Moose Jaw’s Sahara Spa is located in the former Canadian National Railway (CNR) Station at 341 Stadacona Street West, and includes award-winning services for all ages, a Lululemon outlet, and a relaxing, escapist atmosphere.
“I’m very grateful to have worked at Sahara Spa for the last 10-and-a-half years,” said Kim Bowes, the spa director. “Our guests come from all over the world — we currently have someone here from Ireland — and we also have our wonderful locals that come to us.”
The historic, municipally designated heritage property housing the spa sat vacant for 15 years before being transformed into a day spa in 2004. It has an Indonesian theme and is clean and well-kept — guests are asked to remove their outdoor shoes in the foyer, for example, and Sahara Spa is a member of the Leading Spas of Canada and is recognized for achieving the national Quality Assurance Designation from that organization.
As of 2008, the spa is owned by a group of local owners.
“Our spa owners are wonderful, and I have such an amazing team here,” Bowes said. “Sahara Spa is a hidden gem, and you don’t feel like you’re in Moose Jaw when you are here. The business keeps evolving and there have been many updates and expansions. There are more renovations planned for this fall.
“We can accommodate large groups — our pedicure suite is especially popular; we have eight pedicure chairs and four manicure stations. We can also accommodate couples’ massages or facials, and we have a spa bar menu, so our guests can come early for a glass of wine or beer or enjoy a cocktail during their treatments.”
Bowes said the business does not cater to any specific age or gender groups. They have both men and women, and ages from two to over 90. Teenage-skin-specific treatment option and mini manis and pedis for children 12 and under are on the menu for caregivers looking to treat their kids.
“If we didn’t have the trust of our customers, we wouldn’t have a spa, so customer retention is so important to us. Many of our guests come to us annually when they’re in Moose Jaw, and we also have many loyal local customers that we see regularly,” Bowes said.
Sahara Spa is an active community participant as well, supporting local charities and fundraisers and helping to promote other community groups and businesses.
Their largest annual event is the Santa For Seniors program each Christmas, co-driven by Sahara Spa. The event goes along with the Christmas Village spa staff set up, with spectacular accompanying decorations for the holiday season.
Bowes said locals particularly love the spa’s monthly treatment specials, and Sahara Spa gift cards are favourites for gift-giving year-round.
Learn more about Sahara Spa through their website at saharaspa.ca and follow their social media pages to stay up to date with their specials and events.
