News and Articles at the Twelve Apostles Hotel

What a difference a day makes

Author: Paul Nuttall
Source: YOUR NEW HOME Issue - Summer'03
Date: Fri 2 Apr 2004

I've never before experienced weightlessness. With envious eyes I have watched on television many an astronaut floating around having a ball of fun. Outer space is out of my reach, but here I was floating around with glittering stars above me. Where was? Not in outer space but in an underground grotto suspended in a brine flotation pool. What an amazing feeling! Utterly relaxing. This flotation pool, that astonishingly, is sonly around half a metre deep yet it can keep many a portly body afloat, is just one of the sumptuous facilities offered in the newly opened Sanctuary Spa, located in the 5 Star Twelve Apostles Hotel in Cape Town.

On entering the candlelit cave you are met by a huge golden statue of Buddha, the heady fragrance of burning incense fills the nostrils, tinkling music softly fills the head whilst low lights gradually change from one pastel colour to the next. Embracing the healing energies of Earth, Air and Water, this Eastern atmosphere creates a soothing and tranquil ambience.

Further on into the grotto, there's a Sauna as well as Cape Town's only Rasul Chamber. This is where you are enveloped in mineralised mud from the Dead Sea and gently embraced by a soothing mist, allowing thoughts to linger on forgotten memories whilst a gentle rain eventually washes the mud away refreshing and renewing mind, body and soul.

My 20 minutes afloat was followed by 20 minutes lazing in the hydro pool where I contemplated the delight to come. A full body massage. This was to take place in the Upper Sanctuary.

The Upper Sanctuary consists of seven treatment rooms equipped with sound and light therapy. The resin floors are designed to bring harmony from the rocks to the treatment areas creating a sleek transfer from the water element to the calm and seclusion of the treatment rooms. Five dry-therapy rooms host heated massage beds whilst the two water therapy rooms are adapted to include hydrotherapy and Vichy shower treatments. The spa boasts inter-leading rooms allowing for couples to enjoy treatments together. Secluded African-styled outdoor gazebos allow guests the opportunity to experience therapies enhanced by the elements of the Atlantic Ocean, fresh air and the natural aromas of the surrounding Fynbos vegetation.

The massage was a delight. I had been suffering terribly from a knotted left shoulder brought on, no doubt, by crouching over the computer bashing out articles until the wee hours. It cured my ailment as well as leaving me totally relaxed. A de-stressed writer. Back to bed, I headed. There is a tailor made "De-stress Package for Men".

All too often men neglect their health and well-being. (Like me.) For this reason, the "De-stress Package for Men" was created where the executive gentlemen can relax with a body citrus exfoliation and Vich6 shower. This package is all about forgetting that time exists and letting that goal-driven personality take a back seat. Creating an idyllic ending to the afternoon, gents have a choice of massages combined with men's express face treatment and executive manicure.

And for the jet-lagged traveler there's the "Revival Package" while the "Holistic Package" - which includes a combination of reflexology, hot stone massage and an aromatherapy head and scalp treatment - offers the ultimate in pampering.

You don't have to be a resident at the hotel to enjoy the benefits of The Sanctuary Spa and the hotel. Being only 10 minutes from the city center, it's the perfect day-retreat for locals. I can vouch for that!

It was the little things that impressed me most about The Twelve Apostles. On entering our room, the candle on the side of the bat was lit. There's the special soap menu and, would you believe it, a pillow menu. You can choose from nine different varieties from a Flexi Medi Mat to aid circulation to an Anti-Snore pillow, which my wife instantly ordered for me. There are two TV screens showing 2 channels in the lifts. And the packaging on the bedtime chocolates was divine. So my wife tells me.

Launched in November 2002, The Twelve Apostles Hotel & Spa in Cape Town has recently completed a R27 million interior refurbishment program. The décor is a collaboration of talents between Beatrice Tollman - President and Founder of Red Carnation Hotels, Brian Brennan - Project Director for the group and Cape Town based interior decorator - Annabel Rosholt. "The task was to bring 'the outside in,' finding inspiration from the natural elements surrounding the property," says Brennan. All fittings, furnishings and art works have been sourced locally, making for a truly South African product. The luxuriously appointed rooms and suites have been individually decorated in themes of 'Blue and White,' 'Shell,' 'African' and 'Natural' tones and fabrics.

The property is a seventy room five-star establishment providing guests with sumptuous accommodation, gourmet cuisine, state-of-the-art conference and meeting facilities in a serene environment where the earth, sea and sky meet.

