The Other Side of Cape Town

“You are going to love Cape Town,” they said. “You absolutely have to go up Table Mountain, and down Chapman’s Peak and across to Robben Island,” were their suggestions. “Clifton 4th beach is the best beach,” they said. “The wine country is amazing” and “The Waterfront is beautiful” and “The art galleries in Kalk Bay are a must.” All of these things are true; Cape Town has a long list of crowd favourites and once you’ve visited the Mother City, you will have yours too… Suggestions you will share with your friends, with a knowing nod and a puffed-out chest because now you too, know some of Cape Town’s secrets.

Here is another secret: There is a side to Cape Town that the locals know about but that isn’t always on a visitor’s radar. Cape Town has some of the world’s best spas. And not making use of them on your travels is a huge miss. Even if it is just for a deep-tissue massage on your first day to get your holiday-face on. (Although we suggest a full day of indulgence – you will thank us later.)

The great thing about the spa options in Cape Town is that there are places to suit every budget and virtually every taste. Want to feel like you’re in Bali, combined with five-star service? Done (We suggest the One&Only Spa; it has a wide variety of treatments and is housed on a small island in the Waterfront canals at the One&Only Hotel – and no, you don’t have to be a hotel guest.) Want a spa in the middle of a piece of South African history and breath-taking landscapes? Done (We suggest Babylonstoren. It is on a wine farm that also has one of the original Cape Gardens that was planted to feed the sailors of the 1600s and 1700s.)

How about a floatation tank all to yourself, with underground music? Life Day Spa at Crystal Towers Hotel has one of the best. Looking for a spa that specialises in men and male beauty? Glass House in the Silo district of the waterfront is your spot! And good, old-fashioned attention to detail from a veritable institution in Cape Town’s history? The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa is for you. If you are enjoying a day on the beach, try Langaro spa in Camps Bay.

There is another aspect to this secret too: Cape Town is a really great city if you’re looking to do deeper body work. It boasts some of the best dermatologists, skin specialists, health clinics and aesthetics doctors in the world. Botox, surgery, in-plants, reductions, peels, adjustments…

We call them “medical safaris” and NananTravel has experience in helping our clients with:
• Botox, Dysport and Xeomin treatments for face and body.
• Facelifts, both surgical and non-surgical.
• Hair, breast and any other implant.
• Breast, nose, ear and other adjustment surgery.
• Dental work.

Whatever you may be looking to do, it is possible in Cape Town. And NananTravel will gladly assist you in finding the best clinic or clinician for your needs and making sure that, upon your return home, when your friends say “You look so relaxed and refreshed after your holiday to Cape Town, you will know that it is true.”

Review: Life Day Spa at Crystal Towers Hotel

Life Day Spa consists of a network of top quality spas around the country. This spa is located in the Century City development of Cape Town, which makes it fairly central for most travellers, and a short Uber ride from the V&A Waterfront. You’ll find the spa facilities inside the Crystal Towers Hotel, up on the first floor.

We loved going to Life Day Spa, Century City. They have an extensive list of therapy options, a very attentive staff, great facilities, awesome views and good food and drink so that you can make a full day of indulging yourself.

Specifically:

• Flotation Therapy consists of 30 or 60 minutes in their flotation tank so full of minerals, magnesium and salt straight from the Dead Sea, that one session is the equivalent of two to four hours of uninterrupted sleep to your body. (R350 and R500 per person)
• The Rasul Chamber is a rain and steam room, based on the traditional Turkish bath. You’ll get medicinal earth mud to cleanse and detoxify your skin. We strongly suggest taking your partner with for this. (30 minutes = R380 per person; 60 minutes = R510 per person)
• Any one of their massage options are magically relaxing. Whether it is Hot Stone, Swedish, Aromatherapy, Sports, Soy Candle or Pregnancy. (From R410 for 30 minutes to R680 for 60 minutes)

Life Day Spa also has great package deals: Romantic, Pregnant, Group, Full Day, etc. Have a look at their brochure online and make a booking through us or directly.

TIPS: Like many well-equipped spas, the Life Day Spa in Century City has really great amenities and these are available to you before and after your actual treatments, so budget time to spend making use of these.

Also, like most good spas, you are required to fill out a form prior to your treatments, which ask you a number of medical and skin-related questions. The answers to this obviously help the beauticians prioritise concern areas. However, your answers may also be used to try to sell you products after your treatments. We usually write a very polite “Please don’t pitch any products to me after my treatment” at the end of our forms, so that our Zen isn’t spoilt by trying to politely decline their products. Obviously is you do want to buy great skin care products, please support this great spa.