The refurbished Valley Lodge and new La Cigale Spa, through which the
Valley Lodge
Less than an hour away from the heart of
Valley Lodge, with its African and Spanish influences, is synonymous with comfort, romance, quality family time, teambuilding and conferences, and the new La Cigale Spa offers a comprehensive range of treatments designed to restore a sense of balance and wellbeing.
Intimate Ambience
The intimate ambience of the new-look lounge, convivial Maloney’s Bar with pool tables (full and quarter), refurbished early mining-themed Saunders Bar, comfort food at the traditional Sunday lunches for those wanting a day in the country, catered picnics on the private banks of the Magalies River and the serenade of birds in their natural habitat (over 356 species recorded thus far) make for an ideal country escape.
Choices of accommodation (76 rooms), range from superior elegance to country-cottage cosy, with views ranging from wooded gardens to river bank. You can sleep in the same room as Ronaldo did or choose a luxury river-facing family cottage suite in the reserve. All rooms have underfloor heating, air-conditioning and wooden floors.
Zeederburg Restaurant
Valley Lodge is renowned for its fine food, which ranges from catered picnics and a pizza bar to buffet meals and the elegant Zeederburg Restaurant, where the Table d Hote Menu changes daily. Amongst the hot and cold starters and soups are a Caesar salad or springbok carpaccio with tomato tartar, grilled aubergines, shaved gotino cheese and roasted garlic oil.
For mains there are grilled kingklip, fillet steak or a vegetarian option. And the delectable desserts include home-made milk tart and steamed malva pudding; followed by the cheese platter. You do not have to worry too much about your waistline because there is a gym and some great walks from the hotel.
Game Trails & Footpaths
There are a number of trails through the Valley Lodge Nature Reserve. These range from short walks through the bird sanctuary to longer ones along the river or through the koppies. For the less strenuously inclined there is fly-fishing, with crash courses arranged through the hotel for the uninitiated.
There is also the historically themed Zeederburg Trail that follows the old coach road running through the property. This takes in stone kraals probably built by Mzilikazi’s followers, a Boer farmhouse from 1838 and early gold exploration diggings.
Romantic Weddings
Valley Lodge has a quaint chapel above the river for weddings. But many chose to use the extensive gardens along the river for that special day. What makes it so great is they can give you all the advice and provide catering options. The only thing not included is dealing with his mother.
There are five conference venues and a function area. The hotel is also a favourite getaway for teambuilding exercises.
La Cigale Spa
The magnificent La Cigale Spa at Valley Lodge is an environmentally friendly state-of-the-art wellness centre that must rank amongst the best in
The ambience of this spa is tranquility and relaxation, which is as it should be. It is there from the moment you step into this luxurious, softly lit white space of stone and wood floors with huge windows onto the treed garden and river beyond. And it continues with the welcoming fruit cocktail and friendly, professional service that is ultimately the hallmark of this wellness centre.
Facilities & Hydrotherapy
Among the facilities at La Cigale are four double and two single treatment rooms fitted with colour therapy lights; a heated pool with high-powered jet for resistance training; a Jacuzzi under a beautiful domed skylight; saunas and steam rooms also fitted with colour therapy lights; a lounge area and deck; and the Spa Café, which serves light meals and refreshments.
Hydrotherapy is a major component of the treatments at the spa. It involves the use of hot and cold water in its various forms – liquid, ice and steam – to stimulate the body’s inherent ability to regulate and heal itself. At the root of hydrotherapy is the belief that water is the essence of life. Water treatments benefit the body through a number of applications; including compresses, baths, steam or sauna, plunge pools and shower sprays.
The most significant element of this therapy is temperature. Heated water dilates blood vessels, encourages perspiration and relaxes muscles and joints. Cold water constricts blood vessels, reduces inflammation and congestion in surface tissues and increases blood flow to the internal organs. Hot and cold are applied alternately and repeatedly. The more extreme the temperature and the more generally applied; the more extreme the reaction or benefit.
Massage Therapy, Wraps & Facials
Among the other therapies on offer are full body; back and neck; hot stone; foot; and Indian head massages. Aroma oils are incorporated where an element of healing is also required as part of the treatment.
Fango therapy, or complete body wraps using muds, clays and other therapeutic agents, are ideal for detoxing, remineralising and regeneration. For facials, La Cigale uses the innovative Skin Sphere range of products, which are recognised globally for utilising science and nature as their model for purity, harmony and balance. Spa facials are available in three levels of intensity: Basic, Comprehensive and Indulgent.
Body brushes and polishing; pedicures and manicures; and other grooming pamperings are available. Therapies range from 30 minutes to full day packages for individuals, couples and corporate clients. There are also yoga and laughter workshops.
The Jewel of Magaliesburg
Valley Lodge and la Cigale Spa are the jewels of Magaliesburg. The amazing thing about them is that you have high expectations on arrival, and they exceed them every time. It is in the big things they set out to accomplish while never losing sight of the tiny details.
Highly recommended – you will seldom find anything better.
