The Legend of the Holy Grail is an ancient tale dating back to at least the 12th century. Some say it is based on even older Celtic mythology and nature cult folklore. If you’ve seen the excellent Spielberg and Lucas flick, Indian Jones and The Last Crusade, you’ll remember that the Grail holds mystical powers. According to the legend, it was the cup that Jesus used at the last supper. Anyone who drinks from it is blessed with eternal youth.
So for a holistic health resort featuring natural living and a focus on helping their guests recover their youthful appearance and vigor, Grail Springs Health Resort is aptly named. Even their message at the bottom of their new website (just launched on Sunday, the day I checked out) promises, “where the legend is alive and well…”
A vacation get-away for Hollywood stars (like Jim Carrey), wrestlers (like Trish Stratus), music moguls and top executives, Grail Springs is the perfect place to be pampered. It’s no wonder people travel from all over the world to get its guaranteed R & R. One American guest told me that Grail Springs was by far the best health spa he’s been to out of seven he’s encountered during his globe-trotting. Another guest traveled all the way from London, England to get the tonic served here in Bancroft, Ontario.
Driving through the front gates, Grail Springs is protected by two stone angels. Idyllic is a weak descriptor as its quaint, rustic European country architecture, complete with beautiful climbing vines and landscaping, nestles against a Northern Canadian lake and country setting. The newer addition features a castle turret and a wooden hobbit door. Not quite ready to meet Bilbo Baggins, and enamoured with the place already, I miss that it’s the entrance to the front desk.
Using the more traditional square door, I find myself by a staircase and the dining room. The busy chef (Ryan) happens by and my first encounter with the Grail staff is delightful. He is friendly and welcoming, showing me the way to the lobby. The girls at the front desk are just as helpful, genuine and down-to-earth. I sit down to fill out my health forms and look around. There’s a movie listing for every day of the week, as well as a daily schedule of activities. Among these are sun salutations yoga, the morning Mantra, nature walks, afternoon yoga, the grotto, a workshop, campfire, and ending with movie and popcorn.
Mom meets me in the lobby and practically drags me up to our room before I get a chance to finish filling out the health history questionnaire. The room, like the rest of the resort, is an enigma – posh yet charming and colonial. A stone fireplace is the centerpiece of the room. From the ceiling, a hanging chandelier. The bed is massive and I joke that we’ll need a step stool to climb into this deliciously fluffy dream-maker. Past the big buckwheat pillow are French doors leading out to the double balcony overlooking the lake.
Laid out side by side at the end of the bed are two housecoats and on the floor, two sets of orthopedic plastic slippers. Pinned on our robes are our itineraries for the rest of the day. It’s a light list which leaves us plenty of time to get settled and back downstairs for a tour. Kelly takes us through the inside, showing us the spa (which includes many different rooms), steam room, workout and yoga rooms, gift shop, dining room and immense living room. This last room fits comfortably three regular sized living rooms and features the mother of all stone fireplaces.
Our tour takes us outside past the beach with paddle boats and canoes available for our pleasure. Close by is the Grail grotto which includes an outdoor sauna, cold plunge tub and hot tub. I barely get out my excited chatter about jumping into my bikini right away when we come across the fascinating labyrinth. The sight leaves me dumb while I drink in its magical energy.
That ain’t all. Walking further into the property, we catch a glimpse of the owner’s house as we’re shown the path to the walking trails. The tour ends at pungent red stables. Five retired rescue horses feed lazily at their troughs hanging from the internal set of a series of fences. Although I haven’t booked horseback riding, I ask if it’d be ok if during my stay I pet them. “Sure,” she answers. “I think they’d like that.”
Stay tuned for Part 2 of this review, where I describe the different packages Mom and I experienced, our individual treatments and meals. The overall Grail Springs philosophy will be exemplified as I discuss the complimentary workshops and movies, gifts sold in the shop and some of the stories of healing from staff and guests, including myself.
Just so I don’t have you waiting in suspense, would I go again? In a heartbeat. Between Mom and me, we spent nearly $2000 for 2 nights at seasonal prices. Was it worth a few months of cutting out the extras to save for such a luxurious adventure? Definitely. But only for longer.
Note: Mom and I received the same treatment as any other guest. No one knew I was a blogger and that I was planning on writing a review until the last day after check-out.
If you’re curious about the labyrinth, take a walk with us in Friday’s post in a video I shot while there. I’ll also explain what it is, where it came from and its purpose.
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{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
Hey Steph,
Love the post. The pictures are awesome also. Looking forward to part 2!
I am planning on going for a 5 night stay beginning May 18 2009,when did you visit?
Hi Carolyn! You’ll love it at Grail Springs – I know I did!
I went just last fall, in September of 2008. It was expensive but well worth the money.
Enjoy your trip and please come back to tell us your Grail Springs experience!
