Tension tokens are valuable for energy boosts in holistic health-themed video games, but in real life, they are troublesome obstacles in quests to rescue the Marshmallow Princess from Fluffnuff Castle. Power up while powering down with today’s Groupon: for $67, you get a customized 75-minute facial (a $135 value) plus access to luxurious spa amenities at sweetgrass spa on Queen Street East.

Voted the best city spa in 2010 by Chatelaine, sweetgrass spa seizes luxury services back from the exfoliated fists of men by offering its therapeutic treatments to only women in a comfortable environment. During a Maintenance facial, sweetgrass spa’s friendly aestheticians will use Dermalogica products to remove the clutter clogging clients’ skin vents while moisturizing and revitalizing the skin to leave visitors with a fresh-off-the-lot new face shine. For flesh masks in need of more forceful intervention, the Treatment facial’s potent partnership of vitamin C and retinol sucker-punches pusillanimous fine lines, sun damage, and acne scars before calling in a brass-knuckled glycolic peel to deliver the knockout blow. Gentle earth mothers or their female satellites, on the other hand, can opt for the all-natural path with a meditative Organic facial, which combines an herbal foot soak and colour therapy with products from Dr. Hauschka’s organic skincare line. Arrive early to enjoy the indulgent spa amenities at sweetgrass, including a whirlpool, a sauna, and a pool with an underwater treadmill, as well as towel service and a guest change room with lockers containing spa attire.

With softly lit and warmly decorated interiors, sweetgrass spa envelopes its clients in a cocoon of Zen and comfort for their metamorphosis from on-edge ogre to stress-free starchild. Take a break from tar shovelling and get waist-high in a pit of tranquility at sweetgrass spa.

Reviews

Chatelaine named sweetgrass spa the Best City Spa in Toronto for 2010, and blogTO included sweetgrass in its top spas in Toronto:

• Need a quick escape from city life? Look no further than the Sweetgrass Spa, one of Toronto’s best-kept secrets. Its assortment of menu offerings, all provided by senior staffers, makes for a first-rate experience every time. …But, really, it’s the Sweetgrass extras that let you indulge in a luxurious escape without the price tag of a full-on getaway: The decor is warm and inviting, the locker rooms are spacious, and guests can enjoy champagne and cocktails in the lounge or order from the award-winning George Restaurant from the comfort of their cozy robe. Ahh, what hustle and bustle? – Beth Thompson, Chatelaine