LES NOUVELLES ESTHETIQUES
SOUTH AFRICAN SPA AWARDS 2021
The results of 16th annual Les Nouvelles Esthetiques Spa Awards hosted by Les Nouvelles Esthetiques South Africa in association with Les Nouvelles Esthetiques Paris, were announced on the 26th September 2021.
Through the success of the previous awards, the Les Nouvelles Esthetiques Spa Awards increases in its stature each year, providing the South African and International Spa Visitors and Media with a comprehensive choice of award winning spas, and a reliable source of spa information and recommendations, within South Africa.
The Les Nouvelles Esthétiques awards programme encourages the highest standards within the Spa & Wellness Industry. The awards have been designed to stimulate a desire for service excellence among South African Spas.
The 2021 Spa Awards consisted of six (6) Categories, namely Day Spa, Hotel Spa, Boutique Hotel Spa, Safari Spas, Unique Spa Concept, and Aesthetic/Medi Spa categories.
Days Spas
Winner: Shambala Wellness Spa, in Walmer, Port Elizabeth. Shambala means a Place of Peace, Tranquillity and Happiness. In Tibetan Buddhist lore, Shambala is a mystical land, hidden in the snowy peaks of the Himalayas, a society where people labour constantly for the good of humanity. This perfectly 
expresses their ethos – lifting spirits, creating pleasure, a sanctuary in the middle of the city, a realm of escape. From the moment guests cross over the wooden bridge they are transported to an ancient kingdom, displaying a unique and relaxing oasis to unwind and rejuvenate. They have created an Indonesian paradise, incorporating imported décor hand selected from Bali, signature treatment procedures focused on tradition, and relaxation areas throughout the spa to create the illusion of a complete escape to another land.
Special Finalist: Senses Wellness Institute in Pietermaritzburg. Founded in 2008 with a unique vision to combine derma aesthetics, hair, and makeup and create the ultimate spa experience for guest. Owned by Shaista Abdool Gafoor, who guides her team of highly trained and skilled professionals that strive to build a trusting and friendly relationship with our guests. The beautiful park like premises and opulent 
interiors is the perfect image of the concept they are all about. Each room is designed for optimum relaxation, including the attention to detail in the hair salon and boutqique retail and the garden is a tranquil setting where clients are able to enjoy some quiet time. Resulting in you leaving your stress and time constraints at the door whilst your journey begins with Senses Wellness Institute
Hotel Spas
Winner: The Houghton Spa and Wellness at Houghton Hotel. The flagship Spa and Wellness facility is located the prestigious Urban Resort – The Houghton Hotel in Johannesburg. The Spa is a member of the House of Tshegofatso, under the guidance of CEO, Tshegofatso Moseme and her team of highly skilled therapists and hairstylists. Their mission is to 
add value by providing the best care and healing environment, so guests leave with renewed balance and beauty. They strive to pamper their guests in the most indulgent way, with the conviction of “Changing The Status Quo”. The new state-of-the-art facility, offers an an exclusive 
Couple’s Suite with a private Jacuzzi, wooden deck and outdoor shower, 8 multi-functional Spa treatment suites, a Grand Rasul, a Nail Beautique and Hair Salon, indoor Dining as well as Relaxation area, a spectacular indoor heated swimming pool and outdoor relaxation with an exquisite natural cool and heated Infinity Pool. This unisex Spa caters to inhouse Hotel guests, residents, private individuals, groups and the corporate market, making it a destination par excellence. The Houghton Hotel Spa promotes holistic health, offering a diverse range of result-driven spa and wellness treatments and world class products with wellness benefits.
Boutique Hotel Spas
Winner: Belle Foi Spa at Pont de Val – Parys. Charmaine Ashmore, who through her personal faith, tenacity and love for serving people in a way that they are renewed in body, soul and mind, is the mind and heart behind Belle Foi. Charmaine’s journey through various wellness and pharmaceutical positions led her to start her own spa at home several years back which has grown into the Belle Foi Spa at Pont de Val as we 
know it today. The joy it brings her to see people renewed, started way back when she was a young girl and her father would come home from 12 hour shifts on his feet. He would rest while Charmaine massaged his feet. She recalls the contentment she felt at seeing him regain energy as the stress and pain melted away. These deeply instilled memories drives her passion today, and Belle Foi Spa (translated from French: Beauty by Faith) is for 
her and her team a sanctuary of renewal. Belle Foi Spa not only offers classic therapies and treatments, but explores the healing properties of the grape vine as something that sets the spa apart from other wellness venues. The natural components taken from Pont de Val’s vineyards combined with the science of TheraVine are brought together to offer a unique set of treatments in a timeless space. Escape from the pressures of daily life, make time for yourself and experience the world of extra-sensory journeys using Vinotherapy products. Carefully developed by a specialised team using extensive clinical and scientific studies, the TheraVine™ range boasts the indigenous Pinotage cultivar grape seeds, grape skins & grapevine leaves to which internationally acclaimed active ingredients have been added. Each ritual has been expertly woven to relieve stress and recharge, purify and detoxify, firm, and rejuvenate while delicate aromas will transport you into a place of complete serenity. While aromas and indulgent textures provide for a multi – sensory experience, each treatment expertly crafted for your ultimate satisfaction.
