The demand for spa rejuvenation has never been higher. From a couple’s day out to a mani-pedi indulgence with MCC and an impressive view, the yearning for a time-out explains why spa bookings have become a solution to life’s stress and strain. When a spa is done right, treatment marries environment, and as Erinvale’s Spa Manager Nicola Kuhn describes, you find your sensory equilibrium. That’s how this country retreat’s entire spa menu has been designed. The spa at Erinvale Estate Hotel & Spa recently underwent a redesign and embraced the area’s abundant serenity at the heart of its reinvention. “We wanted to create more than just a spa,” explains Hotel Director Debbie-Lee Cockrell. “We envisioned a retreat that embodied the beauty of our matchless setting and one in which guests disconnected from the noise and reconnected with themselves, surrounded by nature,” she adds.
Disconnection and the opportunity to immerse yourself fully in the moment are ample. I did just that during one of the spa’s signature treatments, Healing Touch Experience, which applies hydrotherapy with the purpose of sensorial benefits for system regulation. After an hour of full-body peeling, polishing, massaging, and a top-to-toe mask, the last moments of Kniepp therapy (hydrotherapy) felt like my limbs had turned to jelly. Fortunately, a delicious swim in the pristine 25-metre lap pool and a cold glass of freshly made juice brought me back to a semi-conscious state. Feeling spritelier, I thought about the spa’s location, especially since it’s the only one of its calibre in this particular secluded locale of rural Helderberg.
With “across-the-road” access (literally) to the legendary Vergelegen wine estate, as well as the bustling Lourensford, Erinvale with its hotel and restaurants, makes for a rather enticing stay-and-play weekend. While the spa is open to day guests, for those seeking longer wellness experiences – and a little more exploration of this particular part of Somerset West, Erinvale means a savvy base. “Here, you can connect with our serene natural environment and all the attractions right on your doorstep,” says Cockrell. And that’s downtime done right, we think.
