-up services.

A 60-minute massage starts at $135.

The Post Hotel offers a spa package that includes two night’s accommodation, two spa treatments, two breakfasts, one spa lunch and a welcome wine and fruit basket for $590 per person based on double occupancy.

The Post dining room and wine cellar is consistently rated as one of the best in Alberta. (200 Pipestone Road- Lake Louise; 403-522-3989 or 1-800-661-1586; www.posthotel.com)

The Spa at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise

The spa menu is extensive at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise and includes facials, manicures, pedicures, body treatments, a variety of massages, couples treatments, men’s treatments, makeup application, and a full-service hair salon.

The facilities are clean and elegant, but very simple.

A 60-minute massage starts at $129.

The hotel offers a spa package that includes one night accommodation, daily breakfast, self parking, and two $25 spa credits for $399 per room per night.

The views from this hotel are stunning. (111 Lake Louise Drive – Lake Louise; 403-522-3511 or 1-866-540-4413; www.fairmont.com/LakeLouise)

The Spa at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge

The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge recently opened a 10,000-square-foot spa facility with 10 treatment rooms, two couples massage rooms, Jacuzzis, therapeutic mineral baths, rain showers and steam rooms.

The new spa is designed to reflect the mountain landscapes that surround the hotel and several unique treatments also reflect that same theme such as fir-infused hot stone massage and maple butter body wraps.

A 60-minute massage starts at $129.

A Jasper Spa Getaway package that includes room accommodation, parking, breakfast and one 60-minute spa treatment per room per day starts at $359 per room.

A package that combines golf and spa and includes two nights of accommodation, daily breakfast, two rounds of golf per room, and a $200 spa credit per room will cost $898 per room. (Old Lodge Road – Jasper; 780-852-3301 or 1-866-540-4454; www.fairmont.com/jasper)

Willow Stream Spa at the Fairmont Banff Springs

The 38,000-square-foot spa facility at the Banff Springs “Castle in the Rockies” defines world-class luxury.

Facilities include a European mineral pool, three cascading waterfall pools at different temperatures, an outdoor hot tub, a co-ed lounge, and men’s and ladies private spa areas with steam rooms, Jacuzzis, inhalation rooms, saunas and private lounges.

The spa menu is extensive and includes a variety of massages, body treatments, facials, manicures, pedicures, make up application and a full service salon. It’s expensive, so plan to spend at least several hours enjoying the facilities when you go for a treatment.

A 60-minute massage starts at $175.

Spa packages that include one night of accommodation, breakfast, parking gratuities, and one spa treatment per adult per day start at $499 per room per night based on double occupancy. (405 Spray Ave. – Banff; 403-762-2211 or 1-866-540-4406; www.willowstream.com/banffsprings)

Debbie Olsen is a Lacombe-based freelance writer. If you have a travel story you would like to share or know someone with an interesting travel story who we might interview, please email: DOGO@telusplanet.net or write to: Debbie Olsen, c/o Red Deer Advocate, 2950 Bremner Ave., Red Deer, Alta., T4R 1M9.