The Palace Hotel’s elegantly appointed Royal Spa, the luxurious wellness sanctuary at Sun City, is this year’s recipient of the prestigious Haute Grandeur Global Spa Award.
The Royal Spa, which opened in December 2022, received international recognition in two separate categories – Best Hotel Spa and Best Spa Design in South Africa.
The Awards set the benchmark for service excellence in 32 categories, by reviewing spas in 172 countries and across seven continents. Only the very best spas in the world will receive these highly sought-after awards.
Each year, the Award’s adjudication panel receives and reviews feedback and personal ratings from guests before making their final selection of winners. The award results are therefore unbiased and based on actual experiences.
“We are honoured by this award. The Palace Hotel is one of the world’s truly iconic hotels, but despite being internationally-renowned it needed a bespoke spa to compete with other global 5-star hotels. With the Royal Spa opening for the hotel’s 30th birthday in December 2022, The Palace can now offer that elevated experience that makes our guests feel like royalty, and they love every moment of it,” said Brett Hoppe, Sun City Resort General Manager.
In the Best Hotel Spa category, the Royal Spa was rated according to its high level of professionalism and service excellence. Since it opened, the spa has impressed guests with the standard of the products and the sheer indulgence of its carefully curated treatment menu. Treatments range from massages to body wraps, skincare therapy and an Advanced Skin Clinic, which has up-to-the minute, world-leading skincare technologies, as well as basic maintenance such as waxing and tinting.
“From our staff’s hands on excellence, to the use of prestigious brands such as Thalgo La Beautè Marine, iSClinical and Davines, wellness is the cornerstone of our approach,” said Debbie Merdjan CEO of Camelot Spa
“Being awarded as the Best Hotel Spa in South Africa underscores our unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional guest experiences. At the heart of our mission is the dedication to maintaining the highest standards of service and excellence. As recipients of this esteemed award, we pledge to consistently uphold and exceed the elevated standards that our guests have come to expect.” Said Vivienne Marks, Spa Owne
The Best Spa Design was awarded for the visual sensory experience of the interiors and spa surroundings.
12 bedrooms in The Palace were transformed by interior architects David Muirhead & Associates into a spa which is deeply rooted in Africa and lends itself to a quiet sense of privacy and tranquillity.
Tucked away in a secluded part of the hotel, the Royal Spa opens up to a lush green private garden surrounded by trees and hemmed in by a gently trickling stream. It is these outdoor elements which Muirhead chose to celebrate and use as the focal point, along with selected artworks.
The finishes of neutral marbles and natural timbers merge in simplicity, with subtle lighting toned down to set a relaxing mood. The calming comfort of the stylishly decorated interiors add to the peaceful, bespoke experience that oozes relaxation in every corner
“We wanted to create a spa environment that ‘pampers the soul’ and promotes sensory Indulgence,” said David Muirhead, who heads up interior architects David Muirhead & Associates.
“The spa celebrates a clean simple aesthetic that is both peaceful and contemporary, with walls clad in designs that celebrate the sense of peace in the space and echo the essence of Africa. Its quiet luxury at its best and very much about pampering the mind, body and soul in indulgent peace.”
The spacious spa offers six individual treatment rooms and three suites with hydrobaths and sensation showers. The adjacent Royal Salon offers further pampering by taking care of guests’ haircare styling and colour needs.