Treat yourself to a ‘stay and play’ spa experience in romantic Stellenbosch
Taking the time to relax, rewind and reconnect is no longer a luxury – but a necessity. Luckily, South Africa boasts a long list of award-winning spas, many tucked away in quiet corners and peaceful nooks in the Cape Winelands. Couples who treat themselves to a spa experience in romantic Stellenbosch can look forward to massages and beauty treatments galore, celebrated wines and mouth-watering cuisine, vineyards and views!
Plan a romantic spa escape in Stellenbosch
In keeping with their beautiful surrounds, many Stellenbosch spas use products derived from grapes, including grape seeds in body wraps and exfoliating scrubs, for the ultimate in luscious, heavenly and rejuvenating treatments. Grab your partner and head to Stellenbosch for a blissful ‘stay and play’ experience at one of these romantic retreats:
Lanzerac Hotel and Spa
Lying in the idyllic Jonkershoek Valley on the outskirts of Stellenbosch, it’s hard to beat the rich history, dramatic beauty and old-world charm of Lanzerac. A tree-lined avenue leads you to the estate’s five-star country hotel, restaurant, tasting venue and gloriously chic day spa – where you’ll find an array of treatments all designed to gently restore body and mind.
Start your spa experience in romantic Stellenbosch with a glass of Lanzerac bubbly, before retreating to one of the spa’s treatment rooms (including a couple’s room), indoor heated pool, sauna and steam room (complimentary access to all with any package or treatment over R500).
Lanzerac uses TheraVine products. Proudly-Stellenbosch, they are made from active ingredients, grape derivatives and botanical extracts for skin care treatments that give you perfectly balanced and radiant skin. Even better? You’ll feel your worries ease away as you gaze out on vineyard and mountain views from the spa’s pool deck and mani and pedi stations.
Visit www.lanzerac.co.za
To book call +27 (21) 883 9444 or send an email to spa@lanzerac.co.za
Stay at Lanzerac
From the magnificent Manor House to the estate’s manicured gardens, rolling vineyards and dramatic mountain backdrop, Lanzerac promises an intimate, peaceful and uber-romantic stay.
All of the guest areas have been designed for comfort, relaxation and countryside romance, graced with original artwork hung alongside a collection of timeless, antique furniture.
Just a five-minute drive from Stellenbosch town, Lanzerac is the ultimate ‘stay and play’ escape. The individually-styled rooms and suites offer the very best of South African hospitality and blend old, sophisticated grandeur with slick, modern amenities like fluffy robes, Wi-Fi, underfloor heating in the bathrooms and heated towel rails. All guests receive a complimentary bottle of wine as well as a complimentary wine tasting and cellar tour.
You’ll love the Lanzerac Deli (especially its legendary scones!), Manor Kitchen and Taphuis – while the Craven Lounge remains the only spot for a cosy nightcap.
Play in Stellenbosch
When it’s time to play, hire an e-bike from the Vinebikes kiosk situated next to the Lanzerac Deli and take a short ride to Stark Conde Winery for a wine tasting. Starke Conde’s tasting room is uniquely positioned on a beautiful farm dam and you’ll cross a small bridge to access it. Do, and you’ll be rewarded with the most postcard-perfect views of the surrounding valley. The estate’s café (aptly named ‘Postcard’) delivers more staggering views alongside snacks, light meals and afternoon tea.
If you’re in the mood for some more serious exercise continue along the Jonkershoek Road to the trails and paths of the nature reserve.
For a romantic dinner, head into Stellenbosch and dine at Stellenbosch culinary-legend Bertus Basson’s Eike Restaurant, The Fat Butcher or De Volkskombuis – for classic South African fare with a modern twist.
Majeka House Spa
Tucked away in the quiet Stellenbosch suburb of Paradyskloof, Majeka House is one of the most charming destinations in the South African Winelands.
The popular spa’s hydrotherapy facilities include an indoor heated pool (fit for a mermaid), Jacuzzi, steam room and sauna.
Duos will love the couples’ treatment room and in addition, there are three therapy rooms offering a range of treatments from Africology, such as facials, detox wraps and scrubs.
To book call + 27 (21) 880 1549 or send an email to spa@majekahouse.co.za
Stay at Majeka House
Honestly, you’ll never want to leave. Majeka House’s lush gardens, beautiful and uniquely-styled rooms, and quirky collection of pigs add to the magic and character of this heartwarming hideaway in Stellenbosch.
Each of the 23 rooms is exquisite. From the premier rooms, ideal for couples, to the luxurious poolside rooms with a semi-private pool and loungers, you can’t really make a wrong choice. Think beautiful wallpaper, elegant lighting, luxurious finishes and plenty of delightful piggy collectables! The rooms also include the softest, fluffiest bathrobes, a Lavazza Guzzini espresso machine, wi-fi and aircon.