If you only knew the truth about some of the people that work there you would be horrified. Of course they appear genuine because they receive customers that pay big bucks. You don’t need to publish this. I’m just tired of seeing people going into the there and not seeing the unfortunate truth. For example you have people that work there that drink like its going out of style (when they aren’t working; as they say around here “this is Bancroft”. Should not all the staff that work there be health conscious? You have other people that aren’t even qualified for some of the jobs. Some of the staff like to spread gossip about the guests; not very dharmic of them; perhaps because they are envious? The staff generally are underpaid and have to rely on tips so I guess thats what you would expect. Sorry to say that but like I said; I am tired of seeing people pay big $$ for this. I wish I could be more specific on details but I feel like I am already pushing it. You don’t have to publish this and I’m sure you won’t. I came across your blog and felt compelled to speak. And my email address isn’t real as you don’t need to respond. I’m really sorry about that. Of course this is only my opinion based on a couple years of observation.
Thanks SO much for your thoughts, Friend. This is what social media is all about and so of course I’m going to publish your comment!
I’m especially glad you commented because after my Mom and I left Grail Springs, we stopped by one of the stores in Bancroft. We were talking about Grail Springs and the person working cash was noticeably disturbed at the mention of G.S.
She said she worked there and without going into details, had a terrible experience working there. I thought it was an isolated incident but your comment makes me wonder…
Plus, I’m extremely disappointed with how they are handling their social media efforts. There was no recognition for my blog review on their resort, I’ve also contacted them through Facebook and Twitter – no response – and even called them to see if they needed help with their social media efforts – again, no response.
They are obviously missing out on the most important aspect of social media (and business!): the people.
How well you treat your staff and the people trying to help you out is a good indication of your true intentions. It’s unfortunate because I thought Grail Springs was all about raising the consciousness level of the planet.
I thought they wanted to help the world be a better place. But I haven’t seen it yet – except for when I paid them for it!
Thanks again for sharing your experience with us and for your honesty, Friend.
Steph
Head Health Nut
There is one person on the above website link that is really a fraud. Oops did I say that? What I mean is that she is a yoga instructor only because she has read several books last year and came up with routines to teach the high paying clientèle. Last year she ran a weekly yoga for kids at a gym which I guess gave her some experience but she never had training from a yoga instructor; therefore not even a certificate and many hours to prove it. She certainly cannot know the human anatomy very well and could possibly injure someone by suggesting an asana for someone with a back injury etc.
She is a student of many schools of knowledge only because her knowledge comes from the internet. When she runs lectures she prepares her information by looking up what she can find on the net; powerpoint presentation and cut/paste then Presto! No background understanding required.
She studied from only one school and never completed it because she did not agree on some of their fundamental values. She councils women and they love her vast knowledge (see Tripadvisor; and speaking of Tripadvisor did you know its biased?) but is she really then qualified to give advice?
How do I know this? Well I used to know this person very well but maybe it would be best not to post that fact since I need to remain anomonyous. Maybe you don’t want to post this tidbit of yet another example of misleading well paying clientèle looking for help and healing while paying big bucks for it. But I thought you might like to know.
This is another example of what has been disturbing me about this place. She should not be working for guests doing what she does. She would have been excellent at front desk or the kitchen etc.
Peace to you Stephanie
Hi Steph
I agree with the second last comment made about the Grail…I know first hand of some of the staff that work there and it’s true some are not qualified at all to be working there, I believe that the Grail could afford to hire trained and certified people but they don’t; why? I don’t know why, perhaps it’s because the owner likes to keep the big profits, she has staff doing duties that they have no business doing. Some of the staff are overweight and is certainly not a sign of being health conscience. The Grail used to be a Bed & Breakfast & Restaurant that was owned by the present owner( Madeleine Marentette) and her ex-spouse. It was re-vamped to become the Grail Spa, built on ancient Native land very spiritual and very haunted, check it out and ask around. The Grail doesn’t like the guest to know about the spooky things that go bump in the night.
Wow, my experience at the Grail was a positive one and gave me no indication of unqualified service!
Thanks again for your honesty and sharing your knowledge about the Grail. A good review is constructive, and although it makes me a little uncomfortable to be criticizing others, I felt it was important to publish your comments.
Not only is this an open forum but people SHOULD have as much knowledge as possible for their purchasing decisions. Many people, especially when we’re talking about health, prefer to work with trained and certified practitioners.
Personally, I had fabulous service and I loved the yoga! The instructor even showed me a few new poses.
Since you fill out a detailed health questionnaire at the Grail before your stay, I hope that in their review they would advise against certain activities that may harm someone (say with a back injury).
I’d like to know who reviews these health questionnaires and their qualifications…
@Rose – thanks especially for the extra tidbit about the Grail! Native land, spirits… now THAT’S interesting.
Steph Miller
Head Health Nutter
I think working in a Spa or massage center it is very important for staff to be qualified. If this place dont have qualified staff then i think location dont have any worth.