Health Spa Reviews - Celtic Manor Luxury
Guest House & Health Spa

  

Review by Isabel Meyer

As one enters the Celtic Manor Spa - part of the luxurious four star Celtic Manor Guest House - the phrase 'exotic intimacy' springs to mind. This 'sanctuary' lies nestled high against the Steenbras Mountain range in Gordon's Bay.

The décor has been sourced from the ancient silk routes, from Zanzibar to Oman, with rich burnt oranges and deep chocolate browns. The couches, the beautiful silk embroidered curtains, the kelims, the fluffy orange towels, the soft candlelight and red reflections through coloured glass lanterns, all reminds you of far-off places and exotic markets selling silk and spices.

This exquisite environment immediately allows one to de-stress and to step out of the rat-race into a world of mysticism and luxury. A soft smell of vanilla and rose essence fills the air and, even on a cold and rainy Cape winter day, the rooms were warm and inviting.

Celtic Manor Spa is owned by Jane Otton, who took the Spa in-house in September, to give it her own personal signature touch. Jo Hill is the full-time therapist, with another part-time therapist completing the team. As Jo says: "the focus is on intimacy, almost like having your own spa exclusively for the day." There are only 3 treatment rooms, and only 2 guests are accommodated at the same time. The serenity of not having to bustle your way past other guests is quite special.

The spa focuses on de-stressing mind, body and soul with holistic treatments and specialized massages for men and women. And de-stressing it definitely is!

Jo is a true professional. With esoteric music softly playing in the background (thank goodness, no hideous elevator music), she explained that my role in the relaxing aroma massage was to do just that, relax and breathe deeply. She also indicated that I was free to say if I needed more or less pressure.

With me covered in soft warm towels she first applied pressure to my feet, and then the rest of my body, working wonders for my corporate stressed out muscles. She then began massaging with aromatherapy oils and skilfully used her hands, forearms and fingers to constantly change the way she was releasing the tension from my back and neck. Not once did I feel she was trying to force any muscle to relax, yet it was definitely one of the most effective relaxation massages I've ever had.

In the end, it was only the lure of a relaxing facial that could move me from the massage bed on which I'd almost fallen asleep. Jo gave me some chilled lemon-flavoured water and explained that the massage would release toxins, so I needed to ensure that I drank a lot of water for the next day or so.

No rushing - Jo gave me time to come to myself and, when I was ready, to move on to the next therapy room. The Celtic Manor Spa also offers Reiki and hot stone therapy, lymphatic drainage and Indian Head massage.

For facials and treatments, Celtic Manor Spa only uses RegimA (for skin rejuvenation) and Matis Paris products. These products were chosen for their natural qualities, with very little preservatives and additives and they are therefore not harsh on one's skin. Lying back for the relaxation massage, snug under warm soft towels, Jo had me inhale Matis oil vapours which smelt like orange and cinnamon, and made me feel warm and fuzzy from the inside (maybe it was just in my head ;) ). She then also used the oil to do a wonderful soothing shoulder and neck massage.

After cleansing and exfoliation, also of my lips, which had been feeling the winter cold, Jo applied a mask with steam treatment, whilst giving me a relaxing foot massage. It felt like heaven. All Celtic Manor's facials include special treatment of the eye and neck area, eyebrow shaping, a skin analysis and foot and scalp massages. Jo analysed my skin and applied re-hydrating moisturiser and eye cream for sensitive skin. My skin was amazingly soft to the touch after the treatment.

The spa also offers Body Wrap Treatments - for relaxing, slimming, remineralising, energizing, draining and detoxifying. Target treatments for problem areas, such as sculpting body wraps, mosaic (firming and toning) and Ice Cold Slimming (long lasting inch loss) are also part of the spa's offering.

The therapist can even customise a program to suit your specific needs. If you decide to stay at Celtic Manor for a bit longer, the bedrooms are exquisite and Celtic Manor also has a professional trainer / nutritionist and a full-time chef who makes really scrumptious and healthy meals. Together with Jo, the team can develop a programme for detoxification or de-stressing that will suit your unique needs and will include treatments, exercise and nutrition.

Spa guests are welcome to use the Jacuzzi, the sauna and pool facilities, or just to sit in the garden and look out over a sea that seems to stretch for forever. According to Jo the view is never the same and changes from one day to the next …. And if you're lucky, you can sometimes see whales from the top deck.

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