The MLounge bar is reminiscent of an old-timey cigar lounge and is the perfect stop for a pre-dinner cocktail or post-dinner nightcap. The cocktail menu boasts delicious options such as the signature fynbos mojito or the rose martini with orange bitters and rose water.
Breakfast at Majeka is something to behold and includes a vast array of delectable continental and cooked options. From matcha smoothies and green juices to smoked salmon and baby bran muffins, the continental option is enough to get you dithering at the breakfast table in an excitable panic of what to sample next. While the a la carte menu offers a range of cooked options such as fluffy omelettes, eggs benedict, or French toast with berries. The Majeka House breakfast buffet also features French pastries like Cannelés de Bordeaux and delicate Madeleines – the perfect end to your spa experience in romantic Stellenbosch.
Play in Stellenbosch
The only reason to leave Majeka House? The indulgent wine and chocolate pairing (R95 per person) at Waterford Estate. Cellar Master, Kevin Arnold, together with Chocolatier, Richard von Geusau, have created a series of dark and milk chocolates that, when paired with Waterford’s Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and sweet wines, results in a flavour sensation unlike any other.
Enjoy a wine tasting in the estate’s tranquil Tuscan courtyard in the shade of its many poplar trees, with a bubbling fountain adding to the relaxing ambiance, and you’ll soon understand why The Great Wine Capitals Best of Wine Tourism Awards has recognised Waterford for its unbeatable guest experiences!
Visit www.waterfordestate.co.za
Or call + 27 (21) 880 5300 or send an email to info@waterfordestate.co.za
Babylonstoren Spa
Like everything else at Babylonstoren, the Garden Spa is inextricably linked to the estate’s garden and the ever-changing seasons. This ‘living spa’ is housed in a bamboo pavilion set within a forest of tranquil greenery and a myriad of leiwater channels – leaving you with a sense of calm, peace and restoration.
Spend time in the hammam (perfect for couples or individuals), chill room, hot spa and gym.
All the hammam treatments (reminiscent of a traditional Turkish bath) incorporate the hammam water ritual, during which lukewarm water is repeatedly poured over the body for the ultimate winding-down experience. In addition, the hammam’s heat and steam will help tired muscles to ease and relax.
Choose the Hammam Traditional Soap Treatment at R2500 per couple. This is the ultimate couples’ experience. The ancient cleansing ritual consists of a stimulating scrub and soap massage performed by one therapist (30 min treatment each).
Stay at Babylonstoren
For those who wish to immerse themselves in this garden paradise overnight, the hotel at Babylonstoren offers a delicious taste of idyllic country life: from Provençal-inspired gardens bearing fruit that made the Cape of Good Hope a vital pitstop, to luxurious suites that are replicas of the old farmworkers’ cottages and food fit for the gods.
Babylonstoren boutique hotel, restaurant and farm sits on 200 acres of remarkable, organic farmlands, orchards, formal vegetable gardens and vineyards which you can explore to your heart’s content. Or simply sway gently in a hammock under the trees as you lazily watch the Buff Orpingtons (the farm’s very special chickens!) wander by. In winter, you can curl up in front of the fireplace while your food is slowly cooking to perfection in the kitchen’s Aga.
Play in Stellenbosch
You don’t need to leave Babylonstoren to play! Guests are invited to join in the seasonal harvesting, pruning, planting or picking of the estate’s fruit, herbs, nuts, spices and vegetables.
Alternatively, go for a run or stroll up the Babylonstoren koppie – the views and fynbos vegetation are worth the effort. You can also canoe on the farm dam, cycle through the vineyards and orchards or amble down the spruit which is lined with 7,000 clivias, extra special if you’re there when they’re in flower (which is only once a year!).
Over and above the variety of domestic farm fowls and pigeons in the historic Fowl House and the 100 snail-harvesting ducks, Babylonstoren is home to a myriad of bird species. Armed with binoculars, guests can spend gentle hours ticking off birds from the farm’s list. And a restored farm reservoir is the perfect swimming hole on a hot summer’s day.
It goes without saying that food is taken very seriously at Babylonstoren. Linger over a long lunch at Babel Restaurant, with its farm-to-fork philosophy at the heart of an organic, unpretentious, clean and a visually-stunning dining experience.
The Healing Garden and Tea Ceremony at Babylonstoren is also not to be missed. Created for quiet reflection, this restful space in the garden has a central layout that intuitively follows the form of the human body, with herbs to heal various parts of the anatomy. During the Tuesday tea ceremonies, you’ll learn how to brew your own herbal tea, while discovering the different healing properties of the plants around us.
Visit www.babylonstoren.com
Or call +27 (0)21 863 3852 or send and email to enquiries@babylonstoren.com
