Go on, spoil yourself

The whole Hotel du Vin experience is about being spoiled. Picture / Richard Robinson

Self-indulgence is frowned on by moralists. But if you won't treat yourself to a bit of pampering every now and again, who will? And there are few more whole-hearted and totally unjustifiable exercises of this kind of thing than the growth of the beauty spa.

The whole idea of surrendering yourself into someone's hands for your body to be treated as a temple, no matter how crumbling and cracked the temple facade may be, is almost a definition of the self-indulgent urge.

Broadly speaking, I am not a great believer in such treatments. The way they are promoted tends to remind me of those dodgy restaurant menus which go on about "baby leaves picked at dawn and lovingly prepared by our caring chefs". In beauty products, the fanciful language is often matched by fanciful pseudo-science about the supposed benefits of vitamin X and molecule Y.

So it was with a certain scepticism I undertook the salt therapy at the Spa du Vin, the stylish facility at the equally stylish Peppers Hotel Du Vin at Mangatawhiri. They talk about its Balinese style but it seemed more like a Shinto shrine to me, with the clean elegance of the Japanese tradition. Whatever the derivation, the visual appeal was a taste of what was to come.

Swathed in a cloud of robe and towels I was led into the presence of one of their prides and joy - the NeoQi cocoon. This was a rather alarming looking machine, like a half shell MRI scanner. But I was reassured by the soft lights, the low-key background music and the hushed, soothing tones of the therapist.

As I lay on the slab she basted me lightly with Sodashi plant essence oils before adding a layer of mineral salts, a procedure which, I'm ashamed to say, put me in mind of the approach to getting crisp skin on a chicken. This done, the lid of the machine was lowered and I was, indeed, cocooned with only my head out, which was then treated to a pleasing scalp massage.

While this was going on, the cocoon proceeded to provide my prone form with pretty intensive hydrotherapy. I was radiantly heated, steamed and finally a succession of jets of warm water paraded up and down my body, like the rinse cycle in a car wash.

To finish I was gently patted dry and moisturised before being led to the relaxation room, where I lay at ease and considered what effect all this had had.

Earlier, I used the word unjustified for this sort of treat, and as it is beyond the reach of art or science to restore my youthful bloom I suppose it was an idle luxury. But I certainly felt babied, pampered and thoroughly relaxed, which had been, in fact, the promise.

The whole Hotel du Vin experience is about being rather spoiled. It is set in its own vineyards, framed by a pretty rural setting. The facilities, including an attractive indoor swimming pool and spa which put us in the right frame of mind after the southern motorway, are first class and the room lavishly comfortable.

On a previous visit we had enjoyed pre-dinner drinks on the terrace, but the interesting early summer weather put paid to that idea, although it did clear enough briefly the next day to allow us to enjoy breakfast watching a kingfisher using the vine poles as the launch pad for its breakfast raids.

The dinner was outstanding, good food presented with flair and imagination to match the top flight of city restaurants, and the service was exceptional. The accompanying wines from their own Firstlands label were sound, and served by the glass in quantities that took the breath away. But nobody has to drive anywhere.

Our coffee was taken in front of a log fire - ridiculously unseasonal but very welcome, and a confirmation that in this, as in the whole package, the aim is to make sure that the guests lack nothing in comfort.

CASE NOTES

Where to find it

Peppers Hotel du Vin is 45 minutes south of Auckland on Lyons Rd, Mangatawhiri

Phone (09) 233 6314; fax (09) 233 6215;

Spa du Vin: phone (09) 233 6780; fax (09) 233 6781; freephone 080 spa 800

What's on offer

Spa du Vin offers a range of facial treatments and body therapy. These include Swedish, sports, aromatherapy and lymphatic massage options, facials, the cocoon therapy and their Rolls-Royce - a three-hour, full-body treatment for two in a private room looking out across the hills. They use Sodashi natural products and the Dr Hauschka range of cosmetics.

Treatment costs

Typical prices are $190 for 75-minute salt therapy, $120 for a one-hour man-maintenance programme, and $510 for two for a three-hour experience. There is a cardiovascular fitness gym and a yoga and Pilates studio.

Accommodation

Peppers Hotel du Vin offers a variety of accommodation packages. Its onsite facilities include clay-pigeon shooting, tennis, swimming pool, exercise course, archery, volleyball, croquet, petanque and cycling.

Typical prices, depending on the room option, are from $510 a couple for one night's accommodation, dinner and breakfast (Sunday-Fri only), or from $712 for two nights, including breakfasts and one dinner.