“Nature meets tranquility” — this tagline truly encapsulates the Nordique Spa Stoneham experience. Nestled around 30 minutes outside Quebec City along the serene Jacques-Cartier River, this Scandinavian-inspired spa is a relaxing experience all around. Simple, quiet, and truly in touch with nature. You won’t regret coming for a soak.
We love visiting Nordic spas on our travels, and when I saw pictures of Nordique Spa, I knew we had to go while we were in Quebec City. Our visit was on a beautiful July day, and we spent most of the morning and afternoon enjoying the many pools, tubs, saunas, and steam rooms. We soaked for a little while, and then had a lovely couples massage. After, we took a dip in the river, off the dock. It was crisp and chilly, but absolutely bearable, and the perfect thing to wake us up a bit after melting into our massages. Just when we thought the heat would fade, an afternoon thunderstorm rolled in.
Thankfully, we had already been soaking for a while, so we retreated to the steam room, which was attached to a lovely relaxation space that had big beds to lie on and a view of the river. We relaxed in there for a while longer, and then sprinted up the stairs, soaking ourselves in the process and laughing along the way. It was a perfect, beautiful, and relaxing experience all around!
Do they speak English? While the primary language there, as in all of Quebec, is French, we found the front desk manager and the masseuses were proficient enough in English that we could communicate easily.
Location & First Impressions
Situated about 25 to 30 minutes north of Quebec City, Nordique Spa Stoneham feels like entering a secluded forest sanctuary. As soon as you arrive, the gentle river sounds set a peaceful tone. Once you pull down the long drive and park, there’s a long staircase (unfortunately, the property is not accessible for those with mobility assistance) with a stone waterfall to the right, and surrounded by plants and forest.
You enter the building into a big living-room style space, with the check-in desk, couches, the cafe, and a gorgeous view of the river. While checking in, you’re provided with towels and a locker key. We were getting massages, so we also received robes included. If you’re not receiving treatments, robes cost extra (or you can bring your own).
Once you’re checked in, head down the stairs to the locker rooms to change if needed and store your things. The waiting room for massages is also on this level. To head to the baths, saunas, and steam rooms, you’ll head down even more stairs towards the river. The whole property is built into a large hillside, so it all cascades downward towards the river.
Thermal Experience: Hot, Cold & Rest
The heart of Nordique lies in its thermal cycling. You’ll spend time alternating between Finnish saunas, eucalyptus-infused steam, outdoor hot tubs, and cold plunges, including a standout Nordic bath with a waterfall and even a dock to jump off for a refreshing swim in the Jacques-Cartier River.
The steam rooms and saunas are not playing around here. They are HOT. We spend a lot of time visiting hot springs, spas, and resorts (hence why we created this website!), and these are among the hottest. We didn’t last long before melting and dripping sweat. The pools were a more bearable temperature, though, all mild enough to enjoy for an extended period.
There are also tons of relaxation zones for rest and recovery between your soaks and sweats—choose your adventure, from cozy fire-lit indoor rooms, hammocks, Adirondack chairs, and forest terraces. We loved the hammocks down by the river, and escaping to the cozy room above the steam room for a rest once it started downpouring.
Massage & Spa Services
Whether you’re looking for Swedish tranquilizing strokes, therapeutic deep pressure, couples sessions, or even prenatal care, the massage menu has tons of options. Seasonal outdoor massage is also an option in summer. We were bummed that rain was anticipated the day we went, so they did our massage indoors, instead of in the beautiful outdoor massage space by the river. Imagine hearing the sound of flowing river water while you relax under a gazebo!
As for how the massage itself was, it was phenomenal! We got a couples massage and had a male and female therapist. They were both great, super intuitive to our needs and spoke English well enough for us to communicate what we were looking for. I love a deep tissue massage that gets in there, but isn’t painful, and I left feeling loose and relaxed.
