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Avello Spa |
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 The
Westin Whistler’s Avello Spa is nestled in the heart of Whistler
Village in one of North America’s top ski resort’s,
Whistler-Blackcomb. It advertises that it’s a total retreat for
the body, mind and spirit, offering advanced massage treatments
and a multitude of bodywork and skin care therapy.
We had high expectations for Avello, having been pampered at the
Westin Resort’s Heavenly Spa in Maui. Upon entering The Avello
Spa, our hopes for an experience similar to Maui were dashed. We
were greeted by the staff and asked to wait in the small reception
area for our appointments. We were not given a tour of the spa or
shown to a changing area. Spa robes were not offered, and there
was no water or tea service or tray of healthy goodies to munch on
while waiting that you find in many other resort spas. It was more
like sitting and waiting for a doctor’s appointment. Our
therapists converged at the door at the same exact time, which
made it seem like we were being shown to an examination room. The
massage therapists wore starched white uniforms - very reminiscent
of old hospital movies. One flew over the cuckoo’s nest comes to
mind…………………..
My therapist was very nice and did a good job;
nothing terrific or memorable, just a massage. My husband’s
therapist didn’t listen to his particular requests for areas that
needed special attention after our hike up Whistler Mountain.
Being a massage aficionado he left feeling disappointed and still
sore in the areas that needed some extra work. Janet, one of our
staff writers, had a different experience all together. She LOVED
her massage and thought her therapist, who did heed her request
for special attention to her tired legs, was excellent.
Considering it was her birthday, we were happy she got the best
massage.
Perhaps Avello hasn’t had an upgrade since the resort opened.
Maui’s Heavenly Spa by Westin underwent extensive renovations 3
years ago or so and is only the second spa in the world to receive
SpaExcellence(SM) certification. Heavenly Spa by Westin is really
a treat for relaxing and rejuvenation with the Pacific Ocean as
its backdrop.
If you are looking for a basic old-fashioned massage without the
ambiance, then Avello is suitable for those needs. However, if you
want ambiance and all the rejuvenating benefits you get from the
spa experience, I would keep looking. We’ve promised ourselves
another trip back in 2008 in search of a great spa experience in
Whistler.
Anne and Michael Keefe
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Footnote: The Avello Spa
photo gallery online represents a
completely different view of the spa than what we experienced.
The photo gallery represents a spa experience that most people
are looking forward to receiving.
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Address:
Avello Spa
4090 Whistler Way
Whistler, BC
CANADA
V0N 1B4
Appointments:
1-888-630-5577
Web site:
www.whistlerspa.com |
