Name a better feeling than slipping into the fluffiest white robe and slippers, putting your phone on silent and being thoroughly taken care of? Our Cape Winelands spas are so dreamy, you don’t have to travel far to find exactly this kind of escapism. If the long, cold winter is showing in a lacklustre complexion when you look in the mirror, use it as an excuse to treat yourself to some feel-good therapies that will benefit the skin. Innovative, intuitive and supremely skilled at supercharging complexions, these spas practise alchemy to leave you sumptuously aglow.
Lyftaal
There’s an almost religious devotion to the Lyftaal principle. It’s about working with the body’s natural intelligence, wild and free. Discreetly tucked away just off Main Road in Paarl, owner and founder, skin goddess Jani de Koker, awaits. Lyftaal is equal parts Instagram-worthy interiors, thoughtful treatments, considered spaces and sustainable practices, all designed so guests leave feeling holistically better than when they arrived. The minimalist decor, pale sage and cream colour palette, light wood, natural textures and splashes of foliage is entirely what your city-fatigued mind and body needs. Somehow, even the air smells cleaner and breathes easier here. With winter settling over Cape Town, now’s the perfect time to book yourself in for a revitalising face treatment, complete with impossibly soft towels and heated beds. The Esse Experience Facial (R1,000) is a solid pick. We’ve developed a bit of a crush on probiotic-based skincare line Esse. The brand’s delicious, vegan-friendly products are gentle (so they’re good for sensitive skin) but effective (the glow when you look in the mirror afterwards is megawatt). From maintaining a healthy bacterial balance in the skin to treating flare-ups and breakouts of all sizes, a probiotic-laced facial actually works. The treatment begins with discussing your skin at length with one of Lyftaal’s expert therapists who’ll take a long, hard look before coming up with a bespoke solution. Your skin is adequately prepped with the double-cleansing method, setting the tone for what is a deeply relaxing and almost sinfully indulgent facial. This is followed with a gentle chemical exfoliation, a long luxurious steam and an extremely thorough extraction. All entirely worthwhile for the grand finale of a gloriously nourishing mask and toxin-draining massage (we dare you not to drift off to sleep). Once the 60-minute treatment is finished, you’ll be guided to the sleepily lit lounge full of plushy, oversized day beds. Lyftaal has a new devotee who vows to return.
6 Perold, Paarl
063 301 0585
Vergenoegd Löw Boutique Hotel & Spa
Even the simplest weekend propositions are increasingly luxurious. Take, for example, Vergenoegd Löw Boutique Hotel & Spa, which mixes wine tastings, farm-to-table dining and spa treatments with lodgings on a Cape Dutch estate dating back to 1696. It’s a hedonistic paradise and a peaceful wellness break rolled into one. The latest addition is a spa featuring two couple treatment rooms and a full menu of massages, facials and beauty treatments. All treatments can be booked individually or as a couple experience. Set within the estate’s carefully preserved slave quarters and former dairy beside the historic homestead, the splendour of the interiors is immediate. The reception area is exactly as you’d expect from Vergenoegd Löw: Lavish, comfortable and full of vintage finds (think ornamental blue and white china) with the right amount of modern touches (a scattering of neutral furniture contrasted with vases of dried flowers). There’s no rush, no time pressures – you’re simply encouraged to enjoy some good ol’ R&R. Stepping inside the treatment room, you’re welcomed by candles flickering light softly around the room and a fire crackling away. We can highly endorse the Hottentots Holland Honeybush Facial (R995) inspired by the countryside backdrop, using natural, botanical products by Kalahari Skincare over a blissful hour. Employing a series of nourishing cleansing techniques, gentle exfoliation, masks and massage, the therapist tends meticulously to your skin while guiding you through the best approach to naturally and non-intrusively care for your complexion. While the final mask works its magic, a soothing foot massage is performed – leaving your soles feeling almost as indulged as your newly glowing cheeks. With life’s stresses melted away, this hidden gem will be firmly on your speed dial. To maintain the mood, do feast post-spa at Geuwels. Expect hearty breakfasts and share plates with perfectly paired wines and charming service.
1 Faure Village Road, Somerset West
021 204 3046
