It goes without saying that this luxury boutique hotel was one caviarmoment after another and my stay there was all too short. The Spa at Fairlawns is described as being the only Balinese-style spa in Johannesburg. That is until you see the stone Buddhas and lion statues guarding the entrance. A short corridor leads to the reception desk, a lounge area where you can help yourself to a table full of complimentary snacks and beverages, and the entrance to the gym.
As a side note, the gym is open 24 hours for all of you super early birds and night owls. The indoor treatment area has five private rooms and feels wonderfully secluded, with just the sounds of trickling water filling in the hushed vibe. The manicure and pedicure bar is in its own serene villa-like building at the other end of the garden.
The massage was administered by the skilled hands of Lucia, who has been at the spa for five years. She worked her magic, confirming in a quiet voice that she should concentrate on my upper back and shoulders, which I had requested on my intake form sitting at a computer all day plus boxing wreaks havoc on the upper body!
For the next half an hour, I melted into the table, grateful for the silence as Lucia smoothly worked the knots in my shoulders. At the end of the massage, she draped me with a warm, heavy towel that felt like a cosy cocoon and gently told me to take my time and to get up only when I felt ready.
The spa offers a wide range of treatments, from massages to hydrotherapy to mani-pedis when you need a mini-pamper session. There are a variety of signature treatments such as the Royal Bali Ritual and Romantic Sunset Retreat for couples and you can also indulge in facial treatments that use QMS Medicosmetics and Sothys products. How long have you been with the spa? I have been with Fairlawns Spa for 3. It was a wonderful opportunity with a completely different concept and a lot of potential to become part of.
