Meet The Founders Of Her Majestys Pleasure

Take a stroll down classy King West in Toronto and find yourself surrounded by eclectic restaurants and a booming bar scene. Just off this bustling, hip avenue, lies Her Majesty’s Pleasure — the new kid on the block bringing a game-changer to the beauty industry.

Started by dream team (and power couple), Sara Kardan and Jeff Armstrong, this elegantly decorated and Instagram-worthy bar/café-meets-beauty salon is doused in white marble and has everything you need for the perfect spa experience. Offering a number of services from nails, hair, and skin care, Her Majesty’s Pleasure has got it all — and she even lets you do it with champagne (or latte) in hand.

How did Her Majesty’s Pleasure come about? What gave you the idea?

We really wanted to create a business together. We have always appreciated the unique experiences created in so many amazing restaurants and hotels we have had the opportunity to visit in our travels and felt inspired. We felt there was a real gap in the beauty service industry, where design and social experience could play a big role in differentiation and success. Beyond that, we just wanted to create an amazing destination where women could do all of their favorite things in one place, together, with a cocktail or two.

How would you describe Her Majesty’s Pleasure to a stranger?

It’s a bar, boutique and beauty salon where people gather to celebrate, feel good and look great, all set in a beautiful space not dissimilar to a hotel lobby or a vacation destination.

What services do you offer besides manicure and pedicure? How is the experience here different than in a traditional spa?

We have a wonderful blow-dry bar and offer luxury hair treatments, along with traditional spa services including facials, hair removal and all-natural bronzing. We also offer make-up services and lashes to complete our one-stop service menu. We work hard to differentiate and please in a number of ways. We’ve designed our reception as a bustling café and cocktail bar great for meeting before or unwinding after appointments. Besides the obvious focus on high service standards we provide immense focus on the experience surrounding the service – interior design, curated music, scent and most importantly, a full service bar with talented craft cocktail connoisseurs who wait on our guests as they enjoy our services.

The interior of Her Majesty’s Pleasure is beautiful. Where did you get your inspiration for the design?

We have always collected images of our favorite places and things in the world. Before we started with our designer John Tong, we had all the walls of our home office covered from floor to ceiling with clippings and photos and memos. It was so rewarding to see so many of those things come to life in our own project. We really credit the final result to John and his unique ability to create spaces so unexpected and luxurious yet approachable and familiar.

What’s your favorite treatment at Her Majesty’s Pleasure? What should we get done when we come in?

Our facials and all-natural bronzing are amazing for keeping a year-round glow. But nothing beats an Ultimate Manicure complete with full massage and a custom cocktail designed just for you, sitting at our high-top manicure bar watching the bustle of King Street West and tapping your heels to some acid-jazz-house beats.

What’s next?

At the King West location, we are going to be launching a social calendar with unique events and experiences complementary to our amazing customers. Beyond King Street, we are keeping our eye on unique markets here in Canada and in the U.S. for expansion. We also have some exciting partnership opportunities coming up and goals to take the brand into other unexpected categories.

What is your favorite hidden gem in Toronto?

We love taking time out on Sunday to have brunch with our daughter. Gusto, Paralia, Clooney, and Tavoos are a few favorites. For date night, we love sitting at a beautiful bar, anywhere, enjoying new flavors and great conversation about what’s next in life. We find ourselves at Notte Benne and Blowfish when the opportunity comes to get out together.

What advice would you give to your younger self?

Take risks, make lists and do everything you want to do and share it with someone you love.

What is the most memorable moment from your career?

Our first week of opening, for sure. We had the door unlocked for family and friends only and when we came out from the back office to check on things; our place was flooded with people walking by, walking in, ordering drinks, booking appointments and shopping in our boutique. It was really exciting. It was as if we were always here on King Street.
Her Majesty’s Pleasure, Fashion House, 556 King Street West, Toronto, Canada, +1 416 546 4991

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.