SIP N SEE AT THE OYSTER BOX HOTEL

From the 1 August, The Oyster Box has introduced Sip ‘n See parties, where  new Moms can host a tea party for family and friends to meet the new baby, without having to go into the kitchen herself, no need to tidy the house, no dirty dishes to be cleared away and washed afterwards and it's all set in the calm and beautiful surroundings of the Oyster Box Hotel.
What a brilliant idea!

Available from Monday to Sunday 08h00 - 12h00
R195 per person for a minimum of 15 guests and a maximum of 30.   

The price includes a Welcome Drink on arrival, morning tea stands, tea, coffee and fruit juice.

For bookings and more info contact

THE SPA AT THE OYSTER BOX HOTEL - {REVIEW}

I feel tinges of guilt as I write this post, not because I spent a wonderful morning this week receiving 6* pampering at the Oyster Box Hotels Spa in Umhlanga Rocks, I feel it because this Hotel is actually my "local" and over the years I have been a guest, celebrated birthdays...too many to mention, eaten more than my fair share of delights from the sweet laden table at afternoon tea, sat and enjoyed too many delicious Strawberry Daiquiri's and I have blogged about it all, 

yet I have never visited the Spa.

Being primarily a blog about beauty I feel this is unacceptable to you my readers and followers....

but today that changes.

The Oyster Box Hotel 5*

This award winning Spa is located at the rear of the hotel and is nestled amongst indigenous gardens, which sets the scene perfectly for your entry into a beautiful, luxurious space that offers you all of the amenities expected of a luxury wellness facility of this calibre. 

The calming approach to the Spa entrance

Reception area

The Spa ensures the highest level of personal care by dedicated, trained staff equipped to deliver the highest levels of spa therapy and pampering. Having trained as a beauty therapist myself I was eager to chat to the Spa manager Jackie Armitage, whose own credentials are impeccable, about her teams qualifications and I can assure you that you are in good hands.

With six modern, treatment rooms, a Hydrotherapy Bath, grooming lounge, plunge pool, state-of-the-art private fitness centre, Infinity pool with garden views and a post-treatment tranquillity lounge, guests are indulged in every way to make them feel special and sensational. 

Plunge Pool with a view

I was treated to a back, neck and shoulder massage and my therapist was professional, attentive and more importantly had good hands. Even though it was a back massage my feet enjoyed a foot ritual which include the wearing of warm towelling booties and a warm bean bag was applied on my lower back and shoulders to warm the muscles.The attention to detail is very evident in all aspects of the Spa experience and this is what in my opinion sets this Spa, head and massaged shoulders above the rest.

Stylish grey and white decor theme of the Spa

Spacious treatment rooms

Beautiful and well equiped change rooms

In addition, the Oyster Box Spa also houses an authentic Turkish Hammam, where you can indulge in an array of Hammam experiences; from the Oriental Hammam Ceremony to Durban’s Hammam Ceremony offering deep cleansing, relaxing and restoring benefits. These traditional treatments have been designed to work with the unique Hammam environment to raise your body temperature to allow for a deep release, while the heated marble slab induces cleansing warmth.

At the heart of the Spa are the individually crafted ‘Oyster Box Spa Journeys’ - a unique fusion of therapies designed to replenish and soothe.  Individual and unique in character, each of the ‘Journey’s offers something special.  Individually created services and bespoke treatments are welcomed.

 The Spa is a perfect spot for everything from Kitchen Tea parties and wedding and honeymoon pampering, to Book Club gatherings and Birthday Celebrations. Gift vouchers are also available hint..hint hubby and Kiddiewinks!

Being at the cutting edge of new developments and techniques, as well as staying abreast of the latest products and treatments,The Spa at The Oyster Box has recently introduced a number of new treatments to their existing Menu.

