Lifestyle mega-estate Steyn City, in the northern suburbs of Johannesburg, South Africa has announced the opening of a new spa.

Steyn City is the sister property of Saxon Hotel, Villas and Spa in Johannesburg – a member of the Leading Hotels of the World. Both are owned by the Steyn family and the estate is a legacy project developed by the late South African billionaire Douw Steyn.

Steyn City is an expansive multi-billion rand wellness destination that has an 18-hole Nicklaus-design championship golf course, a 300-metre long lagoon pool for watersports and many more activities.

According to an interview with Steven Louw, CEO of Steyn City Properties, the estate (which is still expanding) will eventually have 760 residences when construction completes in Q4 of 2026, per The Property Pod.

The first 180 apartments were launched during the first phase of development for sale and rent in August 2022. By October 2024, 80 per cent of them were occupied. Forty-five of these properties were rented.

The estate is expected to complete construction on all the apartments in Q4 of 2026.

The development's Steyn City Hotel, by Saxon, opened in October 2024. It has 50 luxury serviced apartments, as well as a three-bedroom penthouse and a four-bedroom presidential Suite.

The Saxon Spa

A spokesperson for Steyn City told Spa Business exclusively that the investment for the 1,400sq m two-floor Saxon Spa at Steyn City was around R56 million (US$3.2 million, €2.7 million, £2.4 million).

The spa has been designed by Amanda Elliott and Matthew Fogg of Design Collective. Echoing nature’s elements, with soft curves and a palette of warm whites and greens, the concept is about bringing the outdoors inside.

Water, fire, earth and air are referenced in the design which provides space for peace and presence.

South African craftsmanship is evident throughout the interiors. Chandeliers made from recycled glass by local environmental artist Stephen Pikus hang in each of the nine treatment rooms (including two double suites).

A bespoke mosaic by Mosaic Art adorns the spa’s hydrotherapy circuit. These thermal facilities include a plunge bath, sauna, steamroom, heated vitality pools and a flotation pool.

The outdoor deck provides a space for yoga sessions and holistic programming. Crystals have been placed throughout this space to support grounding and positive energy flow.

There is also a juice bar that serves snacks to complement the wellness journey.

Tanya Lopes, spa manager for Saxon Spa, told Spa Business: “The opening of this second Saxon Spa is a proud moment for me. We are expanding the well-known Saxon Spa experience for the first time to a new location and a new market, in the prestigious Steyn City lifestyle estate.”

The spa will be open to Steyn City residents, hotel guests and day spa visitors.

On the treatment menu

Steyn City’s Saxon Spa will offer treatments that are already popular at its sister Saxon Hotel, such as the Soul by Saxon Signature Journey and Digital Detox Journey.

The Soul by Saxon Signature Journey is a 95-minute treatment that uses the Saxon Spa’s own range, Soul by Saxon.

During this treatment, apricot kernel and rooibos leaves are used to exfoliate the skin. Shea butter, aloe ferox, moringa oil and African potato are combined and applied for their anti-oxidant and nourishing properties. Guests then receive an imbola river clay mask to facilitate the absorption of active ingredients. A deep tissue massage concludes the therapy, using oils with extracts of marula and Cape geranium.

The spa is also introducing vibracoustic wellness journeys, provided using equipment by the Gharieni Group.

Lopes added: “Saxon Spa is focusing on nurturing body, mind and spirit – and with the new Quantum Harmonics Vibracoustic offering, we are completing this healing journey.”

The company’s Quantum Harmonics acoustic and vibrational technology merges meditation techniques and sound therapy. Guests recline in a lounger and vibrational frequencies pulse through the body as they listen to a carefully composed soundscape to promote deep relaxation.

“The target clients for this treatment are the guests who are looking to sleep better, to reduce stress and/or anxiety levels and who are looking to improve general relaxation of the body and mind,” added Lopes. “We are very excited to be offering this as part of the Saxon Spa wellness experience at the new spa.”

In addition to the spa's own Soul by Saxon products, skincare partners include:

• Ayurvedic aromatherapy brand Subtle Energies

• Ling New York, which blends Eastern philosophy with Western science to calm the skin• Vegan and naturally derived anti-ageing brand Dr Levy Switzerland

• Babor, with formulae that target pigmentation, elasticity and skin regeneration

Mungo Towels supplies the changing room towels and linen.

Other Steyn City facilities

The property has a clubhouse gym with Technogym equipment, padel courts, plus a 45km promenade and 50km mountain bike trail.

There’s also a basketball court, an indoor aquatic centre, an equestrian centre and 2,000 acres of parkland.

There is also an art gallery, a heli-pad, restaurants, shops, a security centre and even a school campus.