Durban - The spa experience begins from the moment you enter the gates of the Oyster Box hotel – a sense of peace and seclusion envelopes you as you enter the hotel grounds and continues as you step inside the spa. Photographs line the walls – lush, voluptuous portraits of the female body. We had been booked for a couple of massages, and while waiting we took a brief tour of the facilities.
From a luxurious-looking plunge pool, to topping up with complimentary juices and slices of fruit while waiting at the health bar. We’d just had lunch, or we would have indulged in the nuts, dried fruits, banana bread and more. A lovely touch that, with everything looking fresh, wholesome and appetising. There’s also a spa menu available if you have the extra munchies.
Before going through for our hour-long massages we peeped in at the Turkish hammam rooms. I’ve read so many travel narratives in which travellers succumb to the charms of the Turkish hammam – but have also read how absolutely vigorous such experiences can be. I can’t speak for the experience at the Oyster Box – and since I like my massages light and gentle, I left that one, perhaps another time then. Still, if it is of interest, you can choose an oriental hammam ceremony a deep-cleansing ritual for 75 minutes in which heated lemons are used to penetrate sore and tired muscles.
My mind whirred and chopped as I settled in for my massage. I’d forgotten to do this, I’d have to e-mail on that when I returned to work the following week – the mind is truly like a monkey at times, as the mediation experts remind us, before, gradually and not so mysteriously, the inner chatter quietened, the gentle persuasive music married with the soft touch from the masseuse that I had asked for, and for the next hour I was ushered into a world, where, briefly, the chatter was replaced by softer, more mellow thoughts.
The spa offers a variety of massages and treatments as well as products.
The well-known Dermalogica brand and BAfrica are used, which blends native African plant extracts.
Treatments include a variety of facials and skin treatments, including waxing, reflexology, sugaring, half and full-day spa packages, couple, bridal and maternity treatments. Swedish massages, deep tissue massages, hot stone, and the interesting sounding Rungu massage: where a full body massage is administered using the Rungu, a wooden throwing club or batan which carries significance in East African cultures.
The Himalayan salt massage uses Himalayan salt stones.
Afterwards we wondered through to the Tranquility lounge, aptly named as it’s a quiet sanctuary filled with soft billowing cushions and relaxers, herbal teas were on offer; it’s a special place to relax and let the effects of the massage take effect. Again gentle piped music added to the charms of the spa.
If you’re feeling extra energetic, the spa also has a fitness centre with the full range of cardio vascular training (but do note this is for hotel guests only).
Later we had soft drinks on the balcony, the Indian Ocean before us, Durbanites unwinding after a day at the office, the breeze blowing the umbrellas, watching birds alight and then take off into the sea breeze.
l Arja Salafranca was a guest of the Oyster Box. For information and specials go to: www.oysterboxhotel.com - Sunday Independent