Cape Town - Last weekend we passed the winter solstice and the days are now getting longer. There’s more good news, however. Because it’s still very much winter, special offers abound, and there’s a fabulous one up the West Coast in Paternoster, about two hours from Cape Town at Abalone House and Spa.
Abalone House is a gorgeous boutique hotel. I love the cluttered, eclectic, vintage decor, Tretchikoff-print cushions, fringed lampshades, and big ol’ leather couches. The lounge is filled with books and board games and the pretty courtyard has two mini plunge pools (if you’re brave), and ducks everywhere – from ceramic ones on the edge of the pool to a trio of yellow rubber ones on the side of your bath. The last time I was there I saw real live ones too. There are at least two cats, and their presence makes the place quite homely. Chelsea was a frequent visitor to my room.
After oohing and aahing over the large room with a small private deck, as well as a large communal one which overlooks the ocean and has a rooftop jacuzzi, and downing a welcome glass of bubbly, I made my way to the Healing Earth Spa. Therapist Carmen Jones took me up to one of the treatment rooms which has its own private bathroom. None of that locker room stuff with naked people walking around, thank goodness.
The two-and-a-half hour treatment (which extended to three because Carmen forgot her watch) began with a full body scrub. You can choose between a coffee, cinnamon and orange body energiser, or African ginger slimming treatments. I went for the latter because, hey, it couldn’t hurt. Carmen then ran me a bath filled with oils, after which I was slathered with cream and wrapped in plastic. I felt as if I should be popped in an oven to be roasted, but instead I was given a head massage.
Back into the shower, and finally a lengthy full body massage completed the treatment which left me feeling soft and slippery and sleepy all over. I powered through the urge to nap before the evening meal with a sunset walk on the beach, which is just across the road from the hotel.
Dinner was at Reuben’s – yep, Reuben Riffel, the famous chef, restaurateur and MasterChef judge has put his name to this venue. Sad love songs and French jazz played in the background while I enjoyed a starter of salt and pepper squid, followed by an ultra tender rib eye steak with delicate Bearnaise sauce and thick chips.
In the morning they put out the breakfast buffet there too, and on nice days you can sit out on the deck. Hot breakfasts are also available, like excellent eggs Benedict.
I was happy to be able to spend some relaxing time in my room with Chelsea, who is a big fan of the underfloor heating, listening to the waves crashing on to the shore. There are all sorts of useful and thoughtful things in there, like scissors, a torch, candles, and even incense, along with all the normal luxuries you’d expect at a five-star establishment.
The package, which costs R1 945 per person sharing per night, includes two nights’ accommodation with breakfast, a two-and-a-half hour spa treatment each at the Healing Earth spa, and a two-course dinner at Reuben’s restaurant on both evenings. The offer is valid until August 31.
Other specials include the Lunchtime Indulgence, which is a two-course meal at Reuben’s, and a 30 minute spa treatment (manicure, pedicure or facial) for R395 a person. If you book a table for six guests, you pay for only five.
l For more information and to book, call Abalone House and Spa on 022 752 2044, e-mail [email protected] or go to www.abalonehouse.co.za. Alternatively, contact South of Africa’s central reservations line on 087 820 5999.
Weekend Argus