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Top 10 Spa Retreats in South Africa
Getting a spa treatment is certainly one of modern life’s simple pleasures. It’s rejuvenating and relaxing, making you feel pampered and ready to take on the challenges of the week ahead.
The good news is that even when on vacation in South Africa, you don’t have to miss out on any of your favourite spa treatments! The country has spa retreats for you to check out, and we’ve picked the best ones for you.
1. Fairlawns Boutique Hotel & Spa
Address: 1 Alma Rd, Morningside, Sandton, 2052, South Africa
Website: https://fairlawns.co.za/
Contact Number: +27 11 808 7300
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday, Open 24 hours
Fairlawns Boutique Hotel & Spa offers the ultimate relaxation and rejuvenation package with its combo of top-notch service and vibes. It has a traditional interior with dim lights that help soothe the nerves and a tranquil dipping pool surrounded by greenery.
Its services are also meant to spoil you with offers such as grooming and body treatments, massage therapies, and different facials. You can also avail of its unique treatments such as the PH Formula (skin resurfacing) to take your self-care up a notch.
| Pro Tip: If you want to give the gift of rejuvenation and restoration, the spa has vouchers and gift cards that you can give out to your family and friends. You can check out their website for offers. |
2. Karkloof Safari Spa
From brothermediaza
Address: Ottos Bluff Rd, Chase Valley, Pietermaritzburg, 3231, South Africa
Contact Number: +27 33 569 1324
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Karkloof Safari Spa is one of the best places in South Africa to get spa treatments and safari tours to enjoy the natural beauty of the area! Now, that’s a combo you can’t resist because who can say no to amazing game-viewing after a treatment?
We like that after getting a facial or a massage, you can take a dip in their warm or cold pool. Once you’re done with your spa treatment, you can enjoy a safari and view animals, such as boars, hippos, deers, and the surrounding trails.
| Pro Tip: Ask the resort staff for any offers combining their spa treatments and safari. These will usually take an entire day. During the safari, a ranger will guide you while giving information about the area. |
3. Summerfields Rose Retreat & Spa
From livewithphumz
Address: R536 Hazyview-Sabie Road, Hazyview, 1242, South Africa
Website: https://summerfields.co.za/
Contact Number: 013 737 6500
Operating Hours:
- Mondays to Sundays, Check in at 2:00 PM and check out at 11:00 AM
Summerfields Rose Retreat & Spa is a great escape not just for spa treatments but also for quality family bonding! What makes their spa treatments special though, is that they are done beside the river, making you feel close to Mother Nature.
Let their therapists do their magic with hour-long massages, coffee exfoliation, waxing, pedicures, and manicures. After your treatments, go back to your family villa (e.g. the Stone House) to chill with your loved ones.
| Pro Tip: If you’re travelling to this resort with a large family, we recommend that you book the Summerfields Family Villa. It has 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, and its very own 20-metre pool—perfect for large groups! |
4. Mount Grace Country House & Spa
Address: Old, Rustenburg Rd, Magaliesburg, 1791, South Africa
Contact Number: +27 14 577 5600
Operating Hours:
- Sunday to Thursday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Friday to Saturday, 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Mount Grace Country House & Spa is located on a hilltop offering fantastic views of the surrounding rural countryside. Aside from the stunning scenery, the spa itself is designed for luxury and is the ideal place to indulge in some rejuvenation.
You can choose from a wide range of spa services, which also cover men’s treatments and grooming. They have massages, facials, manicures, and pedicures with couple, romantic, and executive packages that combine these treatments!
| Pro Tip: If you have the cash to spend, then we recommend that you avail of their Mount Delight Spa Package (ZAR 2,275 per person). This includes an hour-long aromatherapy massage, Babor facial, pedicure, and manicure! |
5. Umngazi River Bungalows & Spa
Address: Mgazi, Port St Johns, 5120, South Africa
Website: http://www.umngazi.co.za/
Contact Number: 047-564 1115/6/8/9
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday, Open 24 hours, Reception opening at 6:30 AM and closing at 8:00 PM
Umngazi River Bungalows & Spa combines old-world charm with the beauty of Mother Nature with its traditional bungalows and the amazing views surrounding its accommodations. Imagine getting a relaxing treatment with that breathtaking scenery!
