Travel News

The Leeu Spa at Leeu Estates has re-opened post lockdown under the management of the internationally-acclaimed South African spa and wellbeing brand Healing Earth.

Though this is Healing Earth’s first dedicated spa in its home country, it already has several successful spas in the Maldives and Zanzibar. Initially, the more extensive and greatly improved wellness offering will only be available to day guests as Leeu Estates will not re-open to overnight guests till January.

Healing Earth’s appointment is in line with Leeu Collection’s strategy of focusing on lifestyle aspects, such as beautifully curated interiors, exquisite landscaped gardens and stunning pieces of art, while partnering with experts in their fields to look after other areas of the guest experience. For example, a raft of celebrated chefs has already been brought onboard to operate the inhouse restaurants in South Africa and the UK.

Located at the five-star Leeu Estates, a boutique hotel set amid herb gardens, orchards and vineyards in the picturesque Franschhoek Valley, Leeu Spa is the perfect home for Healing Earth – a brand established by spa veteran Elisabeth Brandt to offer the highest-quality products, therapies and spa concepts that nurture both the body and soul, by harnessing the restorative powers of Africa’s rich natural (often organic) resources, such as minerals, flowers, herbs or natural oils.

Reflecting its beautiful location in the Cape Winelands, Healing Earth will use the lovingly-created collection of Pinotage facial and body care products at Leeu Spa. Healing Earth pioneered the use of this uniquely South African grape in its products and its vinotherapy range harnesses the antioxidant properties of its seeds, skins and stems for skincare that not only reflect the essence of the country’s winelands, but are also effective in guarding against free radicals and the elements, while leveraging the powerful anti-ageing effects of polyphenols.

Masters in the art of bringing memorable, multi-sensory spa and wellbeing experiences to guests the world over, Healing Earth will also offer unique and fully immersive holistic packages that go far beyond outer beauty to facilitate a harmonious connection between mind and body. Add to this a comprehensive wellness programme of motivational talks, yoga, meditation, life coaching and personal development workshops, and guests can expect a truly life-changing offering at a world-class destination.

“We like to work with local experts and companies that are the best in their field,” says Leeu Collection Founder Analjit Singh. “While Healing Earth has run spas very successfully overseas, it is based in the region and makes its own products from local ingredients. We are confident that this combination of experience and authenticity will elevate our offering, creating a destination spa that will appeal to inhouse guests and day visitors.”

Adds Healing Earth Founding Director Elisabeth Brandt, “The Healing Earth family is dedicated to award-winning quality, unparalleled service excellence and memorable experiences, combined with a strong focus on environmental sustainability and social upliftment. To this end, we have certainly found yet another perfect partner in the Leeu Collection, as it resonates and reflects our unwavering commitment and values.”

Both Leeu Collection and Healing Earth are dedicated to the wellbeing of the planet and its people through active social responsibility projects, supporting local and sustainable initiatives wherever possible. Healing Earth’s earth-, people- and animal-friendly products and methods echo Leeu Collection’s aims to respect, sustain and uplift the people and natural resources of Franschhoek – and South Africa – in all that it does.

Together, they are creating a whole new world of world-class wellbeing in the Cape winelands.