As Vettä Nordic Spa prepares to celebrate its fifth anniversary, owner Eric Harkonen says the decision to build the wellness destination in Oro-Medonte, apart from bringing authentic Finnish sauna to Canada, was nature.
The Finnish-Canadian entrepreneur, whose parents immigrated to Canada from Finland in the 1950s, said the area's forests, tranquillity, and outdoor recreation opportunities made it a natural fit for a Nordic spa experience.
"I was looking for that place of serenity," Harkonen said. "One thing that Oro-Medonte does provide is the nature and the serenity and the relaxation."
Since opening in 2021, the spa has welcomed nearly half a million visitors, according to Harkonen. Guests come not only from Simcoe County and the Greater Toronto Area, but from communities stretching from Sudbury to Peterborough and Kitchener-Waterloo.
For Harkonen, the spa was always meant to be more than a place to relax. It was an opportunity to bring an authentic piece of Finnish culture to Ontario.
"We strive to become the little piece of Finland in Canada, we call it," he said.
That commitment to authenticity extends to everything from the design of the saunas to the materials used in them. Harkonen said many of the spa's sauna products are imported directly from Finland, where sauna culture remains deeply ingrained in everyday life.
As interest in sauna and wellness experiences continues to grow internationally, Harkonen said he has seen the trend first-hand through annual visits to the World Sauna Forum in Finland and other international conferences.
Listen below to our interview with Eric Harkonen
To mark the spa's fifth anniversary, Vettä Nordic Spa is preparing to unveil several additions, including a new wood-burning sauna called Tulta, the Finnish word for "fire." The structure was built using logs sourced from northern Finland and assembled on-site.
"The whole building, it's like the gold standard of sauna," Harkonen said.
The expansion also includes Taivas, a new wellness and relaxation building whose name means "heaven" in Finnish. The space will feature additional relaxation areas, expanded hot stone bed capacity, new washroom facilities within the spa area and a wellness centre designed to help guests learn more about relaxation and wellness practices.
Alongside Tulta, Harkonen said the additions are intended to deepen the spa's commitment to authentic Nordic experiences while improving comfort and capacity for guests.
Harkonen believes the spa's appeal goes beyond saunas and thermal therapy. In an increasingly digital world, he says many guests are seeking opportunities to disconnect from technology and reconnect with themselves and the people around them.
The spa's no-phone policy in outdoor areas is designed to encourage that experience. Harkonen said some of the most rewarding moments come from seeing family members, couples and friends engage in uninterrupted conversation.
For first-time visitors, Harkonen describes the experience as an opportunity to step away from daily stresses and focus on relaxation. Guests can move between multiple saunas, pools, steam rooms and quiet spaces at their own pace, typically spending three to four hours on-site.
While cold plunges and hydrotherapy often draw attention, Harkonen believes the true value of the Nordic spa experience lies elsewhere.
He hopes that introducing more Canadians to authentic Finnish sauna culture will encourage a greater appreciation for time spent together, time outdoors and the simple experience of being present.
Vettä Nordic Spa's fifth anniversary celebration and ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new facilities is scheduled for Nov. 18. More information can be found at vettaspa.com, where online booking is available. Also, ask about Vetta's 'Thank you Simcoe County' promotion.