All rooms have exceptionally spacious bathrooms, in-room butler stations, satellite television, digital telephone system with voice mail and an ISDN line. The elegant suites and "Business-ready-rooms" for the traveling executive have ample desktop working space with stationery drawers, fax-copy-scanner printers and a select number of the deluxe suites have the added luxury of private Jacuzzis.

The new Azure restaurant offers international cuisine with a distinct South African influence.

The stylish Leopard Room Bar and Lounge offers guests the ideal location to enjoy a lazy afternoon tea and a trendy venue to meet for pre-dinner drinks, cognacs, cigars and live entertainment. For locals and international visitors who are simply looking for a venue to witness an awe inspiring African sunset over the Atlantic Ocean, The North Deck is the ideal venue to enjoy a civilized cocktail.

A 16-seater private screening room is also available where residents can enjoy a DVD from the hotel's extensive library.

Another thoughtful touch is the complimentary shuttle service to the local beaches, the city center and The Victoria & Alfred Waterfront. Chauffeur driven limousine service in the hotel's readily available fleet of luxury vehicles is also available as a helipad.

My one night stay with dinner, Chilled African Tomato Soup followed by half a crispy duck, my treatments and the prompt, attentive service were all first class. I would certainly love to go back for a more extensive stay. Ooh, I feel my shoulder tightening up again; maybe I should go back sooner than later.

Brief article (p.53)

Author: Nick Steele
Source: METRO SourceNY
Date: Thu 1 Apr 2004

Cites this truly distinct hotel as a destination unto itself. Fifteen minutes from Cape Town's center, this elegant seaside hotel and spa is nestled between the majestic mountain range and the Atlantic Ocean. Your cares will dissolve in the hands of the hotel's extremely attentive staff and amenities. Forget cheap lotions and shampoos, here you can order up sets of incredible organic-spa bath products in several different ranges or special ergonomic or aromatherapy pillows at no extra charge.
The restaurant and sexy Leopard Lounge are both exceptional, but the spa is what makes this hotel a world-class destination. The spa is what one imagines a spa in heave is. Outdoor-loving guests can hike and picnic.

Source: ELITE TRAVELER
Date: Wed 24 Mar 2004

Ambience: Nestled among indigenous flora, the luxurious Sanctuary Spa at The Twelve Apostles Hotel sits in magnificent isolation on the rim of the Atlantic Ocean. The height of Cape Town sophistication, the spa includes an indoor hydro pool, brine float pool in a grotto, and even music. It also has Cape Town's only Rasul Chamber.

What Makes It Great: The Spa carries its own brand of products, exclusively. This Moya line was developed from native plants and flowers found at the tip of Africa.

Signature Treatment: On the outside terrace is the couples' massage, facing the ocean. This is enjoyed after sharing a bottle of champagne and a delightful seafood lunch made of local catches.

Best Hands: All of the therapists are equally and highly qualified.

Author: Tabitha Hawkins
Source: Waitrose Food Illustrated
Date: Thu 1 Jan 2004

A long English winter can take its toll on anyone’s health and there comes a time when a revitalising escape is just the medicine. My personal prescription involves sun, sea, scenery and state-of-the-art spa, and I found the perfect place in the beautiful city of Cape Town. Only an hour of two ahead of London, you can take a night flight and be in South Africa in time for breakfast without the strain of jet lag. I stayed at The Twelve Apostles Hotel, which is situated on the stunning coastline that leads out of the city. With a mountain backdrop and a breathtaking sea view, the hotel is also within easy access of Table Mountain, Robben Island, Camps Bay and many other famous local attractions. The region offers fascinating wine tours, mountain walks, great swimming beaches and a glamorous climate. After a busy day of whale spotting and wine tasting you can retire to The Twelve Apostles and indulge yourself at their delightful new Sanctuary Spa with its hydro pool, Rasul Chamber (a beehive-shaped steam room) and secluded gazebos with views of the ocean. My favourite massage was an unforgettable combination of scented oils and warm stones, but there are many treatments to choose between. Afterwards, you might just find the energy to wander up to the Leopard Room bar to enjoy the African sunset with a cocktail on the terrace before dining in the excellent Azure restaurant. With its combination of luxury pampering, great food, beautiful surroundings and impeccable service, it is no wonder that people are always smiling at The Twelve Apostles. The place exudes such a feeling of happiness, comfort and well-being that you’ll come home feeling completely recharged.

Source: SQUARE MEAL
Date: Thu 2 Oct 2003

The Twelve Apostles Hotel in Cape Town will open the all new Sanctuary Spa in November. The hotel is surrounded by the Atlantic on one side and the Twelve Apostles mountain range on the other, and a unique grotto. The spa uses Clarins in its treatments and also offers light therapy and heated massage beds in every room.