Spa William Gray: Discovering Calm in the Heart of Old Montreal
If you’re planning a Montreal getaway, carving out time for the Spa William Gray in Old Montreal feels like the right kind of pause. Tucked inside the historic Hotel William Gray, this spot offers a quiet escape amid the city’s buzz. I recently spent an afternoon there, focusing on their thermal circuit and a Swedish massage, and it left me feeling reset in a way that’s hard to beat after wandering cobblestone streets.
The thermal circuit is the core of the experience here. It’s a sequence of hot and cold rooms designed to alternate temperatures, which helps your body release tension, boost circulation, and give your immune system a gentle nudge. You get robes, towels, a locker, parking, and water with your entry, so show up in sandals to slip right in. They split the day into three slots to keep things smooth: mornings from 8:30 a.m. to noon for an early calm, midday from 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. for a break, or evenings from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. to wind down.
Start in the rain shower room. It mimics a gentle storm with mists and pulses, mixing hot and cold water from about 57°F to 73°F, plus coloured lights and scents that ease you in. From there, move to the rooms that build heat.
The Finnish sauna cranks it up to 176-194°F with low humidity, perfect for loosening tight muscles and sweating out everyday grime. The eucalyptus steam room follows at 100-118°F and high humidity, clearing your sinuses and soothing aches with that fresh, woodsy smell. For something milder, the herbal sauna sits at 131-149°F, using plant scents to cut stress and lift your mood.
Cool things down in the cold room at 36-39°F, where you can grab crushed ice to rub on your skin for a circulation spike. Before and after these shifts, head to the relaxation space. It’s a quiet lounge to sip water, let your body settle, and let the benefits sink in.
One standout is the Himalayan salt room. Lined with pink salt blocks and filled with fine salt particles from a machine, it runs at a comfy 68-72°F. Breathing it in can help with breathing issues or skin stuff, and the dim lights make it feel like a natural cave. The whole circuit takes about two hours if you pace yourself, leaving you loose and clear-headed.
After the circuit, I booked a Swedish massage, and it tied everything together nicely. This isn’t some light rub; it’s a full-body session that zeros in on muscle groups with firm pressure to break up knots, stretch you out, and get you moving better. Therapists use smooth, flowing strokes to work deep into the tissue, targeting spots that hold onto stress from travel or daily life.
The spa’s setup, with high-end beds, keeps it comfortable. Mine lasted 60 minutes, but they offer longer options. It’s straightforward: you lie down, breathe, and let the hands do the work. By the end, any lingering stiffness from the circuit’s heat faded, replaced by that deep, earned relaxation.
Spa William Gray sits in a 5,600-square-foot space with other treatments like facials or pedicures if you want to build on it. For a longer stay, the hotel has a deal where your third night is half off on three consecutive bookings. It lets you explore Old Montreal’s cafes and history by day, then return to the spa without rushing.
My tip: Book the evening slot after sightseeing. The contrast of the city’s energy and the spa’s calm hits just right. Whether you’re local or visiting, this combo of thermal dips and targeted massage makes for a solid way to recharge. If you’re in Montreal, it’s worth the slot.
