Health Spa Reviews - Spa in the Country at Misty Hills Country Hotel

    

As we all know, first impressions can set the tone for any interaction – whether it is with another person, walking into a new restaurant or simply choosing a new product based on its packaging.

Misty Hills Spa in the Country, makes a great first impression. And if ever a name summarised this first impression, this is it - Spa in the Country. The gardens are exquisite. While following the winding paths to the spa facility the tone is immediately set for the day. You start unwinding, breathing in fresh air, absorbing the lush green surroundings and while taking this leisurely stroll you can even do a bit of game watching... Game watching? Actually no, not really. The resident artist at Misty Hills has crafted remarkably lifelike works of animals – giraffes drinking from the "watering holes", baboons staring at you from rocks, or a curious buffalo staring you down. There are so many interesting hidden away spots to explore that I got a bit sidetracked and first did a tour of the whole facility. It is huge. And intimate and welcoming.

Although the spa operates separately, it is part of the hotel, which is where one stays should you go for a day or two of treatments. The hotel rooms flow off these paths and are tucked away between the trees and are surrounded by gardens and water features, literally everywhere. Like a bush retreat. And even though I was less than 30 minutes drive from home, I was immediately sorry that I wasn’t staying over. I had entered into a piece of paradise right on the urban edge.

At last my feet lead my mesmerised body to the spa. I was warmly welcomed by Louisa and some of the other staff, who seated my in a lounge area where I could help myself to teas, coffee and pastries. There seemed to be no rush. And once again the tone was set for the day. There would never be any rushing.

I was allocated my own treatment room, with its own loo, shower, jet bath and small garden. Here I would spend the day with one therapist. A very novel idea. In between treatments I could utilise the rest of the facilities, but I always returned to the same room. It became my private sanctuary for the day. I found it a very relaxing concept.

My Pregnancy Pamper Escape consisted of 4 treatments: a pre natal massage, a scalp massage and after lunch, a conditioning manicure and pedicure. Patience was my therapist for the day. This is by far the most appropriate name for a therapist that I have ever come across! And she lived up to her name. My treatments were done with unhurried, soothing motions, adding to the overall feeling of harmony that enveloped me.

The treatments were not very long, with the massage being about 40 minutes and the scalp massage about 20 minutes. Yet I was there for almost the whole day. The aim of the spa is to create plenty of relaxing time between each treatment. This is rather rare. And it works like a dream. All tension and rushing around literally melts away. It was so nice to be able to laze about in the magnificent garden under the trees or find a spot next to the heated, indoor pool on one of the swinging beds. Due to my pregnancy I couldn’t use the sauna or stream room, but these are normally included with any treatment that is booked, so in between treatments, one could spend time there too.

It was also fun getting to chat to a few of my fellow spa goers. With so much time on hand, one can lazily strike up conversations while scarcely moving your head from the deck chair. Willie, was a first time spa goer. He was in heaven and shocked that he had waited so long to discover the pleasures of spa treatments. His son had booked him the hot stone massage and facial for his birthday and he was loving it. He admitted that he felt a bit out of place when he originally arrived, but he said the feeling left him very quickly. This kind of pampering, which he had missed out on all his life, was now going to become part of his monthly routine. He was convinced. He was also very impressed with the spa and was looking forward to returning, and he vowed that he would bring his son with him.

I caught Pienaar and Nicolene off-guard while they were looking extremely relaxed on a swinging bed. They graciously agreed that I could take a picture of them. It looked like they’d just stepped into a romantic getaway brochure. This was their second time at Misty Hills Spa in the Country and they drove all the way from Heidelberg for the day to have the Swedish massage and relax in the jacuzzi. This was a great alternative to going away for the weekend, they told me. And as Pienaar aptly put it over lunch: "Dis soos ‘n stukkie bosveld in die stad."

We all ate together, which turned it into a very social affair. And just as we finished gorging ourselves on the "light" lunch of salad and cold meats and cheese and fruit and fish and mussels... the main course arrived! Chicken breast with a sundried tomato and spinach filling which had us licking our lips and guessing at the other ingredients. This was served with a generous portion of vegetables. Only I, the pregnant fairy, finished it all and still had space for desert. (Ahem, I did have to go for a little walk after the meal, to let the food settle before my next treatment.)

On this walk, I explored the conference facility which is also ideal for private functions of about 25 people. It is magnificent. Perhaps I should have my next birthday party here or even my stork tea. The room itself is virtually surrounded by water. Whether one is looking for a place to have a good brainstorming session or simply want to entertain some friends, this venue is really ideal. The facility can be utilised as a stand-alone function venue or one can take advantage of the spa packages that could be included.

Louisa also went to show me the Signature Room. This is another very clever, and I dare say unique, idea. It is ideal for a romantic day or for a small group of about 4 friends to kick up their heels. This private space is set slightly apart from the rest of the spa facilities and includes a "cottage" with a bedroom for indoor relaxing, its own plunge pool in an enchanting, closed off garden, a mirrored patio with jet bath & deckchairs, private treatment area, bathroom and mini bar, which is also included in the package. Lunch is also served privately. The Signature Room is only utilised during the day, though there are some other very interesting looking stay over packages available, with names like Royal, African and Pamper Escape Spa Stay-over Experience.

If you haven’t had the pleasure of visiting Misty Hills Spa in the Country then you are missing out on a day spent finding your inner balance in the tender loving care of mother nature and the skilled therapists.

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