Why one night at Halcyon Hot Springs is worth the trip... and maybe not long enough
Story and Photos by: Savannah Bagshaw
As someone who struggles with anxiety and works two jobs, I find myself thinking constantly that I can be doing more, working harder and creating faster — which makes the task of self-care or taking a break, no small feat.
My best friend, Tanya, is the same way. She is also a photographer and is always working in one way or another.
So, when the opportunity arose for us to take a much needed day to shoot for fun, immerse ourselves in the beauty of B.C. and soak for hours on end in mineral hot springs, we could not pass up a trip to Halcyon.
I didn’t realize the impact a near 24 hours could have on somebody’s mind and body until now.
Following the trip I felt refreshed and ready to conquer another work week — a feeling I have yet to achieve after sleeping in my own bed.
To relish in its glory once again, here is a recount of all the things that made this trip so special, and why you should take it next time you need to hit the refresh button (but hopefully yours can be a bit longer.)
The Drive
Fun fact: Tanya and I are both originally from Alberta, and while the prairie sunsets are next to none, we both love tall evergreens and big ol’ mountains.
Which is why the trip was one of our favourite parts!
We took the Revelstoke route, which is a quick two and a half hours that takes you down through the Shuswap, past many serene meadows and on winding roads through thick forest.
The best part however, has to be the quick yet absolutely breathtaking ferry trek across Upper Arrow Lake.
Once we hopped aboard we instantly leaped out of our vehicle and ran to the sides of the boat awe-struck by the rugged rocks and small white cap waves.
After we rushed to collect as many photos, Instagrams and video as we could, we had some time to just pick a spot and gaze into the distance.
This was the first of many times a sense of calm and relaxation swept over us.
The Food
Prior to going myself, I had heard nothing but good things about the Kingfisher Restaurant, and after three hours of travel my stomach could not have been happier to see a menu.
As a vegan, I truly appreciate places that work hard to locally and ethically source their ingredients in addition to creating a menu that has something for everyone — traits that the restaurant takes great pride in possessing.
Tanya got the Penne Gratinata — a baked pasta dish smothered in perfectly melted cheese and fresh tomato sauce! Legitimately worthy of its own paragraph but at the risk of sounding cheesy (HA!) we will keep it short.
I ordered the Moroccan Vegetable Curry, a bright, spicy and flavourful dish featuring hearty potatoes and eggplant with protein-packed chickpeas and topped with dill fresh from the restaurant's herb garden!
Although we didn’t sample, I overheard other patrons raving about the perfectly cooked steak and saucy mussels. Apparently they are both must try's.
In addition to the grub, the staff and views are what made the restaurant worthy of five stars in our books. Our server Amber was friendly and funny while the sights of the lake and Monashee Mountains while we dined, reminded us to slow down and take it all in.
Our Cottage
Though it looks cute and quaint from the outside with its cozy front porch, this spot erased every stereotypical cottage image I already had in my head.
Bright, modern and airy, the decor featured light wood floors, white tile and pops of green from adorable plants.
Despite the modern-edge it still felt warm and cozy. Fresh and soft linens tucked over a squishy mattress, cozy robes and cushy pillows, it didn’t take long for us to wind down and get ready for a peaceful night’s sleep.
The bathroom was our favourite part!In addition to great lighting it was updated with some pretty cool technology that we may have been a little too excited about.
I'm talking heated flooring and a heated toilet seat — the works!
BONUS:
The provided shampoo, body wash, and make-up wipes were all cruelty free from an all-natural Canadian company called Truly Earth Friendly and the packaging/product were both 100% biodegradable!
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The Hot Springs
We didn’t have a chance to dive into the pools until the early morning before we left, but just looking at them makes you feel calmer.
Pools of turquoise water with steam bellowing up — if that doesn't have you feeling chilled out, I don’t know what will!
You never really realize the toll that stress and business can take on your body until you’re actively unwinding. Halcyon offers three pools to help you in that process.
A Hot Pool, which is set to 40 degrees and perfect for relieving tension while warming you up on a cool morning.
The Warm Pool, a slightly bigger area ideal for long relaxation sessions to soak in the rich mineral waters (including lithium, sodium, magnesium, calcium and strontium) to heal you both inside and out.
And finally, The Plunge Pool!
An awesome place to cool down on a sun-soaked afternoon in the summer and an ideal spot for poolside tanning and selfies.
The Surrounding Neature… yes I meant neature because once you see this place in person you will be reminded by how truly neat our world and the nature of BC is!
Tanya and I aren’t necessarily the most active, however much like a sunflower we feel most content bathed in sunlight and breathing in some fresh air — and there are plenty of spots to do that while at Halcyon.
After our tranquil soak, we laced up our runners, grabbed our DSLR’s and walked down to the lakeshore to get up close and personal with our surroundings.
It took us a second to pick our jaws up off the ground as once we hit the lake we were completely enamored by the crisp blue skies, incredible mountains, lively trees and unique terrain.
We instantly separated and ran around the area like children, climbing up hills, running onto the dock, and finding the prime photo spot (which was proving to be difficult as everywhere you turned was flawless.)
We debated renting a kayak or paddle board but instead built our own Inuksuk, took photos of the much nicer and already built Inuksuk, picked rocks and found the perfect ones to skip across the lake.
By the time check out rolled around, it’s safe to say my heart sank a little bit.
Though our trip was only a short few hours it was one of the best I’ve had in years.
From the crystal waters, inviting atmopshere, and little pops of nature everywhere you looked — Halcyon Hot Springs works hard to make guests feel calm, cool and collected from the moment you arrive to the second you drive off the property.
Don’t be fooled, this little B.C. paradise offers much more than we had the chance to explore.
From the Spa to ATV rentals, snowshoeing, historic landmarks and more, Halcyon has something for every type of guest during any time of year.
So what are you waiting for? Book your relaxation staycation ASAP!