Review by Gerian Miller
Set amidst the rolling hills of Centurion Golf Estate the Longevity Spa is a veritable oasis of tranquillity. Driving up I am struck by the African Zen garden and water feature and already feel calmer after battling traffic in the midday heat. The stairs leading to the first floor entrance are beautifully decorated with petals and bowls of floating flowers and pebbles, hinting at what is to come.
Longevity Spa is about relaxing, being pampered and leaving rejuvenated. This becomes evident after I am greeted and directed to a chair where I sip a drink while having my feet washed. From there it's off to my treatment room, in a lovely pair of soft slippers, with a view out over the green golf course.
The decor of the spa centres on calming earthy palettes with splashes of bright jewel accent colours, inducive to helping ease the stresses of our rushed lives and enabling spa patrons to switch off and just relax.
My treatment starts with a neck and back massage, a Longevity Spa special to relax clients and familiarise one with the pressure of the therapist's hands. By the time my total youth treatment facial starts I am suitably chilled and highly receptive to the pampering that follows.
The Rolls Royce of anti-ageing skin treatments, this treatment stimulates the renewal of cells and prevents the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Anthone, my therapist, explains the steps as she proceeds and takes cognisance of medication I am on as noted on my question and answer sheet filled out upon arrival.
Longevity Spa uses Matis products and treatments follow a particular sequence of six steps: welcome massage, cleansing, treatment, relaxing, beauty and consultancy steps.
Particular attention is paid to the eye and lip area with a separate exfoliator used on these areas. Hands and feet are not ignored and massaged, exfoliated and moisturised thereby adding to the relaxation process. All this to the accompaniment of soothing music which helps your mind to just switch off and totally relax.
Attention to detail is what sets Longevity Spa apart and this was evidenced by Anthone offering a mini pedi when she noticed the remnants of my beach holiday nail polish still lingering.
Longevity Spa is a destination spa situated within convenient driving distance of either Pretoria or Johannesburg. With a balcony overlooking the golf course the loudest noise one hears is the ping of a ball being hit and is the ideal location for refreshments if you've booked either the five and a half or four hour package.
Owners Dirk and Linda Cloete have designed membership packages for frequent clients who can choose from silver, gold and platinum with specific packages designed for individual needs of clients.
Essentially Longevity has the feel of a spa situated in the country while meeting the needs of our busy lives. Patrons have the option to park in the visitors parking at the main entrance and be whisked off to the spa in their own golf cart.
The following quote from their brochure sums it up well: "If you ask what the single most important key to longevity is, I would have to say it is avoiding worry, stress and tension. And if you didn't ask me, I would still have to say it." George F Burns
