Health Spa Reviews - Bliss at Andros

   

Review by Leigh van den Berg

I'm not entirely familiar with Cape Town's Southern Suburbs, so I arrived at the Andros Hotel a slightly frazzled, traffic-addled version of myself, having gotten a little lost along the way. However, the moment I entered its grounds I felt an immediate sense of calm. The place is simply breathtaking - think perfectly manicured flowerbeds and handsome Cape Dutch architecture. As for its 'boutique salon', Bliss, it nestles within the hotel's backyard, aside the tranquil-looking pool - a veritable 'secret garden' of daytime indulgence.

The spa is part of an international group whose Hotels and Spas have won awards from the Maldives to the Great Barrier Reef. Their global origin is reflected in the magnificent attention to detail from the moment you set foot in the spa. You literally feel like you've been transported to another country.

Upon walking into the salon, I was greeted by the warm, welcoming Jessica Erasmus, one of the two owners. In fact, as it turns out, it's just she and her co-owner, Megan Wale, who run it and work there, providing all the treatments offered themselves. 'Every so often we'll get new clients calling to ask that they see a senior therapist and then we have to explain that it's just us here, so it doesn't really get more senior than that', she laughs. And I believe her. I only had to take a look at all the international certificates gracing the walls of her two treatment rooms to realise I was in good hands.

My first treatment was what you'd call Bliss's signature - a nugget back and neck massage. Basically, this involves using a delicious dollop of organic Theranaka Body Butter in place of ye old massage oils. I felt it melt into my skin within seconds, releasing a fragrant blend of homegrown herbs and oils and just like that I was transported to a world without deadlines and drama… Jessica practically had to prod me with a nail file in order to get me to turn over for my pedicure. Fortunately, I'd picked out a colour on arrival, so all I had to do was thrust my feet in her direction and before I knew it, I had super smooth soles and sparkly magenta toes.

Eventually, when it was time had come to say goodbye to Bliss, my newly discovered little gem; I found it hard to leave. Not only was Jessica such a lovely, easygoing person - a veritable treatment herself, but I also found the intimacy of the spa rather special. Having the place almost all to yourself, you can't help but feel like a VIP.

Also, I must confess that initially, I really did think that Bliss was only there to cater to those lucky enough to be staying at the Andros and that their prices would reflect accordingly. (Read: scary!) However, upon perusing their pricelist, I couldn't help but be impressed with their competitive rates. And, according to Jessica, 90-percent of her clients aren't guests of the hotel.

Next time you're looking for a little personalized pampering, I highly recommend Bliss. Particularly since they've got such fantastic summer specials running all the way through to April 2009. Want an example? They've offering a nugget body butter back and neck massage, deep cleanse SkinNutrition facial and a foot massage for a mere R550. Trust me, its pure… well, bliss!

Bliss offers facials, waxing, manicures, pedicures, massage, aromatherapy, reflexology, full body wraps and a body scrub all at competitive prices. They also have a variety of day packages comprising of the aforementioned. In terms of products, Bliss uses Theranaka, Environ, SkinNutrition, Gatineau and Jessica Custom Nail Colours.

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