The Mount Nelson Hotel, Cape Town’s last word in understated elegance, style and timeless luxury, is now home to the brand new Librisa Spa — a R19-million development offering an original holistic spa experience in a sublime setting. Named after the fragrant South African Librisa Pelargonium, the spa takes inspiration from nature, with a strong botanical theme running through everything, from products, to treatments, to décor and accessories. One lucky iafrica.com reader will win an overnight stay for two in a Suite, inclusive of Full English breakfast the following morning and a day spa package for two complete with a bouquet facial and an African wellbeing experience.

The Librisa Spa is situated in three elegant houses at the edge of the hotel’s property, on a strip of land adjacent to the Oasis wing. The houses belong to a collection of five late Victorian buildings on Faure Street (recently acquired by the hotel, this was one of the city’s first residential streets). The spa buildings were recently identified as heritage sites (examples of outstanding local architecture of aesthetic and historical value) and they have been sensitively renovated and restored to their pristine former glory.

The 570m² development combines classical architecture with fresh contemporary styling and sophisticated finishes. Think hand-painted silk wallpaper, hand-blown glass and natural driftwood accessories, stylised botanical motifs and a cutting-edge chandelier by local manufacturer Willowlamp, juxtaposed with romantic Venetian mirrors and sumptuous hand-embroidered throws. Glass, marble, dark wood, water features and a palette inspired by nature complete the look.

Highlights include:

  • Hand painted silk wallpaper creates a striking backdrop to the light and spacious reception zone. Natural wood, marble, glass and mirror set the theme for the look and feel of the main spa building, and shelves showcasing the likes of locally produced handcrafted jewellery and accessories, and locally and internationally sourced beauty products are a tempting invitation to a spot of retail therapy.
  • Each innovative changing area contains a sauna and steam bath, sensation showers and heated marble slabs. An enclosed courtyard with a heated pool in each changing area is the perfect place to unwind before and after treatments, and the charcoal textured flooring (or quartz carpeting) underfoot is a sensory experience in itself.
  • The main spa building houses eight oversized treatment rooms split between the ground and upper floors of the main spa building, with four rooms on each level. Continuing the botanical theme, each treatment room is named after a plant or flower (Protea, Cosmos, Hibiscus, Gardenia, Aloe, Amaryllis, Cascara and Azalea). A spiral staircase is a focal point of the double-volume space.
  • Four of the treatment rooms have been specially designed for tandem treatment packages (for couples, mother and daughter treatments, etc.). Two of the upstairs rooms, Aloe and Amaryllis, lead out onto spacious balconies with inspiring views of Table Mountain, for an idyllic post-treatment retreat.
  • An opulent copper bath takes pride of place in Cascara’s bay window, for treatments incorporating the healing power of water.
  • In addition to the eight treatment rooms are specialised manicure and pedicure rooms complete with custom made pewter bowls and specially designed furniture.
  • A sun-splashed conservatory with natural cork flooring and comfortable loungers is an inviting spot for guests to take time out to read, relax and indulge in healthy spa snacks and smoothies from the refreshment station.

Librisa Spa utilises three primary product ranges which combine blends of healing herbs and botanical extracts to create a holistic spa experience: Africology, The Victorian Garden and Algologie. There is an emphasis on supporting local suppliers whose products have been sourced to provide guests with a complete African spa experience (traditional herbs and flowers and African indigenous plants have been long known for their therapeutic and medicinal properties and their antiseptic and healing powers have been used for centuries both medicinally and cosmetically). Massage oils have been locally sourced from Still Pure based in the fertile Riebeek Valley in the Western Cape.

The distinctive treatment menu incorporates a selection of skin, massage and body treatments, everyday ‘finishing touches’ (the likes of manicures, pedicures and waxing), men’s treatments and spa experience packages for all-out pampering. Librisa Spa is the first spa in South Africa to offer dedicated treatments for teens and children. The signature Vine Secret Vintage Experience (R960 for 120 minutes) is the ultimate in spa bliss, consisting of a head to toe combination treatment consisting of a crushed grapeseed exfoliation, a scented cocooning body wrap, a revitalising radiance facial and an indulgent massage.

Please visit www.mountnelson.co.za/librisa to download the complete Librisa Spa menu.

The Librisa Spa at the Mount Nelson Hotel is at 76 Orange Street, Gardens, Cape Town. Call the spa on +27 (0)21 483 1550. The spa is open from 9am to 8pm, Monday to Sunday.

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Competition rules
  • The prize consists of an overnight stay for two in a Suite, inclusive of Full English breakfast the following morning and a day spa package for two complete with a bouquet facial and an African wellbeing experience.
  • Transport to the Mount Nelson and any other costs not mentioned above are not included in the prize.
  • The prize is valid until 30 September 2008, and is subject to availability.
  • One completed entry per person, per competition.
  • Winners will be contacted by email or telephone and announced on the iafrica.com site.
  • The prizes cannot be exchanged for cash.
  • The judges' decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
Closing date: 31 July 2008