Health Spa Reviews - Hoogland Health Hydro, Gauteng

    

Review by Lisa Witepski

"Wow" is my first impression, as I drive into the meandering road that will take me to Hoogland Hydro. My breath is literally taken away as I stare up into rolling hills kissing a blue blue sky. If ever there were a place to come for some quiet introspection and relaxation this would be it.

And if ever there were a facility to help you make the most of this tranquil setting, then Hoogland would again tick all the boxes. This isn’t just one of your run of the mill, massage-slash-pamper retreats: it’s a place to come for a serious unwind. So, yes, you’ll find the treatments offered by regular spas, including manis and pedis, facials and waxing. But you’ll also be able to make use of facilities like water therapies (including Jacuzzis, heated pools, steam chambers and saunas), a fully equipped gym and exercise classes (specifically Pilates), and more targeted massage therapies. There are trained medical sisters at hand to provide the expert advice you need to get your wellness on track, too, and informative lectures are hosted on most nights. And inbetween all these activities, you’re encouraged to take time out with nature walks, a games room and other soothing pastimes.

The result is a complete rest from reality, as it’s intended to be. Although Hoogland is a well entrenched institution (I heard whispers in the diningroom about how some guests had been visiting since the seventies and would still chose it over any other spa), new owner Abraham Kruger is breathing fresh life into it. Rather than go the route of pampering decadence chosen by many modern spas his emphasis is firmly on health and wellbeing – hence the broad offering of treatments too boost wellness, along with meals specially formulated to ensure maximum nutrition, and the availability of experts to provide guidance.

Hoogland is one of the only venues in the country to offer this sort of service, and it’s nothing less than magical. Even if your plan is simply to get away from the hubbub of the city, rather than embark on a journey to wellness, you’ll find yourself in great comfort. If you do, however, choose to indulge in any of the treatments on offer, you’ll soon find yourself swooning with relaxation. My overnight package included two nature walks, an exercise class, a very interesting lecture on obesity and an absolutely heavenly massage and facial – and I was completely blissed out by the time I left. I can only imagine that visitors who stay for the full five nights – as per Hoogland’s signature package – must truly feel as if they are on Cloud Nine.

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