The Woodlands Centre for Wellbeing and Spa in Muldersdrift is a natural, sacred and healing place that allows you to relax, heal and let go. To allow you to experience this we are giving away five R200 vouchers, which can be redeemed against any treatment. All you need to do is send us your name and email address to
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
with the subject ‘Woodlands’.
Mind, Body, Soul, Nature
The concept of Woodlands is unique in that it incorporates treating the mind, body and soul holistically while leaving the gentlest of footprints on its beautiful surroundings on the banks of the
Founded by Marisa Farinha Lloyd, Woodlands was awarded the prestigious Les Nouvelles Day Spa of the year award in 2008. As a spa it offers a full range of treatments by qualified therapists. These include a hydrotherapy route, body treatments, massages, facials, waxing, tinting, and manicures and pedicures. But it is much, much more than this.
Healing Retreats
Healing retreats at Woodlands (ranging from 3-12 days) offer a profound opportunity for healing and change in your life. Their approach is to get to the root of your health or emotional problem, rather than to deal with the symptoms.
If you have confronted an emotional crisis or a recurring pattern of ill-health, then a holistic approach is the way to healing. They serve as your guide to give you the tools to create your own miracle of healing.
The retreat is designed to focus on three core areas:
o To establish the root cause of the presenting illness or emotional challenge
o To facilitate a process of release and healing through the supportive therapies
o And to equip you with the skills to sustain the physical and emotional health attained whilst on retreat.
Mind Body Consultation
The retreat is preceded by an extensive mind-body medical consultation with the resident medical practitioner, Dr Ela Manga. She then works with the counselling therapist to create a personalised programme to best facilitate the healing process, which includes the Body Talk System, Reiki, lymphatic drainage and supportive spa therapies.
The duration of the retreat is then decided. As part of your stay a cleansing diet is followed, facilitating a process of detoxification and the establishing of a healthier eating plan. In addition, a supplement regime is administered to support the detox process.
Other and Upcoming Offerings
Woodlands offers yoga and meditation for beginners through to advanced levels. These are done in one of their rooms or on a deck overlooking a waterfall. There are also family constellations, crystal healing, and mother and baby programmes.
They also have regular events such as an organic market. This Sunday there is a spring cooking workshop with chef Daniel Jardim and next Friday there is a full moon spa evening. Or you can go there just to be in one of the most peaceful spaces on Earth.
The Architecture of Woodlands
When Marisa created Woodlands she had two ideas in mind – passion and simplicity. What emerged were very modern buildings which tread lightly on the earth. It is a living, breathing space designed to achieve a healthy, vital environment.
From the moment you arrive, this is all evoked from the colours, textures, sounds, shapes and lighting. There are the burnt oranges of the Highveld and olive hues of Muldersdrift. It is cool, but warmly inviting, with huge panoramic glass doors that open onto wooden decks and the river beyond. Breezes blow through carrying the tinkle of water and the scents of the garden. Mind, body and nature soon become one.
Their Ethos
Woodlands walks the talk. Not only do they offer holistic healing, but their holistic ethos is carried through to all they do. Every product used, down to the toilet paper, is organic and biodegradable. Their grass roofs allow the building to blend naturally into the environment, capture the rain, and create a specific internal climate.
The expanses of glass allow the outdoors in to maximise natural light and balance the temperature. They have a recycling system throughout the spa for everything used, down to an animal farmyard for leftover organic food waste. Moreover, they are involved in a number of community projects and source as much as possible locally.
River Café
Worthy of a visit on its own is River Café, with its Daniel Jardim designed menu. Food, for Woodlands, is integral to health and vitality so this addition is a natural extension. Its breakfasts and light lunches will give you the chance to explore how you can improve your wellbeing by simply living in closer harmony with the seasons.
Woodlands Centre for Wellbeing and Spa is highly recommended. To treat you we are giving away five R200 vouchers, which can be redeemed against any treatment. All you need to do is send us your name and email address to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it with the subject ‘Woodlands’.
