Ginkgo Spa at Arniston

Spa aficionado and specialist Peter Krug has opened the latest in a long line of superb spas in one of the Cape's most exquisite locations, the village of Arniston.

The spa's ambience is minimalist, crisp, fresh and enchanting. From the moment you open the door and follow the stars into the welcoming reception area, to the time you leave - pampered, de-stressed and feeling like a new person, the outside world simply doesn't exist.

The evening sky chamber in which one indulges in the remarkably detoxifying Turkish steam ritual, The Rasul adds to the delight of this incredible experience in indulgence and at the same time a quick boost to one's health. The Rasul is a traditional Arabic ritual, a cleansing treatment that takes place in this exotically deep blue tiled steam chamber. There are four multi-purpose treatment rooms offering a diverse selection of treatments ranging from massages and facials to hydrotherapy and body wraps. A twin treatment room is the ultimate in couple's therapy. The tranquillity lounge calms and induces gentle rhythms of blissful peace.

Owner of the hotel Robert Haarburger says of the Bay, "it's like swimming in champagne".

Pure unpolluted air
Pristine beaches
Warm sea
Whales in abundance (May - November)
The ambience is other worldly - diffused lighting, the palest of azure throughout with sand coloured floors, white leather furniture and the soft sound of water coming from the eye-catching cascade. The paintings were especially commissioned and add to the overall warmth that exudes from every corner of the Spa. The artist, Karl-Otto Krug from Bad Orb in Germany, took Georgia O'Keefe as his inspiration when he painted his masterpieces.

An enjoyable two hour drive to Arniston with the road winding over the beautiful rolling hills of the Overberg, through attractive wheat fields, sheep grazing and scenic villages make the journey pass very quickly. A perfect getaway!