With its all-encompassing dedication to achieving optimal health, Santé Wellness Retreat & Spa is well-deserving of accolades such as Africa’s Best Wellness Retreat, which it snagged at the World Spa Awards in 2022, says JANE MAYNE.
At the core of this premiere spa experience is sophisticated Health Optimizing and Bio Energy technology, which are included in all of their Wellness Programs. A proprietary high-tech health assessment is one of the standout features of the retreat. This non-invasive state-of-the art tool offers an unusually insightful peek into the inner workings of the body, allowing practitioners to get a fuller picture of one’s health by indicating dysfunctional areas, and pinpointing health issues to resolve at their roots.
Holistic Wellness Programs
Facilities includes a day spa with hydrotherapy amenities, and indoor heated pool and jacuzzi, outdoor pool, fitness centre with a yoga and Pilates studio, sauna, a labyrinth, and herb and vegetable garden. Gardens have been planted with plants that are either indigenous, sensory, edible or have healing properties.
Holistic Wellness Programs have been designed exclusively for residential guests who visit with a particular goal or purpose in mind. All combine offerings from a Day Spa, a Health Optimizing Clinic, Bio-Energy Centre, and Fitness Centre.
Combined with optimal nutrition and expert lifestyle and nutritional advice, programs are designed to achieve optimal results – these extend from three-day short introductory programs to 14-day comprehensive programs. They include a destress and rejuvenate program, as well as detox, longevity, ideal weight and healthy eating, emotional balance, ultimate fitness boost programs.
Santé also has numerous signature experiences. They range from trademark Vino Therapy, to a two-hour Restoration which is designed to hydrate, improve fine lines and wrinkles and revitalize. There’s also a full day Ultimate Journey aimed at full body deep cleansing, nourishment, elimination of toxins and stimulation of lymphatic flow, plus there’s a new Muscle Tension Releasing Journey.
A Rebalancing Sensory Stress Release Journey is a top to toe full body sensory experience which relieves stress and tension, leaving one revitalized and refreshed. Other options include a Hydrotherapy Body Cleansing Journey, a Hydrotherapy Detox Cure, and a Couple’s Experiences. Out of all these options Spa Executive Lizandé Rossouw says the half day packages are very popular, as well as Vino Therapy.
“This is because guests bath in wine while having the treatment. All the treatments related to that are grape derived, so they are very beneficial. In the exfoliation they use the actual grape seeds which are high in antioxidants. Vino Therapy is signature to Santé.” “Our sleep massage is also very good for people who suffer from insomnia, and here we use specific oil and brush massage techniques.
There’s also a signature poultice massage which is a 90-minute treatment from top to toe. This is Swedish massage technique based, and we incorporate poultices with Himalayan salt and essential oils. It’s used for easing muscles, rejuvenation. A full body massage and a mini facial are included.”
Lizandé adds that, “As we are a health and wellness retreat the therapists are very skilled and everything has a purpose. They are very potent treatments all in all. We currently have five therapists and we do intense training throughout the year. We cater for very big groups as well, and do a lot of conferencing. People enjoy the healthy side of it, and guests love it.”
Nutritious food
Healthy eating is obviously key to the overall Santé experience, making nutritious food integral to their offering. The Cape Winelands boasts some of the finest produce, and the locally grown ethic is evident in inspired seasonal menus using fresh ingredients from their own indigenous kitchen garden, and from local bio-dynamic farmers and suppliers. All meals are created using unrefined foods, without the use of sugar, dairy, gluten, preservatives, colourants and additives.
Sous Chef Jerome Jansen expands: “We are extremely health conscious and we don’t work with sugar, dairy and butter. So, we’ll have a lot of steamed vegetables and salads, and our proteins with that would include, for example, chicken, fish, ostrich, and a vegetable option like a brown mushroom.”
“We use locally sourced food, and we grow olive trees and brine our own olives. We’ve also got some white garlic on the property, as well as num-num, which is a type of fruit which is almost like a cherry. We use it as a garnish, especially on beetroot tartare. It only grows at a certain time of year, mostly in summer.”
“We have four chefs, which includes Head Chef Siya Cijana, Sous Chef Ayanda Ntongana and a pastry chef. Each chef has their own unique way of plating and presentation, but we all make sure it’s the same standard and don’t use any unhealthy ingredients,” he explains.
Chic decor
Spacious interiors amplify the luxury feel throughout this top-class property, which is situated in the Western Cape Winelands. High ceilings and huge glass windows maximize expansive outdoor views, and the palatial ambience is carried through to a range of accommodation options, which include roomy villa suites, retreat suites and a deluxe retreat suite.
Overall, there’s a serenity that pervades the estate. This is enhanced by décor mostly styled in muted tones and offset by unique furniture carefully placed to create a distinctive look and feel. Artworks by the likes of Greta Smit, Gabisle Nokosi, Michelle Kuhn, Gavon Du Plessis, Gerhard Marx, as well as an impressive outdoor sculpture by Carey Carter round off the personalized Santé experience.
For accommodation enquiries, e-mail and for day spa enquiries, e-mail +27 21-879-1500. Read more about Santé Spa here.