Montreal: Top 5 beauty and health spots

Source: Adapted from ourfaves.com, June 2009

1. L&V Nails

1406 rue Drummond, Montreal, Que., H3G 1V9; 514.844.7932

This is my "go-to" place when I need my nails done in a hurry. Walk-ins are always welcome, they deliver great service and do a great job. If you like to plan ahead, they also make appointments.

2. Studio Breathe

1313 Shearer, Montreal, Que., H3K 1G6

This is the most beautiful studio in Montreal. If you have never been, just go, say I sent you! Kimiko, Alexandra and Alain (as in Alain Bonnamie, the champion kickboxer) will take care of you. This studio is a bit on the pricier side but fully worth it. Located in the beautiful Nordelec building on Shearer St, (Pointe St-Charles), Studio Breathe is an industrial space transformed into an urban oasis: bamboo floors, open studio (spin bikes, punching bags), huge windows that welcome in sunshine, a lounge, a juice bar and massage rooms.

The studio has many different types of classes available to keep you moving, including yoga and skipping classes, plus they’re constantly listening to their members and creating new classes to accommodate their needs. When your exercise is done for the day, massage beds await you; or you can always just come in for a massage and a smoothie (we won’t tell!).

3. Ydem Salon-Spa

1410 Crescent, Montreal, Que, H3G 2B6

The space at Ydem is impeccable, and includes a huge coffee bar with delicious biscotti. The hair-washing gurus take their time with you, and don’t miss the brilliant head massage. Then off you are to see Stephanie, Leo, Sandy or any of the other wonderful stylists.

4. Club Mansfield

1230 rue Mansfield, Montreal, Que, H3B 2Y3

Mansfield Club is located in the former Loew’s Theatre. The gym has taken the former theatre’s skeleton and done wonders with it, turning it into a 48,000-square-foot state-of-the-art workout facility. The cardio room, which was once the theatre, has a weight room at the floor of the theatre and cardio machines stationed further up in the ‘balconies.’ (Each machine has a TV screen but there are other things we like to scope out as well.)

The club also offers a wonderful array of amazing classes; hook up with Kevin, one of the instructors’he’ll push you further than you can imagine, Yoga is a treat in their magnificent studio that sits under an arched ceiling of windows. The club also has an amazing spa that offers an assortment of treatments and The Bistro Mansfield offers a wide array of healthy choices to satisfy your appetite.

5. Studio Bliss

3841 St-Laurent, Montreal, Que, H2W 1X9

I can honestly say I have tried just about every type of massage Studio Bliss has to offer. My personal favourites are the Hot Stone Massage and the Rain Massage. What I love about coming to Studio Bliss is that it is so warm and friendly, nothing is pretentious and you are met with a feeling of calm in their lobby (the hot tea helps, too!). The masseuses take their time to explain everything to you and how what they are doing to your body will help you in the long run. Also check out their selection of yoga classes.

Saskia Brodeur contributes to ourfaves.com under the name saskiab. She also heads up fashion photography magazine Eye Candy, The Volumes.

Did we miss your favourite healthy spots, or do you have more to share? Create a list on ourfaves.com and we may feature it on besthealthmag.ca, or submit your top picks in our forums.

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