Cathy MerrittYou don’t have to wait for summer to get your tan ready! That’s my motto. That natural bronze glow looks good in any season.
Luckily for me, there are several tanning salons in Toronto, and they offer a wide range of options—from lay-down tanning beds to sunless and spray tanning.
Though I like to try different salons for fun, I have my list of go-to places. I’ll share them with you below!
How much does a tanning salon cost in Toronto?
Tanning costs in Toronto vary greatly depending on the salon. Some salons charge per minute (around C$3), others charge per week (around C$50), and the rest charge per month (around C$90).
If you’re an avid tanner, you’d like the monthly arrangement because it already includes unlimited tanning services while your subscription is active.
How We Chose
Sol’exotica
Address: 9 Isabella St, 2nd Floor
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday—10 am to 8 pm
- Saturday and Sunday—11 am to 6 pm
Contact Number: +14168668266
Operating for more than 20 years, Sol’exotica has multiple locations in the region, including two in Toronto.
Both outlets in Toronto are conveniently situated; one is in the heart of St. Lawrence Market, while the other is near Bloor-Yonge Station. So, travelling to and from either salon is a breeze.
I love the array of services here. Lay-down tanning is their most popular option, but they also have standing tanning (which is better for more even results across the body) and spray tanning (for people who don’t want to be exposed to UV rays).
That said, some clients have an issue with the digital tanning beds. This new, more high-tech version requires the client to take off the safety goggles to use the controls.
This can be unsafe, and one client shared that she got sprayed in the eyes while trying to customize her experience. Keep that in mind if you choose this option, and as much as possible, seek a professional’s assistance.
This salon sells some skincare products as well. For example, they have accelerators (to jumpstart the tanning process while hydrating your skin) and tan extenders (to prevent fading).
Customer Reviews
Comfortable experience
“Cheris is an angel! I felt welcome and comfortable even though it was my first time using most of the equipment because she not only set me up and explained it all, she checked in to make sure I was getting the best experience possible. Every visit has been the same personal service since! I highly recommend this place! My skin has never looked better!”
- Tanja Moram, Google Review
Well-maintained beds
“Such a great and clean place. Beds are well maintained Cheris is a true gem and makes every experience feel comfortable, special, and provides such high level customer service it makes you feel noticed. She’s knowledgeable and you know the info you’re getting to whatever question you may have related to tanning is always solid and from years of experience in the business. Love it here only location I use!”
- Ben Soares, Google Review
Cabana Tanning and Beauty Bar
Address: 25 Lesmill Rd #1, North York
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday—10:30 am to 8 pm
- Saturday—10:30 am to 6 pm
- Sunday—12 pm to 5 pm
Contact Number: +16473464380
Laser hair removal is the first thing I knew about Cabana Beauty Bar, so I was thrilled to learn that they offer tanning services as well. And the best part is that they cater to both men and women, which is almost a novelty, since many salons don’t serve men.
The tanning beds here are pretty high-tech. They don’t just tan your skin; they also let you play music or control the temperature. Some beds even have vibraNano, a feature that trains your abdomen, legs, and bottom. That’s pretty neat!
If you don’t want to tan via the tanning bed, you can book their custom airbrush spray tan instead. This option is also great if you’re in a hurry and want quick results.
Another great thing about this salon is the staff. They’re friendly and helpful, and they explain the process thoroughly. Many clients are first-timers when it comes to tanning, and they greatly appreciate this.
This salon mostly charges per visit, and the rate falls between C$28 and C$42, which isn’t too bad. They also offer a monthly subscription, but this one is pretty steep—at C$168 per month.
Customer Reviews
Helpful staff, clean and welcoming space
“Amazing first time experience! Serena was very helpful and knowledgeable with my tanning bed choices and I am definitely beyond satisfied! Beds are strong and the place is clean and welcoming. Thanks Serena and Cabana! New customer retained.”
- Natalie Beharry, Google Review
Great range of tanning options
“Cabana Tanning Salon offers top-notch service, clean facilities, and a friendly atmosphere. With a range of tanning options, personalized attention, and a commitment to customer satisfaction, it’s the go-to spot for achieving a sun-kissed glow. Highly recommended!”
- Marool Delafkar, Google Review
MIX MANSION
Address: 531 Yonge St, Level 2, One Bloor
Operating Hours:
- Monday—1 pm to 10 pm
- Tuesday to Friday—9 am to 10 pm
- Saturday—10 am to 3 pm
Contact Number: +16479551300
MIX MANSION specializes in sunless tanning only, which is good news for people who prefer this method. Unfortunately, if you prefer tanning beds, you’ll have to go elsewhere.
Still, this salon is worth checking out because their array of tan solutions is impressive. They don’t just have one solution for all clients; instead, they make sure to customize it depending on the client’s needs.
The tan solutions are also water-based, so when they’re applied to your skin, they’re not just adding colour; they also add hydration. It’s like skincare and tanning had a baby!
