City slick Spa Chic

Suntra Spa at 15 on Orange offers speciality spa treatments and the latest beauty technology

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Updated 2022: Visit a spa in the city that draws on ancient techniques.

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Inside the lift up to the 7th floor of the 15 on Orange hotel in, well, Orange Street, a golden chair awaits. My throne, enveloped in the sparkly mirrored surface of the lift space. Gone is my fairly ordinary Cape Town day; the daydream continues when my therapist shows me to the Love Room at the Suntra Spa.

Now, don’t get any ideas. It’s only called the Love Room because of the elaborate decorations and rich wallpaper design. Perhaps the oxygen therapy Jacuzzi in the room also has something to do with it but that’s not why I’m here. For me the love comes from my therapist who is gently rubbing the knots from my shoulders, then my neck and finally, ah, the head massage totally gets me and sends little ripples of release down my spine. Grapeseed oils mixed with just a touch of eucalyptus and jasmine makes the massage invigorating and sweetly relaxing at the same time.

Stress management. Tick. Beauty regime. Next.

As any woman over 25 knows, a regular facial is of the absolute essence in maintaining a proper skin care regime. The Suntra Spa offers Dermalogica as well as Guinot facials. While both are regarded as some of the best beauty products out there I choose the naturally formulated Guinot products for today. My green tea mask smells beautiful and while I can’t see it on my face the beauty therapist tells me that it contains a glitter like substance that twinkles when you put it on – and makes her job a lot more fun.

A Bellabaci face deep cleasing ritual is part of all the facial treatments at the Suntra Spa. The Bellabaci cup is a small massager which is used to perform a vacuum massage. The benefits of this are increased stimulation of the metabolism, lymphatic and blood circulation as well as elasticity of the skin. In simple words it helps to remove stress from the face and brings back that healthy glow. It feels like a type of suction massage that makes my skin tingle.

When it’s all over I spot a couple more things on the spa menu that looks like a whole lot of fun. Not the least of which are the holistic massage treatments incorporating acupressure reflexology, energy balancing and visualization. There’s also the private hammam – I take a peek into the large, ultra luxurious room complete with a serene white lantern and a rain shower.

Technologies such as laser hair removal and hydradermie are also embraced at the Suntra Spa, while microdermabrasion (a facial that removes all dead cells and stimulates collagen production) is one of those all time best beauty treatments to come back for next time.

Or, perhaps, I’ll bring a couple of girl friends for one of the Suntra Spa party packages including cocktails on the pool deck overlooking the city lights. It is bound to be another daydream come true.

By Lize de Kock

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