by Anne
Dimon
New
Ontario spa offers hot and cold water therapies
to kick start a healthier lifestyle
For
those stressed-out souls exhibiting symptoms
of knotted muscles, frazzled minds and sagging
spirits, the Claramount in Picton, Ontario is
just what the doctor ordered. Make that three
doctors: owners Dr. Nora Connell, her husband
Dr. Chris Rogers and Dr. Kneipp, whose century-old
philosophy for health is the driving force behind
one of Ontario's most charming wellness facilities.
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My
husband and I arrived just in time for Saturday
dinner. The dining room of this newly-restored
early 20th century mansion is just as comfortably
elegant and welcoming as the rest of the seven-room
inn. Dr. Connell who worked with an architect
and interior designer to capture the original
style and ambience of the former home, calls
the décor "colonial revival"
and tells us the house, dating back to 1906,
was once considered one of the "castles
of Prince Edward County." Some guest rooms
still exude a subtle touch of royalty created
by fine furnishings, four poster beds, luxurious
linens, private balconies overlooking Picton
Bay, and in-room soaker tubs for "taking
the waters" in the privacy of your own
room.
In
addition to accommodation, our one-night package
includes two Kneipp water therapy treatments,
breakfast and a five-course dinner for two.
It's healthy cuisine, of course, but healthy
doesn't have to mean lack of imagination and
flavor. Executive Chef Luis Desousa, who also
oversees food preparation at sister property
The Waring House, packs a culinary punch with
innovative offerings such as roasted butternut
squash and peach bisque, pumpkin and tiger shrimp
ravioli spiced up with sambal olek (a chili
paste), and venison prepared with fig and raspberry
Madeira glaze. There are even yummy desserts.
Now, I've never subscribed to the concept of "to die for" desserts, but if I did,
then Chef Luis' Coconut Cream Caramel with Frangelico
and Caramel Sauce would be it. Dr. Connell has
a wonderful philosophy on the occasional indulging
in decadent desserts and dubiously healthy dishes
such as Eggs Benedict. "Denying yourself
something you want causes stress," she
says, "and that can be worse for you than
the thing you're denying yourself." Cutting
back is the better way to control the temptation.
You gotta like her way of thinking.
A
general practitioner for the last 30 years,
Dr. Connell says "it has been scientifically
proven that stress leads to health problems."
She says there's also a lot of scientific evidence
to support the preventative aspects of heath
care, and she sees a place for spas in the promotion
of good health. "Anything that relieves
stress is good for your immune system," she says. (CONTINUE...)
