Fordoun Hotel and Spa is a little (not so little) piece of heaven that is one of the most relaxing spots we’ve ever experienced!
After being welcomed by the super efficient and friendly staff, we were quickly shown to room number three. What a view! The rooms are large and comfortable with a full bathroom en-suite, which is ideal for a person who loves to relax in a bath. The hotel comprises 22 luxurious, comfortable, individually styled rooms and the relatively new self-catering farm village offering 11 fully equipped cottages, a chapel and a wedding/conference venue. With panoramic views of the Drakensberg, Fordoun provides a tranquil country setting.
Our spa treatment was booked for 3 p.m., so we enjoyed a quick walk around the gardens to see all its beauty and get a real sense of the feeling of Fordoun. Tall, rustling trees and the sound of running water instantly relaxed us, with benches all around to just sit and enjoy. Oasis of tranquillity… Yes, Jon, we 100% agree!
At 2:40 p.m., we made our way to the spa. It’s much bigger than first meets the eye with all the amenities on offer – a heated pool, a gym, a yoga area, all the spa treatments and so much more! To start our spa session, we experienced a “first” – the floatation tank. The relaxing blue lights were an incredible start to the treatment, followed by 30 minutes of complete relaxation, floating and underwater whale sounds! Float therapy helps you relax, reduces anxiety, improves sleep quality and aids in muscle recovery. Next, we went for our full body massages. It was perfection, and the hour went by way too fast! We then ended the afternoon with a relaxing 30 minutes in the jacuzzi.
At 6:30 p.m., we went for dinner at the in-house restaurant. Wow! What an absolute treat! Their fine dining restaurant, Skye Bistro, uses only the freshest local produce available. The variety of food on offer was perfect! We started with the Garlic Mussel Hot Pot and The Ox Liver and Roasted Baby Onions. For mains, we thoroughly enjoyed a Chicken and Prawn Curry (served with all the sides and accompaniments you want with great Curry) and I had a lighter meal of Grilled Kingklip, served with herbed Mash and seasonal Veg! To end this fantastic meal, we shared a Coffee Crème Brûlée and sipped cappuccinos in the cosy, firelit lounge area.
The next morning, we decided on an early breakfast as I had a 9 a.m. treatment at the spa. There was a full spread available as well as a menu of hot items to choose from! We met the family at breakfast and loved hearing all their stories of how Fordoun started. But that’s for another edition…
My next spa treatment was one I’d only ever experienced once before! Before getting started, Jenny explained the process of Bio Energy Rebalancing, the concept behind this “oldest form of healing” and its benefits to me. It’s a strange feeling to lie there while being energetically “worked on”. It follows the concept of treating and balancing the body as one complete unit of energy; body, mind and spirit; physical, emotional, mental and spiritual. After the treatment, she spoke to me about what she felt and released in my body.
We took our time packing up (and I sneaked in another quick bath) and enjoyed the vast open spaces, cows and ducks before heading out into the world again.
Yip – Fordoun ticked all our boxes! This spot has it all, and we will be back very soon. The luxury rooms with views from the bath and an outdoor shower are next on the “to-experience” list for sure!
Words by: Lorinda Scott