Vv Magazine’s Nicki Laborie checked out the Detox Box Wellness Experience at the Four Seasons Toronto to see if the program really lives up to its hype…
It’s that time of year when everyone feels bloated, puffy, and has likely gained a few pounds over the holidays. Certainly that is the case for everyone in the Vv Magazine office! When I heard about the Four Seasons Toronto “Detox Box Wellness Experience,” I got curious.
It’s true that when traveling for business it can often be difficult to eat healthy. Nobody likes to eat plane food, and once you check into a hotel you likely have half an hour before you need to be at your first meeting. If you’re anything like me, you may raid the mini-bar — never a good idea, even when in a rush.
For the next month, the Four Seasons Toronto is offering all their guests an opportunity to keep their New Year’s resolutions with the Detox Box Wellness Experience. This includes a morning juice delivery, raw meal, re-energizing massage, and an evening amenity to help you sleep.
I have never been silent about my love of food and wine, but I also love a good cleanse so I scheduled a “staycation” to check out what this Four Seasons Toronto Detox Box Wellness Experience is all about. They partnered with Toronto’s top juicer of the moment, Greenhouse Juice, and the results are actually quite fabulous.
First off, any experience at the Four Seasons Toronto is absolute perfection. I’ve always known that, but last week’s visit was a reminder of how truly well this hotel is run. Some like to knock the new Four Seasons Toronto; I like to say evolution is needed to keep brands fresh and up to date — out with the old and in with the new!
No details are forgotten when you sign up for your detox day. You are sent a pre-cleanse email to let you know how to prep for the day, and the front desk manager ensures that Greenhouse Juice is informed of any allergies or sensitivities so that you can get the most out of your cleanse. They also empty the mini-bar and leave only water, which I totally appreciated at about 7pm — no temptation to dip into chips and chocolates!
Once checked into my luxurious room, I received my schedule for the day (note – I asked for a late start because I wanted to do my Barre3 class first but usually it starts at 9am):
11:30am – Clean-Zing (Alkaline Water, Lemon, Maple Syrup, Liquid Cayenne)
12:30pm – East of Eden (Romaine, Kale, Celery, Apple, Lemon)
1:30pm – E3 Live Booster (E3 live, Alkaline Water)
2:30pm – Raw Meal prepared by Executive Chef Julien Laffargue
3:45pm – Re-energizing Massage at the Spa at Four Seasons Toronto
5:00pm – The Good (Romaine, Spinach, Cucumber, Celery, Lemon, Himalayan Salt)
6:00pm – Almond Milk (Almonds, Alkaline Water, Vanilla Bean, Dates, Coconut Oil)
7:30pm – Raw Aloe Booster
8:00pm – Deep Roots (Beet, Carrot, Apple, Celery, Lemon)
9:00pm – Chia Seed Hydrator (Alkaline Water, Chia Seeds, Lemon, Maple Syrup)
The juices are delicious and quite large. Being a bit of a connoisseur, I hate when my drink is too frothy or thick. As soon as I tried my East of Eden, I understood why Greenhouse Juice is one of Toronto’s leading juice companies and why the Four Seasons has partnered with them.
The afternoon went by magically as I worked from my beautiful room – quite a step up from my office – and I actually managed to get tasks done. Perhaps the room gave me the motivation to “upgrade my life.”
At 2:30pm, my raw meal was delivered and it was a beautiful medley of greens, beets, radishes, onions, blueberries, tomatoes, and cucumber mixed in a maple syrup dressing. The salad perfectly hit the spot before I headed down to the spa to enjoy my massage.
While I’ve had many massages at the Four Seasons Toronto Spa — and I truly believe these massage therapists are better than any other in our city — I had never experienced the “Re-Energizing Massage.” It was fantastic and quite literally energized my body’s circulation while also relaxing my mind. I saw a decrease in overall puffiness and generally felt a lot better. I also took advantage of the spa to grab some time in the steam room to detoxify my body further before relaxing in their ergonomically-designed lounge chairs.
After two and a half hours at the spa, I floated back to my room to enjoy my next juice. I considered working, but the room is clearly designed to be enjoyed so instead I ran myself a bubble bath and settled in for the evening.
Just before bed I was sent a “sleeping amenity,” which you would naturally assume was a calming tisane but was actually a delicious cold tea with tastes of honey, mint, thyme, and lemon — so delicious and perfect to set me up with a beautiful sleep. The next morning, I woke up feeling refreshed, energized, and lighter.
The experience is a real treat and I would recommend it to both travellers and locals. The results I felt the next day were even greater than how I felt the night before. My body actually looked smaller and my skin brighter than before I checked in. I normally do juice cleanses for three to five days so — truthfully speaking — I wasn’t expecting much after just one day. However, the massage combined with the juice program seems to have shaken things up and has since set me on the path to further detoxing and feeling great.
Even though the holidays have passed, this is a gift to yourself you will not regret.
What are your thoughts on the Detox Box Wellness Experience at the Four Seasons Toronto? Let Vv Magazine know in the comments below or tweet us @ViewTheVibe.
