When it comes to luxury spa retreats, South Africa competes with some of the best in the world. It comes as no surprise that ten of our own top establishments have received well-deserved recognition at the recent World Luxury Spa Awards 2015, a division of the prestigious World Luxury Hotel Awards.
The aim of these awards is to recognise and celebrate service excellence and world-class facilities on a country, continent and global scale, and also set the benchmark for luxury hotels and spas.
These South African spas have been named finalists and winners in categories ranging from ‘Best Luxury Hotel Spa’ and ‘Best Luxury Safari Spa’ in South Africa, to ‘Best Luxury Spa Group’ in the whole of Africa. For the full list of winners, click here. Many of these are also nominated for various awards again in 2016.
If you’re looking for the perfect way to escape the busyness of life and to unwind and rejuvenate mind, body and soul in a beautiful, serene setting, book a stay or appointment at one of these 10 luxury spas in South Africa.
The Oyster Box Spa (Umhlanga)
One of the top luxury hotels in the world, the beachfront Oyster Box hotel offers an outstanding spa experience. Nestled in lush, tropical gardens, surrounded by the sweet aroma of flowers and the soothing sounds of exotic birdlife, exceptionally trained and skilled therapists provide guests with a unique holistic journey of restoring balance and beauty. Here you will be treated with the exclusive B | Africa range of products with detoxing and calming properties, used by some of the top spas in the country.
Image Credit: www.oysterboxhotel.com
Delaire Graff Spa (Stellenbosch)
Delaire Graff Estate set in the breathtaking Winelands of the Stellenbosch Valley is an exclusive retreat for the discerning global traveller and hospitality, wine and art connoisseur. Elegant lodge accommodations and four aesthetic suites provide a pampering haven where beauty and holistic wellness are the priority of skilled and professional experts. Terres d’Afrique, Swiss Perfection and Aromatherapy Associates are some of the fine products used to invigorate, beautify and nourish guests visiting the Delaire Graff Spa.
Image Credit: www.delaire.co.za
Gatsby Spa (Sun City Resort)
Gatsby International Health Spa is made up of two deluxe spas at the Sun City Resort near Rustenburg – The Royal Spa in the Palace of the Lost City, and the Gary Player Health Spa located between the Sun City Hotel and the Cascades. These award-winning spas offer an array of body treatments, including facials, nail pampering, hair styling, massages and gym training in the surroundings of the stunning resort and natural scenery. Gatsby is especially renowned for it’s exclusive anti-stress TheraVine™ massages rich in the antioxidants of natural botanicals and grapeseed oil.
Pondoro Serenity Spa (Hoedspruit)
If you’re desperate to trade the mad bustle of the city for the serenity of the bushveld, then a weekend at Pondoro Game Lodge is your answer. Situated on the beautiful banks of the Olifants River in the Kruger National Park, the Lodge is an exquisite, romantic getaway with a serenity spa that offers luxuriously relaxing treatments to unwind and revive the mind, body and soul. A must? A spa bath under the vast African sky, and one of their therapeutic and soothing massages with your choice of Africology aromatherapy oils.
Image Credit: www.pondoro.co.za
Mint Wellness Spa at The Bay Hotel (Cape Town)
Looking for the perfect, relaxing date? Then be sure to visit one of the top spas in Cape Town. Couples will be happy to learn that Mint Wellness at the elite The Bay Hotel in Camps Bay offers a range of women’s and men’s treatments, including a private couples massage room. At The Bay Hotel you can indulge in exclusive session or full day treatments and pampering, in complete privacy. A steam room, facial room, wet room, heated and cold pools, a hair salon and manicure and pedicure station are just some of the luxuries you can expect when visiting this world-class spa.
Image Credit: www.wetu.com
Fairlawns Spa (Johannesburg)
Escape the hustle and bustle of the busy city, whilst still being in the city at one of the finest spas in Johannesburg. Fairlawns is a beautiful, tranquil Balinese inspired retreat situated in Sandton. Enjoy the soothing sounds of water, nature and birds, and being treated to an indoor or outdoor massage and a range of other traditional and modern therapeutic techniques designed to revitalise and calm a stressed mind and body. Fairlawns only uses some the best beauty products on their clients, including Clarins, Matsimela and QMS Medicosmetics.
Image Credit: Fairlawns
Camdeboo Spa (Centurion)
Looking for spas in Pretoria? Set at the beautiful Irene Country Lodge, Camdeboo, aptly named after the White Stinkwood trees in the area, is an absolute oasis of relaxation and serenity. Camdeboo’s unique approach to balance, health and hospitality draws customers from all over seeking to rejuvenate. Facilities here include 2 single and 2 double treatment rooms, sensation showers, a heated Jacuzzi, restaurant, sauna and techno gym for a memorable experience.
Image Credit: www.irenecountrylodge.co.za
The Saxon Spa and Studio (Johannesburg)
The Spa at the award-winning Saxon Hotel, Sandhurst, combines holistic, modern and ancient treatment techniques to provide a harmonious environment for rejuvenation and indulgence. Come for an advanced facial, abandon yourself in one of their signature or massage therapies, all the while enjoying the luxury of Molton Brown products. The Saxon Spa also boasts an exclusive fitness centre, hair and nail studio and skin specific treatments for men.
Image Credit: www.saxon.co.za
Duma Manzi Eco Spa (KwaZulu-Natal)
At Duma Manzi Eco Lodge and Spa you can immerse yourself in the African wilderness and find peace and quietude in beautiful cave surroundings. Feel like you’ve been ‘transported’ into another world whilst being pampered and treated by highly skilled, professional therapists. You can look forward to relaxing in the rock plunge pool or jacuzzi and being soothed by the blissful sound of birds and a cascading river. The Dr Hauschka skin care range along with local essential oils and natural, organic products are used on guests.
Pezula Spa & Gym (Knysna)
What distinguishes Pezula from other spas, is that, along with the usual exclusive treatments and facilities you would expect, this spa in Knysna is also a Medi-spa. This means that you can receive non-surgical, non-invasive skin treatments administered by medical practitioners for a younger-looking, radiant complexion. Rejuvenating, hydrating and purifying facial peels, microcurrent face-lift technology, medical aesthetic treatments, Botox and dermal fillers are available after consultation and by appointment.
So, are you inspired by these world-class spa retreats and dreaming of breaking away for a weekend or just treating yourself a little? Find holiday accommodation or pampering specials on spa packages and spa treatments on www.JunkMail.co.za.
I have written a book and do counselling for people suffering from overweight and compulsive overeating.
My vision is to have people accommodated in a Spa while thy attend my seminars and get to the root of their problem.
I am looking for a Spa that would be interested in sharing the vision to such an enterprise as the Dieter’s market is the biggest in the world.
How can I go about approaching Spa’s to see who might be interested.
I have personally been healed for more than 25 years.
Your best bet would be to contact the spa’s directly… 🙂