Who Are We?
Vettä is a Finnish-inspired Nordic day spa that celebrates the Finnish lifestyle and sauna culture. Where time is cherished and spent wisely among friends and family. Our mission is to help each guest escape the stress of their day by allowing them to relax, recharge, and reconnect.
With an official groundbreaking in November 2019, Vettä’s development has overseen the transformation of an empty plot of land into a modern, welcoming Nordic spa, surrounded by one of Ontario’s natural hardwood forests.
Our Story is Finnish
In 1957, Yrjö Harkonen and his love, Kaisa left Finland for Canada, chasing the promise of a better life in the mining town of Elliot Lake where they built a life rooted in Finnish values: embracing nature, resourcefulness, and daily sauna rituals.
Their son Eric grew up with these traditions and later found himself overwhelmed by the stress of his career as a mining engineer. Seeking balance, he built a Nordic spa in his backyard, combining hot/cold circuits inspired by Finnish culture. It became a sanctuary for relaxation and a hit among friends and family.
Recognizing the need to share this experience, Eric and his wife Donna turned their dream into reality, creating a space for others to enjoy the healing power of Finnish wellness. Today, their vision is a testament to family, culture, and the importance of finding balance in life.
Vettä Spa is a larger-scale replica of Eric and Donna’s backyard (much larger) and is now home to the world’s largest saunas. With a Finnish architect and designer (ISM), a Finnish founder, and even wood siding imported from Finnish trees (Siparila), wood-burning sauna heaters from Finland, and Finnish designed glass enclosures (Lumon) and the Harkonen family has created an authentic Nordic spa. As a result, guests are completely immersed in an indulgent experience allowing for a proper disconnect from daily stresses for total rejuvenation of body, mind, and soul
What Are Our Core Values?
Reconnect
Our guests are reconnecting with what’s important to them. Whether it be a quiet moment with their inner thoughts or a social day with loved ones, their mind, body, and soul are taking the time to reawaken.
Relaxation
We want our guests to breathe a sigh of relief when they come to Vettä. Our goal is to help them experience pure physical and mental relaxation as their daily stressors fade away.
Nature
Immersion in nature contributes significantly to feelings of relaxation. We have surrounded ourselves with natural elements and offer a dining experience that embraces natural ingredients from local sources.
Tradition
For centuries, the Finnish culture has embraced the sauna lifestyle of steam, cold, relaxation, and social connection. Sauna life is full of meaningful and beautiful traditions that Vettä Nordic Spa embraces.
Health And Wellness
Vettä is all about taking care of yourself. It’s essential to have balance and a place to go recharge. We have created a space to prioritize our guests’ overall health and wellness.
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