Caring and quality are the hallmarks of this intimate and elegant Port Hope spa, so it’s not surprising that in 2007 the New York–based SpaFinder awarded Hillcrest awards in three categories: best boutique spa, best spa cuisine, and best going solo spa. With a focus on customized wellness programs, from detox to stress management, spa staffers cater to individual needs by personalizing meals, exercise and treatments. All spa-goers are overnight guests staying in one of the 1874 beaux arts mansion’s nine comfortable guest rooms. The third-floor Valenova suite sleeps up to six people (one king and two queen beds) and has a rooftop deck overlooking the 15 acres of old-growth woods, gardens, and Lake Ontario. The spacious Laura Margaret, with its king-size four-poster bed, has bay windows overlooking the garden and lake. Signature treatments include a one-hour Valenova rhythmic massage, in which a therapist uses her forearms to give a wave-like massage; a two-hour facial starts with a sage-scented footbath and incorporates a back treatment and arm, leg and scalp massages, in between fragrant ministrations of neroli-scented mist and rose face cream. A small gym has all the necessary training equipment; glass doors open onto the gardens, where guests may lounge on teak steamer chairs or swim in the skin-friendly saline pool. Chef Jonathan Hosick seeks local and organic products for seasonal menus: possibly a grilled asparagus and camembert omelette at breakfast or an organic rib-eye and root vegetable stew at lunch.