“I have the simplest tastes. I am always satisfied with the best.” – Oscar Wilde
I get very excited about Spa visits. The dim lights, hot wax shells, warm oils, the little Thai hands…
The Spa at the One&Only Hotel in Cape Town has become a close friend of mine. Sure, a friend I pay to keep, but service this ambrosial makes for a fine argument in favour of hedonism where price is no issue.
If you don’t believe me, there’s the World Spa and Wellness Awards 2013 in London to go on. In February this year, the One&Only Spa was officially awarded the Best Spa in Africa.
To access it, cross the bridge from the main hotel to the small island. A moat-like canal runs around the island with Table Mountain poised above it in the background. Inside you step down into a modern layout with corridors leading to the 12 treatment rooms. It has a Japan meets Africa feel when it comes to decor and architecture, with big glass walls to see out at the garden and pool.
Before your treatment, sip ice tea in the waiting room with a magazine or take the pampering one step further, as I did, and enjoy the sauna and steam facilities, the ‘experience’ showers with so many different water settings you’ll wet yourself (see what I did there), and two 18-square-metre vitality pools. I arrived early on a Sunday morning and had the entire place to myself.
There is also a full-service salon with a Pedicure and Manicure Studio by Bastien Gonzalez, and hair styling by South Africa’s Wayne Gates. There is a couples’ treatment villa as well as men’s and women’s changing areas.
After your treatment you can take time out in the relaxation room, peck on the sneaky little cakes or healthy snacks and enjoy a variety of teas or a warm cup of hot chocolate.
The One&Only Cape Town was voted the “No.1 Top City Hotel in Africa and the Middle East” for 2012. One&Only Cape Town scooped the award in the 2012 Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards and Cape Town was voted No.4 in the Top 10 Cities.
Of all the treatments I’ve had here, my favourite is the hot stone back, shoulder and neck massage. The therapist may have been tiny in stature, but her hands had Amazonian strength. Following a deep cleansing back exfoliation was a powerful back massage using volcanic hot stones and aromatic oils to melt away tension. Do yourself a favour…
Stay abreast of their spa specials on their website.
Watch our video of the One&Only Hotel
Look out for footage of the Spa:
Contact us to book a stay at the One&Only Hotel and to start planning your Cape Town holiday! To just book a treatment at the One&Only Spa, email spa@oneandonlycapetown.com.
They have plenty in store for the upcoming Easter celebrations – take a look at their website for more information.