Affordable spa treatments in Vancouver
Luxury spa treatments aren’t just for the stars. Save your pay cheque for something sensible and spruce up your nails or ease your aches and pains at one of these Vancouver spas where you’ll find affordable services and specials on offer every day of the week. The hardest part will be choosing which one to visit first – and where to go for lunch afterward, of course! [Photo credit: iStock.com/Georgijevic]
Studio 16 Beauty Salon
213 16th Ave E, Vancouver, BC V5T 2T5Located in the heart of Mount Pleasant, Studio 16 is East Van’s go-to spot for an inexpensive spa day. Most services here won’t break the bank, but nail treatments are especially good, with manicures priced at just $18, pedicures at $28 and combined for less than $40 (so you might as well get both, right?). If you’re preparing for a big night out, an Evening Makeup package is a must-do: for just $30, your beauty technician will save you the hassle of doing it yourself, which may even help you be on time for your date (for once)!
John Casablancas Institute
150-220 Cambie St, Vancouver, BC V6B 2M9Today's students are tomorrow's pros. Most beauty schools offer discounted esthetic services to the public as part of students’ training – and Vancouver’s renowned John Casablanca Institute offers one of the best beauty programs in the city. The beautiful in-house spa boasts a long menu of treatments that includes a range of manicure and pedicure options, waxing, eyebrow tweezing, body wraps, massages, microdermabrasion, and makeup applications. All are less than $50, with most hitting around the $10 to $20 mark.
Altum Spa & Wellness
1110 Howe St, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1R2This tranquil downtown Vancouver day spa is organic and eco-friendly, which makes it an excellent option for those with skin sensitivities. With such fine ingredients, some services are pricy, so be sure to watch out for weekly specials: depending on the day, you can schedule a 50-minute body scrub for only $99 (regularly $120+) or enjoy a 30-minute back massage with a 15 minute foot massage for just $50. And no matter what you’re in the mood for, remember to book your appointment on a Tuesday, when all services are 10 percent off!
Big Feet
7950 Granville St, Vancouver, BC V6P 4Z2Don’t let Big Feet’s offbeat name deter you. This wonderful little Marpole spa is an excellent place to get a massage for less than $50. But before you go, take note: massages here are not for the feint of heart (and body). Masseuses’ hands are rigorous to encourage lymph flow and detoxification, which means you may feel slightly sore the next day, albeit open, relaxed and limber. Oh, and the spa’s close proximity to Vancouver International Airport means you can work out your kinks post flight.
Pure Nail Bar
1780 Manitoba St, Vancouver, BC V5Y 0H1This small, local franchise offers modern, stylish and fresh spaces in which to be pampered. The Olympic Village location is perhaps most rejuvenating, with high ceilings, oversized windows and nearby access to the False Creek Seawall, the perfect place to parade your new mani-pedi. The Brazilian bikini wax is especially well priced here, at less than $50. And if you’ve got little ones at home, there’s no need to book a sitter for your visit; have them hop up beside you to enjoy the little miss pedi, which includes buffing and polish (but not cuticle cutting) for just $25.
Czechrose Natural Therapy
1306-1323 Homer St, Vancouver, BC V6B 5T1It’s been said that the original Western estheticians hailed from the bathhouses of Eastern Europe. Putting a twist on the teachings of their ancestors, the talented team at Czechrose offers standard Euro-inspired services plus several Eastern treatments such as Indian head massage, reflexology and Chinese cupping. For those strapped for cash, a wonderfully intense deep tissue massage goes for just $89. The even more affordable anti-stress massage is just $59, making it an ideal option for those who need a little help winding down after work.
Smile Thai Wellness
235 Robson St, Vancouver, BC V6B 0E7The ancient art of Thai massage places an emphasis on the healing powers of movement, stretching and alignment. Mastering the intricate practice here in Vancouver is Smile Thai Wellness, a cozy West End spa. Here you can enjoy Thai couples and individual massages, massage therapy and foot reflexology – plus a range of signature treatments, which often include healthy drinks and sweets as part of the package. The latter is not unlike an affordable “vacation to Thailand,” as Smile Thai aptly puts it.
