Uppliva Nordic Spa — Attraction in Ottawa

I visited Uppliva yesterday for the first time and I can't wait to go back. The place is tranquil, soothing, clean and beautiful. I loved the warm white walls, with only a little texture to add a meditative interest. The healthy real low light plants make the space feel natural and revitalizing. It is small, with few people nearly silent, and calm.  I highly recommend a visit.

I tried the steamroom first and enjoyed the very warm eucalyptus steam, solid marble benches, and graduated white and grey tile to help orient a person in the heavy mist.  The dry sauna was made of cedar and tile, it was hot and satisfying; I appreciated the timers on the wall and the little window facing some shrubbery.

The black gas stove in the relaxing lounge was very attractive and warm and I wanted to sit and gaze at the flames; however, I chose to lay down on the adjustable lounge chairs and drift off to relax. I found the apothecary corner delightful and tried the grounding shower salts, made immediately for me and placed in a gorgeous textured, shiny dish to carry to the rain shower. Finally, the complimentary lemon water, and mint and tulsi tea were appreciated, but I also decided to buy a fresh-pressed juice from local producer Renew. I didn't try a foot soak but I will next time.

The rainshowers feel luxurious, and truly like raindrops whilst you stand on the pebbled floor, and the plunge pool was cold enough for the benefits but not so cold that cold-averse me couldn't get right in for a minute or two.

Everyone was really welcoming and lovely; they took the time to show us around and get us comfortable. The owner and staff also gave plenty of tips to make the experience really enjoyable. I found the 2.5-hour window I had reserved was plenty of time to go through the hot, cold, rest cycle three times. The change rooms are bright, clean, with great shampoo, conditioner, and hand soaps. Their towels are thick and absorbent, the complimentary waffle robes generous (even for me at 6' 1"), and I preferred their complimentary slip-on, clean, sandals to everyone in their personal flipflops that would...

I didn’t find the experience to be bad. I just find that it’s very overpriced compared to its competitors like Koena or Nordic. For 2 1/2 hours you’re paying close to $90 with tax whereas you can spend the whole day at Nordic For that price , and you have a robe included, as well as way more facilities. As it’s small and there’s one cold plunge, one sauna, One steam room, and showers that are next to the cold plunge. There’s a resting area, which is decently sized, but not very big. When I came in, I was greeted and I felt welcomed And the told that I would get shown around the facility by the reception, and then When I came out of the Change room I got deferred to the staff downstairs for an introduction of the facilities in the spa. I went then downstairs, nobody noticed I was down there, and the staff were basically just moving things around And cleaning I guess and didn’t acknowledge me, which is fine. But I was a little bit confused about where to go and things like that and then I sort of just figured it out naturally cause it’s so small. I did my own research before going, so I kind of knew what they offered. That being said it would’ve been nice to have somebody tell me like I can go outside if I want to, The thermal cycle they would recommend or even What they offer in terms of the services at the bar. I basically was just asking them about it? Like I’m going out of my way to do that. If you’re coming with a group of people it might be better because then you can like hang out And socialize, which is what most people were doing, even when it was more of quiet time . If you’re coming by yourself, I would recommend going to a different spa just because that you get more amenities for the price. That being said it was an OK experience but I probably wouldn’t go back given the amount of money it was, compared to other spas and what I’ve gotten from them. I’d probably rate it a five out of 10. Also, if you’re looking for a smaller spa for a lower price range, huma spa...

This is my experience only as a disabled person. It isn't barrier free. People think accessibility and wheel chairs but there's more to it that that. First, the parking options for disabled are non-existent. Though they try hard to accommodate, you're having to go through all the back hallways and be let up & down by an employee (felt like a child asking when I can go up etc.). I'm not in a wheel chair but can't walk more than 30 ' - hallways much longer than that. No grab-bars in the washroom, door-open button only on some doors. Fire-code violation (chairs blocks exit in the plunge room). Tiny plunge pool and NO hot-tub. That's my fault for not reading the fine-print. I went specifically for hot-tub. It was so disappointing because that was my last chance to use a hot-tub (now have permanent IV in arm so owner didn't get why I was so disappointed). -The owner started with "well I'm a solo business women" - don't do that with me. I was a solo female business owner, it doesn't excuse half-offering or make you exempt from fire-codes.

Pros: seems clean, owner did comp my 15 min visit. (steam room usage). not crowded (I see why).

lasting impression: no reason to go back. If I could still hot-tub I'd go...