The Fairmont Empress hotel’s spa is getting a taste of its own medicine — a makeover.
The Willow Stream Spa is undergoing a $225,000 renovation that will expand services and increase space. The spa will total about 9,000 square feet.
Willow Stream was closed for two days during the initial phase of construction to allow the bulk of the intrusive work to be done, but is back to business as usual.
The spa is expanding into what was a hair salon along Humboldt Street , adding manicure and pedicure stations, a larger common room and a feeling of more space.
“It’s reflective of the changing needs of our customers. There are more manicures and pedicures happening, there’s also more demand from bridal parties, meetings and conventions or just parties of people getting together and coming for a weekend,” said Angela Rafuse-Tahir, Empress director of sales and marketing.
Rafuse-Tahir said the larger common areas will also allow groups of people to spend more time together.
The expansion means a dedicated boutique within the spa for nails with improved natural light and an increase to five pedicure stations and three manicure stations.
There are 39 employees at Willow Stream, and that will increase by between five and 10.
The renovation, designed by Jenny Martin, is expected to be complete by Dec. 15.
Willow Stream offers a variety of treatments and has a mineral pool, eucalyptus steam inhalation room, sauna and lounge.