I love the salon’s space as well. It looks pretty, and it helps that the vibes here are warm and elegant. As such, it’s easy to feel at ease the moment I set foot inside.
The staff deserves their flowers, too. Everyone is knowledgeable and patient (I came here with a friend who asked a lot of questions, and they answered everything without missing a beat). Their post-care instructions are also clear, which I appreciate.
Customer Reviews
Welcoming studio
“Mix Mansion is the most aesthetic, welcoming spray tan studio I have ever been to. Katherine is incredibly knowledgeable and this experience was truly like no other. The whole booking process was easy to navigate and the pre/post care instructions were super clear. Vibes were 10/10, I felt super comfortable and would definitely go back. Can’t wait to also check out the Miami location as well. My tan looks very natural, golden and bronze.”
- Cassandra Z, Google Review
Flawless and long-lasting color
“I had two spray tans with Kennedy for different bridal events, and both were absolutely perfect! The colour was flawless and lasted even longer than expected. Kennedy was super professional and especially informative during my first appointment, which made me feel really comfortable. I’ll definitely be back for future special occasions!”
- Dana Burke, Google Review
HOUSE OF SUN
Address: 1020 Islington Ave #3, Titan Islington Plaza, Etobicoke
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday—10 am to 9 pm
- Saturday and Sunday—10 am to 6 pm
Contact Number: +14162332288
The main selling point of HOUSE OF SUN is their diverse array of services. They’re best known for their tanning, as one would expect, but they also do Botox, which is a delightful surprise.
The equipment here is up-to-date. In particular, they have the Ergoline and Matrix tanning beds, which have features like air conditioning and speakers. If you prefer spray tan, they have Versa Pro, a machine that offers endless customization options.
This salon also has an impressive lineup of products. You can get tanning lotions and skincare products that are meant to protect and enhance your tan. I bought a few, as suggested by my tanning consultant, and they did keep my skin tanned, soft, and hydrated!
I have to commend the space as well. Every visit, it’s spotless, and the staff greets me with warm smiles.
That said, I don’t like that they don’t have the prices of their tanning services on their website. Instead, you have to contact them first before they give you the rates. This seems like an unnecessary step, especially when other salons don’t do this.
Customer Reviews
Friendly and knowledgeable staff
“The staff here are incredibly friendly and knowledgeable. They took the time to walk me through all the different types of tanning beds and helped me find the best option for my needs. I really appreciated their patience and personalized approach. Highly recommend to anyone looking for a quality tanning solution!”
- Raymond Risto, Google Review
Clean and well-maintained salon
“Absolutely loved this tanning salon! The place was spotless, super clean and well maintained. The customer service was A1, the staff was incredibly friendly, welcoming, and very informative. They took the time to explain everything. I can honestly say this is one of the best tanning experiences I’ve had!”
- Pinky Moncrieffe, Google Review
Glo2go Mobile Spray Tanning
Address: 100 Western Battery Rd
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday—10 am to 8:30 pm
- Friday—10 am to 7 pm
Contact Number: +19052433003
Glo2go is another tanning studio that only does spray tanning, which is a bummer for people who prefer tanning beds. Still, it’s a great salon, with a diverse clientele. In fact, this salon comes highly recommended among brides!
The whole experience here is seamless. It only takes a few clicks or a call to book an appointment, and on the day of, your tanning consultant arrives on time and proceeds to provide a quick and comfortable experience.
The tan solution itself is high-quality. It’s not streaky, and it looks natural on the skin. It also lasts a long time, which is always good news.
Clients also praise the staff here. One told me that her consultant (Mandy) was accommodating. She booked a service for her wedding, and Mandy was great at adjusting the colour of the tan based on the event.
This salon operates on a monthly subscription, which costs either C$110 or C$150. I think these rates are pretty steep, especially when you only have two or three sessions per month.
I also don’t appreciate that you need to book at least three months’ worth of membership. That just jacks up the bill even more.
Customer Reviews
Kind and accommodating staff
“Have nothing but positive things to say about Mandy and Glo2Go! From the first booking to arrival and the tanning experience itself, you’re in great hands. Mandy is so kind, accommodating, and genuinely cares about her clients. Her space is clean, professional, and always welcoming. Every visit is such an amazing experience (not to mention the tan is INCREDIBLE. She truly knows what she’s doing. I always leave feeling super confident, dark, and feeling my best.”
- Jaime Meiteen, Google Review
A pleasure to work with
“My bestie and I wanted to be glowing for her wedding and booked a mobile spray tan to keep things as easy as possible. Mandy was so great! She showed up on time and ready to go, asked us both what we were hoping to achieve, and made us feel totally comfortable. She is a pleasure to be around, friendly, and fun. Our tans were both absolutely perfect. Even, and golden – exactly what we wanted. Will definitely book again.”
- J Reilly, Google Review
