Here’s five reasons why I’m loving Cottage Life.

1. The sunsets are spectacular. Disclosure: I might have taken more photos of the sunset thanI did of my meals. Shocking!!

2. There’s a sauna at the cottage but it’s not your average sauna. It has a wood oven in there – and it takes over an hour to heat up the sauna. Nothing beats a “steamie” followed by a dip into the cool (errr….cold) water. This is a priceless experience.

3. I get to cook without having to go to the grocery store (every 2 seconds)  cause I forgot an ingredient!! This week I whipped up an eggplant dish – even though I forgot some key ingredients. Sometimes it’s great to improvise.

4. I also get the chance to create my own “signature” cocktails. This past weekend, I took these 4 ingredients..placed it into my Kitchen Aid Diamond Blender and bingo…da best drink ever. ps I froze the raspberries. I think @cocktaildeeva would be proud. (I think)

When I went to Dr. Laffa in August, I drove by the following sign.

I thought to myself that it would a great place to check out in the winter when it’s -30 and we have 20 cms of snow. Neither happend and I couldn’t wait much longer so I went!!

Of course I checked out the Korean Family Sauna website first so I could learn what to expect. After reviewing it, I knew that I wanted to go. So I did.

When you walk in…this is what you see.

When you pay ($20), you receive a locker key, a pair of cotton shorts and a cotton tshirt, and 2 very small towels. (um, I should be specific – the towels were the size of handtowels)

When you get dressed in their cotton tshirt and the cotton shorts – this is what I looked like. Pretty site eh? Felt like prison clothes.

The change room is huge, and clean. Infact the whole place is absolutely spotless with gleaming hardwood floors.

The games room is also huge. I mean HUGE. There’s a pool table, numerous leather couches, several flat screen tv’s, and a cafeteria that is licensed. That’s right – licensed.

The main room is also huge and you can call this the “warm up room”. There are bamboo mats to lie on (with wooden blocks to rest your head)  and people just relax here.

I brought a magazine, my Iphone and a pair of ear phones. The other people in this room with me, included a Korean family of 4. i.e mom, dad and their two kids (10 and 12?).

There’s 8 different doors that lead you into the saunas. Some are warmer than others but whats important is the rocks on the wall. Each room have different rocks that have different health benefits. I went to each and every sauna.

What I found interesting in these saunas was the fact that there were no benches in them. You simply lay on your bamboo mat.

In between visiting each sauna room, I hung out in the cold room.

I also enjoyed the opportunity to go back into the games room to enjoy a Sapporo ($9) and a maki roll. ($4.50)

My visit to the Korean Family spa cost me $20 (food and alcohol separate) and I swear I was there for close to three hours. Pretty good value, in my humble opinion.

Definitely worth visiting if you like saunas!! I know I will be returning. I have no doubt in my mind.

Things I learned:

-bring a 1.5 litre of water with you. I promise you, you will drink the whole thing (you can refill it there).

-bring shower shoes for the shower

-bring a book, magazine, earphones, music and earphones

-bring a towel incase you want something larger than the towel they give you, which is the size of a kitchen towel. It makes GoodLife’s towels look like bathsheets.

Korean Family Spa – 382 Magenetic Drive (416) 514-1965 Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!!