Skoah Spa
The challenge? De-stress a bride and her best friend before the Big Day. The challenger? Skoah Spa Vancouver. The results? Aaaaaaah.
In November 2001 hands-on managers Chris Scott and Jamie McKeough opened Skoah with the slogan, "No whale music, No bubbling cherubs, No pretentious attitudes. Just sweet skin facials and melted muscles massage." Obviously, they took a different approach to the spa atmosphere.
It's just what two friends with big stress and little time needed - no worrying, no thinking and no hassle.
Despite its location in trendy Yaletown, Skoah managed to escape the pretentious attitude found in neighbouring spas that kept us at bay. At Skoah you get in and out service, pampering without the poodle talk and no strange looks if you ask, "Do I disrobe fully?"
In the minimalist lounge - think Ikea meets Soho - we filled out paperwork, drank bottled water and relaxed in over-sized chairs. Two massage therapists who looked more like 1950s flight attendants greeted us and lead us into a double massage room.
