For my recent birthday my beau and I decided to indulge in a little spa getaway at Tigh-Na-Mara Spa Resort. If you’re like me, who had never heard of the place until now, you’re in for a treat. Nestled in a secluded beach just outside Parksville on Vancouver Island, it’s a true diamond in the rough. The resort boasts two restaurants, a lounge, and a first-class spa. Upon checking in we wandered over to our seaside cabin to enjoy panoramic views of the ocean framed by sprawling cedar trees and sandy beaches. The cozy log cabin felt like a home away from home with its stone-built fireplace and Jacuzzi tub, both of which we took full advantage of! After settling in we headed over to the Grotto Spa where we took a dip in their mineral pool, said to contain over seven healing and purifying minerals, before pampering ourselves with a side-by-side couples massage- oh so relaxing. As if that wasn’t enough to put me in a perpetual state of bliss, the luxury continued as we dined in our spa robes at the Treetop Tapas & Grill where we indulged in their endless tapas menu. The gourmet menu tantalized our taste buds with West Coast-inspired cuisine such as steamed local halibut, Peppered Ahi Tuna, and Tamarind marinated lamb. I opted for pure relaxation this time around, but for all you adventure seekers the area also offers Oceanside hiking, mountain biking, and cave spelunking. Sometimes time or money doesn’t always allow for a trip to some exotic locale, but with a gem so close to home, it’s nice to know a heavenly escape is just a ferry ride away!

1155 Resort Drive, Parksville, BC, Reservations: 1-800-663-7373, Info@tigh-na-mara.com

By: Chloe Berge, Vancouver