There are also a ton of treatments here to ensure utmost relaxation and rejuvenation during your visit. You can avail of their face therapies, body therapies, environ treatments (e.g. youth reset), nail treatments, and hair treatments!
| Pro Tip: You can avail of the full-day Umngazi package (ZAR 3,460) for the ultimate spa experience here in South Africa. Aside from their treatments, you will get treated to a healthy lunch at their relaxation deck—heaven on earth indeed. |
6. Morgan Bay Hotel
Address: 41 Beach Rd, Morgan’s Bay, Morgans Bay, 5292, South Africa
Website: https://www.morganbayhotel.co.za/
Contact Number: 27 (0)43 8411062
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday, 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM (Reception hours)
If you love the beach, then you will fall in love with Morgan Bay Hotel, a beachfront property with great rooms, amazing amenities, and relaxing spa treatments. Their spa is called the Milkwood Spa, and it offers some tempting spa packages.
You can avail of facial treatments, massages, hydro baths, sauna, pedicures, manicures, and hair removal. You can have your massage done at the hotel’s viewing deck for a stunning view of the ocean!
| Pro Tip: Their ultimate spa package is called the Bridal Queen Bouquet (ZAR 1,550) and will take around 3 hours. With this option, you will get a massage, a facial, a mini pedicure and manicure with nail polish, and a complimentary (bubbly) drink! |
7. Woodall Country House & Spa
Address: Jan Smuts Ave, Addo, 6105, South Africa
Website: https://www.woodall-addo.co.za/
Contact Number: +27 (0) 42 233 0128
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday, Open 24 hours, Check in at 2:00 PM and check out at 11:00 AM
Woodall Country House & Spa has a very rural vibe that will help you further relax as you get your spa treatments at the Citrus Spa and Gym. Aside from their treatments, therapies, and signature packages, you can also get some cardio exercises done!
Some of their facial treatments include balancing and mature facials while their body treatments mostly involve exfoliation. You can also go for a full body, back, and neck massage or try their milk bath ceremonies (e.g., Forest Stream and River Rapids).
| Pro Tip: They have a package here called the African Revival, which costs ZAR 3,000 and will take around 3 hours and 30 minutes. For this package, you’ll get a body scrub, an African massage, a mud wrap, and some skin care treatment. |
8. Arniston Spa Hotel
Address: 1 Main Rd, Arniston, 7280, South Africa
Website: https://www.arnistonhotel.com/
Contact Number: 028 445 9000
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday, Open 24 hours, Check in at 3:00 PM and check out at 11:00 AM
The Arniston Spa Hotel’s in-house spa, called Ginkgo Spa, is a modern facility situated in the middle of a sprawling resort complex facing the Arniston coast. It uses light coloured-walls and bright lights to give the spa an inviting and friendly feel to it.
What we liked about the Ginkgo Spa, though, is its unique rasul (Turkish steam chamber). You can use this steam chamber after getting their signature ataraxia massage (90-minute massage), body treatments, and facial skin care treatments
| Pro Tip: You can do a whole-body detox here with the Tranquility Package priced at ZAR 3,200 for 4 hours. You’ll be treated to a massage, classic facial treatment, signature pedicure and manicure, and a detox body wrap. |
9. Twelve Apostles Hotel & Spa
Address: Victoria Rd, Camps Bay, Cape Town, 8005, South Africa
Contact Number:+27 21 4379000
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday, 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Twelve Apostles Hotel & Spa is the place to be if you want to indulge in luxurious accommodations and exquisite pampering packages. Our favourite part about the spa here, though, is its complementary health buffet filled with unlimited fruits and veggies!
After feasting on healthy food, you can then choose from a wide array of treatments such as facial and body massages, traditional touch therapies, pedicures and manicures, and their special touch therapies done in their outdoor gazebo.
| Pro Tip: If you’re travelling with your partner or loved one, you can get the most bang for your rand with their couple spa packages. The most basic one can cost ZAR 4,600 per couple while the complete package costs ZAR 11,900. |
10. Trogon House & Forest Spa
Address: Animal Alley, The Crags, Plettenberg Bay, 6602, South Africa
Website: https://www.trogonhouse.co.za/
Contact Number: 27 (0) 76 779 3849
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday, Open 24 hours, Check in at 2:00 PM and check out at 6:00 PM
True to its name, Trogon House & Forest Spa is located in the middle of the woods and has accommodations that look like traditional cottages designed to blend in with the surroundings. Imagine all of these while having a relaxing spa treatment here!
To help relax your tense muscles, you can avail of their 1-hour or even 2-hour massage packages, which come with a snack pack and a cold MCC (sparkling wine). After finishing your meal and your drink, you can use their sauna and jacuzzi to further relax.
| Pro Tip: The Trogon House & Forest Spa only accepts reservations if the customers have already pre-paid their chosen spa package. As such, it’s best to reserve your slot and pay for services ahead of time via email at [email protected]. |
