Finalists:

Life Day Spa Fourways is a proud member of the Spas of Distinction Group. Since opening their doors in July 2005 Life Day Spas have became leaders in the health and wellness industry. Their high standards and guest relations have facilitated their rapid progress. Facilities include a seam Room, Sauna, Swiss Shower, floatation pool and Heated Indoor Spa Pool.

Woodlands Spa, is situated on the banks of the Crocodile River in the heart of Muldersdrift. The spa is the perfect setting to escape the busy city life. Guests can soak up the peaceful energy on the deck, overlooking the Crocodile River or enjoy one of the bespoke spcialised spa programs designed to guide guests in choosing an experience best suited to their particular needs.

Senses Day Spa is set in park-like surroundings in Pietermaritzburg. Senses Day Spa offers guests exceptional personalised service, designed with their clients in mind. Each room is designed for optimum relaxation and the garden is a tranquil setting where clients are able to enjoy some quiet time.

Winner:

Simola Spa & Gym – Knysna. Set high in the hills above Knysna, Simola commands an awe-inspiring view, taking in rolling hills, valleys and a vast shimmering blue expanse of the Knysna lagoon. An exhilarating sense of boundless space, Simola Spa is where guests can indulge in specialised body therapies and beauty treatments, swim in the curved, glass-enclosed heated pool or work out in the gym whilst gazing out at the view.

Finalists:

Arabella Hotel & Spa – Kleinmond embodies the classic elegance of old world style, mixed with modern design trends. Home to the world-first African Rainforest Experience, inspired by African rains, the spa combines traditional and modern therapies, fusing Far Eastern and Western knowledge.

12 Apostles Hotel & Spa – Cape Town is a luxurious get-away-from-it-all location. The unique position on the mountains with panoramic sea and mountain views allow guests to enjoy the natural beauty of the Atlantic Ocean or enjoy the extensive hydrotherapy facilities within the white crystal grotto enhanced with natural stone, marble, granite and glass to create a textured feeling throughout.

Umngazi River Bungalows & Spa – Port St Johns is set high on the Umngazi hillside, with breath-taking views of the coast below. Guests are treated to a secluded, tranquil experience of individual Pondo style thatched huts built on the banks of the Umngazi river mouth.

Winner:

Fordoun Boutique Hotel & Spa – Nottingham Road. The gracious Fordoun Boutiuque Hotel and Spa is a fusion of state-of-the-art leisure and spa facilities with the timeless tranquillity of by-gone days, boasting an oasis of relaxation and sensory bliss. Facilities include a floatation pool, a heated swimming pool, sauna, steam room, Vichy shower, and a couples’ treatment suite with hydrotherapy bath. In addition to spa activities, guests can enjoy gentle walks, visit the herb garden, or explore the surroundings on horse-back. The Fordoun Spa boasts a team of experts that include skilled masseurs, Reiki and Bio-energy specialists, a traditional African Healer and highly trained aestheticians.

Finalists:

Fresh Wellness at Cellars Hohenort – situated in one of the most heavily vegetated and indigenous areas of Cape Town, the Constantia Valley, surrounded by the lush gardens of the world renowned, five star Cellars-Hohenort Hotel, the treatments encapsulate all five senses to imitate the surroundings.

Fairlawns Boutique Hotel & Spa in the Sandton suburb of Morningside Manor, Fairlawns is an award-winning boutique hotel, set in a stately, asian inspired park-like ambiance. Guests are immediately struck by the warm, welcoming ambiance created by friendly and caring staff who pride themselves on providing personalized service.

Winner:

Karkloof Safari Spa – Pietermaritzburg. Built to embrace the natural environment, Karkloof Safari Spa features treatment rooms with wonderful views over the native bush and surrounding gardens. The eco-design incorporates natural materials, with thatch and living roofs which invite game to graze in full view. Facilities include a glass-fronted, four-chair manicure and pedicure lounge, Moroccan-inspired rasul, floatation pool, Kneipp therapy pools and an open-air Jacuzzi.

Finalist:

Legacy Balance Bakubung Spa – Pilansburg – balanced on the hillside overlooking Bakubung Bush lodge in The Pilanesberg National Park is the beautiful Bakubung Spa. The tranquil interior mirrors the quiet environment, punctuated by the sounds of Africa and warm winds moving through the grasses and trees.

