1. S
ITTING in reception at
Brookdale Health Hydro,
looking through the French
doors as I signed my life
away, I had a One Flew Over the
Cuckoo’s Nest moment. People on a
chilly winter’s day in bathrobes and
slippers eating their lunch. That
was as an outsider. Once you’re
“inside” it’s all good – so good they
may as well throw away the key.
But they wouldn’t. And inmates
sneak off now and again for a round
of golf at Gowrie around the bend
or, like truant kids and much to the
amusement of the staff, a pint and a
pie at over-the-road Rawdons, or
even further afield.
In any case, they spit guests out
on a Saturday and one frequent
guest was wondering where to stay
in the area before he came back for
another few days prior to resuming
his high-pressure lifestyle.
Why do people come to
Brookdale? Colonic irrigation? I
had to ask, and was assured they
“do not offer or recommend colonic
irrigation”. Phew! Relax.
Truth is, I was anything but
relaxed. I am meant to be, but things
in the days preceding my visit piled
up and I was frazzled when I arrived,
and if I didn’t realise how much, my
first treatment (and second and
third) made it very clear. By the time
I left, though, I was in a completely
different state, happy on my drive
and mindful of the inspirational
Ralph Waldo Emerson quote left on
my pillow the previous night.
I don’t much like inspirational
quotes. Not in the “insert
inspirational quote” or décor way so
often used in many places.
Here it is different – heartfelt and
a reflection of Brookdale and one of
many reasons so many have been
coming back since Tony and Wendy
Somers-Cox opened the hydro in
1992. Some, like hydro general
manager Marilyn Cox, have never
left. What an advert she is –
engaging, vivacious, clear,
considerate and radiating good
vibes and health.
The best places I’ve visited are
run by involved owners who lead by
example. Brookdale is such a place.
Tony, dynamo Wendy, Marilyn and
almost all the staff live on the
property and it makes a difference.
Some palpable aspects – quality,
consistency, energy, confidence and
no doubt others – are imbued on
staff and guests alike.
I’ve lounged in a robe elsewhere
and had fantastic treatments and it
was grand and lovely, but just, well,
indulgent. At Brookdale there’s
purpose. “There is a point to what
we do,” said therapist April
McNally during a brisk early
morning walk before brekkie. It’s a
highly-skilled, drilled and
motivated team with everyone
rowing in the same direction.
You choose how much you
engage or disengage, how much you
row or are rowed. For some, having
to traipse to the rose garden in a robe
in midwinter for a fag or to make a
cellphone call may be the hardest
thing they envisage, but it’s worth
heeding the early morning wake-up
call and rooibos tea (no caffeine) and
joining in, though you can just put a
Shhhhh sign on your door.
There’s time and space for
quietude, wincing along the
reflexology path or meandering in
the labyrinth between delightful,
extremely professional treatments
or after a vigorous aquacise class,
perhaps. There is a wi-fi hotspot and
DStv if you need, though the TV
stayed off in my peaceful, expansive
forest view suite above the tumbling
brook and steep dale from whence
Brookdale gets its name.
Don’t be wary of the grub. Yes
it’s healthy, no it’s not yeugh! and
you won’t go hungry. Chef-cum-
front-of-house Juliet Stephenson
prepares delicious meals, many of
which are available in what is more
than a recipe book, but also a
Brookdale capsule and a very
practical guide for a healthier life.
Sold!
Call 033 266 6208 or visit
www.brookdale.co.za for winter
specials.
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To advertise,contact
SHARMAINE GOVENDER
Tel 031 308 2534
Cell 082 666 0304
sharmaine.govender@inl.co.za
appearsinthefollowing
newspapers:
DURBAN
SundayTribune
GAUTENG
SaturdayStar
PretoriaNewsWeekend
CAPE
WeekendArgus
(Saturday&Sunday)
WE are giving away a three-night stay for two
in a standard room worth R10 900 at
Brookdale Health Hydro. The package
includes full board, a Swedish full-body
massage and an express facial, walks,
relaxation classes, Pilates, yoga, and use of
the indoor heated pool, gym, studio, labyrinth
and reflexology path.
Enter with SMBrookdale as the subject.
Provide your name, subscriber number or
delivery address and telephone number.
Name one of the founders. Closes July 21.
We are giving away a four-night stay for
two at Whale View Manor in Simon’s Town,
including breakfast and dinner on two nights
worth R8 160, a full body massage (R800) and
a Seal Island trip (R800). First Car Rental will
sponsor a Group C vehicle (R2 600).
Weparkyoufly will collect and return the
winner’s cleaned vehicle at King ShakaAirport
(R443.23). Flights not included.
Enter with SMWhale as the subject.
Provide your name, subscriber number or
delivery address and telephone number.
Name the beach in front of the hotel. See
www.whaleviewmanor.co.za Closes July 14.
HOW TO ENTER
The competition SMS number is 33258
(SMSes charged at R1.50). Our competition
e-mail address is sm.leisure@inl.co.za. By
entering our competitions you give us the right
to contact you for marketing. Prizes are not
transferable. T&Cs apply. For enquiries, call
031 308 2584 during office hours. For
subscriber enquiries, and to save 30 percent
on the price, call 0800 204711.
OUR WINNER: Chris Fourie won a stay for
four at Zululand Tree Lodge.
WIN WIN WIN WIN
Inside skinny
from the spa
Adrian Rorvik gets to hang around in a bathrobe
with similarly-clad strangers, and loves it
People arrive at Brookdale Health Hydro frazzled and leave happy, relaxed and ready to resume their high-
pressure lifestyles after pampering by a highly-skilled and motivated team.
Yes, the food at Brookdale is
healthy – and delicious to boot.