I booked a vacation to Montreal this past week to celebrate my 57th birthday, and as part of that celebration, I treated myself to not one--but two spa days. My first was at Spa Diva and left me with mixed feelings (you can find that review separately). Wanting to end my trip on a high note, I did a bit more research and booked my second spa experience at Avie Spa, newly relocated inside the Marriott Humaniti Hotel--and I'm so glad I did.
I booked an indulgent lineup of services:
Signature Advanced Facial (with extractions and massage), 60-minute CBD Therapeutic Massage, 60-minute Reflexology session, Salicylic Acid Peel, and finally a Head and Scalp Oil Massage.
From the moment I arrived, the experience felt thoughtful and intimate. The spa is beautiful and serene, and I was offered lemon water or hot tea upon check-in. My appointment included a locker and robe. Unfortunately, the robe was far too small--barely covering me--so I had to keep my leggings on to preserve everyone's dignity. This was genuinely the only disappointing part of the entire experience. I truly wish spas would prioritize size inclusivity. A larger robe is always better than one that's too small--full stop.
What I didn't expect, but absolutely loved, was that my entire 3-3.5 hour appointment was with one practitioner: Alysia. No moving from room to room. No rotating staff. Everything happened in one beautifully prepared space, and the flow was seamless.
From the moment I met Alysia, I felt deeply cared for. The room was softly lit, the massage table was wonderfully warm, and the added memory-foam topper made it feel incredibly luxurious. Everything--from her hands to the oils--was warm, grounding, and calming. The CBD massage was phenomenal, and what impressed me most was how she integrated all of the treatments so naturally that it never felt like one ended and another began. It was one continuous, beautifully choreographed experience.
The facial was equally outstanding. With the thoughtful alternation between warm and cool treatments, my skin felt intensely hydrated, nourished, and calm. I left with a genuine glass-skin glow--yes, on a 57-year-old face, which still blows my mind.
I've had many spa experiences over the years, and I can confidently say this was the best one I've ever had--from top to tip. To make it even better, I was given insurance receipts for some of the treatments, allowing me to submit for reimbursement--an unexpected and much-appreciated bonus.
At the end of the appointment, Alysia and I hugged it out after I told her how extraordinary the experience had been. When I checked out, the staff wished me a happy birthday, asked about my vacation, and genuinely engaged with me about my visit. I also learned that all of Avie Spa's estheticians have at least 15 years of experience, and many--like Alysia--are trained in multiple disciplines, allowing them to care for guests from start to finish. I'd never encountered this model before, and I am absolutely here for it.
Overall rating for all treatments: 10/10.
The only miss was the robe sizing. If Avie Spa corrected that--and even openly promoted size inclusivity--I truly believe they'd be unstoppable. Spa lovers don't only come in size 2. We come in all sizes and all ages, and we are fiercely loyal to businesses that remember that.
If you're in Montreal, you have to go. I will 100% be back on my next trip. read more