For the Romans, bathing was a sensual, wonderful experience that pampered both the body and soul through water, massage and works of art. You can recapture this golden age at Octavia's Sensorium Health and Beauty Spa, inside the D'oreale Grande Hotel at Emperor's Palace.
From the moment you enter the magnificent columned walkway to the reception, you are aware that you are stepping back in time. The floor mosaics, inlaid with 18ct gold sunbursts, and sweeping views of the gymnasium and bath recapture the glory of Octavia's Rome. Once inside, you enter the changing area where individual lockers provide bath towel, gown and slippers.
The first step is to enter the steam room, opening the pores and sinuses in stuffy Johannesburg. The Swiss shower hydrotherapy follows this; a fun experience with 18 showerheads delivering varied jets of pressurised water into the centre of a large shower area.
For the brave there is the option to end by hitting the cold waterfall to really get the blood racing. Putting on your swimsuit, you are now ready to enter the Roman bath, which offers mixed bathing. The classically designed pool is not deep and offers very strong jets of water just below the one step.
The best thing is to float on the surface and admire that magnificent tiled ceiling as the water circles you around the bath. It is hard to believe that you are next door to Africa's most modern airport as gentle music wafts over you and the ancient columns, alabaster statues and paintings watch over you.
Reluctantly, you go back for a quick shower and then onto the treatment rooms. These are restful rooms, lit gently by soft pools of light and candles, where sleep is very easy when lulled by soft forest sounds and gentle massage. The hot rock massage is wonderful, combining pressure and heat to really unwind those frazzled Joburg nerves.
This was followed by a paraffin pedicure, which is done in the same wonderful treatment chair, so there is no need to move out of the comfort zone you have established. Once the toes are beautifully groomed and massaged, you are ready for the facial. I had the Matis products, because of my sensitive skin, and found them to be wonderfully soothing and beautifying.
Emerging four hours later, I felt as if not only my body but also my mind had been rejuvenated and I felt like an Empress. Octavia's is open from 08h00 to 19h00 Monday-Saturday and 09h00 to 17h00 on Sundays. Hotel guests can pay a nominal fee to make use of the steam rooms, showers and glorious baths. Clients having treatments may use these facilities free.
Treatments offered include massages, facials, revitalising body treatments, manicures, pedicures and laser. There are aptly named treatment packages like Emperor's Choice, Pompeii Pleasure or Apollo's Retreat. The absolute treat is the Augustus' Day, which includes one night's accommodation at the 5-star D'oreale Grande Hotel.
Of interest to local users (who represent at least half of the clientele) are the membership contracts, which offer tailor-made packages that can be used by partners or given as gifts to loved ones. Octavia's is equally popular with the men, who also like to surrender to the concept of total pleasure in historic surroundings.
Octavia's also offers the entire venue for corporate functions - now there's a way to reward staff for a year's hard work! However, these functions need to be booked quite far in advance, as Octavia's is very popular, with not only local Gauteng clients but also many international and national travellers.
Essentials - a bathing suit and a relaxed attitude. Clients coming from Johannesburg should take the N12 to Witbank and exit at the R21 (East Rand Mall) and go towards the airport. The first off-ramp (Griffiths Rd) is clearly marked Emperor's casino - follow the signs, enter the casino and park close to the hotel. The spa is inside the hotel on the left - enjoy!
Octavia Thurina Minor was one of the most prominent women in Roman history, respected and admired by contemporaries for her loyalty, nobility and humanity and for maintaining traditional Roman feminine virtues. Sister of Caeser Augustus, she was the second wife of Marc Antony and, though divorced, she looked after his children from his first marriage, Cleopatra's children and hers after his death. For Rome, Octavia represented everything that was good about women.
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