Station Blü has three pavilions, two of which house a sauna and steamroom big enough for 40 people
CASE STUDY 1 Station Blü
F
orty minutes north-east of Québec City, Station Blü is a Nor- dic bath complex that’s nestled in a birch woodland in a meander
of the river Lombrette. Opened in June 2011, it consists of three pavilions built by local architect Alexander Blouin in a modern, clean-line style using glass and the black- ened wood. While one pavilion houses the reception and Oasis healthy food restaurant, the other two are focused on bathing – one has a large sauna, the other a big steamroom (both for 40 people), plus each have chang- ing rooms, relaxation areas and fi ve single and one double massage room. T e build- ings surround two warm whirlpools and ice plunge pools, with the option of also bath- ing in the river, to complete the cycle which alternates between hot and cold experiences
SPA BUSINESS 4 2012 ©Cybertrek 2012
The setting gives a feeling of being at one with nature (left); a wood fi re-heated boulder provides the warmth in the sauna
to benefi t muscle relaxation, stimulate blood circulation and purify the skin. T e man behind Station Blü is 40-year-old
Martin Gladu, the former director of global fi rm Manulife Financial who had a vision to create a wellness centre that, unlike oth- ers in Canada, enabled people to reconnect with nature – especially water. Together with eight partners, he raised ca$5.2m (us$5.3m. €4m, £3.2m) to transform the former farm into an off er based on relaxation, socialis- ing and fun while being at one with nature. T e landscape smoothly runs into buildings, expansive windows give generous views in all directions and heat for sauna is delivered by a wood fi re-heated 4 tonne granite boulder.
The bath cycle experience costs ca$35
(us$36, €27, £22) Monday to T ursday and us$45 (us$46, €35, £28) Friday to Sunday. Timescales for each experience are given, but guests are encouraged to stay to take advantage of the walking trails, good food, socialising or special events, such as watching shooting stars from the open air whirlpools. Massages aren’t sold separately, but a mas- sage and Nordic bath package is available at ca$95 (us$97, €74, £60) in the week and ca$105 (us$107, €82, £66) at the weekend and around 35 per cent of guests go for this with the rest opting for bathing only. Tourists/day visitors make up 80 per cent of the clientele, followed by corporate group bookings at 15 per cent and members at 5 per cent. Despite one of the buildings being struck
by fi re in earlier this year, Station Blü has already re-opened with a re-energised Gladu and team in place.
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