Elemis Body Sculpting Cellulite and Colon Therapy (60 min)

Elemis BioTec Facials (75 min)

Dermalogica Advanced Skin Treatment BioSurface™ Peel (60 min)

Get Waisted® Tummy Sculpting Treatment (60 min)

The Spa comfortably accommodates both males and females and several couples treatments are available. I suggest that you visit their website to read more about the wonderful array of new and existing treatments on offer and you can book online

Tranquility Lounge for pre and post treatment relaxation

The Spa at The Oyster Box uses a variety of internationally-recognised treatment products such as Elemis, Dermalogica, Mama Mio, as well as its own exclusive, signature range of all natural, body-care products and professional spa treatments B|Africa

Having worked in many spheres of the beauty business over 35 years I have to say I have visited so many salons and Spa's both in a professional capacity and as a client. For several years my job involved travel and many nights away from home and my absolute pleasure at the end of a hectic day was either a back,neck and shoulder massage or a pedicure, both of which offered immediate relief to sore feet and tight aching shoulders. 

So I feel well qualified to say that The Spa at the Oyster Box is deserving of every award and accolade it has ever received and is in my opinion the 

Ultimate in Spa's and I can't wait to return.

I have my eye on a package that seems to been custom made for me and is available until the 

30th May 2015

Consisting of a :

Back,Neck and Shoulder massage (30 mins)

Pedicure (60 mins)

Use of the Plunge Pool & Rain Showers 

Use of Tranquility Lounge 

(which just happens to be the most divine relaxing space to end off your pamper session)

R750 

(90 mins)

For those of you residing in Cape Town that suffer from a FOMO (fear of missing out) then you can experience the similar pampering at the 12 Apostles Hotel and Spa in Camps Bay (sister hotel)

Spa contact numbers:

031 514 5071/5072/5074/5123

E.Mail address:

thespa@oysterbox.co.za

Opening Hours:

Monday - Sunday

8.00 - 20.00 

Inc. Public Holidays

Let me know if you have experienced the delights of either of these great Spas.

THE OYSTER BOX HOTEL - OCEAN TERRACE RESTAURANT {REVIEW}

One of my favourite places to go for a sundowner, at any time of the year, is The Oyster Box Hotel in Umhlanga Rocks. This 5* Hotel is part of the International Red Carnation Hotel Collection and commands undoubtedly one of the best views in South Africa.

The Ocean Terrace restaurant overlooks the crystal clear rim flow pool, the infamous Umhlanga Rocks Lighthouse and as though that wasn't stunning enough, the Indian Ocean lies beyond.

SD R70 Still rated "my best"

I have eaten at the hotel often, but this past Sunday we popped into have my usual Strawberry Daiquiri  sundowner and decided to stay and have a light bite to eat. The menu has just recently been changed  meaning that the prices have been increased pre the Holiday season plus my favourite chicken salad has been removed, so I decided to try the Traditional Fish and Chips, as did a "kiddiewink" and my hubby chose the Pukka Lamb Curry toasted sandwich. 

Traditional Fish & Chips R155

Pukka Lamb Curry Toasted Sandwich R140

At this point I must make mention of the price, yes you will hear me moan about paying too much for a terrible meal, but I don't often complain about how much a good meal costs, The fish and chips were excellent, the fish was perfectly battered and cooked and I have no complaints other than the portion was maybe on the small side,but I prefer quality to quantity, 

so what's my problem you may ask....

wait for it....

the Fish & Chips were R155 

and the sandwich, which my hubby said was not worth it,

 was R140.

Our total bill for 3 light dinners with drinks came to R960 including the tip.

I understand it's a 5* hotel, with stunning views, but the local patrons generally earn their money in Rands and not Pounds, Dollars or Euros.

Unfortunately, The Oyster Box as wonderful as it is, is pricing itself out of the local market and

sadly this is becoming too expensive for "Moi" to frequent casually anymore.

5* Strawberry Daiquiri Reviews

High Tea Review

www.oysterboxhotel.co.za