Ivory Tree Amani Spa – Pilansburg – A truly African experience and the ultimate escape for pure self-indulgence. Situated in the crater of an ancient volcano within the Pilanesberg National Park, the wood and thatch treatment rooms are perched on stilts and are accessible via wooden walkways.

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 unique spa experiences.

Finalists:

Inner Soul Art Lounge & Spa – Pretoria. Guest can create their next art masterpiece or just relax in the spa. Inner Soul believes that the individual comprises of three essential elements, body, mind and soul. Each of these must be in balance to achieve full homeostasis. Inner Soul achieves this balance by providing the environment and services that heal, nurture, intrigue, stimulate and then offer peace to the soul.

Cradle Health Spa – Magaliesburg – nestled in the foothills of the Majestic Magaliesburg Mountains, in the picturesque village of Hartbeespoort Dam, they combine the natural tranquillity of nature with the comfort of luxury. The Hydro Medical Spa caters to your every whim and brings the body and spirit back into harmony.

Ikhutsa Mountain Manor Day Spa – Pretoria. Ikhutsa means relax in the Tswana language, and the dedicated team aim to make each and every client’s experience an ultimate dream in pure relaxation and tranquillity.

Winner:

Nanita Dalton Laser, Skin & Body Institute – Pretoria. Nanita Dalton – Laser, Skin & Body Institute’s aim is to be the aesthetic institute of choice by giving clients the best advice and providing a complete, comprehensive range of specifically designed treatments and selected professional products to ensure the best results. Since 1991, they have offering everything from dental treatments, hair styling, Botox and fillers, peels and skin tightening to nails. Nanita Dalton is recognized and accepted by the most professional, national and international associations.

Finalists:

The Laser Beautiques – Woodlands & Bedfordview branches established in 2009, their primary focus is to offer the safest, most advanced non-invasive beauty and aesthetic treatments by some of the most renowned surgeons, doctors, nurses, aestheticians and therapists.

Chique Skin Technology – Kempton Park. This unique Aesthetic salon has created a sophisticated and soothing environment. Offering the most advanced selection of non-surgical treatments, they strive to introduce their patients to the latest treatments and news by constantly researching new methods and keeping their standards as high as possible.

The Spa Ambassador Award goes to a person who has made the industry proud and whose presence in the industry is noted internationally.

The Spa Ambassador Award 2015 was awarded to Emmy Stoltz for her participation in the Global Mentorship Programme, as the regional representative for Africa.

The Global Mentorship Program is a peer-to-peer initiative providing spa professionals with Mentor-Mentee relationships in order to inspire aspiring spa leaders. By pairing experienced Spa Directors, as Mentors with Spa Managers, as Mentees, the program offers aspiring leaders the opportunity to learn how others have successfully navigated the world of spa management.

The Spa Humanitarian Award is awarded to a person / group who by definition is actively concerned in promoting human welfare.

The 2015 Spa Humanitarian Award was awarded to Dr Mothomang Diaho, Founder and Medical Director of the Lifestyle Clinics Spiral Aloe (Pty) Ltd, an organization dedicated to promoting lifestyle as the medicine. After more than 30 years as a public Heath practitioner and Senior Health Consultant, her work and contributions have covering countries such as South Africa, Lesotho, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Ghana, Mozambique, Botswana and Swaziland.

The Spa Visionary Award is awarded to a pioneer within the Spa Industry. A person who whose ideas over the past year have lead to a change in the spa industry or spa industry thinking.

The Spa Visionary Award for 2015 was awarded to Trevor Steyn – Esse Probiotic Skincare.

Trevor is an organic chemist with a passion for research and ongoing exploration into new ways of treating skin and fighting ageing. Over the last five years Trevor has invested a considerable amount of research into the Human Microbiome Project (HMP), and more specifically, the relationship between skin and the microbes living on its surface. Resulting in an innovative shift in focus to the use of probiotics in skincare and the role it will play in the future of skincare.

The Spa Management Excellence Award is acknowledges the dynamic spa manager who best keeps the balance between a motivated team, good working environment, superb guest experience, profitability, and efficient spa operations, with appreciation of the role of the spa manager is one of the most challenging in this industry.

The winner of the Spa Management Excellence Award 2016 was Victoria Sutcliffe, Camelot Spa at the Table Bay Hotel.

Victoria has a large amount of spa industry experience, having worked as a spa manager for an extended period across some of South Africa’s finest hotels, and leads a motivated and inspired team with absolute grace.