Health Spa Reviews - Zorgvliet® Spa at the Riviera on Vaal Hotel & Country Club

 

Review by Carien Wandrag

The Perfect Weekend Getaway for Jo'burgers!

If you are looking for a getaway not too far from Jo’burg that looks after the whole family, then this might be just the thing for you.

We simply refer to it as the Riviera Hotel, however the proper name is the Riviera on Vaal Hotel & Country Club. This grand old dame has been around for decades and a pause in the hotel foyer will give you a chance to view pictures and newspaper articles of how she has been transformed over the years.

The Zorgvliet spa in the hotel, caters for day guests as well as hotel guests, thus giving one the choice of a romantic stay-over or simply taking the whole family for a day of fun, while spoiling yourself at the spa.

We arrived at the hotel on the Saturday afternoon and had enough time to check in and make our way to the spa on the second floor. We were taken to the small waiting area, and offered something to drink. Then we were escorted to our combined treatment room. Each treatment room has two treatment beds in it, allowing for couples like ourselves, to be treated together. We were each having a massage first. Mine, of course, was the special preggie mom massage, called the Mama Mio Full Body Massage, while my husband had the Full Body Swedish Massage. They added a few nice touches like “playing” a rain stick after we lay down. This created a very soothing atmosphere. Another nice touch was the pillow they gave me to hold in my arms. As all preggie massages are given while lying on ones side, I find that I never know what to do with my arms. They’re ingenious solution to this problem of getting completely comfortable was a pillow that I could wrap my arms around. This provided extra support and left me feeling very relaxed and well-balanced on the bed. Both my husband and I felt that our treatments were good, however did not quite cover our full bodies as both our neck regions were a tad neglected.

We had 2 hours to relax before our next treatment. My husband opted to relax in the lounge of our very spacious room, reading the paper and enjoying the beautiful river views from our second floor executive suite. A warm sun was baking into both the bedroom and the lounge, making it a very pleasant winter retreat and an easy place to settle into. A bowl of fresh and dried fruit and nuts was set on the coffee table in the lounge, as well as 2 bottles of still water and a decanter of sherry. Next to the bed I discovered a card with a “pillow menu” giving guests a choice pillows that they could order, if they have any special preferences. This is a very nice touch, especially if you are as fussy as my husband. He was literally spoilt for choice and over the moon at the prospect of a good night’s rest.

While he was relaxing, I went exploring. There is a lot to do here. The hotel with its sparkling pool is built on the banks of the Vaal river. Boats and river cruisers were all moored next to the hotel. The Petit Verdot is the hotel’s own floating restaurant offering a feast on board while taking it’s occupants on a 3 hour river cruise. In summer there is a variety of watersports on offer.

The hotel also has it’s own, very popular, golf course. The course was busy the whole day with groups of friends and families enjoying the mild winter’s afternoon. The mashy course is equipped with lights and was equally busy, even well after sunset.

I also found a daycare facility for children that offers a range of fun activities for the kids – small and not so small. They even have their own hotel mascot that comes around to bring joy - and sweets! – for the kids. Weather pending, indoor or outdoor activities are arranged to keep the kids and even teenagers happy and entertained. Another highly noticeable and commendable feature of the hotel is it’s wheelchair ramps. They even have a few special wheelchair friendly hotel rooms.

But events are not only arranged for the little ones. They have a pro-active approach and have a very long list of regular and special events such as the monthly Ladies Pitch and Putt that include golf tips, gift packs and brunch, and the elegant Dinner and Dance. They have a selection of restaurants, conference facilities and also play host to many birthday parties from 21sts to 60ths, bachelor’s parties and weddings. And many a nervous young man has proposed in their special riverside gazebo, reserved almost exclusively for this purpose.

Before I knew it, it was time for our next treatment. We were once again greeted and seated in the lounge and offered some iced teas or water. Then we went into a shared treatment room for our respective facials. We both agreed that our facials were excellent and that the Theravine products they used felt amazing on our skins and could see why the therapists love this all-natural product so much. I was spoilt with a pedicure during this one hour facial, leaving my feet feeling as happy as my face! Although we didn’t make use of it, the spa also offers all spa guests access to the hydrotherapy bath, sauna, steam room and vichy shower.

We had ample time to get ready for dinner after our treatment and took a leisurely stroll to the not-too-far away Inyama restaurant. As the name implies, it is a grill house with some very interesting twists on the menu such as the rump steak with chocolate sauce. We also tried the stuffed peppers, a Greek salad and the vegetarian lasagna. The portions were large and tasty. The restaurant setting is fairly refined, however came across as more of a family restaurant. I only really noticed the adjacent bar when I needed to go to the bathroom. The noise and smoke is well contained and non-intrusive.

The walk back was freezing, with a cold wind blowing over the river. We were all too happy to be back in the room which we’d pre-heated in anticipation of the cold night. We both slept blissfully. And as usual, the next morning one is surprised to find yourself hungry again after an evening of indulgent eating – even when you are pregnant! We joined the queue for the breakfast buffet at the very busy Matthews restaurant which had all the usual suspects on offer – from pastries and cereal to omelets and baked beans. We chose to sit outside on the pool terrace to soak up some more of the winter sun while we could, though the large restaurant offers seating inside as well as inside a conservatory style room. Shortly after breakfast we checked out, at 10am, as is the norm at most hotels.

The Zorgvliet group also has a private game reserve in the Waterberg, as well as a vineyard in the Banhoek Valley, both with spas. I look forward to visiting both of these at some point!

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