There’s a new Nordic spa in St. Andrews-by-the-Sea, New Brunswick, and it’s just a short drive from New England! Located next to the historic Algonquin Resort, USVA by-the-Sea offers an incredible thermal experience with outdoor pools, saunas, cold plunges, and relaxing wellness treatments.
USVA by-the-Sea
USVA by-the-Sea is a Nordic spa located in the beautiful coastal town of St. Andrews-by-the-Sea, New Brunswick, Canada.
The spa opened in 2026 and is located just steps from The Algonquin Resort, one of Canada’s most historic seaside hotels.
Inspired by Scandinavian wellness traditions, USVA focuses on the Nordic thermal cycle, which involves alternating between hot temperatures, cold water, and periods of rest.
Along with the thermal experience, the spa offers restorative wellness services, including red light therapy, NeuroSpa, and Pressotherapy.
During our fall getaway to St. Andrews, we had the opportunity to experience the spa for ourselves, and we absolutely loved it!
Starting Our Visit in the USVA Exfoliation Room
We started our morning in the exfoliation room, which was a fun way to begin the experience.
You’re given an exfoliation glove to use during your visit, and you even get to take it home with you!
The room allows you to gently scrub your skin before continuing to the thermal circuit.
I loved that this was included as part of the experience, and it was a nice way to start our morning at the spa.
Experiencing the Nordic Thermal Cycle at USVA Spa
One of the main reasons to visit USVA by-the-Sea is the Nordic thermal experience.
The traditional thermal cycle involves three stages: heat, cold, and relaxation. The idea is to alternate between temperatures while taking time to rest between each stage.
We started by spending time in the dry sauna and steam room, which were both wonderful.
After warming up, we headed outside to explore the heated pools and cold plunge.
The outdoor area was one of my favorite parts of the spa!
There are several pools to enjoy, including heated relaxation pools and a hydrotherapy pool, along with outdoor spaces where you can sit and relax.
Since we visited during the fall, the cooler New Brunswick air made the warm pools feel even better.
You can move between the different areas at your own pace, which I really appreciated.
Trying Red Light Therapy at USVA by-the-Sea
Along with the thermal experience, USVA offers several restorative wellness services.
One of the first treatments we tried was red light therapy.
During the session, we relaxed on specially designed beds that use red and near-infrared light.
Red light therapy is often promoted for its potential effects on skin and muscle recovery, although research into its benefits is still developing.
For us, it was simply another relaxing part of the experience.
I loved having the opportunity to try something different during our visit!
Relaxing in the USVA NeuroSpa
Another experience we tried was the NeuroSpa, which was unlike anything I’ve done at a Nordic spa before!
The NeuroSpa uses relaxing sounds, music, and gentle vibrations through a specialized chair to create a calming sensory experience.
Each session lasts approximately 30 minutes.
According to USVA, the experience is designed to feel similar to getting three hours of deep sleep, although it shouldn’t be considered a replacement for actual sleep.
It was interesting to experience the combination of sounds and vibrations while relaxing in the chair.
If you’re interested in trying some of the spa’s additional wellness services, the NeuroSpa is definitely one to consider.
Relaxing in the Himalayan Salt Room and Indoor Lounge
To finish our visit, we spent some time exploring the indoor relaxation areas.
USVA has a comfortable relaxation room where guests can sit and unwind between the different thermal experiences.
There’s also a Himalayan salt room, which offers another quiet space to relax.
I loved that there were so many different areas to enjoy throughout the spa.
You could easily spend several hours moving between the heated pools, saunas, and relaxation rooms without feeling rushed.
It was such a wonderful way to spend our morning in St. Andrews-by-the-Sea!
Visiting USVA by-the-Sea in St. Andrews, New Brunswick
If you’re planning a visit to USVA by-the-Sea, here are a few things to know before you go.
Location: 90 Prince of Wales, St. Andrews-by-the-Sea, New Brunswick, Canada.
Reservations: Reservations are required for the thermal experience and additional wellness services. Same-day availability may occasionally be offered.
Age requirement: Guests must generally be at least 16 years old, although certain special events may allow younger visitors.
Parking: Complimentary parking is available at The Algonquin Resort and on nearby streets.
What to expect: The thermal experience includes access to the saunas, heated pools, cold plunge, exfoliation room, and relaxation areas.
Additional services, including the NeuroSpa, Pressotherapy, and red light therapy, can be added to your visit for an extra charge.
I recommend checking the current hours, pricing, and available packages before your trip.
Pair Your USVA Spa Visit With a Stay at The Algonquin Resort
One of the best things about USVA by-the-Sea is its location next to The Algonquin Resort.
We stayed at The Algonquin during our fall getaway to St. Andrews and loved being able to walk over to the spa in the morning.
The historic resort dates back to 1889 and is one of the most recognizable landmarks in St. Andrews-by-the-Sea.
Along with visiting USVA, you can enjoy the resort’s restaurants, explore the grounds, or spend time discovering the nearby coastal town.
If you’re traveling from Maine or elsewhere in New England, I think combining a spa visit with an overnight stay at The Algonquin is a great way to enjoy a relaxing weekend in New Brunswick.
Watch My Visit
Want to see the Nordic pools, relaxation rooms, and restorative wellness experiences? Watch my visit to USVA by-the-Sea in St. Andrews, New Brunswick, below!
Final Thoughts
If you love Nordic spas as much as I do, USVA by-the-Sea is definitely one to add to your New Brunswick travel list!
We absolutely loved spending the morning exploring the thermal pools, saunas, and different wellness experiences.
I especially enjoyed the outdoor heated pools and having the opportunity to try the NeuroSpa, red light therapy, and Pressotherapy.
Whether you’re staying at The Algonquin Resort or simply visiting St. Andrews-by-the-Sea for the day, USVA is a wonderful addition to a New Brunswick getaway.
I would absolutely visit again!
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