Bota Bota spa-sur-l'eau

In 2010, a unique spa appeared in the Old Port of Montreal. Bota Bota, spa-sur-l'eau, as its name suggests, is actually located on the St. Lawrence River. Housed in a converted ferry and anchored in the Alexandra Basin, it offers all the services of a spa in a setting that is completely out of the ordinary.

For owner Geneviève Émond, the idea of setting up a spa didn't just happen out of nowhere. "It's in the family's DNA," she says, adding that her father, Daniel, is also a partner in Bota Bota. Geneviève says her family has always been interested in all areas of water therapy and everything that goes with it. In fact, Daniel started Balnéa Spa in Bromont in early 2000 with her sister. And before starting Bota Bota, spa-sur-l'eau, Genevieve, a business graduate from HEC, was already involved in health and well being when she worked in cosmetics at Yves Rocher.

The aim of the project was clear from the start. "Basically, what we really wanted was to offer Montrealers a spa with its own location, its own area that offers outdoor relaxation spaces and above all, that had access to the waterfront," says Geneviève. "We wanted to offer this kind of accessible experience without people having to contemplate going far." When she saw that a boat was for sale, the final piece of the puzzle fell into place. "What could provide that experience better than a boat!"