Safari Spas
Winner: Kukura Wellness Spa at Kilima Private Game Reserve – Limpopo Province. Deep in the African Bushveld, at the foot of the Murchison Mountain Range – “something courageous lies in wait” – Kilima Private Game Reserve & Spa, offers world class standards in luxury accommodation, having won 10 Awards in 2021, close wildlife encounters, personal service and delicious cuisine. 
Kilima’s philosophy “COURAGE ABOVE & BEYOND” stems from the Schütte Legacy that has endured against all odds. A Legacy where our family, in harmony with nature execute business for generations to come. Kilima Private Game Reserve invites you to experience their warm hospitality that echo’s through the style and flavour to each and every one of our guests. The Kukura Wellness Spa, is a Shona word that means GROWTH. We chose the word ‘growth’ for more than the simple definition of the word, we believe in personal development, we 
cherish the enhancements one makes to her or his self, we believe in our effectiveness of living, and to live – one needs to grow in mind, body and spirit, offering the guest a holistic approach in growth. Additionally we also believe in reducing toxic footprint and leaving a lasting legacy to all those who will walk this beautiful earth long after we’re gone. The purpose of Kukura Wellness Spa services is to trigger the return of homeostasis in the body (state of equilibrium and balance) – this is achieved by reducing tension and inducing relaxation – relaxation is the first step in balance and equilibrium, because when the body is relaxed healing is possible.
Unique Spa Concept
Winner: Yadah Castle – Hammam Turkish Spa & Bath – Pretoria. Guests receive a warm 
welcome upon arrival; candles are lit, soft lighting, priceless antiques and art adorn the walls are for guests eyes to feast on, while the touch of Persian carpets and comfortable pillows are for everyone to relax and unwind from all the tensions of the outside world. Their vision is to create an extraordinary ambiance that will transport guests to an exotic foreign land, whilst exciting all of the senses and embracing a unique spa. A true discerning Journey. The 
fusion of luxury spa blends from around the world will allow you to enjoy intoxicating treatments from the most discerning global brands and standards combining superbly beneficial elements from our earth. They bring old world traditions and blend it with new world technique. The Hammam also known as the Turkish Hammam or Turkish Bath, is the middle eastern variant of the steam bath. Although the first hammams originated in Arabia and bath culture was a central part of Roman life, Turkey popularised the tradition and is most often associated with it by making Hammams available to people of all statuses and for centenaries the Hammam was known as the silent doctor. The garden and Sun deck are for you to relax and unwind from the tensions of the outside world. Most of the décor and artworks were imported from Turkey by the owners, Vanessa Hacisuleyman and her husband Gokhan and the skilled therapists with their talented hands will take you on an enchanted escape…Be transported to another world without having to leave the city
The adjoining A’la Turka restaurant offers guests the option of private, cushion-scattered lounges, each of them uniquely decorated. The exotic middle-eastern decor and art collections, jewellery and intricately crafted candelabra – along with the lighting and subtle Turkish music piped throughout, make the A la Turka at Yadah Castle a truly exceptional experience. The food on offer is hot and cold meze, shish kebab, falafel, dolmades and other Middle Eastern fare.
Aesthetic Institutes:
Winner: Chique Skin Technology – Kempton Park. This unique Aesthetic Institute, under the dedicated vision of owner, Rita Shaw, has created a sophisticated and soothing environment. Offering the most advanced selection of non-surgical treatments, they strive to introduce their clients to the latest treatments by constantly 
researching new methods and keeping their standards as high as possible. During your consultation your concerns and expectations will be thoroughly discussed with an explanation of all possible methods of non-surgical make over. Chique Skin Technology offers Beauty Treatments, that tend to be a little more Medical as they offer treatments like Permanent Hair Reduction, Radio Frequency-Treatments, Chemical Peels, Endermology, Fractional RF Treatments,Botox & Fillers, Spraytan, Tan Can, Microneedling, Needleless Mesotherapy and a lot more! They strive to bring to you the latest non-surgical treatments by constantly researching new methods and keeping our standards as high as possible!
We look forward to hosting the Spa Awards in 2022, as South African Spas and individuals continue to flourish in an internationally growing market place.
For more information and visuals contact Dr Nadine de Freitas, Managing Editor, Les Nouvelles Esthetiques, on 083 267 2773 / info@lesnouvelles.co.za
