Hillcrest - A Valenova Inn & Spa in Ontario:
An Ideal Girlfriend Getaway

by Anne Dimon

"Make my day." It’s a movie quote most often attributed to Clint Eastwood, but here at The Hillcrest, the concept of "making someone's day" has nothing to do with the quintessential Hollywood tough guy.

Hillcrest Valenova Spa, Ontario

Daymakers. That’s how the team members at The Hillcrest - A Valenova Inn & Spa like to see themselves. It even says so on their business cards. Simone Beitler, Spa Manager, Daymaker. Robin Dines, Owner/operator, Daymaker. Larmour explains that the operating philosophy that drives Hillcrest is based on the book Life as a Day Maker by David Wagner.

"Every staff member receives a copy of the book," she says, "and each person’s individual goal is to go beyond the expected to try to make someone’s day." Take for instance the time when a staff member overheard one guest mention that she liked to have Epsom salts in her bath. Yes. Someone dashed off to the local pharmacy to pick up some Epsom salts to surprise her with it. Or, the time when a couple staying at the inn to celebrate their 50th anniversary was presented with a framed picture of the two enjoying a romantic dinner in the dining room. Little things, yes. But it’s the thought and caring behind those little things that can really make someone’s day – so says Wagner.

Five friends and I recently discovered the "daymaking" talents of The Hillcrest staff when we gathered at Union Station in Toronto, piled into a limo, poured each other glasses of orange juice and Champagne, unwrapped the croissants still buttery fragrant and warm from the bakery, and headed east to the historic town of Port Hope for a girls’ getaway...

Our first stop was the heart of this lovely little town – the beautifully-restored main street. Conveniently peppered with cafes, antique shops, plus home decor and apparel boutiques, it was just what we needed. What’s a girl's get-together without a little retail therapy? One of my favorite boutiques was Walsh Mountain Ironworks filled to its second level with decorative works for home and garden designed by local artist Greg Walsh.

Beyond the shopping, one of the downtown gems is the Capital Theatre, built in the 1930s and painstakingly restored to museum-quality in 1994. In 2004 the finishing touches were added. We were lucky to run into Uwe Meyer, the passionate managing director who was more than delighted to give us a quick peak inside this architectural jewel box of a theatre. "Even the original ticket dispensing machine from 1930 was restored to working condition," says Meyer.

Lunch time calls and we head over to The Hillcrest, a brisk 10-minute walk uphill from the main street. We exert ourselves just enough to deserve what we are about to eat.

Situated on a quiet residential street, this intimate enclave comes as a lovely surprise to a first-time visitor – the elegant Victorian mansion, gurgling fountain, sweep of gardens and majestic trees all help create the feeling that one is entering a special place. The estate also includes an outdoor saltwater swimming pool and patio, a gazebo for spa treatments and 15 acres of wooded trails - all overlooking Lake Ontario.

Inside the spa's cheerful living room with its comfy period piece sofas, fireplace, grand piano and yellow silk-covered walls, our little group is welcomed with hot towels infused with the scent of lavender, lavender-flavored cookies and a Nutrimoor vitamin elixir that tastes a whole lot like a very healthy sherry.

Hillcrest's Kasha Burger

The lunch that follows is, in itself, enough to "make our day." Food here is all about organic. Head chef Jonathan Hosick adds, "in season, local produce and products are also important." Vegetables from Ontario farmers, ostrich, bison and duck, as well as a variety of cheeses, come from Quebec, local strawberries, Atlantic and Pacific salmon.

"Because of our intimate size (just nine guest rooms) we are able to make everything fresh and customized according to our guests likes, dislikes or special detox diets." The menu, he says, changes daily. Today’s appetizer is a choice of Sweet Potato Soup with Fig Yogurt or a fresh green salad with sherry vinaigrette. The entrée selection is Lentil & Grain Chili with Cucumber Raita, Organic Beef Bourguignon with Pearl Onions & Button Mushrooms or Crab Meat, Asparagus and Almond Salad. Dessert is Vanila Bean Crème Brulee or House Made Ice Cream.

Everything here is made on the premises including breads, jams, preserves, condiments (try the olive, lemon relish with fish) and pastries. Stay in the Mary Kathleen room, located right about the kitchen, and you wake up to the aroma of baking bread and brewing coffee.

The menu here has an upscale international appeal with signature dishes such as Valenova Chicken – organic chicken roasted with African nectar tea, cumquats and served with a cranberry glaze. And to cleanse the palate? How about a Dr. Hauschka quince elixir sorbet served in a martini glass adorned with edible flowers. The inn is not yet licensed to serve alcohol, but they do allow you to bring your own which they will gladly uncork and serve.

When guests are here on a detox program – which is typically during the week with couples and girlfriends coming in on weekends – Chef Hosick works with Beitler to design customized offerings in keeping with the detox plan. It could mean no low glutens, no starches, no vinegar, no dairy or a combination of. "We also cater to vegans, vegetarians, celiac and those pursuing raw food diets on request," he says. Guests who come to de-stress and detox is a growing market, explains Beitler. "Generally, they come for three nights but it’s been so popular hthat people are now asking for a full week," she says.

Eric Johnson, president of a Toronto software company is here for a customized five-night detox program. "I live a stressful life," he admits, "and I can always tell when I need downtime with something a little therapeutic to allow me to completely decompress both physically and mentally." He says he likes The Hillcrest because of its intimate size.

We could have easily lingered over lunch in this sun-lit dining room over-looking the pool and gardens, but therapists beckoned. While my girlfriends went for massages and facials, I was enticed by something called the Valenova Wave. Designed by Beitler as a signature treatment it's a full-body massage using the signature Valenova mix of essentials plus massage techniques delivered mostly by the forearms. Yes. It does feels like waves washing over the body and lulling you into the depths of relaxation.

Moor Mud Facial

Of course, as it is with every treatment at every spa, it's all about the delivery of service and sense of nurturing imparted by the therapist. "We tend to attract a more mature person with a true caring nature," says Beitler. "They also tend to be proactive in terms of team work, and they are multi-tasking." For instance, my therapist Pat Barclay is not only a massage therapist but an aromatherapist, esthetician and acupuncturist.

"Our intent is to have a wellness and holistic approach to everything," says Beitler. Even a pedicure here is more of a holistic approach to foot care than what you’d expect. It includes a private room, a foot soak and even color therapy - and we don’t mean the color of nail polish. Even the Swedish Massage begins with a foot soak and includes color therapy.

If there is just one overriding point of distinction at The Hillcrest I have to say it is the staff. There's an honest passion, pride and nurturing that seems to live within each person. One senses it's an uplifting place to work. Consequently, it's an uplifting place to be. There’s a lot of good energy here.

Just before piling back into the limo for the trip back to Toronto, my friends and I are browsing the small retail area. I'm looking to purchase David Wagner’s book but they are out of stock. Without a blink, Debbie McCoy, Business Development, Daymaker, reaches into her desk and pulls out her personal, autographed copy. "Here take mine," she says with a smile, "but you’ve got to promise to return it." Daymakers. Now it was my turn to pass it on. In the words of the author, doing something to make someone’s day "can have a powerful ripple effect."

Anne Dimon is founder/editor of www.traveltowellness.com

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