Steenberg Spa welcomes summer with a new menu and Michelin recognition

As summer unfolds across the Constantia Valley, Steenberg Spa invites guests to reconnect with nature, with stillness and with themselves. The spa’s new summer menu, inspired by the rhythms of the season, celebrates the restorative power of simplicity and the healing energy of the natural world.

Recognising its exceptional offering, the Michelin Guide, which has introduced its first-ever Michelin Keys across the continent, has awarded Steenberg Hotel & Spa one Key in the “Very Special Stay” category. This accolade highlights the estate’s commitment to delivering memorable, holistic experiences for every guest. Considered the hotel world’s equivalent of Michelin Stars, the Michelin Keys set a new benchmark for excellence in design, service and character.

“Steenberg’s Michelin Key is a testament to the dedication of our entire team,” says Catherine Schulze, manager director of Steenberg Hotel & Spa. “From the vineyards to the spa gardens, every detail reflects our commitment to offering guests a sanctuary of calm and connection.”

“Our inspiration this season comes from a return to simplicity,” says Monique Lagorie, Steenberg Spa manager. “At Steenberg Spa, we believe wellness begins with a connection to oneself, to others and to nature. This menu reflects that philosophy, with treatments that draw nourishment from the earth and encourage presence in every moment.”

Steenberg’s ethos of restoring self through connection, runs through every aspect of the new menu. Many treatments now take place outdoors in the tranquil Secret and Scented Gardens (pictured), where the sounds, fragrances and calm of nature become an integral part of the ritual.

This season also highlights ila, a revered organic wellness brand known for its purity, vibrational energy and spiritual grounding. Meaning ‘Mother Earth’, ila’s products are crafted from wild-grown botanicals, flowers and minerals.

Featured treatments include:

• Kundalini Back Therapy – a deeply restorative treatment that balances the nervous system, releases tension and restores harmony.
• Ananda Facial – designed to energise the skin and restore its natural glow with marma massage and a soothing green clay mask to reduce inflammation.
• Prana Vitality Massage – a full-body treatment that detoxifies, reduces fatigue and revitalises body and mind.

“Our partnership with ila allows guests to experience what we call grounded luxury,” says Lagorie. “It’s an approach that goes beyond pampering. It is sensory, emotional and deeply restorative. Guests leave feeling not just refreshed, but realigned.”

Reflecting the lightness of spring and summer, the menu emphasises hydration, circulation and renewal, a natural counterbalance to the Cape’s slower, restorative winter months. Signature treatments such as Scented Bliss and Romantic Escape invite guests to unwind outdoors, while Soulful Decadence and Being in Balance combine body and facial therapies for full rejuvenation.

“Our summer treatments prepare the skin and body for warmer months while helping guests feel lighter and more energised,” explains Lagorie. “It’s a time to let go of heaviness and step into the season with clarity and ease.”

Anchoring the menu is Steenberg Spa’s newly launched Thermal Suite Experience, an outdoor ritual inspired by Finnish sauna culture. Surrounded by gardens, guests move through heat and cold from the dry warmth of the sauna to the Nordic ice bucket shower, followed by an ice bath or a tranquil soak in the heated vitality pool.

“The Thermal Suite is a journey of contrasts,” says Lagorie. “The heat soothes and detoxifies, while the cold invigorates and renews. It awakens the senses and allows the body to recalibrate naturally.”

Access to the Thermal Suite is included for spa guests who book treatments valued at R2 000 or more, while hotel guests enjoy complimentary use during their stay.

Steenberg’s sense of place is central to its philosophy of well-being where vineyards, gardens and mountains meet in harmony. That connection flows through the spa experience. Guests can relax at The Pool House, sip bespoke cocktails or stroll through the estate’s sculpture-dotted gardens before exploring Steenberg’s restaurants or wine-tasting experiences.

“Steenberg has always offered a complete journey of restoration,” says Lagorie. “Whether enjoying a glass of Sauvignon Blanc overlooking the vines or experiencing a massage in the gardens, there’s a shared essence of calm, balance and timeless tranquility.”

More than a seasonal update, Steenberg Spa’s new menu is a call to pause and return to what feels natural. Wellness isn’t an indulgence; rather, it is a form of reconnection with the body, the breath and the world around us.

“This summer, we invite our guests to embrace the clarity that comes with change,” says Lagorie. “The new menu isn’t just a list of treatments; it is an invitation to create space for yourself. To breathe, reflect and feel grounded in your own well-being.”