A NATURAL SELECTION
Librisa Spa’s philosophy centres around the healing power of touch. Product ranges combine blends of healing herbs and botanical extracts to create a nurturing and holistic spa experience. There is an emphasis on supporting local suppliers whose products have been sourced to provide guests with a completely African 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).
Elemis: Integrity, Purity and Efficacy
Librisa Spa now stocks a comprehensive selection of products and offers a variety of treatments from the UK’s biggest beauty brand - Elemis. With over 17 years experience in treating both men and women in the professional spa environment, Elemis is available at only the most exclusive spas and salons around the world. The professional spa-therapies are world renowned for their efficacy, results and powerful massage sequences, combined with the most dynamic active ingredients available in the world today. (www.elemis.com)
Clarins: A Commitment to Nature and Visible Results
Librisa Spa is one of two local destination spas to carry Clarins - one of the world’s most popular high-quality beauty brands. Clarins is famous for cultivating botanicals from around the globe to be used exclusively in their formulations. The comprehensive range of skincare, sun-care and body products excels in the area of protecting the skin from harsh, environmental aggressors – making it ideal for the local climate. (www.clarins.co.za)
Africology: The Healing Essence of Africa
Librisa Spa is one of a few local spas to carry the South African-made Africology range. Created by Renchia Droganis, a healer and skin care therapist, the range captures the healing essences of Africa and is symbolic of South Africa’s own healing journey. Products contain botanical ingredients like Marula, African Potato, Rooibos and Aloe Vera, and 100 percent natural essential oils. Also incorporated is a unique form of energy therapy and radionics whereby the active energetic essences of plants work in harmony with the body’s energetic field. The range includes a selection of effective anti-aging skincare products and heaven-scented body products. (www.africology.co.za)
The Victorian Garden: An Enchanting Heritage
Available exclusively at Librisa Spa, the The Victorian Garden range has been created by hand by a local herbalist and aromatherapist using original formulas which date back to Victorian Times. Products are affordable and completely natural, containing traditional herbs and flowers known for their antiseptic and healing powers. (www.thevictoriangarden.co.za).
Other South African brands available at Librisa Spa include:
• Thyme for Men is the first locally produced skincare brand exclusively for men. Each product contains Hydrochrosite crystals (which are sourced from the Kuruman region of South Africa) to help stimulate and preserve cells for supple, younger-looking skin. (www.thymeformen.com)
• Eklon is a unique range of body care treatments, manufactured from the brown seaweed Ecklonia Maxima which is indigenous to South Africa’s West Coast and rich with nutrient which help eliminate stress, tension and toxins from the body. (www.eklon.net)
A FRESH APPROACH
Librisa Spa’s treatment menu incorporates facial treatments, massage and body treatments, everyday ‘finishing touches’, men’s treatments and spa experience packages for all-out pampering. Each treatment has been specially designed by Spa Manager Natasha Springett and her team of therapists to incorporate sequences unique to the spa. It’s not easy to single out the most remarkable treatments on offer since they are all exceptional, but these signature treatments have earned legendary appeal:
• The Bouquet Facial – a fantasy of floral extracts to boost the skin and up the feel-good factor.
• The Energy Massage – a holistic healing experience incorporating colour crystals and stimulating Black Pepper body balm.
• The African Well-being Experience – a blissful soak in a Victorian bath followed by a Ginger and Vanilla massage.
• The Lavender and Aloe Cinderella Facial – the ultimate indulgence for little princesses.
Librisa Spa is the first spa in South Africa to offer dedicated treatments for teens and children. All treatments are based on the therapeutic healing power of touch, as opposed to machines and invasive practices. Also on the menu is a selection of Librisa Experiences which combine treatments with culinary indulgences at Mount Nelson Hotel.
AN ELEGANT HERITAGE
Librisa Spa is situated in an elegant heritage home at the edge of the hotel’s property, on a strip of land adjacent to the Oasis wing. The main spa building belongs 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). These buildings were recently identified as heritage sites, after having been sensitively renovated and restored to their pristine former glory.
BEAUTY IN THE DETAILS
The 570 square metre (6100 square feet) development combines classic architecture with fresh contemporary styling and distinctive 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.
• Changing areas contain 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 (which are rumoured to be the biggest in the country) 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 custom-designed manicure and pedicure rooms which can each accommodate up to three people at the same time.
• 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 snacks from the refreshment station.
For press assistance contact Benita Kursan on +27 0 21 483 1930, email bkursan@mountnelson.co.za.