Food & Dining
I’ve found spa and hot springs resort cafes to be very hit or miss, but this one was a hit! The on-site bistro serves up light and wholesome fare—soups, gourmet panini, salads, chili, hot chocolate, and refreshing teas and juices. You can see the menu here. There’s an indoor fireplace in winter and a terrace for warmer months. Food must be consumed within the bistro area.
I eat a gluten-free and vegan diet, which is not an easy thing to find! At many places, I’m limited to one option, if any are even available. However, here I had several options! We ended up ordering delicious hummus with veggies, a quinoa salad, and my fiancé got a sandwich. We also shared an iced coffee. All were super satisfying in the middle of our spa day.
Quiet Rules & Vibe
Nordique is built on silence. The enforced quiet is essential to the peaceful atmosphere. It’s perfect for those craving mindful tranquility. You’re encouraged to leave phones and technology in your locker to avoid distracting yourself and others. We found whispering was fine, but the space begged for serenity, and we were happy to oblige.
Locker Rooms & Amenities
Locker rooms at Nordique Spa Stoneham are clean, functional, and well-equipped for a smooth visit. Upon checking in, guests receive a locker with a key for securing personal belongings. The change areas include showers stocked with soap and mirrors so you can freshen up before heading back out into the world. Robes are available to rent if you didn’t bring your own and aren’t having a spa treatment, and complimentary drinking water stations are placed throughout the spa to keep you hydrated. The amenities aren’t flashy, but they’re thoughtfully maintained and make it easy to settle into a day of relaxation.
Lodging Options & Overnight Magic
Enhance your visit by staying overnight—or even longer—in one of Nordique’s mini-chalets or the luxe Chalet Nordique:
- Tiny-Houses (Mini-chalets) for Two: Compact and cozy, with a queen bed, full kitchen, bathroom, and gas fireplace. Every night includes two spa admissions.
- Chalet Nordique (For Groups): A dream for larger groups, with four bedrooms, three baths, and a pool table—just 200 m from the spa.
We didn’t stay at any of these, so we can’t give direct feedback on them, but they look lovely!
P.S. This spot looks so GORGEOUS in the winter – I need to plan another trip! A stay at the chalet during a snowy weekend sounds like perfection.
Visiting in an RV
If you’re rolling up in an RV, like how we travel, good news—the spa parking lot is spacious and can accommodate larger vehicles, making arrival and parking a breeze. We personally have a fifth wheel and were parked in Quebec City at the harbor Bassine Louise—near the Old Port—and drove our truck up for the day. That worked smoothly and gave us the best of both worlds. It’s $75 CAD a day and an excellent location for exploring Quebec City on foot.
For overnight options nearby, here are a couple of great choices:
- Camping Stoneham – Located just under 20 km (about 25 minutes) from the spa, this well-equipped campground offers over 300 sites, many with services like 15-, 30-, or 50-amp hookups. Amenities include a swimming pool, pond, convenience store, laundry, showers, playgrounds, picnic areas, dump station, and more.
- Jacques-Cartier Valley Rustic Camping – About 10 minutes from Stoneham, this scenic campground offers standard camping with a private lake, beach access, canoe/kayak rentals, picnic areas, showers, and drinking water—a lovely rustic alternative if you’re looking for a quieter setting.
Pro Tips Before You Go
- Bring: swimsuit, sandals, water bottle, and robe (rentals available).
- Timing: Weekdays or early arrival = more serenity.
- Phones: Leave them in lockers—this is a phone-free zone.
- Stay Longer: Tiny-houses and Chalet Nordique are ideal for a full getaway.
Nordique Spa Stoneham delivers on its promise: a nature-rich, peaceful retreat where thermal bathing, massage, and quiet restore your equilibrium. Whether you drop by for a centering day or stay overnight in a cozy mini-chalet, it’s an experience that touches you deeply. We hope you decide to visit this lovely spot if you find yourself near Quebec City! It’s a wonderful way to escape the city for a day and get some R&R. Enjoy!
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