The idea of \u200b\u200ba floating spa did not come\nright away. As a lover of spas, the Emond family was looking to create one on\na waterfront property with quick access to public transportation. “It was somewhat\nof a utopia,” admits Natalie, amused.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Water and well-being are an integral part of the family DNA,\ntheir father already attending spas over 30 years ago. “In our cottage, we have a small sauna\noverlooking the lake,” a nod to the sauna-on-the-water which can be\nfound on\none of the facades of Bota Bota, directly overlooking\nHabitat 67.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Water is also an inseparable part of a spa. “It’s a\nterm that’s a little overused nowadays, but for us the proximity to water was\nvery important because it’s part of the experience. ”\nIt is no coincidence that the first activity offered on board is called the water\ncircuit<\/em>, which consists of three distinct stages, closely related to water:\nhot, cold, relaxation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n From one life to another<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n When the boat is purchased in 2008, it is recovering from a busy past. It is at that point that the Emond family acquired it, before starting the initial renovations. “It was in dry dock at Sorel for a year and a half. Some remodeling had to be done to make it wider and more stable by filling the edges with concrete. ” A project of this size was a great test, for the family as well as for the naval and building architects. “It was an innovative project in the world of construction, which, to our knowledge, had never been done before. Water is very heavy – you have to make sure everything is stable.”<\/p>\n\n\n Towing in August 2010 to Montreal is a\nmemorable experience. “We had to wait for the river level to drop a bit.\nThe structure was getting higher,\na big wooden structure, and we had to make sure that everything could\nfit\nbelow the bridges.\u201d Its engine already removed, the\nboat with its impressive skeleton was\nno longer made to navigate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A third identity<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The boat\u2019s new identity was built little by little, thanks to the agency Sid Lee, present from the beginning. “We were their flagship project at the time, their first architectural project, which incorporated everything that was brand image. It helped with spreading the word internationally. We were not worried for the future.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n The name Bota Bota was an obvious choice. “When we heard Bota Bota we looked at each other, our eyes wide, and we said to ourselves: ‘Well here it is, that’s it!’ In Japanese, the sound ‘bota’ recalls the sound of a drop, as if it meant drop by drop.” Beyond its meaning, it is also a pleasant name to pronounce, its “O”\u2019s a reminder of the portholes which can be found on the boat.<\/p>\n\n\n On December 10th<\/sup>, 2010, Bota Bota officially opened its doors. “The first week we mostly welcomed family members and friends, we had to stick together.” Excitement could be felt in the air at the reception of each new client.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Beauty, Well-being,\nExcellence<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n In the months and years following the opening, beautiful steps were achieved. In order to improve the quality of its offer and services, the spa-sur-l’eau is regularly equipped with new facilities. In May of 2015, the gardens are born and offer visitors a brand-new relaxation area. This time on earth, it gives them the same opportunity for a relaxing journey, with a view of the boat. Today still one of its kind, Bota Bota welcomes new customers relaxation adepts daily on board. Traveling is still relevant, but this time, without leaving the port. The quest for relaxation is done through the body and mind. Moored at the Old Port, the Bota Bota
Used as a ferry in its early hours, he ensures the shuttle from Sorel to St-Ignace-de-Loyola (Berthierville) in the 1950’s and 1960’s before being turned into a theater-boat, also known as L’Escale. Embellished by a large central staircase, which no longer exists, it sailed on the Ottawa River before being docked in Saint-Marc-sur-Richelieu.<\/p>\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/botabota.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/SSHSA_BB_SL_03903.jpg\")
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From the winning a Cannes Golden Lion in 2011 to welcoming the 250,000th visitor in 2015, Bota Bota\u2019s reputation shines thanks to the excellence of its services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In October of 2013, the restaurant on board is inaugurated. Much smaller than it is now, it will undergo several changes thereafter in order to adapt to the demand.<\/p>\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/botabota.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/jardins-1024x683.jpg\")
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The floating sauna, the youngest member of the family, was born in 2017. Still little known to visitors, but a favorite of employees, it represents a unique haven of peace, directly on the water.<\/p>\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/botabota.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/phocea-2-1.jpg\")
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“In the first year, every second call asked us what time the boat was leaving.\u201d Recalls Natalie in a laugh. Her eyes sparkle for a moment in silence, their blue overflowing with an ocean of memories.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
\nhas a story full of twists and turns. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[85],"tags":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n