Waseem Samsodien
Google
One of the Worst Spa Experiences I've Ever Had
I visited the spa at the Cape Royal Hotel expecting a relaxing, rejuvenating experience but unfortunately, it turned out to be one of the worst spa visits I've ever had.
While the hotel itself is lovely and gives a good first impression, things quickly fell apart once we entered the spa area. The floors were filthy and sticky, which is already unsettling when you’re walking around barefoot. It immediately made the place feel unhygienic and poorly maintained.
After being shown to our massage room, we were told to undress and lie down as usual. We did and then waited ten minutes with no one returning. Eventually, I had to walk out in a towel to find someone and let them know we were ready. Their casual response of “Oh okay, are you done? Can we come in now?” was beyond unprofessional.
The actual treatment, a scrub and massage was equally disappointing. Throughout the scrub, the therapists kept blasting the tap with water for reasons unclear to us, completely drowning out the calming music that’s supposed to create a relaxing ambiance. There was constant movement, noise, and commotion not at all the peaceful spa environment you’d expect.
After the scrub, rather than taking care when dealing with the leftover scrub flakes, the therapists literally flicked and brushed the particles off the bed while we were still lying there, hitting and scratching us in the process. It was both uncomfortable and unnecessary that kind of cleanup can and should happen after the session, not during.
As for the massage itself, it felt rushed and unskilled, lacking the technique or flow you'd expect from trained professionals. It felt like they were just going through the motions, with no real care or experience behind it.
Based on previous reviews, this kind of poor service is not new, and it’s clear that management hasn't taken any real steps to improve the experience. I really hoped this would be a special treat, but it left me feeling more irritated than relaxed.
I wouldn’t recommend this spa to anyone looking for a quality wellness experience. There are far better and cleaner, more professional spas in Cape Town that take pride in the service they offer.