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THE
VINEYARD HOTEL & SPA
SCENTS
OF A SPA
Heal
the spirit. Revitalise the body. Pause to reconnect. Take
time to drift, to be in touch with the infinite skills of
a gentle culture that has practiced the arts of massage
and the regeneration of mind and body for centuries.
  
Part
of the celebrated Banyan Tree Group in Thailand,
Angsana practice their renowned therapies at the gracious Vineyard Hotel & Spa, embracing
the ideals and philosophies, which have made their name a by word
in spas worldwide.
A
first in South Africa, Angsana
is harmoniously and quietly placed alongside the new
spacious and
calm Spa Suites, all overlooking the crystal clear Liesbeeck
river running through the historic gardens of The Vineyard
Hotel,
*'the first English country house in South Africa where
Lady Anne Barnard nurtured her spirit and rested in
tranquillity.'
 
 
As
in all the Angsana spas worldwide
each one is a gem.
Standards are stringent and strictly
controlled. All the intensively trained practitioners are from Thailand and
are thoroughly steeped in the Banyan Tree ethos.
The moment you step into your treatment room,
open to the lush gardens, breathe in the aromatic fragrance; there is the
instant recognition that this is the scent of Angsana. A different scent
is infused for each day of the week and used uniquely
all over the world in their spas.
A
statuesque tree,
the Angsana has a crown of flowers that bursts into a
fragrant shower of golden yellow blooms, giving birth to the
Angsana maxim of living life and savouring time as it passes
inexorably.
 
Angsana
places special emphasis on the use of aromatherapy and the
sense of touch.
At
the beginning of each spa session, thirty
minutes are set aside for you to unwind slowly over a foot
treatment, a herbal tea and to gently relax. During the
Tender Feet treatment exfoliating and conditioning take
place with a blend of pineapple, a natural exfoliant and
soya beans. The perfect treatment to cosset your
feet.
 
Bathing
is a cultural ritual
that has been practiced for centuries. Immersing the body in
warm water soothes the muscles, massages, rehydrates and
balances the body. At Angsana you could choose the Ayurvedic
Rainmist,
imagine a tropical rain shower drizzling down or a
warm waterfall cascading over you, stimulating the pressure
points of your body.
Water
is combined with massage and alluring deep cleansing scrubs in
aromatic Jasmine and Frangipani made with fruit acids, which
dissolve dead skin cells leaving you with a skin that almost
sparkles.
 
The
making of their natural but complex preparations is a meticulous
process, intriguingly freshly made before each treatment.
All containing the indefinable nuances that are exclusive to
Angsana, blended with superb
fine natural oils and creams containing milk and yoghurt.
Scrubs use avocados, almonds, oatmeal and honey.
Body polishes, wraps
and vitamin enriched masks are in mouth-watering colours, fragrances and textures.
Crafted with flowers, aromatic spices; ginger, turmeric and
fruits such as
guava, pineapple and lime. Vital ingredients that combat free radicals,
remineralise and moisturise the skin.
Highly skilled superb
massage is one of the highlights at Angsana, including Ayurvedic - a soothing primeval Indian
massage, Fusion - a clever blend of Thai and Swedish massage
techniques, Ebu's Secret - traditional Balinese, or Waves -
Hawaiian.
  
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The
magic of these creams and scrubs is the cornucopia of pristine fresh
ingredients that are blended, whipped and pounded into the effective luxurious treatment
products that revitalise and restore, leaving your skin
supple and glowing.
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The Finer
Touch:
Delicate Hands, Tender Feet, Nails, three remedial
treatments that will allow all these vital areas to be
given the ultimate in care; thorough cleansing,
trimming, shaping, conditioning and then blissfully relaxing. |
  
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The
pampering continues...
Wander
through the dappled indigenous gardens
of The Vineyard Hotel & Spa along the landscaped banks
of the Liesbeeck River through to the north facing River
Suites.
 
The ten
River Suites, designed by the late Revel Fox, continues the philosophy
of the Vineyard, flowing through their most recent developments,
the Angsana Spa and the new suites concluding the final phase of their
Spa & Fitness Centre.
 
Enjoy a quiet moment
on your sunny terrace enveloped in nature, an oasis of
peace and
minutes away from the centre of one of Cape Town's premier suburbs at the foot of
Table Mountain. Wake to the sound of prolific birdlife, a breeze drifts through the leafy trees.
Walk in the early morning besides the river enjoying the rich variety of palms and cycads
that line the
meandering paths.
  
