The SA Home Owner editorial team spent a few days out of the office, indulging in signature treatments at Johannesburg’s top five spas: Africology at The Maslow, The Amani Spa at The Hyatt, Fairlawns Boutique Hotel and Spa, Saxon Hotel, Villas and Spa, and the Woodlands Wellbeing Spa. Here’s our experiences, and why you need to visit each of these relaxing spas…
A healthy body makes for a healthy mind, and a combination of the two contribute towards your overall wellbeing. And the Africology Spa, at The Maslow Hotel, is an exceptional place to get an ultra-rejuvenating endorphin release that we all need from time to time to relieve stress
levels.
Situated in the Sandton CBD, The Maslow provides an immediate escape from the city¹s hustle and bustle. With a vast array of treatments available, from facials and massages to hydrotherapies, manicures and pedicures, you can enjoy an entire day of pampering and relaxation, or a quick 45-minute session between meetings.
Being the modest man that I am, it was the Maslow Journey a 90-minute massage treatment that, among other things, targets niggling problem areas and stress points – that peaked my interest and became an instant favourite.
It could have been the hypnotic aromas or the sensual sounds but, as the attentive masseuse battled the numerous knots on my rigid body with unflinching fervor, time evaporated. It was over in blink. The memories of my pleasant experience will, however, last for quite some time.
– Sungula Nkabinde, Features Writer
Africology at The Maslow
There are four months left until the year ends but most of us already feel like we need a break – a break from the workload, deadlines, traffic and all the challenges that come with the urban rat race. That’s why I went to Amani African Spa in Rosebank for an afternoon of rest and relaxation.
The elegant spa is situated around the corner from the Guatrain, malls and my office, but as soon as I walked in, time slowed down to a peaceful pace. With stylish decor, an extensive menu of treatments and attentive masseuses, the spa is a haven of tranquility.
I was stressed, tense and tired when I arrived, so I was treated to a 60-minute full body massage treatment that stimulates muscles, increases blood circulation and rejuvenates and refreshes the body. The masseuse gladly tweaked the treatment to meet my personal requirements, thus creating a holistic, extraordinary, personalised experience.
After my treatment I enjoyed some refreshments and lounged in the spa’s indoor pool. The spa has expansive facilities, including a relaxation lounge, two steam rooms, an outdoor pool, an Aqua Reflex Area, a duo-treatment room and a hydro room. Regardless of the treatment you choose to indulge in, you will have free use of these facilities – so remember to bring your swimsuit. Overall, I left feeling relaxed and rejuvenated.
The Amani Spa at The Hyatt
Fairlawns Boutique Hotel & Spa
There is something magical about spending a few hours at a spa, and an afternoon at the Fairlawns Boutique Hotel Spa is a truly magical experience. A walk through the spa beforehand winds the magic of Balinese relaxation around you, where nature and water interplay to encourage a release of stress. Dimmed light and softly playing music create an ambience that drains strain from your pores – and that’s before you begin the treatments. Practiced hands and natural ingredients combine, to leave you feeling more alive and centred, with exceptional facilities ensuring all your needs are met.
It is evident that the spa team is passionate about nurturing and pampering each guest, from superbly delivered treatments, to cuisine prepared fresh from the earth to leave you feeling healthy and nurtured both inside and out. An overall 9 out of 10, with parking the only element leaving but a breath to be desired. But a 10 out of 10 for the spa team (and a special mention of Nosipho, the talented therapist who melted my stress away).
– Kerry Hayes, Editor
Fairlawns Boutique Hotel & Spa
A short drive to Muldersdrift, just outside Johannesburg, will lead you to the Woodlands Center for Conscious Living, which is home to the Woodlands Spa. I was warmly welcomed by friendly staff and a refreshing ginger and honey tea that eased me into the massage treatment that lay ahead. The spacious glass-fronted treatment rooms overlook a gentle, flowing river that immediately set the tone for what I was about to experience. I was lucky to indulge in the Breathwork Massage that my lovely therapist, Mbali, thoroughly explained to me before she began.
The main difference between the Breathwork Massage and other massages is that throughout the treatment I had to take deep breaths in through my nose and then breath out through my mouth or nose. Although it was weird to do this in the beginning, I soon started to feel the benefits. By focusing on my breathing my mind didn’t wander like it usually does while having a massage and I was able to completely immerse myself in the moment. At times I felt like I couldn’t feel my limbs (in a good way) and every now and then I would feel a comforting tingly sensation running through my body.
Mbali later explained this was because of the influx of oxygen that was flowing through my body because of my deep breathing. Although I wasn’t supposed to, I fell asleep near the end of the 90-minute massage – it was hard not I was so relaxed! When I managed to awaken from my sleep, it was like having an out-of-body experience. I was utterly relaxed from head to toe and the knot I had in my neck earlier in the day had completely melted away. This is definitely the go-to massage if you looking for an experience that will leave you feeling not only relaxed, but also calm and rejuvenated. It was definitely hard to leave, but the knowledge that I would definitely be back soon for a repeat treatment made it a little bit easier.
– Refiloe Serai-Mzolo, Features Writer
Woodlands Wellbeing Spa
Known to be one of the only spas in Johannesburg to offer sound therapy, The Saxon Spa and Studio treated me to their signature therapy and an afternoon of their spa facilities. Not only is The Saxon Hotel, Villas and Spa popular for High Tea, but their spa facilities don’t fall second. The spa, itself, is a space that transcends both your mind and body into relaxation mode.
Being a Monday, I was ready to shove aside the Monday blues, and embrace what my afternoon offered me. I eagerly switched off my phone, and popped it into the provided locker, slipped on the luxuriously comfy robe, and made my way to the Jacuzzi and sauna for some time to de-stress.
Once I was ready, I was guided to the sound therapy room. Initially I was completely surprised by what I saw, a floating waterbed, surrounded by Tibetan singing bowls and two large gongs. Cheryl Young, the sound therapist, explained to me that this was no traditional massage, but a therapy that would acquire much more than calming the mind and body.
Cheryl placed the singing bowl on my chakras and around my body. I closed my eyes and drifted as the sound of the bowls guided me into a space of calmness as each sound vibrated through my body. After the sound therapy, Cheryl went through my experience with me, and I found many a truths in what she had to tell me about my body.
For me, this experience was more beneficial than a traditional massage. I walked out of the spa with a complete mood change, and feeling very positive about the week ahead and life in general. I would definitely recommend this to anyone seeking for a massage that uplifts you from a mind, body and soul level.
– Hasmita Amtha, Deputy Editor
Saxon Hotel, Villas and Spa
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