Health Spa Reviews - The spa on 66

  

Review by Carien Wandrag

Are you feeling it too? Spring is in the air! Jasmine and blossoms are already in bloom and weavers are eagerly building their new summer homes. Perhaps you are already planning your own spring clean at home. But have you stopped to scrutinise the state of your body after a winter of being covered up in stockings, long sleeve shirts and trousers? Perhaps it is time to critically appraise those extra wobbles, unwanted hair, sandal-unfriendly toe nails and perhaps even a few new dehydrated skin wrinkles. I can tell you that my body was certainly crying out for a good make-over!

Fortunately I could take my hugely neglected body to a wonderful spa, which I can now highly recommend – Spa on 66 in Sandton. They gave my eight month pregnant body a proper post-winter once-over with just enough pampering in between the panel beating to make me feel like a million bucks, as they say in the movies.

I really was very impressed with Spa on 66 - from the very instant I walked through the door. This is by far one of the chicest spas I've had the pleasure of visiting. Their attention to detail is immediately noticeable in their interiors. An elegant all-white theme prevails through-out, only to be broken with the clever use of textures, their subtle play with lights, chandeliers and candles, the intermittent use of silver touches and fresh flowers. The minute I arrived, I new I was in a very unique place.

I was shown to the change room, where the elegant all-white theme was as prominent as elsewhere. My gown was the softest, most heavenly I have worn in a long time. Before my treatments started, I was lead to the manicure area, where I was served an enormous breakfast consisting of scrambled eggs, avo, cottage cheese and cherry tomatoes – balanced, nutritious and simply delicious. I was left for a bit of much needed post-breakfast relax time before my day of treatments commenced in full force.

I'd like to share a very handy tip – always get the waxing done first. With the “nasty” bits out of the way, you free yourself up to enjoy the rest of the treatments. I’d also like to share a secret – I was petrified of waxing this time! I have been waxing for almost twenty years and consider it a ritual to be taken in ones stride. But, since I’ve been pregnant I have been carefully avoiding waxes - I was scared of the potential increased pain due to my hormonal changes. So it was with a fair amount of trepidation that I left my sensitive skin in the therapist’s hands. Well, all I can say is thank goodness for Precious - my fear was short-lived as she niftily, effortlessly and, most importantly painlessly, went about transforming me back from Neanderthal-mode into a latter-day lady.

With that out of the way, she then used a special crystal-based exfoliation product to briskly brush away any dead winter skin cells. I could feel my skin coming alive again. I was but two treatments into the day and already I was feeling like a new person. I jumped into an invigorating shower after the exfoliation and was happily picking my way through all the different shower products at hand. Now I was ready for my back, neck and shoulder massage… half an hour of complete switch off time...

From Precious's hands, I was passed on to another expert, Eunice, for one of the spa’s speciality treatments – an almost miraculous anti-ageing facial using the Danné Montague-King range of cosmo-ceuticals. This is not your average facial and this multiple step intense treatment literally aims to rebuild your skin. My specific treatment on the day focused on anti-ageing (it’s never too soon!) and also on the slight pigmentation caused by the pregnancy. One of the steps, after cleansing and steaming, is a highly specialised peel that stimulates the fibroblast cell activity in the dermal layer of the skin, releasing collagen and elastin, which is what our skins need to keep them supple and wrinkle free. Eunice then performed a skin detox that works as a liquid magnet to draw all toxins from the skin – you can certainly feel this working! Once the skin has been cleared of the bad stuff, the next step is an enzyme mask which then rebuilds and firms the skin by stimulating your cellular activity and strengthens the skin’s immune system. To take full advantage of this treatment, it is recommended that one does a course of six treatments, as well as a home treatment regime. All I can say is that my skin looked and felt magnificent after only one and it would be incredible to do the full course.

Then it was time for lunch. They really looked after a pregnant woman’s nutritional needs and I enjoyed a scrumptious homemade creamy chicken pie and salad. All food is ordered in from a restaurant downstairs with whom they have a standing arrangement.

Following lunch, more experts were roped in for my manicure and pedicure. According to rumour, Suzan is the best nail person in town. In preparation for the birth, we did a very simple clear gel treatment on my nails. Tebogo did a French pedicure and truly spoilt me with a much needed leg and foot massage which returned my slightly swollen feet and ankles back to their normal dainty selves.

This is a dynamic and progressive spa with an ongoing commitment to staff training. At least once a month the therapists do refresher courses or are introduced to new products and treatments. The owners are very hands-on and have many new plans in the pipeline for the not too distant future. Soon they will have a fulltime doctor on board who specialises, amongst other things, in anti-ageing treatments such as botox and fillers. They also offer mesotherapy and lipo sculpting. Their whole philosophy is to provide anything the beauty industry has to offer, under one roof. This is the spa where you can be pampered or get specialist medical and paramedical beauty treatments. I am convinced they will be able to perform post-labour miracles on my body...

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