Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff Johannesburg continues to set itself apart in the five-star, luxury hotel space. Last month saw the launch of luxury Hungarian skincare brand, Omorovicza, in the hotel spa. This adds a super-premium offering to the spa, which currently stocks Terres d’Afrique and Biologique Recherché brands. It also marks the brand’s entry into Africa, starting with South Africa.
The brand’s charming owners and founders, Stephen and Margaret de Heinrich de Omorovicza, were in South Africa for the launch. They met in Budapest: Stephen is originally from Budapest, but was raised in Switzerland and had returned to the city to explore his roots. Margaret is originally from the US and was in the city for a diplomatic posting. They both share a fascination for the city’s varied history and of course the waters. The Omorovicza family home is built on a hot spring and features one of the famous baths in the city. It has been in the family for 200 years.
The first thermal baths were built in Budapest 2000 years ago, Stephen explained. The healing properties of the water on skin injuries and skin health was noted, and lead to the construction of around 1000 baths – or “temples of health” – all now steeped in Hungarian culture.
The area is considered a geological curiosity that results in various hot springs rich in different minerals. The composition and concentration of the minerals present in the water and mud varies from bath to bath. Certain baths around the city are still “prescribed” by doctors to treat specific conditions, based on the concentrations of the key minerals iron, calcium, magnesium, copper and zinc. These trips to the baths are subsidised by the government, Margaret said.
The story behind the brand was explained to media in one of the plush meeting rooms in the hotel’s conference centre. The founders worked with a laboratory in Hungary to develop “Hydro Mineral Transference”, a delivery system that allows the minerals from the waters in Budapest to be absorbed by the skin. We then proceeded to the spa to play with the products; smelling, smearing and experiencing the unique properties that set the brand apart. We were hosted by David Barillot, director of sales and marketing; Julanda Marais, spa director; Rubain Stroud, spa manager; Gene Redelinghuys, PR manager; with Sebastien Carre, GM, popping in to greet us.
Also with us was Adrienne Harsanyi, a facialist and international training manager for the Omorovicza brand. She has spent time coaching the spa team of therapists on the range of products and vigorous Hungarian style of massage – it feels like a workout for the face, in the best possible way.
During an express lunch at View restaurant (delicious and beautifully presented four-course meal served on one plate), and specially created Omorovicza cocktails and mocktails (lemon juice, orange juice, Earl Grey tea, mineral water, vanilla syrup and gin, garnished with lavender or fresh mint), we chatted about the role of the brand in the spa. On an international level, Omorovicza falls into a similar category as La Prairie, La Mer and Sisley in terms of premium formulas and the latest innovation in skincare and anti-ageing. It is available in a number of top hotel spas and leading retailers in 23 countries around the world, making it a familiar brand to international travellers. It is also in the First Class lounges and toiletry kits of Etihad Airways and has sponsored Fashion Week events around the world.
A week after the launch I visited the spa to experience the 90-minute Omorovicza Gold Hydralifting facial. Petunia was my facialist and she is a skilled professional – her facial massage is the best I have had; a combination of deep tissue massage and pressure points stimulation, using products that smell and feel luxurious and incorporating rose quartz crystal massage wands. This is the kind of anti-ageing and revitalizing facial massage you simply cannot do yourself at home. It is accompanied by a foot ritual and massage at the start of the treatment and a hand and arm massage while the mineral mud masks work their magic. I came away with a “prescription” listing the products best suited to my skincare needs and a glowing, beaming face.
Petunia says learning how to administer a Hungarian face massage has been exciting; it adds to her skills as a facialist and sets the spa apart in terms of offering. She says the story behind the brand and the products is an exciting new journey she looks forward to taking her clients on. And she is fascinated by the Budapest hot springs – it’s on her bucket list of places to visit.
The menu of treatments has a section dedicated to men. Rubain says they are already seeing an increase in male clientele to the spa, who are delighted with the tailor-made offering.
The spa has a two-tier pricing system, one for locals who are members of the spa and another for international visitors. Its clientele is split down the middle local/international, highlighting the popularity of the property and its offerings to Johannesburg residents.
In the three weeks since its launch I’ve been using the Omorovicza cleansing foam and Queen of Hungary mist, provided to media to try out. The pale blue foam is creamy in texture and does not contain sulphates so is gentle on the skin and does not dry it out – perfect for the hot, humid summer we’re having in Gauteng. The fresh mineral smell makes it an uplifting treat in the morning and evening, and I find I massage the product on my face and neck for longer before rinsing off thanks to its silky smooth texture and glorious smell. The iconic Queen of Hungary mist has a rose and neroli scent that works as a refreshing spritz during the day or as a post-cleanser toner. I’ve used it as both, and as a general fragrance. It is cited as the world’s first recorded perfume, formulated in the 14th century for Queen Elizabeth of Hungary.
Contact details:
Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff Johannesburg
Address: 67 Jan Smuts Avenue, Westcliff, 2193
Tel: 011 481 6000
Website: www.fourseasons.com/Johannesburg/
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