This is a review for the hydrothermal spa only.
Quick review (detailed below):
Pros: close to city, good value, unique experience, great staff, no heavily scented areas/experiences
Cons: crowded locker rooms, loud guests, complicated food and beverage ordering system, high visibility to non-visitors
Need to knows:
Towels, robes, and sandals are provided, as well as complimentary herbal tea and water. Food, non alcoholic and alcoholic beverages available at certain times.
Not a quiet type spa. Bring earplugs if conversation and laughter, exclaiming at water temps, etc bother you.
Bring: a tote bag, hat, sunglasses, and if you go to the shoreline, water socks.
Device-free, lockers provided.
Detailed review:
The property is gorgeous and well kept. The spa is right off the parking lot and gives very much an "enrichment enclosure" vibe since everyone coming from the parking lot can view you and comment on your activity.
Check in was simple, we paid online, and the tour was quick and easy. There is really no need for a more in depth tour like other reviewers say, it's all very straightforward.
Getting changed and ready was a bit difficult as the change room was packed and the lockers are just in one corner, it's hard to find a space to set items down. I suggest coming as ready as possible to avoid this stress. Personally, I will forego the locker next time so as to not encounter the crowds and awkwardness.
Staff were very helpful, friendly, and welcoming. We were escorted to the shoreline for an (optional!) private polar bear dip, which really made the visit special! If you plan to do this, bring water socks. The shore is very rocky and the surf is quite strong.
You get three hours to use the spa circuit, personally, 90 minutes was sufficient but if you're there in a social group three hours is a good amount of time.
I did find the plunge pool a bit awkward as there's just one and the entrance and exit are the same, so if it's busy there's a lot of shuffling around - BUT it was new years day and polar dips are traditional on this day so this could have been situational.
All in all, the proximity to the city, the reasonable cost (for a high end experience), and the atmosphere means I'll be coming back monthly - I'm incredibly relaxed and happy after my visit.