Nestled within Coal Harbour is an ancient beauty secret that is unprecedented in North America: Vinoterapia, brought to you by Nefér Spa. This magical antioxidant bathing tonic – comprised mainly of rich red wine, moisturizers, and essential oils from the rose and blue lotus flowers – fills a hand cut Egyptian marble tub which rests beneath a ‘starlight’ ceiling in the Vinoterapia room. Pure decadence.

Nefér Spa recently opened in December 2007 and is the brainchild of owner and President Nina Gart, a Reiki master and registered stone therapy massage practitioner who is also proficient in numerous other alternative therapies, including reflexology and crystal healing. When Gart began learning about stone therapy, she immediately saw opportunities for improvement and developed her own distinct treatment method which she teaches at the Stone Therapy School. Her specialized stone therapy technique uses both hot basalt and cool marble, and incorporates Reiki energy work, Shiatsu meridian principles and reflexology points with relaxing Swedish massage. These united properties of the Nefér Spa stone massage are both impressive and unique, and any stone treatment you receive will leave you cleansed and relaxed.

The Vinoterapia Bath and Body Scrub treatment, however, is more than just a treatment; this is a transcendental experience. A lush full-body exfoliation process uses natural and organic ingredients to slough the skin; then, as you lay on a bed of marble, the Vichy shower cleanses and soothes with warm cascading water. Afterwards, like an Egyptian Queen, you soak in their signature marble tub filled with a secret red wine concoction of energizing and healing ingredients. The experience of bathing in a marble tub is both relaxing and refreshing; the marble remains cool as you recline while the water keeps you warm and snug – a perfect marriage of hot and cold elements. While you’re gazing around the candle lit marble room and the reflection of the faux-starlight ceiling in the bathwater decorated with rose petals, you may consider this ancient Egyptian saying: in water you can see your face, but in wine you can see your soul. After your meditative soak, you’re off to the massage room. On an infrared amethyst mat your entire body is once again lathered in moisture, this time with a grape seed oil lotion infused with oils of the rare blue lotus flower. This three-pronged treatment is bliss incarnate, the holy trinity of spa divinity.

Vinotherapy is an ancient therapeutic ritual, but until just recently had been largely abandoned in modern spa tradition. Leave it to the French, purveyors of fine wines and indulgent habits, to revitalize this age-old practice with their keen observation that leftover grape seeds discarded after harvest contain polyphenols. The antioxidant properties of this chemical substance are ideal for use in anti-aging skincare techniques, but so far only a few luxury spas around the world offer the wine bath.

Aside from North American exclusivity, the Nefér Spa Vinoterapia treatment is also the only one worldwide which uses a marble tub – this metamorphic rock alone has notable healing properties, hence its considerable use in stone therapy massage.

When you visit Nefér you’ll find peace; as Gart says, she feels like she’s coming home each time she arrives at the spa. This is no doubt due to her extremely inviting “hand-picked” staff, the warmth of the décor and its ancient natural aromas.

Whether you’re looking to inaugurate the first month of 2008 with progressive healing treatments for a fresh new start or merely want to pamper yourself, we strongly urge you to indulge at Nefér Spa, a destination for both rebirth and rejuvenation.

INFAMOUS MAGAZINE, JAN 08 ISSUE