Wall length sliding
doors front each suite. Inside the perfectly appointed rooms all is
natural simplicity, peaceful hues and tints of oyster and biscuit. Rich browns of the Mozambican wood floors, gentle sand toned
stone line bathrooms that are enclosed with sand blasted glass doors. The
linens are superb, fine percale with a soft lustre and deep plum mohair
throws add a luxurious touch.
Breakfast
in your suite, on the Terrace or at the Splash Café
Sample
an array of yoghurts including aloe, refreshing and revitalising with a topping of sliced
kiwis and passionfruit. The charm of freshly boiled eggs sprinkled with
natural sea salt from the West Coast of the Cape, served with hot
buttered toast. Colourful, exotic, freshly sliced fruits, crisp melons,
fresh figs, berries, seasonal fruits of every description are the way to
start the day.
  
At
Play in the Vineyard's Health & Fitness Centre
A
state of the art complex
includes healthy options
at the gorgeous Splash Café, designed in tones of pale honey with
accents of aquamarine used in their glamorous health bar. Vast walls of glass slide open
to the private pool area. On chilly days try the warm splash pool
adjoining the ultra contemporary fully equipped
gym and showers.
Take
time out to browse and enjoy Janet
Petousis', boutique 'The Shop' where
there is an emphasis on 'Made in South Africa' and the African continent
in many self-help projects. Vibrant, vivid merchandise whether
basketware, superb cutlery, beading, jewellery and clothing. Janet has chosen
a small choice selection of seasonal preserves, organic rooibos tea,
which many of their guests acquire a taste for, Khoisan Sea Salt and other small treats
that are easy to pack, a fond memory of their stay at The
Vineyard Hotel & Spa.
 
 Breakfast, lunch
or have
refreshing drinks throughout the long summer days at the Splash Café.
Smoothies such as Tropical Treats with pineapple and banana blended with
yoghurt.
As the day draws on
choose a sandwich from the grill. Club Café, Thai Chicken or Roast Beef. At
lunch the Mediterranean Tapas, the Splash Caprese Salad or the
California Nori Rolls come into their own.
 
Splash out and enjoy healthy
options. Invigorating swims in the 20 meter clear sapphire water of the
stunning pool. Highly qualified instructors are there to guide you through
your personal programme.
 
To
order...
  Health drinks, many stirred with low fat yoghurt, smoothies,
shakes and juices to order.
Crisp white wines, rosé and a cocktail
or two; Pimms or Fruit Daiquiri. Time-out for a
chilled sparkling wine or champagne at the aquamarine bar at the Splash
Café.
Stunning coffee
through the day, one of the finest blends. Espresso, Cappuccino or divine
Café latte - seriously addictive!
  
On the terrace...
Choose from the Patio Breakfast Menu, which includes smoked salmon
and a fine selection of Cape cheeses. In addition there is a full breakfast
menu with grilled Scottish kippers, parsley butter and lemon, poached
free-range eggs as well as heartier dishes; chicken cashew nut and
egg rice with Thai condiments and utterly delicious, eggs Benedict with
hollandaise sauce and smoked ham. As a treat you could include French
toast with grilled bacon.
 
 
Lunch
on the terrace is a sociable affair.
*Everyone who saw
the house was astonished. "Upon my word, this is a dashing thing,
to build a house such as this at the Cape, Lady Anne" said General
Dundas as he was shown around. And so it was, for this was the first
English country house in Southern Africa".
Simple and
unpretentious were the key notes. The verandah supported on light
poles, enclosed by two projecting bays with glass doors, nothing like it
had ever been seen here before. No incling was given of the
spaciousness, the elegance or the style within. - This unobtrusive yet
luxurious approach remains the signature of The Vineyard Hotel &
Spa.
At lunch on the
terrace have salads with a difference; Prawn Salad with fresh melon and
Parma ham, Garden Salad with cashew nuts and grilled panini as well as
the classic Caesar Salad. Options include Fettuccini Alfredo a timeless
choice. There is always a fresh Cape linefish. For those that enjoy
tender rare beef try with leafy spinach, fresh field mushrooms and
tempura onions. Chicken enthusiasts can choose chicken schnitzel with
Emmenthaler and guacamole and crisp potato wedges.
*
See The History of The Vineyard researched and written by Jill
Baikoff, available at 'The Shop' at The Vineyard Hotel & Spa.
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