Chinese Knock Off Version of Mangwanani - Left needing a Chiropractor

<p>My husband and I celebrated our 12 year anniversary yesterday and we decided to really treat ourselves by booking a Spa treatment with accommodation.<br />We relocated from Durban a year ago so our previous anniversaries were often spent at Mangwanani Sibaya. We chose Zewenwacht based on Bakwena Spa being the same concept as Mangwanani Spa.<br />We thought the Spa would be the absolute highlight of our stay but to be honest, the Spa was incredibly disappointing.<br />Zewenwacht Country Inn exceeded all our expectations and it’s a total shame that the end of our stay was spoilt at Bakwena.</p> <p><br />Zewenwacht was amazing, friendly staff and incredibly helpful. The room and wine on arrival was fantastic. The restaurant, staff and meal was unforgettable. The setting at breakfast after a stunning, comfortable nights rest was amazing.<br />We could only sadly stay 1 night (Friday 3rd Feb) and had to check out by 10Am, so after breakfast had arranged to take the Bakwena shuttle to the Spa where we planned to swim, or have a drink until our 12-4pm treatments started.<br />The restaurant called the shuttle for us and we got to the Spa and from there, everything went downhill…..</p> <p><br />There were two the******s outside the Spa who didn’t greet or acknowledge us. The reception ladies didn’t question why we were early or explain our treatments would start at 12 and end at 4 as arranged. We had no drink on arrival. We made our way to the dining hall area and had to flag down a waitress for something to drink. At 11:30 we were told to go put our gowns on as treatment was starting, we were very confused but followed instructions..<br />There were no slippers in the ladies change room and no gown belt for the gown I pre ordered in my size. (I had called to book the 12-4 time slot and confirm our gown sizes) My husband had to fetch me a belt and slippers from the mens room.<br />We were shown to table 15 where there was only 1 pen and 1 plate set up. The pen is required throughout treatments to grade the******s etc. <br />We were hurried to our full body, hot stone massages. As we arrived the rest of the people were leaving treatments to have lunch (I presume) there was SUCH a racket and so much noise during the full body massages, I battled to relax. My the****** would walk in and out my treatment room to ask the staff to keep it down. At one point my the****** cupped my head with her hands and turned my head forcefully to the left then right, like a chiropractor would – this has put my neck out, I now have to see a chiropractor tomorrow as I am in so much pain and can’t turn my head properly.</p> <p><br />After the full body massage we joined everyone who was already finishing lunch. We were not offered anything to drink, and unlike Mangwanani you don’t have a water bottle to carry while having treatments done. We flagged a waitron down and arranged drinks. We went to dish lunch and nobody was serving the food to patrons. Eventually a lady came and dished lunch for us. I had barely finished lunch and could not have desert (my husband left his full bowl of desert) and we were rushed to foot, ankle treatment. Here we shared one pen between 4 people for commenting on our the******s. This treatment was pleasant but the wind was howling (as it does) and a door kept banging. Ladies at the back were standing around – eventually one of the the******s took the initiative to excuse herself from her client and close the door! </p> <p><br />We then made our way to the dining hall and went to have some coffee, no t-s****s on the saucers by the cups!? I used a straw from the bar to stir my sugar. At Mangwanani, you would have desert at this point and a reasonable time to catch your breath. We were rushed to head neck and shoulder treatment after wolfing down our coffee. The last treatment was nice, however my the****** literally stuck her fingers into my ear drums twice. I have had ear lobes massaged by the******s but never had one literally stick her fingers into my ears. By this point my neck was in pain from having the full body the****** attempt to manipulate / click my neck so the head, neck and scalp treatment felt painful. On a side note, the the****** usually asks if you would like oil in your hair – mine squeezed oil onto my head and pulled my hair several times. It was very unpleasant.</p> <p><br />We made our way upstairs and were told we were going to our full body massage next?!?! We were so confused. This was 3pm and treatments supposed to be 12-4pm . We explained we were done and usually there is amarula and chocolates. wE were told to get dressed and go to reception to collect our drink and chocolate on the way out.</p> <p><br />The ladies at reception asked how the treatments were and I explained some of the above, to which we were told Zewenwacht had insisted we must start our treatments straight away. We doubt this is the case, we merely requested to be taken to the spa early as we could not return to our room after check out.</p> <p><br />I am not a person who complains in a hurry but I feel our anniversary was absolutely beautiful until we got to the spa and all the miscommunication kicked in between both facilities. And to be left needing a chiropractor after a massage is very concerning. I would return to Zewenwacht in a heartbeat but truly hope the Spa brush up and offer the same level of professionalism, attention to detail and class as the establishment it shares it's facilities with. </p> <p> </p>