Product:STAR Date:08-28-2004Desk: TRV-0008-CMYK/25-08-04/21:26:49

COMPOSITECMYKK8 SATURDAY ON !SA2 280804ON K 008Q!K8 H TORONTO STAR H SATURDAY, AUGUST 28, 2004

Travel

A canoeist casts a long shad-ow on the shimmeringnoontime water as he pad-dles up the peaceful stream.

Hikers and joggers wave tohim as they make their wayalong the wooded trail thatsnakes its way along the sideof the river.

Songbirds entertain the in-truders with a chorus oflovely melodies.

Just another day in cottagecountry?

No, another day in theheart of the city — at the OldMill Inn and Spa.

One wonders why so manypeople brave the chaos ofHwy. 400 to reach cottagecountry each week when thehistoric, palatial inn and itswooded surroundings(think New York’s CentralPark) is so close at hand — amere 15-minute subway ridefrom downtown.

The Old Mill is a Torontolandmark — it celebrates its90th anniversary this yearand dates back 200 years as amill. And, it just keeps get-ting better with age —thanks to all the improve-ments added by hospitableinnkeeper Michael Kalmar.

With its bucolic setting,large meeting rooms andrestaurants, The Old Millhas been a favourite spot forweddings and other specialoccasions for decades. Nowit has been transformed intoone of the most chic hotels inToronto by Kalmar and hisexperienced staff, led bygeneral manager Gilles Cor-part.

From the time you enterthe stone-walled receptionarea at the Old Mill Inn andSpa, nestled on the banks ofthe Humber River, you aremade to feel at home by anexperienced staff that wel-comes you personally.

The 60-room Tudor-stylehotel offers all the latestcreature comforts for theweary traveller, including32-inch televisions, CDsound systems and bath-rooms stuffed with healthand beauty products. Thehotel’s cozy rooms featureoverstuffed beds and furni-ture and some offer angledceilings that make the expe-rience even more homey.

The Inn’s suites are morelike apartments than rooms.They offer romantic fire-places, wonderful views ofthe surrounding parklandsand large sitting areas thatare rivalled only by over-sized bedrooms, whichcome complete with four-poster beds. Very English!

The suites’ bathrooms arethe ultimate in luxury. Thewhirlpool tubs are like mini-swimming pools whereguests are tempted to lounge

and relax for hours. Whilethe rooms, dining experi-ence and ambience of theOld Mill are all major attrac-tions, the top draw is the spa— easily one of the best inToronto. Under the leader-ship of director ChristinaMcDougall, the Old Mill spahas become renowned for itsfull-menu spa feast.

McDougall referred to herurban operation as a “com-munity spa” that caters tothe needs of those living inthe Inn’s upscale neighbour-hood, as well as its guests.

That neighbourhood con-nection served the spa wellduring last year’s SARS crisisin Toronto. While other fa-cilities suffered, the Old Millspa thrived, according toMcDougall.

“We were actually busierduring the SARS outbreakthan normal,” said McDou-gall.

And why not? The OldMill’s spa is a great place toescape the rigours of life.The well-appointed treat-ment rooms and experttherapists give you a sense ofwell-being from the mo-ment you enter the spaciousfacility.

It is recommended thatyou arrive 25 minutes earlyfor your spa experience.Most people never want toleave.

Some of the treatmentrooms are bathed in naturallight, an addition thatMcDougall said has beenvery well received by her cli-ents. This spa lover was firstintroduced to this type oftreatment room in Thailandand actually found the sur-roundings far more soothingthan the dark cubicles em-ployed at most North Amer-ican spas.

The spa also offers in-roomservice, which might be ap-pealing to couples. However,the couples’ rooms in the spaarea are intimate and offerjust as much privacy.

Back in the charming hotelbar, innkeeper Kalmar tellsme about his future plans forthe Old Mill Inn and Spa —plans that include trying toattract more business trav-ellers. That shouldn’t behard, considering the sub-way is located just stepsaway from the hotel offBloor St. W. and Pearson In-ternational Airport is justminutes up the road.

Actually, the best businessdecision they could make isstaying at a country retreatin the city.. The Old Mill Spa is opensix days a week. It is closedMondays. Spa treatmentsrange from $35 and up. Theovernight serenity package,which includes a spa giftcard valued at $200 and lux-ury room with fireplace andsoaking tub, starts at $485.Prices for a traditional roomat the Inn start at $200 anight and go up to $695 for adeluxe suite. For informa-tion, go to www.oldmillto-ronto.com

Marc Atchison is the Star’sTravel Editor.

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE OLD MILL INN AND SPA

The Tudor-style Old Mill Inn and Spa offers guests a coun-try atmosphere right in the heart of the city. It’s just a 15-minute subway ride from downtown Toronto.

The Old Mill’sinn and spa arespecial retreats

Marc AtchisonHere and There

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