Some spa experiences are about pampering. Some are about healing. And sometimes—when the stars align, when the body and spirit are open—they are about something even deeper. That was my experience at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge Spa after a guided “Peak-Nic” hike via Jasper Food Tours through the haunting and beautiful “burn scar” left by a wildfire the summer before.
The hike itself was powerful. The landscape, still raw and marked, told stories of destruction—but also of regeneration. Charred tree trunks stood in contrast against new growth, wildflowers pushing bravely through ash-colored earth. It reminded me of my own body, my own stories. I was burned as a baby, and though much time has passed, I still carry that wound. Hiking through that forest was like walking through a reflection of myself—wounded, resilient, and regrowing.
By the time I arrived at the spa, I was physically tired and emotionally wide open.
And the moment I stepped in, I was met with something simple but profoundly impactful: I was offered a robe that fit.
How Robes Make or Break Spa Visits
Not a robe I had to squeeze into. Not a robe I had to ask for with hesitation. A robe that welcomed me, just as I am. And not only that—the staff told me they had a size up, too, if I preferred. That gesture alone set the tone. I felt seen. Respected. Worthy of comfort.
My massage therapist, Morgan, welcomed me with a kind presence and something that touched me deeply: a basket prepared just for me, with all the products she planned to use during my treatment. It included Organic Ginger Bath & Body Oil, Natural Rehydrating Neroli Water, FuB Balm, and Organic Calm Balm. My name was on the massage table. That little detail—my name—felt like a quiet affirmation that this space, this moment, was mine.
The massage itself was everything my body needed. The pressure was magical—intentional and intuitive. Morgan worked with deep care, and I felt my tired muscles slowly unwind. The room was serene and the music a soft, soothing soundtrack to the release that was unfolding. I didn’t feel rushed or like a number in a system. I felt honored. Respected. Restored.
Afterward, I visited the spa’s lounge, which overlooks a lake so stunningly blue it almost doesn’t seem real. I curled up in my robe—still comfortable, still feeling welcome in my body—and let myself sink into thought. Something about the calm water, the mountains beyond, and the emotional release of the hike and massage unlocked a deeper reflection.
I realized I had just hiked through a literal burn scar—something most people might avoid. And yet, it was beautiful in its rawness. I thought about my own scars, both physical and emotional. About how we’re conditioned to hide them. But at that moment, wrapped in a robe that fit, with a body that had been cared for, I felt the lesson land: you can go through your wounds, walk directly through the hurt parts of you, and come out the other side with more understanding. More wholeness. More peace.
A loon floated across the lake just then. I later learned it’s a sign—one of transition, of returning to places that hold meaning. I took it as a quiet invitation from the universe: I will be back.
Before I left, I stepped into the eucalyptus steam bath. The mist opened my lungs and cleared my head. Then, I made my way to the outdoor heated pool. As I slid into the warm water, the jagged silhouettes of the Canadian Rockies rose around me like a protective circle. The sun dipped low. I was surrounded by majesty, inside and out.
That moment—being fully in my body, fully at ease, surrounded by nature’s grandeur—felt like the kind of peace we spend our whole lives chasing.
And here’s what I keep thinking: If they hadn’t had a robe that fit, none of this would’ve been possible.
Because comfort is access. Because hospitality is more than ambiance—it’s about inclusion. That robe meant I could actually be there, fully. Not self-conscious, not adjusting or covering. Just present. And because I was comfortable, I could access all the beauty that was being offered—of the mountains, of the massage, of the moment.
Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge Spa didn’t just offer me a treatment. They gave me space to heal, to reflect, to reconnect with myself. They showed me that a robe that fits can be the key to unlocking something so much more profound.
And that, truly, is the magic of a spa done right.
Kara Richardson Whitely is the author of Gorge: My Journey Up Kilimanjaro at 300 Pounds and the CEO of The Gorgeous Agency, which helps brands connect with the plus size audience.
